Italian-American festival set to kick off in 2 weeks
There are just two weeks left until the 13th annual Italian-American festival hits the downtown on July 28-30, and the planning committee is putting together the final arrangements. Attendees should bring their appetite because the lower portion of Center Street will be lined with traditional Italian favorites such as sausage and peppers, pizza, pa...
Women's brunch fundraiser to honor Agawam mayoral candidate Jimmy Cichetti
As the race for mayor of Agawam heats up, so do the summertime fundraisers and meet-and-greets. Agawam City Council President Jimmy Cichetti, an independent candidate for mayor, will be feted at a women's brunch from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at Luigi Takefive, an Italian restaurant at 944 Springfield St. There's a suggested $20 donation for...
Sons of Italy holds annual auction
The Wakefield Sons of Italy Lodge 1734 recently held their ninth annual charity auction fundraiser. Unlike most auctions, the items were wrapped and bidders didn’t know what they were bidding on. And for added comedy, participants caught chatting during the auctioning of an item were considered automatic bidders. Gift cards were donated by the foll...
88th Annual Feast of St. Rocco to be held in Malden on August 11, 12 and 13, 2017
On August 11, 12 and 13, Saint Rocco's Feast Association will celebrate 88 years of tradition during their annual “Grande Festa”. This annual festival celebrates Italian culture, family, and community. St. Rocco has been celebrated for 88 years in Malden where locals, past residents and visitors come together to rejoice in their community and to re...
Italian Navy: the training ship Amerigo Vespucci will visit Boston from 18th to 22th July
From the 18th to the 22nd July 2017, the Italian Navy Training Ship Amerigo Vespucci will be in Boston in the United States, the seventh port of call of the Training Campaign 2017. The Training Campaign on board the Amerigo Vespucci represents a key element in the cadet professional development, passing on the Italian Navy’s core values of love for...
A Franciscan friar trades a field of dreams for an empire for the poor
His Boston Red Sox baseball hat is almost as big a part of him as his brown Franciscan habit. Anywhere Franciscan Father Flavian Mucci goes in El Salvador, he's known not only for his love of baseball, but more importantly, for the only thing he loves more than the game: the poor. Fifty years ago this July, Boston native Father Mucci arrived in El...
Lady of Mount Carmel observance, a cherished tradition in Westerly, to unfold over 5 days
There are few traditions more sacred in Westerly’s large Italian-American community than the annual celebration honoring Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Next Sunday, on the 89th annual observance of the Mount Carmel procession, families will gather to sip homemade wine and feast upon soupy, stuffed peppers, and homemade fried dough after marching in the...
Rilanciare il gemellaggio con Viterbo: Il Console generale De Santis a Springfield
Sindaco di Springfield, Domenic J. Sarno ha ricevuto nei giorni scorsi Nicola De Santis, Console generale d’Italia a Boston, con cui ha discusso su come rafforzare i rapporti tra la città Usa e Viterbo. “Vista la crescita di 3.3 miliardi di dollari dello sviluppo economico di Springfield – ha detto il sindaco Sarno – il console generale De Santis e...
St. Mary’s Church in Derby celebrates with 39th annual festival July 14-15
St. Mary’s Church is gearing up to host its 39th annual Summer Food & Craft Festival, celebrating the season with local fare, music and lots of family fun. The festival, which is free, will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. July 14 and 15 on the church grounds, 212 Elizabeth St. Parking is free and handicapped parking is available behind the church rect...
West Springfield UNICO holding Fourth of July chicken barbecue on Town Common
The local chapter of UNICO, a national Italian-American organization, is hosting an Independence Day chicken barbecue on the Town Common from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Tickets are $11 and may be purchased by calling 413-896-0506. Entertainment begins at 10 a.m. with a performance by Louise Noel's Dance School, followed at 1:30 p.m. by the...
Appeal to Vatican puts sale of Mount Carmel on hold
The Catholic Church, the saying goes, thinks in centuries. So while parish leadership proposes to sell the historic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the landmark Italian-American church on Mulberry Street that has been closed and had been facing the wrecking ball, appeals to the Vatican may postpone the church’s fate indefinitely - possibly for yea...
Brockton woman celebrates turning 105 years old
Julia Giovannini sat in front of the keyboard and began to tap her fingers. She did not have any music sheets, barely looked down and was unfazed by her audience. It was clear she had years of practice, actually she had nearly 100 years of practice. Giovannini turned 105 years old on Saturday, June 24, making her the oldest living person in Brockto...