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by Richard Caifano The recently completed 90th annual convention of UNICO National saw Chicago area members rise to prominence in the ranks of the leadership. Glenview resident Michael Veselka was elected as Executive Vice President of UNICO, placing him next in line to assume the office of national president at the UNICO Convention in Ft. Lauderdale that will be held from July 31 to August 4, 2013. Orland Park’s Paul Domico was re-elected to the position of Midwest Regional District Governor. Domico was also elected to serve a three-year term as a Trustee of the UNICO Foundation, the charitable arm …

by Richard Caifano On August 3, 2013, Chicago flooring contractor Michael Veselka was installed as President of UNICO National amid the applause and merriment of delegates and their families in attendance at the 91 convention of the largest Italian-American service organization in the country. Michael and his wife, Marlene, were warmly received as president and first lady in an evening filled with pride and accomplishment for Italian Americans. * New Jersey businessman Joseph Valenzano was the recipient of this year’s Americanism Civis Ilustris Award. * Unico Past National President Joseph Agresti of New Jersey received the Vastola Award for exceptional …

“For 45 years, the Chicago West Suburban Chapter of UNICO has been the consummate host of one of Chicagoland’s most popular charitable golf events. This year’s highly successful event was held at a new venue in Bloomingdale, Ill. Over the years, under the leadership of Jack Cerone, Joe Rovetto, Ed Gesualdo and current co-chairs Mario Veltri and Joe Mollica, Chicago West Suburban UNICO’s outing has been noted for its gastronomic delights from sausage-and-egg breakfast before the shotgun start to a buffet feast consisting of roasted lamb, chicken oreganato, Italian sausage with peppers, sweet corn and a variety of fresh fruits …

With the enthusiastic support of Chicago businessman and UNICO National president Mike Veselka, the Mid-Year Conference of UNICO National was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel on March 28 to 29. They came to Chicago from all parts of our country (obviously not in search of a more temperate climate) to enjoy the down-to-earth spirit of our proud city. Some 175 members arrived from New Jersey to California and from Texas to Pennsylvania to conduct the business of UNICO National, the country’s largest Italian American Service organization. The weekends’ events began with a dinner for early arrivals hosted by Past …

by Richard Caifano For nearly half a century, the Chicago West Suburban Chapter of UNICO National has served as consummate host of one of Chicagoland’s most popular charitable golf events. Over the years, under the leadership of Jack Cerone, Joe Rovetto and most recently Ed Gesualdo, Chicago West Suburban UNICO’s outing has been noted for its gastronomic delights from sausage and egg breakfast before the golfer’s shotgun start to a buffet feast consisting of roasted lamb, chicken oreganato, Italian sausage with peppers, sweet corn on the cob and a variety of fresh fruits (with optional wine). Guided by the versatile …

If the worth of a life is measured in the lives one changes, then Sister Mary Ventura O.P. is pure gold, and an example to all who work with children and young adults in the name of literacy. A teacher for 67 years, Ventura directs the Essential Learning Solutions lab at St. Bernadette Catholic Academy in Evergreen Park. She could’ve rested on her laurels long ago, but Ventura still puts in 10-hour work days. She’s worked at the , lab for the past 20 years. Sister Mary has received many awards over her prolific career, but the one she calls …

Joanne Bratta’s work defines “calling” in a way that’s both inspirational and admirable. As the executive director of St. Mary’s Services in Arlington Heights, Bratta helps women deal with one of life’s most daunting challenges: unplanned pregnancies. “We do option counseling to help them make a choice on what they want to do,” says Bratta, who started officially with St. Mary’s in 2012, but has a professional relationship with the adoption agency stretching back more than two decades. “Option counseling focuses on what the woman wants, not what we want. We educate them about adoption and explain that it’s relationship …

Patience, determination and heart are all qualities that one must possess while pursuing a career in musical theater. Nick Cosgrove — a Park Ridge native and current star of the “Jersey Boys” national tour — has all those qualities and countless more. “I do theater because it inspires people!” he enthuses. Cosgrove’s love of singing began while he was learning to walk. “I was an introverted toddler so music opened me up,” he confesses. His mother bought him Disney sing-a-long tapes, which got the ball rolling. The next step was singing lessons, and from the third grade on, he was …

The Our Lady of Angels fire in 1958 had a devastating impact on the community in which it took place. When Mike was a young boy, he watched his school go up in flames, and afterward, his parents told him never to think about it again. And he never did, that is, until he was training to be firefighter, after four years of volunteering. He was in a drill at the academy that focused on the proper use of ladders. The slides displayed during the demonstration were photos of the ladders used in the Our Lady of Angels fire. It …

by Joanne Spata I can’t believe that this is only my second month as chairperson of Casa Italia. Having been a part of the Italian Cultural Center for more than 30 years, as well as being involved with Casa Italia since its inception, it seems like I have been a fixture here at the Casa forever. Together, these experiences have made my first two months as chairperson feel like a blending of old home week and an exciting new adventure, all at the same time. I am deeply humbled by the fact that I am following in the footsteps of …