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Celebrating 41 years chartered this past month, the local chapter of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America has spent more than four decades sharing and promoting their heritage and culture. “We were formed on a Sunday similar to this. It was raining,” said Bob Rizzo, one of the original charter members. “We met a state president, who cam...

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Benjamin Portaro is closing in on a milestone achieved by fewer than 1% of Americans: He will mark his 100th birthday next month. But it almost ended 76 years ago for the Harrison Countian who was born in Italy, came to Anmoore as a toddler and went on to fight for the United States in the Battle of the Bulge. It was in that desperate fight to stop...

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On the outside, they look like a plain hunk of bread. Or maybe a small, uncut hoagie bun. Or an elongated dinner roll. The exterior provides no clue, no tipoff, that meat awaits inside. Cut or bite into a West Virginia pepperoni roll, though, and the smell and flavor of an Italian kitchen come forth. Broken bread reveals sausage. It’s that mystery...

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Every December, West Virginians from across the region flock to downtown Fairmont to enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a festival based on a traditional Christmas Eve meal served by some Italian families. While the festival has become known over the last decade or so for its authentic Italian street market and other holiday festivities, the COVI...

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Gruppo Fanti, an Italian metal packaging manufacturing company, plans to open a plant in Weirton, officials announced Wednesday. The new plant will initially create 40 new full-time jobs, and Gruppo Fanti plans to invest $30 million into the Brooke County operation, according to the office of Gov. Jim Justice. “I love when we have firsts in West Vi...

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This year’s West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival will be held virtually for the first time in its history, festival officials announced on Thursday. A press release issued by Tyler Terango, Chairman of the Board for the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, stated that the 42nd Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival will be held as a...

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Italian food meets American taste. The debate on what food can be called American is always a tasty battle of the senses. And while American fare varies, according to Business Insider, the go-to dishes for five states pull from the same cuisine: Italian. And the winners are… The "Toasted Ravioli" for Missouri. This ravioli from St. Louis is doused...

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The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival Board of Directors have agreed to make some modifications to this year's event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a news release from the Board of Directors, the festival board agrees that large crowds may not be safe of sensible by September. "With just over 3 months remaining until Labor Day Wee...

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Facing Hunger Foodbank is postponing its annual Italiano! Festival, previously scheduled for Aug. 15 in downtown Huntington, according to a news release. The decision to postpone was based on the continuing demands of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis in the 17 counties served by the food bank. “With a 40% increase in food demand since...

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Philipo's Food Trailer, specializing in American and Italian cuisine, made its debut Thursday. Its owners partnered with the United Way of Southern West Virginia to celebrate with the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce the opening of their new business.  A portion of the proceeds made during Philipo's grand opening went toward the United Wa...

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