IL PENSIERO
“THE THOUGHT”
Member of FUSIE (Federazione Italiana Stampa Unitaria all’Estero)
“Love on The Hill,” a romantic comedy celebrating the food, family, and old-world charm of St. Louis’s beloved Italian-American neighborhood, will begin filming this spring, with local restaurants and homes serving as backdrops throughout production in June.
Comedy “Love on The Hill” to Film on Location This June; Fans Invited to Be Part of the Action at Gateway Grizzlies Game Night
Continued on page 5 Lights, Camera, Cannoli: St. Louis’s The Hill Is About To Have Its Hollywood Moment
movies.
The film follows Dante, a local minor league baseball player trying to find his footing after a rough stretch, and Nina, a social media food influencer who has returned to The Hill to care for family—and unexpectedly finds a lot more than a good meal waiting for her.
“Baseball, Italian food, romance. Those are the ingredients. But underneath all of it is something universal: what it feels like to come back to a place that knows you. To find your people and your place,” said producer Lori Dowd. “The Hill is one of the few neighborhoods left in America where that’s still real.”
St. Louis residents who want to be more than just spectators will have their chance. The Gateway Grizzlies are hosting a special “Be in a Movie Night at the Ballpark” on June 9 at Arsenal BG Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois. Fans are invited to catch the Grizzlies game and stay after for the opportunity to appear as an extra in the film—no experience required, just an appetite for fun.
Tickets and more information are available at gatewaygrizzlies.com.
Local Cookbook Author and Food Blogger Christina Musgrave Publishes First Cookbook
Christina Musgrave, founder of the food blog Tasting with Tina and author of Tasting Every Day: Easy Recipes for the Weeknight Cook, is bringing her love of simple, elevated home cooking to readers in St. Louis and beyond.
Musgrave, who lives on The Hill, is a professional recipe developer and food photographer known for creating approachable recipes that feel special without being complicated. Her cooking is inspired by Italian-American traditions,
The Hill has always had great stories. This June, one of them is going to the
GIUGNO 2026
Pride Month
6/2 - Republic Day (ITA)
6/14 - Flag Day 6/19 - Juneteenth
6/21 - Father’s Day
6/21 - Summer Solstice
6/24 - Feast of St. John the Baptist
6/29 - Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul
WHAT'S THE WEATHER?
St. Louis, MO
Average Temp: HIGH: 85° F LOW: 67° F June brings warm, humid, and increasingly summery weather.
Italy
Average Temp: HIGH: 68° F LOW: 54° F
Expect long, sunny days and comfortable early-summer warmth.
EVENTS TO ATTEND
Circus Flora: Flying High
Giugno 4-21
At Circus Flora. Tickets available now.
Route 66 Cars & Guitars Festival
Giugno 6
Downtown Kirkwood from 4-11 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration
Giugno 13
Delmar Loop from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
St. Louis Cigar Festival
Giugno 13
The Hill neighborhood from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
PrideFest
Giugno 27-28
Various times and locations across downtown St. Louis
2026 Hill House Tour Giugno 28
The Hill from 1-5 p.m. Tickets currently sold out.
To subscribe to Il Pensiero, advertise or request a photographer at your event, email info@ilpensiero.net
2026 Article/Ad Deadlines
July: June 12
August: July 17
September: August 14
October: September 11
November: October 16
December: November 13
Degli articoli firmati che appaiono sul giomale sono responsabili i singoli autori, i quali non rappresentano necessariamente il punto di vista generale, ne’ esprimono la politica de “Il Pensiero.” Operando conforme alle nostre vedute democratiche, si accetta la collaborazione di persone esprimenti il piu’ largo arco di opinioni, senza pregiudiziale di sorta.
The signed articles appearing in Il Pensiero “The Thought” are the opinions of the individual authors, who do not represent the general point of view, nor do they express the views of Il Pensiero. We accept the collaboration of people expressing the most wide range of opinions. Opinions expressed in Il Pensiero “The Thought” are not necessarily those of Il Pensiero and Il Pensiero does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Any images supplied are
PENSIERO
Festa della Repubblica Italiana Italian Republic Day Celebration
Sponsored by The Sicilian Cultural Association of St. Louis May 31, 2026 Christy Banquet Center
Honoring
The Joe Boccardi Family and Rev. Leo J. Spezia
Staff Photographer
John and Katy Saracino and Joe Boccardi. Jr.
Father Jack Siefert and Rev. Leo Spezia
Joe and Margherita Boccardi Family
Father Leo Spezia and Family
Continued from page 1 seasonal ingredients, and the belief that dinner can be both realistic and beautifuleven on a busy weeknight.
Her debut cookbook, Tasting Every Day: Easy Recipes for the Weeknight Cook, was written for home cooks who want reliable, flavorful recipes that fit into real life.
Since launching Tasting Every Day, Musgrave has been connecting with readers at local events, farmers’ markets, and community gatherings throughout St. Louis. Most recently, she sold copies of the cookbook at The Hill Wine Walk, where she enjoyed meeting local readers and members of the Italian-American community.
Tasting Every Day: Easy Recipes for the Weeknight Cook is available for purchase at tastingwithtina.com or on Amazon. For more information, visit tastingwithtina.com or follow Christina on Instagram at @tasting.with.tina.
Submit content to info@ilpensiero.net before June 12, 2026 to be featured in the July issue. We look forward to receiving your announcements! Thank you
BIRTHDAYS
A Special Note: Happy Father’s Day! Carina Marino and the Il Pensiero staff
The Mafia vs. The Klan: Graphic Novel Based on True Events
Author and creator C.E. Massari (THE SIX SWORDS, KAYFABE VOL. 3) is proud to announce the release of his graphic novel THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN. The project will launch on Kickstarter in September 2026 as a premier title in Source
Point Press’s relaunch, before a worldwide release via SPP’s distribution channels. Inspired by real-life events experienced by Massari’s own grandfather, the 120-page original graphic novel (OGN) is described as “John Wick meets The Godfather.” It tells a gritty, high-stakes story of justice and vengeance that resonates with historical weight and cinematic intensity. For more information, visit kickstarter.com/projects/cemassari/themafia-vs-the-klan
Il Pensiero
Misericordia Society Awards Scholarship for 2026
The Misericordia Society is pleased to announce that the 2026 recipient of the $1000 scholarship to an eighth-grade student at St. Ambrose School attending a Catholic high school in the fall is Adison Clauss. Adison is the daughter of Dan and Kayla Clauss of St. Louis. She will be attending Cor Jesu Academy. An essay on the topic of “what being a part of the Italian community in St. Louis means to me” is required as part of the scholarship application. The teachers at St. Ambrose review the essays and choose the scholarship recipient. Adison and her parents will receive the check at the June Misericordia meeting. Below is the winning essay.
What being a part of the Italian community in St. Louis means to me.
I first joined the Italian community in St. Louis at age four and enrolled at Sacred Heart Villa. We often walked to Berra Park or nearby businesses, always met with warmth. Age did not matter—everyone treated me like family. Being part of this community has shown me the value of friendship, loyalty, and courage.
On The Hill, everyone knows each other or has heard of each other. No one is a stranger; you are greeted with a smile or a friendly comment like, “Where’s your dad at!” from Charlie. The Hill supports its people through life’s ups and downs. When I serve funerals at school, I often see the same faces—sometimes mourning,
sometimes comforting. These actions truly show the lasting friendship found in this community.
The Hill community also shows loyalty. Members of the community who have gone to St. Ambrose often give back to the parish; they stay loyal to it. They go to masses, they attend fundraisers, and they support members of the community who have opened businesses on The Hill. This all goes back to having a true friendship; to have a true friendship, you need loyalty. The Hill community always supports one another, whether things go well or don’t. Everyone has each other’s backs.
And finally, The Hill represents courage. When the Italian immigrants came over, they didn’t have much but each other and a goal. A goal to share the Italian culture, which has certainly been achieved. I can only imagine the struggles they went through, the ups and downs on the path that led them to where we are today. People today probably still struggle; it takes work to have a community thrive so much. But the community’s message has been delivered. Whenever I go to events with other schools, whenever people hear the name St. Ambrose, they immediately think of The Hill; they always ask, “Do you know Fr. Jack?” or “I bet you love all the bakeries over there.” The Italian immigrants demonstrated much courage to get us to where we are today.
Being a part of the Italian community has demonstrated so many things to me. After being a part of the community for 10 years, it will be hard to go to a new school. But I will take all the things I have learned from the community forward with me. The community has taught me that old friendships can be the most valuable
and that I should keep all my friends close. The community has also taught me and demonstrated how a good friend and neighbor should stay loyal to one another. And finally, the community has taught me to be courageous and to just be me. I do not need to please everyone; as long as I am showing my true self, then all I need to please is myself and those whom I love. All of these valuable lessons I have learned from the community will be taken down the road with me. So, if someone asked me what the Italian community means to me, I would share all of the valuable lessons I have learned from them and let them go experience it and ask them, “What does the Italian community mean to you?”
World Cup Artichoke Appetizer
Ingredients:
2 cans of artichokes
1 cup of mayonnaise
1 cup of Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
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.
Perfect for a soccer-inspired party!
Read With Alexandra (RWA)
By Alexandra Marino-Durmišević “Very Valentine”
By Adriana Trigiani
I picked up this month’s read at my local Starbucks’ “Take a Book” shelf. I love how popular these have become. I encourage you to find Little Libraries this summer and see what is out there. They are all unique and fun to spot on walks in your local neighborhood. I especially love them because I usually find older books that I haven’t read yet, like this one.
Adriana Trigiani’s 2009 novel, “Very Valentine,” is a treat for Italian Americans. She brings her characters to life in a way that makes you feel like you’ve known them for years. Valentine is a 30-something unmarried (gasp!) woman in New York City. She follows in her grandparents’ footsteps as a custom shoemaker. The 100-yearold business is failing, and she is working alongside her grandmother to keep it relevant while trying to maintain tradition. Along the way comes a chance at love, but Valentine finds it difficult to balance endless work, family demands, and a relationship. You will love this novel because of the familiarity of being Italian in America.
The Past Is Prologue; America 1776,1976, 2026....
Submitted by Silvio Laccetti
As part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, I presented a resolution to our county’s bicentennial committee congress, which I chaired. Very recently, I presented this parchment scroll document to the officials and leaders of our current celebration of the nation: America 250. Not having read the document in 50 years, I was struck by how applicable and useful its precepts are for all of us as we navigate our very unsettled times. Its relevance is immediate to America, be it 1776, 1976, or today.
Perhaps it is particularly important today to reaffirm our national resilience in times of crises and political divisions such as this nation has not seen since the 1850s. What is ahead for us in the next 50 years? Hopefully, we are guided by our past.
“The act of commemorating our nation’s Bicentennial is a reaffirmation of those ideals and commitments that have brought forth, developed, and characterized our national life. The American Republic cannot remain vibrant if its basic political tenets are only confined to the written word transcribed and stored in museums, monuments, and textbooks. These tenets must be written large in the minds of all citizens, and we must continually strive to foster a general and immediate awareness of government and of the individual’s role in it. Responsible citizenship finds its most powerful ally in a vigorous, unbiased local free press serving as the public’s eye in the corridors of civic affairs.
The present social and political changes and uncertainties, rather than serving as a cause of bewilderment and confusion, should instead serve to stimulate the creative energies and abilities that this nation has so often summoned forth in the past.
We affirm: 1. That government and public policy are the reflection of broad citizen participation and direction. The increasing complexity and challenges of our future life demand greater vigilance and involvement on the part of all American citizens.
2. Our institutions, among them a free press, the educational system, and constituted government, though structurally sound, must be continually renewed to meet the future.
Conceived in the crucible of change, America has accepted her previous difficult challenges and will accept these present ones in her quest for a better life for all her people.”
Therefore, let us resolve that America 250, through its activities, committees, and involved citizens, will reaffirm and seek everywhere to encourage these basic principles in America’s Third Century.
Silvio Laccetti is a national columnist and a retired Prof. of History, Stevens Tech, Hoboken, NJ.
Today, at the Centro Studi Americani in Rome, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and the Centro Studi Americani (CSA) signed a strategic collaboration agreement aimed at further strengthening the cultural, academic, and institutional ties between the United States and Italy. This partnership united the foremost representative organization of the Italian American community in the United States with one of the most prestigious European research institutes dedicated to the study of American society and politics. The shared objective was the creation of an increasingly solid bilateral bridge, capable of fostering transatlantic dialogue through joint initiatives, exchange programs, and research activities.
At the center of the agreement was the promotion of research and dialogue through the coordination of thought leadership initiatives and public debates focused on U.S.-Italy relations, economic development, cultural diplomacy, and democratic values. The cooperation was designed to translate directly into cultural and academic exchanges aimed at elevating the best of both countries, encouraging the participation of academics, policy leaders, business executives, journalists, and members of the cultural world in shared programs, conferences, exhibitions, and symposia.
A fundamental pillar of the collaboration concerned the development of young talent. Mindful of the importance of investing in the next generation, the two organizations committed to exploring the creation of scholarships, educational programs, internships, fellowships, and mentoring initiatives to support the future leaders of transatlantic affairs and Italian American studies.
To translate these intentions into concrete action, NIAF and CSA committed to organizing or supporting at least one
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wide-ranging joint initiative every year.
About the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded in 1975. NIAF is the largest representative of the more than 20 million Italian American citizens in the United States, dedicated to celebrating and advancing the inspiring achievements and uplifting values of Italian culture and presence in America and to strengthening ties between the United States and Italy. For more information, visit NIAF.org.
About the Centro Studi Americani (CSA)
The Centro Studi Americani (CSA), headquartered in Rome, Italy, is a nonpartisan research institute dedicated to the study of the United States, transatlantic relations, and political, economic, social, and cultural developments in American society. Through conferences, research initiatives, publications, and educational programming, CSA promotes informed dialogue and more profound understanding of the United States in Italy and Europe and fosters transatlantic cooperation. For more information, visit centrostudiamericani.org.
NIAF Presents €100,000 to Cyclone Harry Victims at Milan Gala, Received by Vice Presidents of the Italian Parliament Legendary Filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore Among Four Honored at Palazzo Mezzanotte as Foundation Celebrates 80 Years of the Italian Republic, America’s 250th Anniversary, and 165 Years of U.S.–Italy Diplomatic Relations
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) brought its celebrated gala tradition to Milan on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, hosting an exclusive evening at
Palazzo Mezzanotte—the historic home of the Milan Stock Exchange—and welcoming distinguished guests from the worlds of business, government, and culture to one of Italy’s most storied settings.
The gala was chaired by Paolo Catalfamo and Andrea Delfini, with Honorary Chairwoman Paola Rovellini. NIAF President & CEO Robert Allegrini and NIAF Chairman John Calvelli delivered remarks, with Master of Ceremonies Claudia Vanni guiding the program throughout the evening.
The evening opened with a stirring performance of the Italian and American national anthems by the Fanfara Bersaglieri di Lonato Pozzolo—Nino Tramonti Mario Crosta, alongside Tasting Opera—a moment that drew sustained applause from the assembled guests and set the tone for an evening steeped in history and shared heritage.
In one of the evening’s most moving moments, NIAF presented a donation of €100,000 to the victims of Cyclone Harry in Southern Italy. The check was received by Giorgio Mulè, vice president of the Camera dei Deputati, and Licia Ronzulli, vice president of the Senate—a powerful symbol of the Italian American community’s enduring commitment to Italy.
“NIAF exists to strengthen the bonds between Italy and the United States — and those bonds are never stronger than when they are expressed through solidarity,” said NIAF President and CEO Robert Allegrini. “Tonight we are proud to stand with the communities of Southern Italy.”
The Foundation presented its NIAF Italia Special Achievement Awards to four distinguished honorees:
Giovanni Andrea Toselli — NIAF Italia Special Achievement Award in Management Leadership
Giovanni Bozzetti — NIAF Italia Special Achievement in Institutional Leadership
Ezio Simonelli — NIAF Italia Special Achievement in Sport Leadership
Giuseppe Tornatore — NIAF Italia Special Achievement in Arts
The recognition of legendary filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore—whose Academy Award-winning masterwork Cinema Paradiso remains one of the most celebrated Italian films of all time—drew one of the evening’s most memorable responses from the audience.
The 2026 Milan Gala coincided with three extraordinary milestones: 80 years of the Italian Republic, 250 years of the United States of America, and 165 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and the United States. The evening paid tribute to Filippo Mazzei—the Tuscan intellectual whose ideas on natural equality inspired Thomas Jefferson as he drafted the foundational principles of American democracy—as a reminder of Italy’s enduring contribution to the American story.
The evening also celebrated Lombardia as NIAF’s 2026 Region of Honor, recognizing the region as Italy’s engine
of innovation and enterprise. Desserts were crafted by Master Pastry Chef Iginio Massari.
The evening also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NIAF and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, one of Europe’s oldest and largest philanthropic institutions. The agreement formalizes a transatlantic partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation between Italy and the United States through shared cultural, educational, and philanthropic initiatives.
About the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded in 1975. NIAF is the largest representative of the more than 20 million Italian American citizens in the United States, dedicated to celebrating and advancing the inspiring achievements and uplifting values of Italian culture and presence in America and to strengthening ties between the United States and Italy. For more information, visit NIAF.org.
Following Years of NIAF Advocacy, Historic Columbus Circle Fountain Flows Again in Washington, D.C. Foundation Represented at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony as Historic Landmark Reopens After Nearly Two Decades — A Symbol of Italian American Pride and America’s
Enduring Heritage
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) proudly celebrated a milestone for Italian American heritage and American civic life as the historic Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain at Columbus Circle in Washington, D.C., officially reopened following a comprehensive $11.8 million restoration by the National Park Service. NIAF has been a committed advocate for this important restoration for years, working closely with the Embassy of Italy and supporting the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Foundation in their private fundraising Continued on page 12
CONSOLATO GENERALE
D’ITALIA
Mario Alberto Bartoli CONSOLE GENERALE
500 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1850 Chicago, IL 60611 phone: 312-467-1550
certified email (PEC): con.chicago@cert.esteri.it italcons.chicago@esteri.it Hours: (open to public) Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Onorario D’Italia/Honorary Vice Consul Joseph Colagiovanni
Honorary Vice Consul of Italy ITALIANCONSULSTL@GMAIL.COM 314-705-2413
VISTI/VISAS visti.chicago@esteri.it 312-995-5487
PASSAPORTI/DOCUMENTI VIAGGIO/ NAVIGAZIONE/ PASSPORTS/ EMERGENCY 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/VITAL RECORDS chicago.statciv@esteri.it (312) 995 5485
CITTADINANZA/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 italiantourism.com
ONLY FOR ITALIAN CITIZENS WITH TRUE EMERGENCIES (accidents, arrests, etc.):
Available from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. CST Monday –Friday, and from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays – Call +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
Schedule Basic
Continued from page 10
efforts to bring this landmark back to life.
NIAF was honored to be represented at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by board member the Honorable Mike Ferguson. The ceremony was attended by Italian Ambassador Marco Peronaci; U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum; U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy; Superintendent of the National Mall Kevin Griess; and Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup 2026, who delivered a message on behalf of President Donald J. Trump. NIAF Vice Chair National Anita Bevacqua McBride has worked diligently alongside the National Park Service and its nonprofit partners throughout the years of dedication required to achieve this restoration.
The Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain is a Beaux-Arts masterpiece designed by architect Daniel Burnham—who also planned Union Station—and sculpted by Lorado Taft. Dedicated on June 8, 1912, during national celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s 1492 voyage, the 15-foot monument stands at the intersection of Delaware, Louisiana, and Massachusetts Avenues as a ceremonial gateway to the nation’s capital. The fountain ceased operation in 2007 and remained nonfunctional for nearly two decades. Today, water flows once again.
“As America prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding on July 4, 2026, there is no more fitting tribute than the renewal of this magnificent monument to Christopher Columbus — the catalyst of five centuries of exploration, immigration, and the Italian contributions that have so profoundly shaped this nation,” said Robert Allegrini, NIAF President and CEO. “Columbus is a beacon of inspiration and a singular point of pride for the Italian American community. To see his fountain flow again at one of Washington’s most storied gateways, in this 250th year of America’s story, is a moment of deep significance for the more than 20 million Italian Americans across this country.”
The restoration is part of a broader National Park Service initiative allocating more than $54 million to repair seven historic D.C. fountains ahead of America’s semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, 2026. The project has returned flowing water to Columbus Circle for the first time in nearly 20 years, complemented by updated brick walkways and enhanced safety measures at one of the city’s busiest transportation hubs.
NIAF remains proud to support efforts that preserve and advance the legacy of Christopher Columbus and the enduring contributions of Italians and Italian Americans to the history of the United States and its public spaces. This restoration represents a meaningful step forward in honoring that legacy for future generations.
About the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded in 1975. NIAF is the
largest representative of the more than 20 million Italian American citizens in the United States, dedicated to celebrating and advancing the inspiring achievements and uplifting values of Italian culture and presence in America and to strengthening ties between the United States and Italy. For more information, visit NIAF.org.
Il Pensiero Celebrates 122 Years
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen officially recognized Il Pensiero (“The Thought”), Missouri’s only Italian-language newspaper, for its 95 years of continuous service to the Italian-American community in Missouri and Illinois on June 7, 1999.
Through Resolution Number 77, city leaders praised the publication’s long-standing commitment to informing, connecting, and representing ItalianAmericans throughout the region. Founded in 1904 by Luigi Carnevale shortly after the opening of the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Il Pensiero has played a significant role in preserving Italian heritage and culture for generations.
The resolution notes that in 1911 the newspaper was recognized by the Italian government as an essential link between Italian citizens living in the St. Louis metropolitan area and their homeland. Despite changes in ownership over the decades, the publication remained dedicated to providing quality reporting on issues important to the Italian-American community.
City officials also acknowledged the leadership of Antonino Lombardo and Anthony Gandolfo, who purchased the newspaper in 1967. Under their stewardship, Il Pensiero continued to uphold the high standards established by its founders and maintained its reputation as an important voice within the community.
In adopting the resolution, the Board of Aldermen congratulated Antonino
Lombardo and the past and present staff of Il Pensiero on the newspaper’s 95th anniversary. The Board expressed gratitude for their outstanding service and contributions to the cultural life of St. Louis and the broader Italian-American community.
The resolution was introduced by Alderman Thomas Bauer of the 24th Ward, Alderman Stephen Gregali of the 14th Ward, and Board President Francis G. Slay. It was officially adopted on June 4, 1999, and entered into the city’s records as a tribute to the newspaper’s enduring legacy.
For nearly a century, Il Pensiero served as a bridge between generations of Italian-Americans, preserving traditions, sharing news, and strengthening community ties throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.
Pastels and Brights Define the Season in K. Ferrara Color’s
Summer Essentials Edit
Summer beauty trends are embracing color with renewed confidence, and K. Ferrara Color’s latest Summer Essentials Edit offers a carefully curated palette designed to make seasonal style effortless.
The collection highlights shades that balance playful energy with everyday wearability. Among the featured colors are Judy, a vibrant pink that captures the optimism of summer, and Melodie, a delicate lavender that introduces a soft, sophisticated touch to the season’s beauty routine.
Together, the shades reflect a growing movement toward color choices that feel fresh without overwhelming the wearer. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, the collection focuses on versatile hues that complement a wide range of skin tones and personal styles.
Judy delivers a bold pop of color that evokes sunny days, outdoor celebrations, and the carefree spirit of summer. In contrast, Melodie offers a lighter, airy alternative, bringing a cool, modern elegance to manicures and seasonal beauty looks.
The Summer Essentials Edit is built around a simple philosophy: color should make getting ready easier, not more complicated. By selecting shades that pair effortlessly with summer wardrobes, the collection encourages consumers to create polished looks in minutes.
Beauty industry observers note that consumers increasingly seek products that combine self-expression with practicality. Collections that offer a balance of statementmaking color and everyday versatility continue to resonate with shoppers looking for lasting value.
As summer unfolds, K. Ferrara Color’s seasonal palette demonstrates that a handful of thoughtfully chosen shades can provide all the inspiration needed for a fresh, confident look throughout the season.
For more, visit kferraracolor.com. Check out their Facebook and Instagram, too at @k.ferraracolor to shop an explore.