Community

The Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America, hosted its 88th annual Columbus Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at Villa Brunetti. Richard and Christine Della Croce, chairpersons for the event, welcomed the guests and the master of ceremonies for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, mayor of Forest Park, who introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, guests and dignitaries. Receiving the award for Humanitarian of 2012 was Frank Amaro, Illinois state commander of the Italian American War Veterans. In presenting the award, Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli said, “Frank is truly deserving of this award …

Twelve worthy Italian Americans were honored with a Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence at the 12th Annual Gala held on May 5 at BeauJolie by Victoria in Schiller Park. The event is hosted annually by the Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America. Chairperson for the event Anna DeLuca welcomed honorees and guests, and introduced Richard Della Croce, who sang the American National Anthem and Italian National Anthem. Mr. Della Croce, Grand Lodge Immediate Past President and National Historian, served as emcee for the day. In the spirit of da Vinci, the order recognized …

by Dona De Sanctis The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala May 23 in the nation’s capital. SIF is the philanthropic arm of the Sons of Italy, the nation’s oldest and largest organization for people of Italian heritage. During the gala evening, held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., four leaders in business, government and entertainment received SIF awards: Chrysler/Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne; General Colin L. Powell, USA (ret.); actor Gary Sinise and Sky TV’s Robert Corrao. The honorees Sergio Marchionne, chairman & CEO of Chrysler …

by Dona De Sanctis The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin, will honor Senatore Renato Turano as Humanitarian of the Year at its 89th annual Columbus Banquet. Sons of Italy Foundation scholarships also will be bestowed at the event. The event will take place on Oct. 12 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. (708-403-7822) One of the true luminaries of the Chicago-area Italian-American community, business and community leader Renato Turano does triple duty as the senatore representing North and Central America in the Italian Parliament. Best known locally as the President of the Turano …

The Order Sons of Italy in America unanimously elected Anthony J. Baratta its 34th national president on August 16 during the Order’s 53rd Biennial Convention in Philadelphia (Aug. 11-18). Mr. Baratta has been active in OSIA for nearly 20 years, holding leadership position at the local, state and national levels. In 1994, he founded the Law Enforcement Lodge #2680 in Chicago and, after serving there for nine years, was elected state president of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 2003. Four years later, he became national president of the Sons of Italy Commission for Social Justice. During the Order’s 2009 …

The 89th Annual Columbus Banquet hosted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America, was held on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Chairwoman for the event, Margurite Rowley, welcomed the guests and the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, Mayor of Forest Park. Mayor Calderone introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, guests and dignitaries. The Grand Lodge honored Senatore Renato Turano as their 2013 Humanitarian. In presenting the award to Senatore Turano, Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli stated “we are truly proud of his accomplishments and …

The Grand Lodge of IL/WI, Order Sons of Italy in America hosted its 13th annual Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence Gala on May 4 at BeauJolie by Victoria in Schiller Park. Chairman and Master of Ceremony Richard R. Della Croce welcomed the honorees and guests and introduced Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli. A beautiful rendition of the American and Italian anthems was sung by Mr. Della Croce. In presenting the awards to eight distinguished Italian American’s, Ms. Marsalli stated, “Our recipients walk among giants in their chosen profession. They lead by example and truly embrace their Italian heritage — …

by Robert Mau This year, the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will celebrate 120 unbroken years of devotion to the Mother of God. Festivities culminate on July 14 with a 9 a.m. Mass in English and Italian at the Shrine, a procession to a noon field Mass and a second procession featuring traditional festa music. A street festival featuring food booths, activities for children and live entertainment will run from July 11 to 14, and a Novena will run from July 6 to 13. Related events include the presentation of the banners at 7 p.m. on July 9 …

The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast Committee is proud to honor Rich Romeo as our 2013 Man of the Year. There are few volunteers who work as hard on behalf of the Committee, and he does so with no expectation of acknowledgment or reward. Rich was born in Chicago, the first of three sons to Anne and Frank Romeo. Raised in the Taylor Street neighborhood, Rich attended St. Charles Borromeo Grammar School and St. Mel High School. During his high school years, he met his future wife, Marcella Caifano, who attended St. Mary’s High School. Rich and Marcella married …

by Mary Shimandle On December 3, 2011, 300 people gathered for an exquisite Italian buffet provided by Piccolo Sogno Restaurant and enjoyed the sonic splendor of an old-fashioned Christmas concert, resonating throughout the acoustical jewel that is the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii Church on the West Side of Chicago. Welcomed back for the 11th annual Mary and Christmas was the incomparable William Ferris Chorale, under the direction of Maestro Paul French, in a program of familiar and glorious Christmas favorites. Family and friends delighted in an event of music that celebrated the Italian cultural heritage (Choruses from Gian …