A Life Remembered: Ada DeBartolo
Ada DeBartolo was a “family matriarch” who modeled hard work and generosity. Her daughter, Tina Serpe, says their mother’s life could be summed up in four words: “Faith,” “Family,” “Friends” and “Food.” “And ‘fun!’ She was a good sport and always joking!” added daughter Sandy Morrone. “She was the matriarch who kept everyone together,” Tina said. A...
Italian American Society’s building heading for auction
On Step. 16, it will be "Ciao and Grazie" for a half-century Ravenna landmark, the building at the corner of South Chestnut Street and Hazen Avenue that has been home for the Italian American Society, which is going up for auction. In an era in which younger Americans are no longer the joiners their parents and grandparents once were, the Italian A...
Mangia! How to get fall festival’s famoso Italian food to go
Another popular Dayton-area festival has announced its transition to a drive-thru event. The Italian Fall Festa, an annual celebration of all things Italian, will now be moving forward with a drive-thru operation taking place on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12 from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 13 from noon to 6 p.m. in Kettering. The 43...
Dr. Marzo to lead Loyola medical school
Loyola University Chicago has named Sam Marzo, M.D., dean of its Stritch School of Medicine. “We are confident that Dr. Marzo will continue to shape and grow the Stritch School of Medicine,” says Norberto Grzywacz, Ph.D., Loyola University Chicago provost and chief academic officer. “With Jesuit values as part of his moral foundation, Dr. Marzo wil...
St. Anthony’s is as diverse as . . .
As I’ve sat with a number of people over the years, discussions have often turned to who the people of Kensington, Pullman and Roseland are. As a child in St. Anthony’s Parish, the answer was clear: We’re all Italian. Of course, then I became more aware of the world around me. I came to realize that some of the last names called for attendance at s...
New Logan Square Italian Restaurant Showcases Multiculturalism via Street Food
The former Quiote space is roaring once again, thanks to Aldo Zaninotto. Last month, Zaninotto opened Testaccio in Logan Square. It’s a new Italian restaurant inspired by the Roman neighborhood where the restaurant takes its name, serving a blend of cuisines from Greek, Malta, Turkey, and Morocco. Zaninotto’s background is in wine, but many Chicago...
Chicago North Side Italian American Rally Announced
In light of the recent discussions about Christopher Columbus, Chicago’s Italian American community will come together this Sunday, August 30 at Noon for a “North Side Italian American Heritage Rally”. The event will take place outdoors in the parking lot of the new location of The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, 3417 North Harlem Av...
This Local Pizza Icon Celebrated His 90th Birthday in Altruistic Style
Donald S. “Buddy” LaRosa—thee one and only Buddy LaRosa who founded LaRosa’s Family Pizzaria—celebrated his 90th birthday on Tuesday, August 25 surrounded virtually by family and fans in the media via Zoom press conference. Buddy’s sons, Michael LaRosa (LaRosa’s CEO) and Mark LaRosa (LaRosa’s President and Chief Culinary Officer), along with grandd...
St. Rocco Italian Festival lives on this Labor Day weekend as drive-thru food fair
The annual St. Rocco Church Italian Festival is continuing on this Labor Day weekend in Cleveland, albeit in a different capacity than its previous 105 iterations. In spite of the coronavirus pandemic, the Catholic church on Fulton Road plans to hold a slimmed-down, drive-thru version of its famed festival. This time celebrating classic Italian foo...
Judge Scannicchio takes the helm of the Justinians
Judge Regina A. Scannicchio has ascended to the presidency of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. Under normal circumstances, she would officially take the helm at the organization’s installation and awards gala in September, but the event has been postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus. Joining Scannicchio as officers are First Vice P...
Ferrari Cruise-In Will Celebrate Italian Sports Cars and Jewelry in Cincinnati
Lovers of fast Italian sportscars and fine jewelry will gather at James Free Jewelers in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday, September 12 for “Ferrari Cruise-In VI.” The annual event is presented in cooperation with the Ferrari Club of America (FCA) - Ohio Chapter. Club members will display Ferrari automobiles in James Free Jewelers’ parking lot, while a...
Gervasi Vineyard wins 4 awards in international spirits competition
The distillery at Gervasi Vineyard earned four medals in the 2020 Great American International Spirits Competition. The Canton winery-distillery took home platinum, gold, silver and bronze awards, which were announced this month. In all, 79 awards were given. Gervasi's awards: Platinum: Saints Desire, a small-batch cocktail gin distilled with Itali...