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The year 2017 marks the 80th anniversary of Columbus Day being declared a federal holiday by the U.S. government. It was on Oct. 12, 1492 that Italian explorer Christopher Columbus first arrived in the Americas, encountering the indigenous people who had already been there for thousands of years. And while Italian-American groups have celebrated Co...

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What was intended to be an informative discussion about the positive aspects of Indigenous Peoples’ Day led to a more strained and awkward defense of Columbus Day and the “civilization” he brought to the Americas in the 15th century. While council members were only learning about Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday night, it was clear that at  least...

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As Virginia Campbell's Piano Artist Series celebrates its 35th anniversary season, the local pianist and music enthusiast is showcasing talented fellow Oklahomans as well as fan favorites from beyond the Sooner State. One of the series' most faithful featured artists, Italian pianist Cristiana Pegoraro will launch the 2017-18 season in concert at 2...

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Oklahoma State and NC State will be making NCAA history this upcoming collegiate wrestling season. In January, both programs will be traveling overseas to faceoff in Italy, the first NCAA dual to be held outside of North America. The two teams will wrestle January 5 in Naples."We're excited for the opportunity to wrestle in Italy this season," said...

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Papa Gjorgjo is moving back to Main Street — but this time, the Italian restaurant is moving further east. The restaurant is relocating from its current home at 1600 N. Mississippi to the space formerly occupied by The Quart House, 802 E. Main St. The northern location will close its doors Sept. 18 so owners George and Gay Veliu can begin moving to...

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Sonja and Mark DeJacimo say they have enjoyed attending the Italian Festival in McAlester since its beginnings. “We’ve always experienced the Italian Festival ever since it started,” Mark DeJacimo said. He’s looked forward to seeing who’s been selected as the Festival Re and Regina each year.  “You’d see people you know,” he said. This year though,...

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Plans are in place for this weekend’s Italian Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14, at the Southeast Expo Center west of McAlester. “We’re predicting great weather and a huge turnout,” said Bobby Lenardo, one of the Italian Festival Committee members. Everything from food, music, carnival rides and the traditional arts and craft sho...

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In 1917 Albert Einstein published his first paper on cosmology, Houdini performed his buried alive escape, Al Capone became known as Scarface after a knife fight and Theresa LaRosa was born. This weekend, the Grove woman will celebrate her 100th birthday – first with a large party on Saturday at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and second, she’ll cel...

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It wasn't long after Diana Buthion took full ownership of Bellini's restaurant a little more than a year ago that she changed the name of the eatery on the southeast corner of NW 63 and Pennsylvania to Bellini's Underground. She'd heard from enough patrons that they'd forgotten about the restaurant — or forgotten how to get there. Along with remind...

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Johnny Carino's Italian Restaurant is known for its Italian food that has an American-style twist. "We make everything from scratch. That's the biggest thing," managing partner Sarah Jeppesen said. "We definitely take pride in the service that we provide to our guests. Our food is homemade, and we make it daily." The restaurant, which has been in V...

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