IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
Office: 10001 Stonell Drive
Member of FUSIE (Federazione Italiana Stampa Unitaria all’Estero)
Maggio 2022 THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
An Italian American Publication
NUMERO 5
Angelina’s Italian Market by Courtney Kamm
Angelina’s Market, which opened in 2019, wanted to add a little bit of Sicily to the German town of Washington, Missouri — and that is exactly what they did. Owned by Angela Gewinner and her two children, Monica Buel and Joe Lanasa, the market was named after Angela’s late grandmother, Angelina Bommarito. Angelina arrived in America in 1901 and married her older cousin, Dominic Bommarito, who had established a bakery in downtown St.Louis. She often helped her husband in the bakery, and it was said that she made the most beautiful cookies and pies. Selling everything from cookies and pasta to Italian sauce and Volpi salami, Angelina’s Market is one stop shopping for all things Italian. A great place to stop for lunch with family and friends, Angelina’s also offers gift baskets and catering for special occasions or larger gatherings. Make sure to stop by the Italian Market during your next outing. You can find them at 24 W. 2nd Street in Washington, Missouri. Do you have a favorite deli sandwich or market item you get from Angelina’s Italian Market? Let us know at courtney@ilpensiero.net.
May Day by Courtney Kamm
May Day is a public holiday celebrated
on either the first of May or the first Monday of May in some regions. This holiday holds a couple of different meanings: 1. It is an ancient festival marking the summer season, typically landing halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the festivities in many European cultures. 1. In 1889, May Day was chosen as International Workers’ Day by the socialists, communists, anarchists, labor activists, and leftists in general around the world to commemorate the Haymarket affair that took place in Chicago, and the struggle for an eight-hour workday. These two celebrations are very different but fall under the same name, so make sure you know which May Day you are speaking of in conversation!
Teacher Appreciation Day by Courtney Kamm
Get your apples ready for your favorite teacher because Tuesday, May 3 is Teacher Appreciation Day! These last few years of virtual and hybrid learning have been tough on teachers, so here are a few gift ideas to show them just how much they are appreciated: 1. Homemade art 2. Bouquet of flowers 3. Box of chocolates 4. A gift card to a local restaurant 5. A small house plant
St. Louis, Missouri 63123
CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND ACTIVITY SINCE 1904
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Cinco de Mayo by Courtney Kamm
Every year we celebrate the 5th of May with tacos, burritos, and margaritas, but do we really know what we are celebrating on Cinco de Mayo? Here are a few fun facts about the Mexican holiday: 1. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates a significant battle during the Franco-Mexican War, the Battle of Puebla, where Mexico went in as the underdog but came out victorious. 2. Although celebrated in America just weeks after the Battle of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo wasn’t officially recognized until 1933. 3. In Mexico, the holiday is mostly celebrated in the state of Puebla and in addition to food and drinks, locals put on a military parade with people dressed as French and Mexican soldiers, cheer on brightly colored floats, and reenact the battle on its original site. 4. Sure, tacos are a staple at any Cinco de Mayo party, but in Mexico, there’s one meal that stands above the rest. The holiday’s most beloved dish is mole poblano, a sauce made with dozens of ingredients including chili peppers and chocolate served over chicken. 5. According to the California Avocado Commission, we eat upward of 80 million pounds of avocados on Cinco de Mayo in the U.S. alone! That’s a lot of guac!