N.J. district to remove Woodrow Wilson, Christopher Columbus from school names
The Trenton school board will host a community meeting Monday as it works to rename two elementary schools currently named after Woodrow Wilson and Christopher Columbus. School officials said earlier this week that a committee has been formed to rename Columbus Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School while following district policy, which op...
Dr. Mary Kovach Receives National Meritorious Service Award from OSDIA
On February 12, 2022, Dr. Mary Kovach, among four others, was awarded the National President’s Meritorious Service Award from Robert (Bob) Bianchi, Esq., the National President of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA). The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA), established in 1905, is the largest and oldest natio...
Frances H. Vitale, a familiar figure in Little Italy who was motivated throughout her life by her Roman Catholic faith, dies
Frances H. Vitale, a familiar figure in Little Italy and Patterson Park, died Feb. 28 at Stella Maris Hospice of complications from a fall. Her kindness and care for her community were motivated by her deep and abiding Roman Catholic faith. The Lutherville resident was 91. “Frances was a living saint, and I don’t often say that about people, and sh...
One of Us - The Embassy of Italy in the U.S. dedicates International Women’s Day to Ukraine
“The current tragic situation in Ukraine makes this year’s International Women’s Day even more meaningful” said Italian Ambassador to the U.S. Mariangela Zappia at the March 8 premiere of the documentary film One of Us – East Coast, with special guest the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Hon. Nancy Pelosi. “We honor this important date...
Be like Joe Paglione: Follow your heart and never forget your identity
When South Jersey resident Joe Paglione was inducted into the Italian American National Hall of Fame in 2009, three accom-plishments were cited. They were the Amici Della Lingua Italiana Club, which he formed in 1996 and which is going strong today with 200 members; his work in local Italian-American communities; and his creation of the Monumento A...
A Woman Who Shattered Glass Ceilings to Honor a Promise
A note from COPOMIAO President Basil M. Russo: Starting with International Women’s Day on March 8th, we’ll honor women of Italian descent to spotlight their contributions, from culture and industry to philanthropy and activism. The inaugural Donna Distinta (Distinguished Woman) Award goes to an outstanding leader and social innovator, Dr. Gilda Ror...
The Gentleman Banker. The Life and Work of Amadeo Giannini, a Visionary who Changed the Rules of the Game in the Finance World
Sunday, March 20th at 3:00pm ET- WEBINAR. In collaboration with Georgetown University, Department of Italian & NIAF (National Italian American Foundation). RSVP here. Giorgio Chiarva will present his book in conversation with Anna Lawton, PhD, Writer and Publisher, Sara Gay Forden, journalist at Bloomberg and author of the book House of Gucci, Prof...
UNICO Rehoboth Chapter plans March happenings
The UNICO Rehoboth Chapter plans the following March events. All will be held in the St. Edmond Parish Hall on King Charles Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. La Festa di San Giuseppe. Blessing and distribution of St. Joseph’s Bread to participants and food shelters. 9 a.m. March 19. Zeppole and Italian Baked Goods Sale. Benefits the St. Vincent d...
At 100, Community Leader Is Honored
To be celebrated while living is a good thing, especially when an impressive life story is praised at age 100. Civic leader Ed Toriello recently experienced that. Stafford Township honored him with a proclamation for service in World War II and community service at home, and the Kiwanis Club of LBI thanked the former club president for key work on...
St. Joseph’s Day Festival returns, proceeds to help local charities
In Ocean City, the town is getting a splash of Italian flare with the return of the St. Joseph’s Day Festival. Sponsored by the Ocean City Lodge of the Son’s and Daughters of Italy, the festival will reopen its doors to the public after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers tell 47ABC, you can expect the same authentic Italian...
Basking Ridge UNICO a "Service Before Self" Organization
The Basking Ridge Chapter of UNICO was established in February 2020. UNICO stands for - Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, Opportunity. As a chapter of UNICO National (Unico.org) our mission is to promote Italian heritage, culture and image, be of service to our local communities and charities, scientific, cultural, and educational litera...
Centreville sculptor sees artistic value in controversial Columbus statue
A Centreville sculptor has re-created the controversial Christopher Columbus statue that once sat in Baltimore’s Little Italy neighborhood, restoring what he sees as an artistic accomplishment and a cornerstone of local Italian American pride. Acknowledging his bias as an artist, sculptor Will Hemsley said, “I view things aesthetically [and] as a r...