On November 15th the Rhode Island Italian-American Hall of Fame (RIIAHF 501©(3) presented An Evening with Lidia Bastianich & A Tribute to Dean Martin presented by Providence Auto Body. The sold out event at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI was a smashing success.
The Hall of Fame, now in its 38th year providing financial support to exceptional college bound students and honoring prominent Italian Americans, presented the popular and Emmy award-winning television host, restaurateur and best selling cookbook author Lidia Bastianich with its 2025 Lifetime Achievement award.
Ms. Bastianich spoke about her life, career and new cookbook, The Art of Pasta in a conversation segment with Hall of Fame President Joe Rocco that included many engaging and entertaining video clips to help tell Lidia's remarkable life story.The event, hosted by Mr. Rocco and NBC 10’s Gene Valicenti also featured a concert tribute to the legendary Dean Martin as performed by popular local vocalist Steve Palumbo and his nine piece big band. Mr. Palumbo is considered one of the best Dean Martin tribute artists in the country.
All net proceeds from this fundraiser benefited the Hall of Fame’s scholarship fund. Ten exceptional college bound Rhode Island students from all ethnic backgrounds were also honored and received scholarship awards totaling $40,000 with each student receiving a $4,000 scholarship.
Lidia joins previous accomplished Italian Americans honored by or inducted into the RI Italian American Hall of Fame including Jay Leno, Mario Andretti, Dan Marino, Leon Panetta, Terry Francona, Joe Andruzzi, Tom Lasorda, Dominic DiMaggio, Phil Esposito and many more prominent Italian Americans who have excelled in their fields.
The RIIAHF has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarship awards to extraordinary Rhode Island students of all ethnic backgrounds since 1987 while honoring prominent Italian Americans from sports, business and the arts. For more information on the RI Italian American Hall of Fame please visit RIIAHF.org or contact Joe Rocco, [email protected], 508.336.5818.
