Miss Mandy's Italian Eatery filling void in Mullens dining
Miss Mandy’s Italian Eatery is a family-operated business offering reasonable prices for families looking for an evening out or a stay-at-home meal that doesn’t require cooking at home. Mandy Lawson and her partner Jason Mullins wanted to provide a different dining experience for local residents as well as trail riders and other tourists visiting M...
The Italians of long-ago Hammonton: Government report from 1907 details their lives and labors
Although most Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries settled in the nation’s large cities to meet the demands of industry, many others had a different experience, settling in rural areas to work in mines and quarries, build railroads and to farm. Each of these experiences were likely unique due to differences in time, industry...
Protester sprays 'Hamas is comin' on Christopher Columbus statue in Washington, D.C.
Graffiti was scrawled on monuments outside Union Station in Washington, DC, as protesters flooded the city on Wednesday, July 24. Footage captured by Caleb Condor shows graffiti on the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain and the Freedom Bell late Wednesday afternoon. The protests were prompted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit...
Italian American of the Year honored at Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival Kickoff Dinner
It’s an event that is so highly anticipated that from the day it ends, they begin preparing for the next one. The 41st Annual Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival begins this weekend, and the months of planning and preparation were celebrated at their kickoff dinner at Undo’s West. This year’s Italian American of the Year is Rita Cara...
The Real Donnie Brasco
Before he was an FBI agent, Joe Pistone was a wise-guy-in-training in his native Paterson, New Jersey, hanging out in after-hours gambling joints, with Mob ties NOT optional. “I grew up in an all-Italian neighborhood and didn’t know gambling was illegal until someone told me,” Pistone says. “Everyone had a bookie.” The experience came in handy whe...
Boschetto Does Fast-Casual Dining Right With Seasonal Ingredients and Authentic Technique
Fast-casual is dominating the dining landscape today. We see this style of restaurant becoming more popular each year—from 2022 to 2023, the fast-casual market more than doubled in value, according to a report released by Allied Market Research late last year. Whether it is because diners increasingly want faster, more casual service, or if it’s a...
Italian Festival Organizer Says Event Will Not Happen
Organizers of a downtown Butler event are responding to issues raised by City officials by canceling the event. Last week, Mayor Bob Dandoy addressed Council about discussions he had with organizers for the Italian Festival scheduled for August 23rd, 24th, and 25th. The main issue was allowing set-up on Thursday which removes parking and negatively...
Sorellina brings Neapolitan pizza and neighborhood vibe to the Divine Lorraine
Southern Italian restaurant Cicala at the Divine Lorraine has a new sibling in Sorellina, a Neapolitan pizzeria and spritz bar located across the lobby of the historic hotel on North Broad Street and Fairmount Avenue. The expansion is the combined effort of chef-owner couple Joe Cicala and Angela Ranalli-Cicala. They chose the name, which translate...
Meet Nutley NJ's Joe Lodato: Rising Star in Heroic Baritone Repertoire
In the upcoming months, Nutley native Joe Lodato is ready to take on the stage once again. Renowned for his vocal prowess and captivating stage presence, the Italian-American baritone is emerging as one of the foremost interpreters of the Verdi baritone repertoire. Lodato’s voice has been praised for its “stunningly beautiful timbre, Italianate sna...
Ocean City’s Gay Talese Inductee for N.J. Hall of Fame
The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) announced Tuesday its 18 inductees for 2024 and Ocean City’s Gay Talese is one of them. According to a news release, Talese, 92, an author and journalist, was selected in the category of “Arts & Letters.” Inductees are chosen for their accomplishments in six categories, including Education & Science and Enterpris...
Italian Labor Sacrifice Day Worldwide: August 7th & 8th
We honor Italian Labor Sacrifice Day Worldwide to remember the sacrifices of Italian workers abroad, who left their homecountry to embark on perilous travels, and faced rough living and working conditions to build a future for their loved ones. August 8th commemorates the Marcinelle Disaster of 1956 in Belgium, where 262 miners, including 136 Itali...
Inside Dolce Marie: An Italian-Inspired Cafe in Verona
There’s something about finding the perfect cafe, reminding you of a distant trip to Europe or the shop you used to venture to for an espresso and pastry in New York City. Dolce Marie, located at 464 Bloomfield Avenue in Verona, fills that void. Nearby Verona Park, Dolce Marie serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, and, most notably, baked goods made in-...