Community

The Sons and Daughters of Italy in America will honor veteran educator Lyn Scolaro as Person of the Year at a gala on July 13 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. For details, call 630-913-7654. The following profile was provided by the organization. Lyn Scolaro Professoressa Lyn Scolaro is the daughter of Veneto parents Mary (Cecchin-Galliera Veneta) and Attilio (Loreggia), sister to Lori (Robb) Vasilevich, and the proud ZiZi of Luc and Giuliana. She has been at Prospect High School for 28 years, and has been teaching Italian for 37 years, beginning her career at Mother Guerin High School in …

The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and Shrine commemorated the recent passing of the Rev. Peter Sordi with an 11 a.m. Mass on June 1. The Mass was concelebrated by local Scalabrini priests, with Bishop Lawrence Sabatini and the Rev. Nicholas Marro speaking during the services. (708-344-4140) Rev. Peter was born and ordained in Italy, accepting his first position as a parish priest at Holy Guardian Angels and Our Lady of Pompeii in 1946. He taught at Sacred Heart Seminary in Stone Park, served in various leadership roles on the provincial and general levels for the Scalabrini Fathers, and …

The Comboni Missionaries commemorated the second anniversary of the death of the Rev. Angelo Biancalana with a 6 p.m. Mass on June 11 in the chapel of the Comboni Mission Center in LaGrange Park. (708-354-1999) Rev. Angelo was born in Italy, moved to the Chicago area in 1951, and was ordained on May 25, 1958. Following that, he did missionary work among Native Americans in California, ran the Comboni’s vocation program in Cincinnati and crisscrossed the country in search of future missionaries. Fulfilling his dream of going to Africa, he spent more than 15 years there as a pastor, teacher …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca recently brought together local religious leaders for a non-denominational, interfaith breakfast at Governor State University. Attendees discussed ways the state can work with local faith communities to improve the quality of life in the southern suburbs. “Faith leaders and places of worship do more than just nourish a person’s soul. They are places that in good and bad times become the focal points of a community,” DeLuca said. “They are at the center of these community occurrences, bring people together and provide additional services to the less fortunate.”

The Rockford Italian Sister Cities Alliance held its annual fundraiser, A Taste of Italy IV, on Nov. 4 at the Venetian Club. Several local restaurateurs provided samples for tasting, including Antonina Laudicina from Napoli’s Pizza in Loves Park (pictured). Other participants included the Venetian Club, Bravo, Cucina DiRosa, DiTullio’s, Franchesco’s, Gerry’s, Roma Bakery and the St. Ambrogio Club, which founded the alliance. Nearly 200 people attended the event. Proceeds support student and professional exchanges between Rockford and Ferentino, with plans underway for an academic exchange from Ferentino to Rockford this year. (ourrisca.org)

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, honored a dozen outstanding individuals from all walks of life at the 18th annual Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Gala on May 5 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles. “Our recipients walk among giants in their chosen professions,” says Lodge President Marie Marsalli. “They lead by example and truly embrace their Italian heritage.” Fra Noi’s own Pat Capriati, author of the monthly Italian-language profile “L’eta d’oro” and co-host of the bilingual radio program “Domenica Insieme,” received an Award of Excellence in Communications at the event. Also receiving awards …

In the two decades since its founding, the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization has created a remarkable legacy of giving. Each year, the group provides hundreds of needy families with full Thanksgiving meals, presents tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to college-bound students and bestows tens of thousands of dollars more upon veterans in need and other worthy causes. “None of what we do would be possible without the involvement and support of our members,” says CIACO president Bob Urbinati. “That’s why we decided to present our Humanitarian of the Year Award in memory of deceased members at this …

The new president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hit the ground running at the organization’s annual meeting. Speaking to a packed dining room at Casa Italia’s Banquet Center, Sergio Giangrande announced a dramatic rollback of dues in an effort encourage involvement on the part of both individuals and organizations. Giangrande proposed a tiered structure to replace the $500 dues for organizational members. $100 membership now grants voting rights and inclusion of events in the JCCIA’s e-blasts. $250 membership nets voting rights, inclusion in the e-blast and an ad in the souvenir book for the Columbus Day Parade. …

Dr. Katina Spadoni will ascend to the presidency of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society on April 23 at Gene & Georgetti’s in Chicago. Dr. Spadoni and her sister, Rosella, are founding dentists at South Barrington Dental. She received her bachelor’s of science in biology cum laude in 1984 from Loyola University of Chicago and completed her graduate studies and earned her D.D.S. degree from Loyola University School of Dentistry in 1987. Joining her as Arcolian officers are President-Elect Dr. Chuck DiFranco Jr., Vice President Dr. Paul E. DiFranco, Secretary Dr. Derek Fornelli and Treasurer Dr. Mary Teresa Lima. For details, …

The Italian-American community has reacted with dismay to the University of Notre Dame’s decision to enshroud a series of 12 murals depicting the life of Christopher Columbus. “This is another example of revisionist history and a slap in the face to all Italian Americans,” says Italian American One Voice Coalition spokesperson André DiMino. “I implore the president of Notre Dame to reconsider his decision and not give in to the hysteria of the moment. Italian Americans celebrate Columbus’ achievement of uniting the continents.” “This is not the first time that Christopher Columbus has been under attack,” says NIAF Vice Chair John …