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Following the traces of the Italian emigration to the US, we discovered that many fellow Italians went to Lackawanna County, in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State is home to more than 1,5 million Italian Americans, according to the 2010 census bureau: the 12,2% of the entire population of the State.  Starting today, March 12, a new book will be avail...

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Tristan Hebron of Scranton walks through the Marketplace at Steamtown's food court area a few times a week and wonders when the revamped space will open. "I just can't wait to see it come to fruition," Hebron said. The old food court will be called Scranton Public Market and will be home to food and craft vendors. "That would add a little bit of ch...

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La Festa Italiana just wrapped up its 42nd year in Courthouse Square. A festival of entertainment, art and the star of the show –food – La Festa failed to disappoint with its smorgasbord of Italian cuisine. After going to La Festa four years in a row, I’ve accumulated a good amount of knowledge on how to maximize your La Festa experience. Without f...

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La Festa Italiana will be held Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday, September 1-4, 2017) on Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown Scranton, Pa. Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. As usual, more than 80 vendors will be offering great Italian food, and continuous live entert...

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Dino Puteri and Jeremy Morris are used to everyone mistaking them for brothers. The Scranton natives have been best friends since sixth grade, and as co-owners of Fratelli’s Pizza & Pasta House (“fratello” in Italian means “brother”), it’s no wonder so many folks think they’re related. “We never correct them because we feel like brothers,” Puteri s...

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Mary Marrara moved to Northeast Pennsylvania from Fort Washington 47 years ago when she fell in love with her husband, Phil, and then fell in love again with the community she found. The Jermyn resident has contributed to, chaired or served with dozens of charitable groups and events in the area through the years. To honor her for this life of givi...

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My heart broke when I first heard that the Dante Literary Society in South Scranton will soon close its doors for good. I had the privilege of serving as its president from 2009 to 2012. Despite the challenges and aggravations that comes with a position like this, I consider it among the most rewarding experiences of my life.   Many know it...

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Coney Island is known for its hot dog eating competition and Philadelphia is known for the Wing Bowl but Scranton may be the capital of the cannoli eating competition. For the fifth year, a cannoli eating competition was held as part of the annual La Festa Italiana celebration. Seven people vied to be named champion.   As they down...

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by Patrice Wilding   From its humble beginnings as a single-block festival 41 years ago, La Festa Italiana grew into a destination event for locals, out-of-towners and homecoming natives. The Labor Day weekend festival now features more than 80 food and craft vendors, as well as dozens of regional entertainment acts, spread out over thr...

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Marty Tomarelli still remembers the good times at the Dante Literary Society — the 12-team bowling league, the summer clambakes and dressing as a mummy at the club's annual Halloween party. "We all had a hell of a time," the 87-year-old said.   The 82-year-old Scranton club is coming to an end in September. The members of the organizati...

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