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One of the most thrilling and glamorous events in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is the contest to determine who will reign as La Bella Regina of the Columbus Day Parade. “Few events in the community can match the pageantry of the annual Columbus Day Queen Contest,” says JCCIA Executive Director Jo Ann Serpico. “The queen will be the s...

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Dominic DiFrisco, the man known as the "voice of Chicago's Italian-American Community," died Saturday morning due to complications from lymphoma. He was 85. For decades, he steered the ABC7 broadcast booth during the annual Columbus Day Parade, providing color commentary with his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago-Italian history and achievements. ...

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The new president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hit the ground running at the organization’s annual meeting. Speaking to a packed dining room at Casa Italia’s Banquet Center, Sergio Giangrande announced a dramatic rollback of dues in an effort encourage involvement on the part of both individuals and organizations. Giangrande pr...

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Community leaders turned out in force on Dec. 13 at Venuti’s in Addison to ring in the holidays and oversee the changing of the guard at the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. Outgoing president Enza Raineri passed the gavel to Sergio Giangrande at a festive event filled with camaraderie, acknowledgements and honors. Cook County Circuit Co...

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One of the most thrilling and glamorous events in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is the contest to determine who will reign as La Bella Regina of the Columbus Day Parade. “Few events in the community can match the pageantry of the annual Columbus Day Queen Contest,” says JCCIA Executive Director Jo Ann Serpico. “The queen will be the s...

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The 2017 Columbus Day Parade was among the best in recent memory. The sun shone brightly and the weather was glorious, attracting a record crowd. And thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of our parade chairman, Sergio Giangrande, we maxed out the capacity of our float company and enjoyed tremendous support from sponsors and television advertisers...

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The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans is pulling out all the stops for its 2017 Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Gala, honoring 10 local powerhouses from all walks of life. The event will take place on Nov. 11 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont. Sharing the spotlight will be the following recipients: Renato Bacci; Gaetano Ciccone; Mari...

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Italian-American women will command the spotlight when the JCCIA Women’s Division stages its Impresa Awards Gala on Oct. 1 at the Medinah Country Club. (708-450-9050) The event will honor the following outstanding individuals: Lissa Druss Christman, public affairs specialist and award-winning journalist; Andrea Collaro, senior director, Walgreens B...

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The Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans recently held their 51st annual Scholarship Presentation and Fashion Show at Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace. President Rose Mary Ranallo and fashion show chairman Carmella Capriati greeted the 300 guests in attendance and thanked them for their support and generosity, which ena...

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The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will present Chicago Cubs executive Michael Lufrano with its prestigious Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian Award at a gala on June 17 at the Loews Hotel in Rosemont. “During his 12-year tenure with the world champion Chicago Cubs, Mr. Lufrano has built strong bonds of trust with the community and...

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