Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
More than 300 people gathered in Mishawaka, Indiana, on Oct. 8 to celebrate Columbus Day and Italian Heritage Month. A 1 p.m. ceremony at the Columbus statue in the city’s Central Park featured presentations by Mayor Dave Wood, Elkhart County Judge Mike Christofeno and St. Joseph County Assessor Rosemary Mandrici as well as representatives of local clubs from St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.
Festivities continued with an Italian buffet luncheon at the DiLoreto Club, with food provided by local Italian restaurants. The event was sponsored by the DiLoreto Society, DeAmicis Italian Club, Italian American Heritage Society of Notre Dame/Michiana, Italian American Relief Association of Elkhart, Indiana, and Knights of Columbus Council 1878. Pat Vivirito, associate professor of Italian at the University of Notre Dame, gave a brief talk on the local Italian American History Project.
Working with The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana, the local Italian clubs put up a small display in the museum highlighting the history of Italian Americans in the area titled “From Humble Beginnings to Pillars of the Community.” The ongoing research project will culminate in a larger display this summer.
“We’re excited by the support we’re receiving from the community for our statue, our event and our history project,” event Chairman Joseph Agostino says.
