Each Italian town had its patron, celebrated in Wooster Square
In each village and town in southern Italy, in the region of Campania, there is a patronal celebration just about every week throughout the summer. These celebrations are devotional commemorations of the liturgical feast day of the patron saint of each locality. Those who settled in Wooster Square bought their devotions with them, and one of the fi...
Vineyard schools remove Columbus Day from calendar
Martha’s Vineyard schools will wipe Columbus Day from the calendar and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 10, 2022. After an extensive presentation by Lisa Pimentel and Jocelyn Coleman Walton, co-chairs of the Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition (MVDC) education committee, the All-Island School Committee voted unanimously to establish Indi...
Council to Consider Changing Name of Columbus Delta in Watertown Square
City Councilors decided to look at possibly changing the name of the grassy area in the middle of Watertown Square, which has been named for Christopher Columbus since 1940. The Council received a petition from resident Mishy Lesser, on behalf of the Pigsgusset Initiative which seeks to “generate a new name that is more inclusive of all members of...
Let’s Mangia at These Upcoming Italian Festivals Around Connecticut
I love celebrating my Italian heritage, and the pasta fagioli that they serve at the many Italian-American feasts and festivals that are held around Connecticut. Ziti & meatballs, sausage & peppers, soffrito, pizzelles, and oh, the fried dough. The 2022 Italian Feast/Festival season kicked off last weekend, where the Feast of St. Anthony returned f...
Enjoy Fresco Italiano at St. Ann
Fresco Italiano — A Night of the Arts returns to the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center on Saturday, June 25. The evening will feature an Italian buffet, art exhibits by local artists including some of the rarely seen sketches by Guido Nincheri, live music, tours, and more. This special event was first presented in November of 2019, a couple of month...
Iconic Portland Master Baker, Stephen Lanzalotta Has Passed Away, Leaves Behind Remarkable Legacy
The world has lost a true Portland icon. Famed Portland master baker, artist, author, and teacher Stephen Lanzalotta has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Slab Sicilian Street Food announced the news on social media over the weekend. Stephen had been the head baker/chef and partner at Slab since its opening eight years ago. The news cert...
Italian Bread Shop owner surprised by family, local leaders ahead of his birthday
A Springfield community staple got a big surprise for his birthday Sunday. Italian Bread Shop owner Joe Santos was surprised by his family and Mayor Domenic Sarno to celebrate his birthday.His birthday is June 23, but to catch him off guard, they decided to have the party a little early. “Mr. Santos has been a community small business owner, well r...
Milford's Italian Experience Focus Of New Historical Fiction Novel
A new historical fiction book will focus on the experience of Italian immigrants in Milford in the 19th and earth 20th centuries. Author Catherine Marenghi is known for her 2016 memoir "Glad Farm," which traced Marenghi's childhood growing up in a farmhouse in Milford. Her new book, "Our Good Name," is a work of fiction rooted in history. Marenghi...
Italian-American women in New Haven meet a setback in their challenge to removal of Christopher Columbus statue
A federal court has ruled against a group of Italian-American women who sued New Haven in an attempt to force the city to return a statue of Christopher Columbus it removed from Wooster Square Park. The setback in court by the American Italian Women for Greater New Haven marks another milestone in New Haven’s forced exile of the famous navigator. T...
Southington's Italian-American Festival is set to return
The Italian-American Festival is set to return to a three day event this year, say organizers. The Italian-American Festival is held annually on lower Center Street. The popular event is a celebration of Italian heritage, music and food. It is sponsored by three Italian civic organizations in town – The Sons of Italy, Sorelle d’Italia in America an...
New Exhibit Opens at Housatonic Museum of Art by Vincent Baldassano
The Housatonic Museum of Art presents Vincent Baldassano: To Be Continued. Curated by Joel Leneker, the installation is comprised of new works on cloth and iconic works from the 1970s through 2022. This exhibit will be on view in the Burt Chernow Galleries on the Housatonic Community College campus, located at 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT...
St. Anthony of Padua festival returns to West Harrison after pandemic hiatus
After a three-year absence forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual St. Anthony of Padua Church's festival was back this year to the delight of crowds in West Harrison. The 54th annual St. Anthony of Padua Festa Italiana featured music, attractions, games and a variety of foods for families to enjoy. Thousands were on hand for the second day of...