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These days, names like Capano, Pettinaro, and Robino are associated with business success, real estate development and acclaim.  But on a recent Thursday afternoon, the men who founded companies that became giants in Delaware gathered with other childhood friends from Wilmington's Little Italy neighborhood to reminisce about days past. Although som...

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The theme for this year’s St. Anthony’s Italian Festival in Wilmington is simply benvenuti: Welcome back, after two years of the world torn asunder by the pandemic. The festival – expected to draw tens of thousands people to St. Anthony of Padua Church on June 12-19 – succeeds because of extensive planning and the commitment of people to the parish...

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Several years after Italian oriented radio programs ceased broadcasting in the Delaware Valley, a group of Italian-American business owners and other individuals funded the return of Italian American radio programming. On Sunday, Nov. 13, 2013, at 8 a.m., “Radio Italian Style” debuted on Wilmington’s WILM 1450 AM. The sponsors engaged the talents o...

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To be a supposed “foodie,” I often find myself wondering what to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Admittedly I will settle for some fast food here and there, if for no other reason than to return to the favorites of yesteryear...which then serves as a reminder as to why I don’t eat that anymore. Then there are times you want a sandwich, or could...

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Mangia. Mangia. Mangia. St. Anthony's Italian Festival in Wilmington's Little Italy neighborhood is back this year. Well, kind of.  The carnival atmosphere is still a no-go even as pandemic social distancing guidelines ease, but the festival, one of the most popular in the state, will be offering takeout foods from June 8 to 11. Foods will be avail...

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Wilmington City Council did not find majority support to encourage the city to permanently remove statues of Christopher Columbus and Caesar Rodney during a vote on a resolution Thursday night. The two statues were ordered removed by Mayor Mike Purzycki on June 12, 2020, less than two weeks after a riot took place in Market Street, and in a time pe...

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Alessandro Iaia has always believed in the American dream. That anyone – whether they are born in this country or have made this country their home – with hard work, can get far. With perseverance, they can receive equal treatment and be able to live their lives without anyone looking down on them or thinking anything negative about them.  But as h...

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Maryann Battaglia knew exactly what she wanted Tuesday morning at Papa's Food Market in Wilmington: A package of Napoletano Brothers "Springfield" brand of spaghetti and a double-helping of nostalgia. In keeping with tradition, she got both. Battaglia grew up in the city's Little Italy neighborhood that's been home to Papa's since 1927. And now, 50...

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Wilmington officials are removing two of the city’s most iconic statues – of Declaration of Independence signer Caesar Rodney and explorer Christopher Columbus – to prevent them from potential damage, and to foster what Mayor Mike Purzycki called “an overdue discussion about the public display of historical figures and events.” Columbus came down o...

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There was a moment back in March when Carl Georigi thought his six Delaware restaurants would never reopen and the flourishing hospitality group he founded in 1996 would crumble. Sitting at a patio table Monday evening at his Capers & Lemons Italian restaurant off Centerville Road shortly after it began offering dining services again after being cl...

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