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More than a century ago, Francesco Vollono left Italy and the poverty in his hometown outside Naples for a new life in America. Joined by his wife, Annunziata, and their three children in 1905, they were part of the early wave of immigrants who took up residence in Wooster Square   Five generations of their descendants, led by their grandda...

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If you were a fan of the award-winning Da Capo restaurants in Litchfield and Avon, then you surely had met former owner, the effervescent Viron Rondo.   The man who put the "old world-type" Italian eateries on the culinary map has moved on, however, and with his wife, Denada, has opened a new restaurant, Viron Rondo Osteria, 1721 Highland Av...

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by E. Richard Fortunato "It's a fantastic opening night, possibly a record breaking turnout, certainly the biggest in memory", said Italian-American Festival Chairman, Bill DellaVecchia. Co-chair, Bob Triano echoed the sentiments enthusiastically and said, "With the uncertainty of the cool and rainy morning, the weather shifted to very comfortable...

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Italian and American flags lined Center Street as hundreds sampled local eateries, took their children on carnival rides , and browsed local vendors at the 10th annual Italian-American Festival Saturday.   On the second day of the free three-day festival, which was held July 25 to 27 and was sponsored by Sons of Italy of Southington and UNIC...

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Long before "Rocky Balboa" and Sylvester Stallone of "Rocky" fame, there was a long list of Italian Americans in boxing, including a few from Connecticut. The three "local" guys, Middletown native and Hartford hero Guglielmo Papaleo, better known as "Willie Pep," Bridgeport's Luigi Buccassi, professionally known as "Lou Bogash" and Hartford's...

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by Bruno Matarazzo Jr   The founder of the Nutmeg Conservatory will be named Italian mayor for the day on Monday, Columbus Day. The Torrington Chapter of UNICO National and the city announced this week that Sharon Dante, executive director of the Nutmeg Conservatory, would be honored.   In 2010, Marjorie Dante, left, was named Italia...

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WATERBURY — A popular radio show host, who sought to preserve Italian culture by sharing his knowledge of the country and its music, died Tuesday. Rosario "Sarino" Costa, who founded the show "Carosello Italiano" in 1991, died Tuesday. He was 88.   Costa was known for his love of Italy — where he lived until he was 34 — and his local co...

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In 1926, Deane Keller of New Haven won the Prix de Rome, a prestigious award that allowed him to study art in Italy for three years. Little did he know that those three years were setting the stage for his greatest accomplishment.   During World War II, President Roosevelt recruited art experts to go to Europe to protect their art treasures...

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Joe Camposeo became Manchester town clerk in 1996, and a year later, he started to introduce computer programming to help residents delve into their family histories.   Camposeo, 70, who has lived in Manchester his entire life, had become interested, himself, in genealogy after meeting Diane Linti, a professional genealogist. With Linti's he...

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How does one of the most popular Italian festivals in the area celebrate its 25th anniversary? With lots of "great Italian food, rides, games and live entertainment," said Peter Lucia, spokesman for the St. Jude Festival in Monroe. The event — which runs Wednesday, Aug. 26, through Saturday, Aug. 29 — has grown from a two-day carnival to the c...

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