IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
Office: 10001 Stonell Drive
Member of FUSIE (Federazione Italiana Stampa Unitaria all’Estero)
Settembre 2026 THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
An Italian American Publication
NUMERO 9
St. Louis, Missouri 63123
CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND ACTIVITY SINCE 1904
12 PAGES
SETTEMBRE S E P T E M B E R
Misericordia and Donkeys and Carts-Oh My! Submitted by Becky Tower
No wizards or yellow brick roads, but Misericordia member Biagio Pietroburgo is hoping to conjure up some old-time magic with what he calls a “Carrettino Siciliano,” or Sicilian Donkey Cart. Biagio and a few helpers are in the process of building the cart, which will then need to be painted and decorated. It’s an ambitious project. Biagio and his late wife, Marlene, were long-time members and officers of the Misericordia Society. Biagio served many years as sergeant-at-arms but left the post two years ago to finish Marlene’s term as corresponding secretary, the office she held when she passed away. In honor of Marlene, Biagio has continued to accept the nomination for the position and holds it currently. Biagio’s grandson, Arthur Pietroburgo, has since stepped into his former job as sergeant-at-arms. Biagio jokes that maybe because of high gas or benzina prices, the donkey cart may be making a comeback. It requires only one donkey or pony or four boys to pull it. Biagio has designed and already constructed some of the pieces for the cart. He is using pine wood and cedar, and, as of this writing, he is on a trip to Seymour, Missouri, to bring the two 40-inch fiberglass wheels to the Amish to have them fitted to the axle. This will be a deluxe cart! If you
have ever been to Grant’s Farm, you may have seen two antique carts on display in the museum, and Biagio’s cart will be a similar American style. Biagio is hoping to bring the cart to the Columbus/Italian Heritage Day Parade on October 11. His nine great-grandchildren will be the first riders. He hopes to bring the cart to Berra Park for other children to sit in for pictures. Look for further details and some photos in the October issue of Il Pensiero.
Special Film Screening at the Italian Fest An exhibit and film are part of the 2026 Italian Fest of Collinsville, Illinois. The award-winning comedy A World Apart (Un mondo a parte) (2024), by Riccardo Milani, will be shown on Thursday, September 17, at 5:45 p.m. in the Community Room of the Collinsville
Public Library, 408 West Main Street, Collinsville. The comedy, filmed in the Abruzzo National Park, is about primary school teacher Michele Cortese who, after years of teaching in Rome, moves to an idyllic mountain village to teach at a small school with only a handful of students. But unwelcome news arrives: the school has failed to meet its student enrollment quota for the next year and will be forced to close. Thus begins a race against time to save the school…whatever it takes! In Italian with English subtitles, 112 minutes. The Quotidiano Nazionale reviewed the film, stating, “Cinema and school: the comedy is a winner.” In addition, the exhibit “Amazing Abruzzo” is on display from September 1 to October 15 at the Collinsville Public Library, across from the main desk. The exhibit explores Abruzzo’s unique history, wonderful festivals, inviting villages, and much more. The film and exhibit are free and open to the public. Organized by the Italian Film Festival USA; special thanks to the Collinsville Public Library. For further information about Italian Fest, please visit italianfest.net. 221 W Main Collinsville, IL 62234 Email: festivals@discovercollinsville.com (618) 344-2884