Profiles

Paul Loparco has been elected president of the Illinois-Wisconsin Grand Lodge, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. A member of OSDIA since 1999, Loparco served as trustee, vice president and president of Leone D’Oro Lodge #2700 before ascending to the state presidency. “It’s a big step for me and I still have a lot to learn, but I’m certain I can handle it,” he says. “My goals are to increase membership, continue the OSDIA mission, and inform people about all of our wonderful charitable activities.” Loparco joined the local lodge at the invitation of a friend, and he …

Reflecting on his upbringing in Melrose Park, recently elected Willow Springs Mayor John M. Carpino says, “I realize when my grandparents immigrated they helped one another. The community came together and I never forgot the need to help others.” Carpino was raised by his mother and grandmother, his grandfather and father having passed away while he was still a child. He attended Holy Cross High School and Triton Junior College before embarking on a 40-year career in law enforcement. He worked his way up from cadet to officer to detective for the Addison Police. He continued to work his way …

Quando eravamo in Italiano 3, non vedevamo l’ora di continuare nella classe di AP l’anno dopo. Specialmente sapendo che nella classe di AP avremmo studiato molto della cultura Italiana. Veniamo offerti molte cose autentiche durante la nostra lezione. Rimaniamo interessati alla lezione. È motivo d’orgoglio sapere che ci stiamo preparando per l’esame di AP in primavera. Siamo fortunati ad avere l’opportunità di studiare l’Italiano a livello liceale. Non ci sono tante scuole che lo offrono, e quando altri studenti sentono che Maine South ha questi corsi rimangono sorpresi. Tutti noi in questa classe siamo diventati piccoli adulti e ringraziamo la …

Quest’anno Lisa M. Turano, JD, MBA VP Legale di Turano, e Melissa Medina, Comunicazioni, Coordinatore Assunzioni, sono venuti a visitare gli studenti a Indian Trail Junior High School a Addison. Sono venuti a visitare gli studenti in 8° grado nella classe d’Italiano. Questo è il secondo anno la famiglia Turano è venuta a parlare della loro conoscenza e l’amore per il pane. Loro hanno approfondito con gli studenti quali sono i valori dell’attività commerciale. Hanno anche condiviso le molte carriere che Turano ha avuto. Gli studenti hanno posto domande e sono stati in grado di comprendere meglio la cultura Italiana …

Il maggio scorso, il nostro liceo ha ricevuto una donazione generosa dalla famiglia Capitanini. Con la donazione, l’aula italiana è stata dedicata alla famiglia. La famiglia Capitanini voleva dedicare l’aula d’italiano al suo padre defunto, Franklin Delano Capitanini. Ha frequentato Fenwick e si è laureato nel 1950. Al Fenwick ha praticato la corsa, ha giocato a pallacanestro, e a football americano ma non ha studiato italiano perché Fenwick non ha offerto l’italiano fino al 2000. Adesso, moltissimi studenti studiano italiano in quest’aula dove imparano in classe e partecipano al circolo italiano dopo scuola. I corsi e il circolo sono coinvolgenti …

La nostra settimana con gli studenti italiani era una che non possiamo dimenticare. Durante il nostro tempo insieme non siamo ritornati alle nostre case prima di 11 o 12 perché ci stavamo divertendo molto. Durante quel tempo, siamo andati a una partita di Football Americano, Six Flags, Dave ‘n Busters, Chicago, Sonny Acres e la casa di uno studente dove abbiamo ballato molto! Noi, gli Americani, eravamo entusiasti di mostrare gli studenti italiani la vita Americana, e pensiamo che gli studenti italiani abbiano avuto un’esperienza divertentissimo. In Marzo, andremo a Triggiano, nella provincia di Bari e nella regione di Puglia. …

Retired CFO Mark M. Corrado will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie optional installation dinner on Jan. 18 at the Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Michael Russotto at 630-222-2686. Corrado has been a member of the Columbian Club since 2006, but he was introduced to the organization more than 40 years ago when his father, Albert, first joined. “While it took a few years for me to follow in his footsteps, I always saw how proud he was to be a member and the joy it brought him,” Corrado explains. “This was …

The Lyric’s incoming maestro brings with him impressive credentials and a towering passion for his repertoire, his fellow artists, his new audience and his new home. When Anthony Freud stepped onto the Civic Opera House stage before the second act of “Luisa Miller” on Oct. 20, the audience gave a cry of dismay. They knew what announcement was to come from the general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago: Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja was ill, and could not continue singing. After American soprano Toni Marie Palmertree stepped in to replace ailing star Krassimira Stoyanova as Luisa at the top …

Opting for the Navy instead of college, Georgiann Callaway found professional fulfillment and adventure on six continents during a stellar 20-year career. Georgiann “Gigi” Callaway was born in Chicago and grew up in LaGrange Park, one of four girls born to Andrew and Ann (Beres) DiDonato. Her father’s family was from Calabria. Callaway enjoyed a close relationship with her paternal grandparents, who lived in the Little Italy around Taylor Street. “It was Sunday at my grandparents’ house,” says Callaway. Aunts, uncles and cousins gathered together for pasta. A cherished memory is making ravioli with her grandmother. Callaway attended Forest Road …

An abiding passion for hockey propelled John Conenna to the pinnacle of the sport in Illinois. From standout grade-school goalie to stellar high school coach to Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, John Conenna has excelled at every local level of the sport. The soon-to-be-60-year-old travel agency owner was bitten by the hockey bug when he was only 8. “I used to watch a group of boys in my neighborhood play street hockey outside my window,” Conenna says. “I figured I’d tag along and try it and I was hooked.” His choice of positions was influenced by the play of …