Items from the Life and Times of the Marvelous Vito Marcantonio
Introduction to a series of remembrances about poet and Vito Marcantonio Forum co-founder Gil Fagiani, for the current edition of “Italian American Review,” which is created by the City University of New York’s Calandra Italian American Institute and published by University of Illinois Press: Gil Fagiani: Objectively Speaking The French existenti...
SIX POPES: A Son of the Church Remembers
Not only is Monsignor Franco a Son of the Church, he is a son of New York and Italian immigrants. Born in the Bronx, his work has taken him all around the world, including Staten Island in the 1960’s to the Church of the Assumption on Brighton Avenue in Tompkinsville. Monsignor Franco even organized dances at the church and invited Chubby Checker,...
New Mother Cabrini Statue Stands Proud and Tall Outside Brooklyn Parish Where She Worked
It was a long time coming for the Diocese of Brooklyn to have its own Mother Cabrini statue, but the faithful finally got to see the final figure. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio unveiled and blessed the statue and shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini — also known as Mother Cabrini — outside her Brooklyn parish, Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church on June...
Fabio Finotti, primo direttore “italico” dell’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di New York
Nella graziosa palazzina che ospita l’Istituto Italiano di Cultura a Park Avenue – seppur più piccola non sfigura accanto al Consolato Generale d’Italia – c’è un via vai di operai. Stanno smontando la biblioteca inaugurata pochi anni fa al pianterreno mentre, nelle sale al primo piano, tutto appare in trasformazione. Quando arriviamo all’ufficio d...
Diocese’s Mother Cabrini Statue to be Unveiled in Carroll Gardens
After Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart on June 11, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will officially unveil and bless the Diocese of Brooklyn’s own statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, also known as Mother Cabrini. The statue of the woman known as the patron saint of immigrants will be permanently displayed in a shrine outside Sacred Hearts & St. Step...
When Reviving a Forgotten Sculptor ’s Reputation Is a Family Affair
Adrian Nivola remembers the long hours spent in the studio of his grandfather, Costantino Nivola, during the 1980s, watching the artist capture the warm embrace of a mother in a wood sculpture as the country singer Tammy Wynette crooned over the stereo. The music and the man came rushing back into focus earlier this year as he went to work on nearl...
Library’s History Collection Dedicated To Greg Amato
Former Carmel police chief and local historian Greg Amato was honored last week at the Mahopac Public Library when a litany of friends and colleagues paid tribute to the community icon as the library officially renamed its collection of local historical books, documents and periodicals in his memory. Amato died on April 18, 2020, at the age of 77,...
Angelo Vivolo, Prominent Philanthropist and Italian American Leader, Appointed Trustee of the City University of New York
Angelo Vivolo, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and lifelong advocate for educational opportunity, has been appointed trustee of the City University of New York. The New York State Senate confirmed his appointment on June 7, 2021 following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s nomination of Mr. Vivolo to a six year term serving the nation’s largest public urban univers...
Longtime Borough President Employee passes away
Bobby Castellanete was a Bronx icon. He served eight borough presidents and was the first recipient of the “Key to The Bronx” from BP Ruben Diaz. Sadly, he passed away May 27. Castellanete died at the age of 85 from prostate cancer, but had a tremendous impact on the Bronx. Born in Throggs Neck and raised in Pelham Bay, Castellanete worked in the B...
Andrew Yang Defends Columbus: in New York, the Statue is Not to be Touched
"Columbus is a figure with a long-standing cultural connection to New York City..." says candidate Andrew Yang and he adds: "I don’t think we should be getting into huge fights over which day is named after who, or pitting groups against each other. I think we can both keep Columbus Day and celebrate Indigenous People’s Day by honoring them on a se...
I-A Continues Commitment To Cancer Center
The 50th Italian-American Charity Golf Tournament will be held June 10-12 at Holiday Valley Resort. Above are members of the IA Committee with their $50,000 check, the last of a three-year installment for $150,000 toward an infusion room at Hillman Cancer Center. From the left are Dr. Rohit Gosain, oncologist Hillman Cancer Center; IA committee mem...
Then and Now: The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel brings together families and neighbors
The beautiful Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grotto in Rosebank was handcrafted back in 1937 by members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society. It is listed on the National and State registry of historic places at 36 Amity Street. A story posted to SILive.com referred to it as “the grotto, hand-made with thousands of smooth, rounded small stones from Staten...