Febbraio 2023

Ever Wonder How It All Started? The House That Pasta Built shares the story of The Pasta House Co. Restaurant

The Pasta House Co. set its standards in 1974 to create a family-friendly Italian restaurant and this has remained a top priority ever since. The Pasta House Co. has worked diligently to create a dining atmosphere that is focused on serving families through daily specials like Kids Eat Free Sundays to Happy Hour. They strive to offer an affordable dining menu that offers a relaxed and welcoming experience to families. Their purpose has led The Pasta House Co. to become a beloved St. Louis tradition.

The House That Pasta Built, a story of the last man standing, owner, Joe Fresta, recounts his story of The Pasta House Co. restaurants struggle to the road of success and its impact in a community.

As The Pasta House Co. approaches its 50th year of business, have you ever wondered how it all started? Or what made this business last throughout the years? Family recipes, famous neighborhoods, broken relationships and even unprecedented deaths are recounted in this tell all book that has been released.

The House That Pasta Built, can be purchased at most Pasta House Co. restaurants, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Marco Langon Qualifies for United States Team at World Cross Country Championships

submitted by Silvio Laccetti

Villanova freshman Marco Langon (Raritan, N.J.) recorded the most significant milestone to date of his young collegiate career and did so on a big stage during competition at the USATF Cross Country Championships on Saturday, January 21. Langon raced in the U20 Men’s division and recorded a third place finish which earned him the opportunity to test himself against the top distance runner in the world. His finish on Saturday qualified him for the United States team that will head to the World Athletics Cross Country

Marco with US flag being interviewed after 3rd place (bronze medal) finish. Championships in Bathurst, Australia next month.

The top six finishers in Saturday’s race earn selection to the United States squad for the World Championships and Langon left nothing to chance with a time of 23:53.8 over 8,000 meters at Pole Green Park. He ran near the front of the lead pack for the entire race, had the lead with a kilometer to go

“I am thrilled for Marco to have the opportunity to compete at the World Championships,” Villanova head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said. “This is a huge deal for him to achieve the result that he did today and especially considering that it was as tough a field [of competitors] as I can remember. It is impressive for Marco to reach this level at such a young age.”

Langon raced against a field that featured young runners from several of the top collegiate programs in the country along

Continued on page 5

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Please

Antonino Lombardo & Carina Marino

MANAGING EDITOR

EDITORIAL

DIRETTORE

To subscribe to Il Pensiero, advertise or request a photographer at your event, email info@ilpensiero.net.

2023 Article/Ad

Deadlines

March: February 17

April: March 17

May: April 14

June: May 19

July: June 16

August: July 14

September: August 18

October: September 15

November: October 13

December: November 17

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

IMPORTANTE

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IMPORTANT

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check events as they may have been canceled or postponed after publication

LA COLONNA DEL NOSTRO CORRISPONDENTE: GUS TORREGROSSA

Official Photographer

Nina DiMaggio Galullo

Gregory Della Croce

Represented the USA in Turkey in the World Bocce Tournament in November 2022. He played men’s singles and double divisions.

Continued from page 1 with elite club and unattached athletes. He was steady from the starting gun and never fell outside of qualifying range (top six) for the World Championships at any point during the race.

The World Athletics Cross Country Championships take place on Saturday, February 18.

How to Celebrate Presidents’ Day This Year

by Courtney Kamm

For most people, Presidents’ Day is simply a reason to enjoy a long weekend. For others, it’s a day to hit the mall and check out all the specials their favorite department stores are running. In reality, it should be a day to honor those that have led our country over the past 200+ years. Here are a few ways you can get the whole family involved in celebrating our presidents this year:

1. Go to a museum! You can find all kinds of activities at museums from hands-on museums that are all about kids to art or cultural museums.

2. Cook a festive meal! Make cookies or a cake with red, white, and blue food coloring, frosting or sprinkles!

3. Watch a movie or documentary. Here are a few good ones: Lincoln, The American President, or Air Force One.

Prepare for Ash Wednesday in 2023

by Courtney Kamm

Wednesday, February 22, 2022, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season. Like many other traditions of Christianity, the origins of Ash Wednesday can be traced back to ancient Rome. There, sinners and penitents dressed in sackcloth were sprinkled with ashes to start their period of public penance on the first day of Lent.

There are different mass times going on all around the city, so to find one that best fits your schedule visit: archstl.org/ find-mass-times.

Have a Snow Day at Home

by Courtney Kamm

Kids are always so excited when they get called off school for a snow day, but how are the parents supposed to entertain them all day long?! Here are a few fun ideas to keep you busy on those snowy days:

1. Make a pot of soup! Soups contain

delicious ingredients and will keep you warm in those cold temperatures.

2. Make arts and crafts! It’s never too early to get a head start on making your Valentine’s Day cards. Grab some markers, paper, and scissors, and start creating something for your secret admirer.

Puppuccino, Anyone?

by Courtney Kamm

Serve your dog all your favorite Italian foods and treats with the new Italianinspired dog toys by BARK available now at Target. The line includes a cappuccino dog toy, a stuffed glass of vino, a trio of raviolis, gelato, and amore! Head to a Target store near you or check out the Target app to see the rest of the line.

Kemoll’s to Permanently Close After 95 Years

by Courtney Kamm

Since 1927 when Joe and Dora Kemoll first opened the original restaurant location, Kemoll’s has been feeding hungry customers with delicious, signature Italian dishes. After many location and owner changes, the restaurant officially closed its doors earlier this year after 95 years in business. It was last located in the former Dierdorf & Hart’s space in Westport Plaza and was known as Kemoll’s Chop house owned by Mark Cusumano.

2023’s Wine Walk on The Hill

courtesy of hillstl.org

Mark your calendars for the 2023 annual Hill Wine Walk!

Date: May 13, 2023

Time: noon - 4 p.m.

General Admission: $45 per person

VIP: information coming soon

Registration: begins at 11:30 a.m. at Rose of the Hill Parking Lot (2300 Edwards)

Event information:

Enjoy wine tasting throughout the neighborhood, plus receive a souvenir wine glass with the event logo.

General Admission includes souvenir sampling cups; sample wine tasting at participating locations; discounts and treats at many participating shops, restaurants, and markets; multiple activity hubs with music and entertainment.

SALES

Marco (shirt #317) racing in the lead pack.

annuncio

by Carina Marino BIRTHDAYS

Anthony Gandolfo

Codie Platz

ANNIVERSZARY

February 1

Tony and Melodie Nicastro

Submit content to info@ilpensiero.net before February 17, 2023 to be featured in the March issue. We look forward to receiving your announcements!

Thank you

DECESSI

Submit an obituary to info@ilpensiero.net by February 17, 2023 for the March issue.

A Special Note:

Spread love this month and always.

Carina Marino and the Il Pensiero staff

Super Bowl Mediterranean Dip

2 cans of artichokes

1 cup of mayonnaise

1 cup of Parmesan cheese

Chop up artichokes and add the ingredients and mix together. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with your choice of cracker.

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Italian Heritage Parade and Festa The Hill

photos by Christine Ngo

CONSOLATO GENERALE D’ITALIA

THOMAS BOTZIOS–CONSOLE GENERALE

500 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1850 Chicago, IL 60611

phone: 312-467-1550

fax: 312-467-1335

italcons.chicago@esteri.it con.chicago@cert.esteri.it

Hours: (open to public)

Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Onorario D’Italia/Honorary Vice Consul Joseph Colagiovanni

Office: 314-275-0351

Mobile: 314-705-2413

saintlouis.onorario@esteri.it italianconsulstl@gmail.com

VISTI/VISAS visti.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5487

PASSAPORTI/DOCUMENTI VIAGGIO/ NAVIGAZIONE/ PASSPORTS/ TRAVEL DOCUMENTS passaporti.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5485

AIRE/ anagrafe.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5485

ELETTORALE/ ELECTORAL elettorale.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5485

STATO CIVILE E CITTADINANZA/ VITAL RECORDS AND CITIZENSHIP cittadinanza.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5484

UFFICIO STUDENTI/CODICI FISCALI/ EQUIPOLLENZA TITOLI DI STUDIO/ COMMERCIALE/ STUDENT OFFICE/ FISCAL I.D./EQUIVALENCY OF DEGREES AND PROFESSIONAL TITLES/ COMMERCIAL commerciale.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5486

NOTARILE/NOTARY legale.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5483

UFFICIO SCUOLA/ EDUCATION OFFICE scuola.chicago@esteri.it

312-995-5489

Italian Trade Agency 401 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1720 Chicago, Illinois 60611

chicago@ice.it

312-670-4360

website:ice.it/it

Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo/ Italian Government Tourist Office 500 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2240, Chicago, IL 60611

312-644-0990

COMITES

Presidente Luigi Sciortino comiteschicago.com

Facebook: Comiteschicago Illinois 3502 N. Harlem Ave. Chicago, IL 60634 +1 773-414-0636

Emergency Number

Italian Citizens ONLY: (accidents, arrests, serious medical problems, etc.)

+1 312-909-0304

Emergencies between

10 p.m. and 8 a.m. CT, contact the MAECI at 011 39 06 36912666

Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago

Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago 500 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1450 Chicago, IL 60611 phone: 312-822-9545 fax: 312-822-9622

email:iicchicago@esteri.it website:iicchicago.esteri.it

Dott. Luca Di Vito, Director

DiGregorio’s Italian Market’s Sicilian Macaroni & Cheese

courtesy of digregoriofoods.com

Ingredients:

1 lb. elbow macaroni

2 tsp. oregano

Basil

4 tbsp. butter

1 cube chicken bouillon

Salt

4 tbsp. minced Garlic

Black pepper

2 tbsp. all purpose flour

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan

4 cups milk

Parsley for garnish

1 cup sundried tomatoes

1/4 lb. fontina, cubed

1 ball fresh mozzarella cubed

1/4 lb. goat cheese, crumbled

1/8 lb. Smoked Mozzarella

1 lb DiGregorio’s bulk salsiccia

cooked and crumbled

1 pkg. Panna da Cucina

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 325° F. In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook elbows until just tender. Drain and rinse well with cold water. Set aside.

In a heavy saucepan, melt butter and chicken bouillon. Add garlic. Add flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Add milk, stirring slowly. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add tomatoes, fontina, mozzarella, goat cheese, smoked mozzarella, and salsiccia. Add Panna and season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

Place elbows in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Pour sauce over elbows and gently stir to combine. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan and parsley. Serve hot.

Zia’s Chicken Spiedini Proscuitto

courtesy of zias.com

Ingredients:

2 lbs. of chicken tenders

1 cup Zia’s Sweet Italian Salad Dressing

1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

3 cups Zia’s White Wine Lemon Butter sauce

1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms

1 cup diced prosciutto ham

1 cup shredded Provel cheese

Process:

Combine chicken and salad dressing in a zip top bag and marinate for 1.5 hours. Discard marinade. Toss chicken in breadcrumbs and skewer 8 oz. on each skewer. Grill over medium heat until juices run clear. Approximately 12 minutes. Bring Zia’s wine sauce to a simmer over low heat. Add mushrooms and prosciutto. Cook until mushrooms are tender. Remove chicken from skewers to a serving plate.

Top with cheese and sauce, then garnish with additional cheese. (May prepare in the oven at 350. Do not use skewers: instead arrange in oven safe dish and bake for approx. 20 minutes.

Try adding additional seasonings to enhance your entrée

Capers and dill to fish

Dijon mustard for beef and chicken

Sage for chicken and veal

Garlic and black pepper for beef or chicken soto

Also try adding fresh vegetables for that unique dish

Serves four

Anthonino’s Taverna’s Easy Goat Cheese Dip

courtesy of anthoninos.com

Yields: 1 serving

Category: Appetizer

Difficulty: Beginner

Ingredients:

8 oz. log of Goat Cheese

24 oz. Anthonino’s Taverna Italian-Style Marinara (warmed)

1 tbsp. Fresh chopped Italian parsley (for garnish)

Fresh pita bread, pita chips, or toasted pieces of French bread (about 1/4” in diameter)

Instructions:

1. Preheat broiler to 500 degrees.

2. Pour warm marinara into oven-safe dish (casserole dish, iron skillet, etc.)

3. Remove goat cheese log from packaging and set inside marinara until half of the log is submerged.

4. Broil for 4-5 minutes until the cheese gains a light char.

5. Serve with pita bread, pita chips, or toasted pieces of French bread.