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    Longtime Fra Noi contributor James Scalzitti was one of the honorees at DePaul University’s School for New Learning Awards luncheon in June. His independent study project, “Italians vs. Themselves: The Rocky Road to Political Empowerment in Metropolitan Chicago,” was judged among the six best papers submitted to SNL over the 2014-2015 academic year by a committee of DePaul faculty and writing experts. The award was presented to Scalzitti by DePaul School for New Learning Dean Marisa Alicea. You can read his paper at http://bit.ly/1OxIJpM.  

  Writer Maria Lisella has been named the poet laureate of Queens, N.Y. “We received applications from 30 accomplished poets and the task of narrowing these applicants to a single winner was a difficult one, but we felt Maria stood out because of the quality of her poetry,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. “She is an amazing writer who is capable of synthesizing the borough’s many cultures and languages into incredible poetry. She also has deep love and appreciation of Queens that comes from being a lifelong resident, and she understands the responsibility that comes from being selected.”  

  It was a Festa della Repubblica the likes of which Chicago had never witnessed. On June 2, more than 400 revelers converged on the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame on historic Taylor Street to enjoy a gala event staged by Onesti Entertainment. The event was sponsored by the Chicago offices of the Italian Consulate General, Italian Cultural Institute and Italian Trade Agency as well as the Italian American Chamber of Commerce-Midwest and Onesti Entertainment. “The Hall of Fame was the perfect setting, and Onesti Entertainment took the event to a new level,” Consul General Adriano Monti stated. …

  The Person of the Year Gala is easily the most important fundraiser of the year for Casa Italia, and this year’s honoree came through with flying colors. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised for the Casa on the strength of Louis C. Cairo’s charisma, love of family, passion for his heritage, and expansive network of devoted friends and associates. Among them was his extended family at Goldman Weisman and Cairo (GWC), which has emerged as Illinois’ largest injury law firm under the stewardship of Lou and his partner, Michael B. Goldberg. Scores of well-wishers from the many labor …

  The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization one-upped itself at this year’s Honor & Hope Gala, bestowing 20 scholarships at $2,500 each, plus an additional $35,000 in grants to two military veterans and three families with medical hardships, for a grand total of $85,000. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who was made an honorary CIACO member at the event, introduced Dominic Saverino Humanitarian of the Year Award recipient Joe Calafiore. Bridget Fretz received a CIACO grant to assist with the care of her son, Austin, a veteran who was critically injured in a car accident after completion of his …

  The Feast of San Rocco di Potenza at St. William Church in Chicago is sponsored by Congregazione di San Rocco di Potenza. It features a noon Mass on Aug. 16, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago, the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a family festival with food and live entertainment. An anointing Mass will be celebrated earlier in the month. (Sal Aloisio, 773-551-2604)

  The Feast of San Rocco di Simbario at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chicago is sponsored by the Society of San Rocco di Simbario. It features a 9 a.m. procession on Aug. 16with candle houses and a 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession with Caliendo’s Banda Napoletana, the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and kissing of the holy relic of San Rocco, and a buffet dinner afterward. A Novena will be celebrated on Aug. 15. (Bruno Bertucci, 312-446-0504)

  The Feast of San Lorenzo is sponsored by the Amaseno La Loggia #3 di Chicago Heights. Festivities culminate on Aug. 16 with an 11 a.m. Mass at the San Rocco Sanctuary in Chicago Heights, before and after which the statues of San Lorenzo and San Rocco will be carried in procession from and to the Amaseno Lodge. A street festival with live entertainment will run from Aug. 14 to 16. (708-755-2982)

    The Justinian Society of Lawyers swore in its 2015-2016 officers in May. Pictured from left are Cook County Circuit Judge Regina Ann Scannicchio, secretary; Natalie M. Petric, treasurer; Vincent R. Vidmer, third vice president; Michael F. Bonamarte IV, second vice president; Frank A. Sommario, first vice president; and Jessica T. DePinto, president. Retired Judge Gloria Coco presided over the swearing-in ceremony. The officers will be officially installed at the society’s awards dinner on Sept. 16 at the Chicago Palmer House. The Rev. Michael Garanzini, president of Loyola University Chicago, will receive the Society’s Award of Excellence at the …

    The IL/WI Grand Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America held its 46th biennial convention in June. Elected to the Grand Council were Marie Marsalli, president; Frank Schiro, first vice president; Maria Mancini, second vice president; Richard Della Croce, immediate past president; James LasCola, orator; Judith Simoni, recording secretary; John Simoni, financial secretary; Carl Busateri, treasurer; Elia Kress, historian; the Rev. John Belmonte, chaplain; and Margurite Rowley, Christine Della Croce, Joseph Dentice and Anna DeLuca, trustees. Recently elected lodge presidents include Giacomo Mancini, Bert Jacobson, Anthony DiMiele, Joseph Emanuele, Ben Todaro, Leonard DePasquale and Paul Loparco. …