New Britain Christopher Columbus statue will not be removed; city council fails to overturn Mayor Stewart's veto
A number of young protestors gathered outside New Britain City Hall Wednesday evening as city council members gathered inside to vote for the second time on removing the city’s controversial Christopher Columbus Statue. This time their voices went unheard as city council members did not have enough votes to overturn Mayor Erin Stewart’s veto. City...
Life On The Corner: Carlo (Charles) Ponzi In The North End
A few weeks ago, Anthony Riccio sent me this picture taken in the North End and asked if I could identify the men. Anthony is writing a book about the North End that will be published later this year. The book will consist of pictures and interviews collected by Anthony when he worked at the North End’s senior citizens club back in the 1980s. He wo...
Almonte, Peluso sworn in as newest members of Italo-American Club
Add the names Ernie Almonte and Thomas Peluso to the distinguished list of leaders for the prestigious Italo-American Club of Rhode Island. “Benvenuti!” exclaimed George Lazzareschi Jr., the Italian-American social club’s president, as he welcomed members and guests to the recent swearing-in ceremony inside the historic building at 477 Broadway in...
“On A Goodly Square”: Sacred Heart Italian Mission To Boston’s North End
By the year 1870, a decade after Garibaldi’s conquest of the Two Sicilies and the year the young nation of Italy was at long last successful in the capture of Rome, several hundred families and individuals formally recognized by the United States as “Italian” could call Boston home. The city had no “Little Italy”, as so defined, but many in the co...
Raimondo introduced as Biden's Commerce choice, tells her story to national audience
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo basked in national attention in Wilmington, Delaware on Friday as President-elect Joseph Biden introduced her as a key player on his "economic and jobs team." Explaining why he chose her for commerce secretary, he said she is "one of the most effective, forward-thinking governors" in the country — "the daughter of a...
Pannese Society feeds families during holiday season
“It’s a Rite of December that has always been extremely valuable and enabled families in need to enjoy a special holiday dinner,” Joseph Quartino said. Enter the Pannese Society, an award-winning Italian American social organization that recently upheld its storied tradition of donating hams – and in some cases gift cards – that helped put food on...
Reflections on the Title of the Divine Comedy
Jan 24, 5:00 PM EST. Online Event - Lecture & Discussion. RSVP here. Registration required. Dante members: FREE. Non-members minimum donation: $ 8. Please Note: donations will fund the Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts 2021 cultural events and new website. How did Dante’s great poem come to be known as “La Divina Commedia” or, quite simpl...
'The Legend of Old Befana' Sponsored by UNICO
A virtual event for the whole family is schedule for January 9, 2021 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Waterbury UNICO, in conjunction with the Silas Bronson Library, is sponsoring the event that is appropriate for ages 3 and up. Join Angela Buzzelli as she enchants us with The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola. Come learn about the legend of La Befana, an I...
Activist worries Stamford Columbus statue debate is fading away
Stephen Cerulli has been waiting for weeks for a response from city officials about the formation of a committee to discuss the future of Stamford’s Christopher Columbus statue, but he wonders if he will get one. The monument dedicated to the explorer, and his name on the park where the statue stands, caused heated debates in the city this past sum...
Longtime Quincy Rep. Ron Mariano becomes Massachusetts House speaker
It's official. Quincy state Rep. Ron Mariano is speaker of the Massachusetts House. Mariano, 74, was elected to lead the House with 123 votes on Wednesday, Dec. 30, one day after Speaker Robert DeLeo, of Winthrop, stepped down from the role. The longtime Quincy state representative called the honor of getting the House's top job a culmination of a...
Sons of Italy brings season's joy to Taunton-area adults with disabilities
The Order of Sons of Italy in America Peter B. Gay Lodge No. 540 proved that a worldwide pandemic does not deter them from serving the community. This local chapter provided good cheer and a delicious holiday meal to members of CO-OP, a local nonprofit agency supporting individuals with disabilities. While the usual holiday party wasn’t possible th...
Christmas in Wooster Square was a wonder of food, ritual
The Christmas season in Wooster Square used to begin with the decorations that were placed in downtown New Haven. You see, we were all just a few blocks away from the splendor that was created in the store windows, the lighted arches across Chapel Street with a small tree on either side, Santa and the reindeer sailing through the air on the corner...