IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
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Andrea Bocelli Named First Honoree for NIAF’s 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) will commemorate its 50th Anniversary with a landmark Gala celebration on Saturday, October 18, 2025, marking its return to the historic Washington Hilton Hotel at 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, where the organization has hosted many of its most memorable celebrations.
This black-tie event will honor distinguished Italian and Italian American leaders while celebrating half a century of NIAF’s commitment to preserving and promoting the Italian heritage. Among the distinguished honorees, maestro Andrea Bocelli will receive the NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award in Entertainment, with additional honorees to be announced in the coming months.
In keeping with tradition, invitations have been extended to President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, underscoring the gala’s significance in strengthening U.S.-Italian relations.
The 2025 Gala will spotlight the Italian region of Lazio as the Region of Honor, bringing the distinctive culture, cuisine, and traditions of Rome’s home region to the nation’s capital. The gala evening will begin
with a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner featuring Lazio’s regional specialties paired with premium Italian wines. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy special surprise performances, participate in silent and live auctions, and dance the night away at the After Hours Party.
NIAF has extended invitations to the renowned Band of the Carabinieri, Italy’s prestigious military music ensemble, and to the esteemed pilots of the Frecce Tricolori, Italy’s world-famous aerobatic demonstration team, to join in this historic celebration. Their participation would add a special element of Italian excellence and national pride to the evening.
Earlier in the day, NIAF will host the NIAF Forum at the hotel, featuring a series of engaging lectures and talks that explore Italian and Italian American culture, heritage, and achievement. The Forum will also showcase screenings of the five NIAF/ De Laurentiis Film Prize finalists, with the winner to be announced during the Gala dinner, highlighting NIAF’s commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers.
“Our Golden Anniversary Gala marks a pivotal moment in NIAF’s history,” said NIAF President Robert Allegrini. “For fifty years, we have served as a bridge between Italy and the United States, and this celebration will honor that legacy while looking forward to our next half-century of service to the Italian American community.”
A portion of the proceeds will support NIAF’s educational and cultural programs,
ensuring the foundation’s continued impact for future generations.
For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, or additional information about the NIAF 50th Anniversary Gala, visit NIAF.org. About NIAF
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes the Italian culture and heritage. Founded in 1975, NIAF has been a leading advocate for Italian Americans, preserving their legacy and promoting their contributions to the United States.
Business Spotlight: Costello’s Pizzeria and Subs
By Courtney Kamm-Finn
Costello’s Pizzeria and Subs recently opened and is bringing a taste of The Hill to Old Town Florissant, Missouri.
Two brothers, Mariano and Anthony Costello, opened in January of this year in the historic Narrow Gauge Railroad station house in Tower Court Park. Mariano Costello opened up to Sauce Magazine last year, saying that although they are newcomers to the restaurant business, they come from a family rich with cooks. “It’s something that’s in the family,” he stated. “We love to eat.”
The restaurant strives to introduce an authentic Italian flavor into Florissant’s food scene. On the menu you’ll find
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PUBLISHERS
publishers
Antonino Lombardo & Carina Marino
Antonino Lombardo & Carina Marino
MANAGING EDITOR Anthony Gandolfo
EDITORIAL
MANAGING
ENGLISH
ENGLISH
COPY
EDITORIAL
DIRETTORE PER ITALIA Salvatore Gandolfo Via Delle Palme 7 91021 Campobello di Mazara (TP) Italia
DIRETTORE
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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 at the owner’s risk.
PENSIERO
Official Photographer
Dan Drago fundraising for cousin Vinny Drago at Bocce Club
Husband and wife playing bocce
Phyllis and Dr. Ron Farotto and Tony and Julie Sanna
Amelia and her father Mark Daly Happy birthday, Pete Cavato
Continued from page 1
specialty pizzas available frozen or to order, signature hot and cold sandwiches, toasted ravioli, and more!
Visit their Facebook page to order online, or stop in to enjoy indoor dining and eventually an outdoor patio once the weather warms up. Have you tried Costello’s Pizzeria and Subs yet? Please let us know what you think!
Calling All Toasties!
By Courtney Kamm-Finn
STL Toasted, the artisan toasted ravioli company by husband and wife duo Matthew Fuller and Brittany Abernathy, opened their second location last month. Still located at their original spot at City Foundry, you can now find them on The Hill at the former Mama Toscano’s Ravioli building (2201 Macklind Ave.).
The new location, housed in a building that has been a hub for local ravioli production for decades, offers the Toasted team a larger production space, making it an ideal match!
Stop by either location to try their famous sweet and savory toasted ravioli, and make sure to follow them on Instagram (@stltoasted) to stay up to date on specials and more.
Read With Alexandra
By Alexandra Marino Durmišević
Ricatta or Ricotta?
Submitted by Biagio Pietroburgo
Too many Americans are lazy by mispronouncing vowels, whereas Brits or other Europeans do it properly.
Here are a few examplesIt’s ricotta not ricatta. And perhaps we should say cottage and not cattage cheese.
It’s broccoli not braccoli
Spaghetti not spughetti eetalian not italian
Joe Gara-jo-la not gare-gi-ola
Joey Nota not Nato
Joey Rizzo not Risso
Phil Riz-zuto not Rissuto
Joe DiMag-jo not DiMag-gi-o
Jo-vanni not Gi-o-vanni
Pavo-rotti not Pava-ratti
Si-natra not Sa-natra
Bis- cotti not Bis-catti
Bring me one cannolo not one cannoli
Bring me one cucidato not one cucidati
Bi-a-jo not bi-a-gi-o
P-eh-tro-burg-o not P-et tro-berg-o
Maulers Claim
Inaugural Ivanhoe Log
Submitted by William T. Kernell
spares. Zack Jokich, the most formally trained in the sport, never failed to finish the night near the top of the pack.
Van DeGregorio, Will O’Shea, Kevin Benben, Alex Piening, Will Kernell, Andrew Costello, Mark Elbert, and Richard Besselman
“The Color of Dreams: An Umbrian Tale” by Roberta Kaye Waldbaum
This book is special to me because it is the first book that has been sent to me by the author. Dr. Waldbaum is the Anna Maglione-Sie Endowed Professor in Italian culture, and Teaching Professor of Italian in the Department of Languages, Literatures, & Cultures at the University of Denver where she teaches Italian language, literature, cinema and culture in the Italian Program and English courses in the common curriculum. She is the guest editor of the international journal of European Popular Culture, “Soggiorno in Italia-Sojourn in Italy” (May 2019), which contains articles written by DU CAHSS faculty who received travel grants to Italy.
Her debut novel takes us to 19thcentury Umbria as we follow a series of diary entries made by main character Claire Brophy. Claire is unwell and suffers from severe depression. Her vivid dreams give the reader a treat of the five senses. Waldbaum’s descriptions of the sights and sounds of Umbria make it nearly impossible to not feel like you are truly inside Claire’s imagination. Claire is troubled by the limitations of her life as a woman of this time. Her desires to escape her reality are painted as flashbacks and prolepsis, interspersed with a third-person narrator.
My only issue with the author’s writing is the use of abbreviations for names and places. I feel as if it distracted me from the story. I would’ve much rather seen a name written out like La Fontana instead of reading “La F.”
On January 21, 2025, the Milo’s Maulers and Gioia’s Deli Deuces wrapped up their inaugural season at Epiphany Lanes in Lindenwood Park. The Maulers, a ragtag group of South City lawyers, accountants, commodity traders, and a doctor, finished the season in the middle of the pack among their Tuesday-night opponents. Notable among the Maulers’ accomplishments this season were Andrew Costello’s mastering of the perfect spin, Richard Besselman’s speedometer-breaking “rocket,” and Dr. Alex Piening’s attendance at a league night despite a hectic schedule. However, what was most exciting for the Sons of Marconi was bringing home the coveted Ivanhoe Log, a log of Gioia’s hot salami that doubles as the rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Thanksgiving week matchup between the Milo’s Maulers and their formidable foe from the other side of The Hill, the Gioia’s Deli Deuces.
Will O’Shea presenting the Ivanhoe Log to Mauler’s team manager Tommy Kalish
Meanwhile, the Deli Deuces fell on hard times this year, with lackluster attendance from new father Brian Powers, bean counter Kevin Benben, and ace Glennon Ryan. Despite the questionable attendance from several teammates, several Deuces went wild in their own right. Jack Armstrong, with his flick-ofthe-wrist shot, managed to sink countless
Finally, Mark Elbert, Jr., against all odds, secured the league’s highly soughtafter MVP trophy, the Ivanhoe Clog, which proudly resides in the trophy case at Epiphany Lanes. A formal presentation of this year’s Ivanhoe Clog will take place on March 7, 2025, at the Pat Connolly Tavern in Dogtown. In addition to the trophy presentation is the official unveiling of the Gioia’s Deli Deuce’s new sponsor, the Pat Connolly Tavern. After some disagreements with the owners of the famed deli on Macklind over the distribution of team merchandise, the manager of the Deli Deuces, Van DeGregorio, began exploring new sponsorship deals with local eateries. Mr. DeGregorio expressed regret in having to part ways with the salami purveyors; however, in looking to the future, he expects a much healthier relationship with the Dogtown watering hole. When pressed for a comment about this news, Mr. DeGregorio referred us to Deuces’ captain, Bob Sacomano, saying, “Eh...we all know Eovaldi’s is better anyway.”
While the Deuces’ steering committee searches for a new team name under their new Pat Connolly sponsorship, Will and Andrea Kernell, née Cannito, walking in the Columbus Day Parade as official Maulers representatives
un annuncio
by Carina Marino
Submit content to info@ilpensiero.net before March 14, 2025 to be featured in the April issue. We look forward to receiving your announcements! Thank you
BIRTHDAYS
Pina Barbara
Rocco Ferrara
Nina Gallo
Melodie Nicastro
A Special Note: Share this newspaper with someone this Lenten season.
Carina Marino
and the Il Pensiero staff
Say, Cheese!
By Courtney Kamm-Finn
Are you a bride-to-be looking for a photographer to capture your big day? Ready to get family portraits taken? Need a photographer to capture your brand or business? Call Lentini Productions: Photo + Film!
Lentini Productions is a husbandand-wife team based out of Cottleville, MO, offering photography and videography services to St. Louis and beyond. Katie and Anthony got married in September 2023 and launched their business shortly after.
They have loved investing all of their time and energy in connecting and creating with couples, businesses, and families ever since.
On their website, you can view their photography and videography work, learn more about their service packages and prices, and get to know Katie and Anthony a little bit more. Brides, take note: they are currently accepting bookings for weddings in 2026! Head to their website to learn more and contact Lentini Productions: lentiniproductions.co. Call 314.341.7652 or email info@lentiniproductions.co Instagram: @lentiniproductions
13 April 19 May 10 May 14 May 31
Ash Wednesday Mediterranean Artichoke Dip
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.
This is a great vegetarian snack! Spring Schedule: March 15 March 30
Philadelphia International Music Festival Expands to Italy
The world-renowned intensive classical music training program featuring members of The Philadelphia Orchestra stakes an Italian outpost in Summer 2025.
The Philadelphia International Music Camp & Festival is adding another location for aspiring young musicians this summer – in Italy. Philadelphia International Music Festival - Cremona is open to advanced violinists and cellists between the ages of 14 and 19, and will take place from July 28 through August 7, 2025 in Cremona, Italy.
For over a quarter of a century, PIMF has offered young musicians from throughout North America and the world the opportunity to work closely with principal players and other members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, burnishing essential skills and building self-confidence while gaining invaluable knowledge about the world of classical music.
“We’re excited to be able to offer our programming in Italy’s historic violin capital,” said PIMF co-founder and President Sandy Marcucci. “We’re beginning this new festival with string instruments, appropriately, but
we expect to see it grow as all of our other programs have.” This summer’s faculty includes Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin of The Philadelphia Orchestra; John Koen, cello, The Philadelphia Orchestra; and Grammy-nominated pianist Dr. Mark Livshits.
Enrollment is capped at 25 musicians. Guests attending the “Family & Friends” program will tour the surrounding towns while students are in training. Destinations include Venice, Milan, Verona, Parma, Bologna, and others. Students will join the traveling adventures at the conclusion of the Grand Finale performance at Cremona’s Ponchielli Opera House.
Young musicians interested in working with principal players and other members of the acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra can find a summer music home at The Philadelphia International Music Camp and Festival at PIMF - Philadelphia and PIMF - Italy. Chat online for additional information at: pimf.org or phone: 856.875.6816.
About The Philadelphia International Music Festival:
The Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF) is a resident summer music program directed by Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin of The Philadelphia Orchestra, offering student musicians from around the world the unique opportunity of spending up to four weeks immersed in music education and performance training with members of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra.
PIMF offers summer camp programs
on Philadelphia’s prestigious Main Line. Inperson one-week and two-week sessions at Valley Forge Military Academy and College (just outside Philadelphia, PA) are scheduled June 14 – June 27, 2025 and July 12 – July 25, 2025. PIMF Vanoli Cremona is scheduled July 28 – August 7, 2025. PIMF’s winter intensive mini-camp for strings Music in the Mansion in Miami, FL is scheduled December 29, 2025 – January 3, 2026.
It’s Almost Patio Season!
By Courtney Kamm-Finn
Spring is just around the corner, which means more sunshine and more opportunities to sit outside and enjoy delicious food on the patios of your favorite restaurants. There are so many incredible patios on The Hill, but one of our favorites is at Collina Eatery, formerly known as “Pit Stop.”
Its original name came from the building being an old service station complete with a working garage door, antique gas pumps, and more. Although the owners have rebranded the restaurant to better represent the delicious food they serve, the vintage charm still runs strong. Their not one, but two, patio areas seat about 50 people, so make sure to stop by and enjoy a bite outside this spring!
Learn more at collinaeatery.com. Wednesday and Thursday: 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 5-10 p.m. Sunday: 4-9 p.m. Call 314-696-2999
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
Christmas on The Hill St. Louis, MO
December 7, 2024
