As a celebration of the contributions the Italian people have made to this area, the dedication of a Sons of Italy monument will take place on Thursday. Club member Jim Rinaldo said the event will take place at 11 a.m. at the site, next to the Muskie Memorial near the Rumford Information Center on Bridge Street. “The Italian community should be proud. This monument is a dedication to them.”

The Son’s of Italy Club in Smith Crossing had to close in 2022 after 107 years, the last Son’s of Italy Club in Maine to finally close its doors. Rinaldo spoke about the contributions the members of the Sons of Italy made when he was guest speaker at Rumford Historical Society meeting on June 14.