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Filomena Magrone will celebrate her 100th birthday this month surrounded by family and friends. She was born on May 14, 1917, in Carbonara, Bari, Puglia, to Nicola and Cecilia Muschio. In 1934, Gaetano Magrone began rounding up friends who could play musical instruments and showing up in front of her house to serenade her. They were married the next year. The couple moved to Chicago in 1966, eventually settling in Wood Dale. Gaetano was a baker by trade and Filomena was an exceptional cook, even working for a while jarring fruit and other food. They raised a family of 11 …

In life, John Mollo was a fan of donkeys, a beast of burden that played a pivotal role in the lives of his Calabrian ancestors. When he passed away in February 2017, his daughter decided to honor his memory by creating a foundation to protect the animal that her father so loved. “I’d like to establish a charitable organization that would raise money to be sent to facilities already involved in the hands-on rescue and day-to-day care of donkeys,” Stephany Mollo explains. She is seeking kindred spirits to join her in this cause. (708-946-3675)

State Rep. John D’Amico has voted to freeze lawmaker reimbursements and prevent a pay raise for politicians. “Politicians should not be receiving any sort of pay increase while middle-class families continue to struggle to get by,” D’Amico says. “With property taxes crunching the budgets of working families across the state, we should be focused on offering tax relief, not giving out perks to politicians.” D’Amico supported House Bill 643, which removes the automatic cost-of-living increase that state legislators are due in July. The measure also freezes reimbursement rates for travel, food and lodging on days lawmakers are in session in …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca held his 16th annual clergy breakfast with spiritual leaders throughout the community to discuss his work in Springfield, as well as to address the concerns of the leaders and field their suggestions. “I always appreciate the opportunity to sit down and talk with them,” DeLuca says. “I am grateful that we have such great individuals who not only take the time to listen, but to offer advice and potential solutions that will help me as a legislator make the best decisions for families throughout my district.”

Antonio M. Romanucci and Frank A. Sommario are among several attorneys at the Chicago law firm of Romanucci & Blandin to be hailed recently by their peers. A principal and partner at the firm, Romanucci has been named to the prestigious “Top 100” list in Illinois for 2017 by Super Lawyers Magazine. This is the 11th consecutive year that Romanucci has been recognized as a “Top 100” attorney and the 13th consecutive year he has been selected to the list of Illinois Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers Magazine identifies the nation’s top attorneys through a process of peer selection and review, …

Dr. Luisa DiPietro, a professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS fellows are selected by their peers in recognition of significant advances made in the sciences. The director of the UIC Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration and the associate chancellor for research, DiPietro studies the process of wound healing and tissue regeneration following injury. She and her coworkers have discovered several key factors that dictate whether wounds heal perfectly or with scars.

Dr. Anna Manzotti, a clinical assistant professor of restorative dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, earned a Teaching Recognition Program (TRC) Award from the UIC Center for the Advancement of Teaching-Learning Communities. “Dr. Manzotti’s teaching is an excellent example of the high quality of instruction that characterizes the best of UIC,” says Dr. Maria Varelas, director of the center. The TRC considered student feedback, peer reviews, mentoring of students, curriculum development, impactful and innovative teaching, and other factors. Faculty “have to demonstrate clinical and professional excellence to inspire students to achieve high standards,” according to …

  Banking executive Peter Volpe was honored as Man of the Year and Stone Park Mayor Beniamino Mazzulla received a Chairman’s Special Recognition Award at Casa Italia’s 47th annual gala on April 22 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison.   Peter Volpe Casa Italia is proud to present its 2017 Person of the Year Award to banking executive Peter Volpe. “Whenever duty has called, Peter has answered,” says Casa Chairman John Ferrentino. “When he joins an organization, he puts his heart and soul into it and he always emerges as a leader.” Peter is the grandson of Salvatore and Josephine …

The first meeting of the 2017 term of JCCIA officers was called to order at Trattoria Poretta. Over 70 people were in attendance, representing Italian organizations throughout Chicagoland. Among them were the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UNICO, ARSA, Italian American War Veteran, Italian American Executives of Transportation, Italian American Human Relations Foundation, Justinian Society of Lawyers, Calabresi in America Organization, Società San Giovanni Bosco SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna, Elk Grove Sister Cities, and the JCCIA Women’s Division and Young Professionals Division. On the agenda for discussion was the Columbus Day Parade. 2017 Parade Chairman Sergio Giangrande was present. Giangrande is …

The Italian American Police Association honored a trio of worthy recipients at its 53rd annual dinner dance on Nov. 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Accepting Man of the Year honors was attorney David Figlioli, co-founder and general partner at Morici, Figlioli & Associates. Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award was entertainment industry powerhouse Ron Onesti, founder and president of Onesti Entertainment. And accepting Humanitarian of the Year honors was Fr. Dan Brandt, director of the Chaplains Unit of the Chicago Police Department. Officer of the Year Awards were also bestowed.