The Cultural Italian American Organization of Cayuga County recently honored two Catholic priests for their dedication to the Auburn community. Father Frank Lioi and Father Louis Vasile were the guests of honor at the organization’s seventh-annual recognition dinner, which took place Oct. 9 at Auburn’s Springside Inn.

The organization, known as C.I.A.O., was founded in 2014 to promote and enhance Italian American heritage and culture in Cayuga County. Each year, the organization recognizes one or two individuals who have made important contributions to the local community, explained Paolo Saltarello, chairman of the organization.