IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
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Settembre 2026 THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
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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
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EVENTS TO ATTEND 2026 St. Louis Renaissance Festival Starting Settembre 12 Weekends in September at Rotary Park starting at 10 a.m.
Italian Wine Dinner Settembre 17 at VOM FASS STL in Maplewood starting at 6 p.m.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race Settembre 18-19 Emerson Central Fields starting Friday at 5 p.m.
Saint Louis Art Fair Settembre 18-20 Downtown Clayton, MO starting Friday at 5 p.m.
Anita’s Favorites Wine Dinner
Settembre 25 at VOM FASS STL in Maplewood starting at 6 p.m.
Opening Weekend: Italian Splendor Settembre 26-27 Powell Hall starting Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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Adora Aiza Releases How We Giocare, a Six-Track Bilingual Dance EP A new original project moving between English and Italian through melodic electronic sound, organic Afro-house, and subtle amapianoinfluenced rhythms.
American-Italian recording artist Adora Aiza releases How We Giocare, a six-track bilingual dance EP (extended play) written, composed, produced, and performed by Aiza. How We Giocare moves between English and Italian through melodic electronic production, organic Afro-house, pop sensibility, and a subtle amapiano current. Across six tracks, it follows a relational arc of presence, play, recognition, and desire. The previously released How We Play opened this bilingual direction. How We Giocare now expands it through Slow, Lean Into Yes, Follow My Breath, Already Yours, and Wild Selvaggi. The project treats bilingual writing as a musical form, not translation. Each
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language enters where the lyric, rhythm, and vocal delivery ask for it. With How We Giocare, Aiza presents original dance music built for close listening, the dance floor, and the live stage. “I use music to navigate the complex emotions that surface whenever I open my heart to love,” says Aiza. “A song can help us step back, see our situation more clearly, and intuitively recognize the right choice. Each song reminds me to enjoy the moment and explore new connections for what they are, rather than for their potential, and I share the music for other romantics navigating the same questions.” TRACK LISTING 1. Slow 3:33 2. Lean Into Yes 3:26 3. How We Play 3:02 4. Follow My Breath 2:09 5. Already Yours 3:31 6. Wild Selvaggi 3:07 Total runtime: 18:48 RELEASE INFORMATION Release date: July 31, 2026 Format: Digital EP Written, composed, produced, and performed by: Adora Aiza Studio vocal recording engineer: Matteo Santini Mastering engineer: Alberto Cutolo, Massive Arts Studios, Milan Masters and publishing: Controlled by Adora Aiza Distribution: TuneCore Listen: Spotify | YouTube Website: adoraaiza.com About Adora Aiza
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Adora Aiza is an American-Italian recording artist of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Native American heritage. Writing and performing in English and Italian, she creates original music that moves between contemporary pop, melodic dance, and global club rhythms.
From Protest to Prayer: The Birth of the Festival of Saint Louis
Andrew Thompson-Briggs would appreciate the statue of Christopher Columbus in Tower Grove Park each morning as he made his way to Mass. It really bothered him when the statue was removed back during the summer of 2020. At that same time, protesters were also calling for the removal of the statue of Saint Louis in Forest Park. Mr. Thompson-Briggs decided that he had to act before the image of the City’s namesake met the same fate. He gathered a group of men to lead the recitation of the rosary each day at the statue of Saint Louis. Things were contentious between the devotees of the holy king and the protesters for some weeks. Eventually, Our Lady’s intercession prevailed and the cause calling for the removal of the statue of Saint Louis dissolved. Even after the protesters stopped showing up, devotees of Saint Louis faithfully continued to gather at the statue each day to pray the rosary that summer. Solemn Mass and a procession Continued on page 6
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Submit content to info@ilpensiero.net before September 11, 2026 to be featured in the October issue. We look forward to receiving your announcements! Thank you
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Semir Durmišević Lisa Gandolfo Antonino Lombardo Carina Marino Margaret Mazzola Marino Mary Marino Zamora
A Special Note: Welcome, fall!
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Wishing you a Happy Autumn!
and the Il Pensiero staff
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nature Events
ON THE HILL
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Giro della Montagna
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Neighborhood Yard Sale
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Italian Heritage Parade & Festa
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@ The steps of St. Ambrose | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
@ throughout The Hill
@ Berra Park | 12:30 - 5 p.m.
Christmas on The Hill @ The Hill Neighborhood Center | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Christmas Night Market @ Marketplace on The Hill | 2 - 6 p.m.
For more info: www.hillstl.org/events
Upcoming Events We’re Supporting: Giro della Montagna September 6
Italian Heritage Parade and Festa October 11
The Hill Night Market December 6
oc Q3 S cer in STL
9.12 | 9.19
Food & Beverage Anthonino’s Taverna Dewey’s Pizza Pastaria Olive & Oak
misericordiastl.com Continued from page 5 to the statue on August 25, the feast day of Saint Louis, capped off that eventful summer. Thus began the first annual Festival of Saint Louis. The Festival of Saint Louis returned in August for its seventh year. All St. Louisans of goodwill were invited to join in prayer and celebration honoring our City’s holy patron. There was a novena of rosaries at the statue of Saint Louis on Art Hill in Forest Park running August 17–25 at 6:30
p.m. On Sunday, August 23, families and friends were encouraged to bring a picnic to Art Hill at 5 p.m. ahead of the rosary. At 6 p.m. that same evening, the Benton Dramatic Club performed a skit on Art Hill. (The characters in the previous year’s skit by Nicholas Rao had turned to the ghost of Monsignor Polizzi for his example in preserving The Hill neighborhood from harmful development. We were excited to see what Mr. Rao came up with for this Continued on page 7
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Continued from page 6 year!). Tuesday, August 25, Saint Louis’s feast, was a liturgy-filled day with solemn Mass and the Divine Office at the Oratory of Saints Gregory and Augustine and Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, starting with first vespers the evening before. At 5:30 p.m. on August 25, a grand procession with a relic of Saint Louis departed the Oratory of Saints Gregory and Augustine for the statue of Saint Louis in Forest Park. After the final rosary of the novena, there was a free ice cream reception with live music and dancing. The Festival website provided the full schedule. The Festival of Saint Louis was a collaborative effort under the general leadership of Fraternitas Sacrae Domini Coronae (Fraternity of the Crown of Thorns), the successor organization to the group of men who organized the daily rosary that first summer. The Fraternity continues to lead a rosary at the statue for the reign of Jesus Christ in Saint Louis each Saturday throughout the year. Fraternitas Sacrae Domini Coronae is a recognized 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization based in The Hill neighborhood. Although Saint Louis is best known as a thirteenth-century king of France, he did have an Italian connection. After he died on crusade in Tunis, his heart was buried in Palermo where his brother Charles was king of Sicily. San Luigi, prega per noi! Joseph McMullen is the Secretary of Fraternitas Sacrae Domini Coronae and the Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee. To learn more about the Fraternity and the weekly rosary, visit stlouisforever.com. To learn more about the Festival of Saint Louis, visit festivalofsaintlouis.com.
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Il Pensiero Featured by il Made in Sicily By Courtney Finn
Il Pensiero is proud to be featured by il Made in Sicily as part of its newly established ROOTS International Media Network, an initiative connecting Italian communities and publications worldwide. The network, created by Fondazione Made in Sicily ETS, brings together media outlets dedicated to keeping Italian culture, traditions, and heritage alive for Italians living abroad. In its recent feature, il Made in Sicily highlighted Il Pensiero’s longstanding role in St. Louis’s Italian-American community and its commitment to sharing the stories, traditions, and people that keep our Italian heritage strong. Through this new international connection, Il Pensiero will have even more opportunities to share stories between St. Louis and Italy and celebrate the culture that continues to connect Italian communities across generations. We are honored to be included and excited to see where this new partnership takes us!
Bocce Tournament for the Italian Organizations of St. Louis Submitted by Angelo Sita
On August 1, 2026, the Italian organizations of St. Louis were treated to a bocce tournament by the Italia America Bocce Club. In addition to the Bocce Club, the following organizations
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participated in the tournament: The Hill 2000 Neighborhood Association, the Misericordia Society, the Sicilian Club, the Italian Open, the Italian Club, and The Hill Business Association. This was the second year for this tournament. In 2029 the History Museum of St. Louis is planning an exhibit documenting the history of immigration to our region. As immigrants and refugees have shaped St. Louis, the History Museum wants to preserve the stories of those who came from around the world. In collaboration with the members of the St. Louis Italian American community who have been assisting the Continued on page 8
Pre-fall 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 work party!
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Continued from page 7 History Museum, the Bocce Club agreed to give the proceeds from this tournament to the History Museum. The History Museum sent several representatives to the tournament: Ian Darnell, Mandi Walsh, Emily Walsh, and Marisa Tesoro. In addition, several prominent individuals attended the tournament, including Deacon Joseph Arnone, State Representative Nick Kimble, Alderman Matt Devoti, Italian Consul General Joseph Colagiovanni, and Publisher of Il Pensiero Carina Marino. The tournament started at 9 a.m., and the winning team of Joe Grippi, Maria Grippi, Laura Ilardi, and Joe Bulla ended the tournament at 3 p.m. On Monday, August 10, Dan Drago presented the History Museum with a check for $1,000.
CREATIVE ECONOMY Il Progetto ‘ROOTS’, primo network di persone, comunità e imprese italiane nel mondo connesso attraverso l’arte, la cultura, e il design, richiama a Palermo tra i più affermati italiani all’estero: L’appuntamento: Lunedì 4 gennaio 2027, 1°Gala internazionale al Teatro Massimo Sono aperte le iscrizioni alla email foundation@ ilmadeinsicily.it sul sito www. ilmadeinsicily.it A cura di Fondazione Made in Sicily, ideatore del progetto Roots, con la collaborazione di 5VIE, protagonista a Milano del Fuori Salone Design Week.
Esistono decine di reti che rappresentano gli italiani nel mondo. Ne mancava però una che mettesse
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in relazione le persone e le aziende attraverso la creatività, il design, la cultura, attingendo alle radici comuni italiane per dare corpo a collaborazioni di valore non solo economico ma di sostegno concreto del brand Made in Italy. Questa la mission del Progetto ROOTS avviato nel 2023 dalla Fondazione Made in Sicily che da luglio 2026 vede coinvolta anche una delle principali realtà di Milano nella Creative Economy, la 5VIE di Ernesta del Cogliano ed Emanuele Tessarolo, protagonisti del Fuori Salone Design Week. 5VIE, piattaforma che da tempo si è affermata per le forti potenzialità generatrici di business e interessi istituzionali a livello globale anche ben aldilà del settore dell’arredo, insieme alla Fondazione di Giovanni Callea e Davide Morici, il 4 gennaio 2027 porteranno al Teatro Massimo di Palermo alcuni tra i nomi più rappresentativi dell’ ‘Italia che conta’ fuori confine, per una celebrazione straordinaria della nostra identità che tanto ha saputo dare e dà al mondo in ogni campo, dalla gastronomia, come ci ha riconosciuto l’UNESCO, alla ricerca, all’arte e cultura. Insieme per un Galà che vuole essere anche l’inizio di un nuovo percorso di opportunità, relazioni, investimenti, conoscenze e progetti comuni attraverso l’arte, la cultura, e il design. Hanno già confermato la presenza al Galà Internazionale delle radici italiane nel mondo: Vincenzo Andronaco, siciliano, recentemente insignito dell’onorificenza di Cavaliere del Lavoro e simbolo dell’export italiano in Germania; (oltre 400 impiegati, circa 100 milioni di fatturato). Famiglia Drago, punto di riferimento della gastronomia italiana a Los Angeles; oltre 500 addetti e circa 50 milioni di dollari di fatturato; originari di Galati Mamertino (Messina). Giorgio Linguanti, protagonista della produzione di mozzarella italiana in Australia; da Ragusa. Thomas J. Misuraca, dirigente della NASA a San Gabriel in California, esempio dell’eccellenza italiana nel campo dell’ingegneria aerospaziale e dell’innovazione scientifica; Violette Impellizzeri, componente del team internazionale che ha realizzato la prima fotografia di un buco nero; da Alcamo (Trapani) Frank Manganaro, figura di riferimento nella ricerca biotecnologica internazionale con La nova Biomedical, oltre 1500 dipendenti e presenza in 100 Paesi; originario di Itala, in Sicilia.
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Michelle Durpetti, terza generazione della famiglia che guida Gene & Georgetti di Chicago, la cui famiglia è originaria della Toscana storico punto di riferimento della ristorazione italiana negli Stati Uniti. Franca Grispino con il marito Michele “Mike” Grispino, entrambi di origine calabrese, nel 1971 aprirono in Pennsylvania (USA) una piccola macelleria chiamata Mike’s Meat Market. Successivamente l’attività prese il nome Altomonte’s, in omaggio al paese originario della famiglia. Con oltre 250 dipendenti l’azienda è oggi un brand della cucina italiana in tutti gli Stati Uniti. Nel 2026 Franca Grispino è stata insignita del titolo di Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, conferito per il suo contributo alla diffusione della cultura e della tradizione gastronomica italiana. L’Italia non termina ai propri confini geografici. Oltre ottanta milioni di persone di origine italiana vivono oggi nel mondo, imprenditori, ricercatori, professionisti, artisti, operatori culturali e innovatori che, con il loro lavoro, contribuiscono ogni giorno alla diffusione del prestigio, della intelligenza e del saper fare italiano. Un patrimonio umano che rappresenta una delle più importanti risorse strategiche del Paese, ma che mancava ancora di un luogo ideale e concreto permanente capace di metterne in relazione tutte le forze. Ora due ecosistemi culturali, al Nord 5VIE e al Sud Fondazione Made in Sicily, si adoperano per farne un network operativo che avrà in Milano e Palermo due hub di riferimento per costituire una organizzazione internazionale strutturata. Il Gala Internazionale delle Radici inaugura il nuovo percorso. Ci sarà una premiazione e prenderanno parte all’iniziativa anche rappresentanti delle comunità italiane nel mondo, imprenditori, Continued on page 10
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What to Watch Nuovo Olimpo Genre: Drama TV-MA Release Year: 2023 Starring: Damiano Gavino, Andrea Di Luigi, Greta Scarano
Available on Netflix In 1970s Rome, a casual encounter between Enea and Pietro at a movie theater turns into an unforgettable romance— until destiny pulls them apart. courtesy of Netflix
Pagina 10 Continued from page 8 ricercatori, operatori culturali, istituzioni italiane ed estere, università, fondazioni e stakeholder interessati allo sviluppo delle relazioni internazionali del nostro Paese. Dichiarano Giovanni Callea e Davide Morici: “L’idea è superare il tradizionale modello di rapporti bilaterali tra l’Italia e le singole comunità di connazionali all’estero, costruendo invece una rete transnazionale e trasparente, nella quale gli italiani possano collaborare direttamente tra loro, Siamo convinti che l’Italia disponga già oggi della più vasta rete internazionale di capitale umano, imprenditoriale e culturale esistente al mondo. È giunto il momento di metterla in connessione, a beneficio anche dell’Italia stessa”. Ernesta del Cogliano e Emanuele Tessarolo: “Condividiamo la convinzione che la creatività rappresenti una delle principali infrastrutture strategiche per il futuro dell’Italia, capace di generare valore economico e sociale, rafforzando la competitività del Paese nei contesti internazionali. Il patrimonio italiano non risiede esclusivamente nella conservazione della propria storia, ma soprattutto nella capacità di trasformare identità, cultura, design, artigianato, arte, innovazione, impresa e relazioni in strumenti di sviluppo, attrattività e cooperazione internazionale. Servono però nuove forme organizzative. Reti tra soggetti che vogliano una nuova narrazione dell’Italia contemporanea, nella quale Palermo e Milano possono assumere un ruolo di epicentro fortemente riconoscibile. Palermo, luogo simbolico delle radici, della memoria e dell’incontro tra culture; Milano, capitale internazionale della creatività, del design, dell’innovazione e delle connessioni globali. La valorizzazione delle Radici italiane nel mondo avviata dalla Fondazione Made in Sicily ci è sembrata assolutamente complementare alla vision di 5VIE e del suo ruolo nel Fuori Salone Design Week che rappresenta oggi una delle più importanti opportunità economiche e relazionali per il Paese e richiede nuove alleanze tra soggetti capaci di mettere in contatto operativo territori, creatività, cultura e comunità.” Fondazione Made in Sicily, a seguito del riconoscimento UNESCO della cucina italiana come Patrimonio immateriale dell’Umanità, aveva già iniziato a collegare la ristorazione italiana, in tutto il mondo, con il progetto Italia e a breve aprirà a Palermo anche un Museo delle Radici, iniziativa dedicata all’identità contemporanea, alla diaspora italiana, ai processi di rigenerazione culturale e alle connessioni tra territori e comunità globali. Il Progetto ROOTS ad oggi comprende queste attività: “L’Albero delle Radici” (Boscia / Barolotta) all’ Aeroporto Internazionale di Palermo, Murale “Le Radici del Futuro” alla Piana degli Albanesi, “Le Radici del Mare” in pietra lavica e ceramica sul Lungomare di Isola delle Femmine; Murale dedicato a Totò Schillaci a Palermo. 5VIE è una piattaforma culturale con sede a Milano che promuove il design come motore di sviluppo di relazioni di alto livello strategico. 5VIE favorisce la costruzione di connessioni tra persone, territori, istituzioni e comunità creative, contribuendo al posizionamento di Milano
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quale capitale internazionale della creatività contemporanea. L’alleanza Milano-Palermo nasce dalla volontà di contribuire alla costruzione di un’Italia capace di fare delle proprie radici il motore di una nuova stagione di sviluppo culturale, economico e civile.
Read With Alexandra (RWA) By Alexandra Marino-Durmišević
“The Letter Carrier ” By Francesca Giannone
This month I took a look at Italy’s bestseller list and came across this phenomenon of a novel. I just had to see what all the hype was about. I listened to the translated audiobook version and was immersed in the tiny village of Lizzanello near Lecce, Italy. We meet Anna, a northern Italian, who moves back to her husband’s hometown in Southern Italy. She quickly finds out that she does not fit in with the women in the town. She is a modern woman with modern thoughts—which challenge their old-world mentality. Bored and looking for a way to occupy her time, she applies for the newly available job as the town’s letter carrier. This causes quite a stir because it is not a job for a woman. However, Anna is determined to make a point and show that a woman is capable of working outside the home. Anna enjoys her days delivering news of family and friends, and she even reads letters aloud to the illiterate. Through this, Anna is the string that weaves through the village’s heart.
Nurses for Newborns Helps Missouri Families Give Babies a Healthy Start For more than three decades, Nurses for Newborns has brought health care, education, and support directly into the homes of families preparing for or raising a newborn. Founded in St. Louis in 1991, the nonprofit organization provides free, voluntary home-visiting services to expecting mothers, newborns, and families facing medical, economic, environmental, or
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social challenges. Its goal is straightforward: help families create safe and healthy environments where babies can grow and thrive. Nurses for Newborns employs registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, and community health workers who work with families based on their individual needs. During home visits, nurses can conduct health and developmental assessments, screen for concerns such as maternal depression and child abuse or neglect, and provide education about infant care, safe sleep, breastfeeding, formula preparation, and CPR. Families can also receive referrals to additional community resources. The organization’s services extend beyond medical care. When resources are available, families enrolled in the program may receive diapers, formula, infant clothing, car seats, portable cribs, and other supplies designed to promote the health and safety of mothers and children. The organization reported serving 2,419 pregnant mothers, newborns, and families during fiscal year 2025. Its staff made 7,925 home visits, while 994 parents and caregivers received infant CPR training. Nurses for Newborns also distributed more than 896 portable cribs, over 225,000 diapers, and 500 containers of formula during the year. The organization’s reported outcomes also point to the importance of early intervention. During fiscal year 2025, 99.4% of children served by Nurses for Newborns were reported to be free from abuse or neglect. The organization says its broader program has also been associated with increased immunization rates, fewer household injuries, and reductions in hospitalizations and emergency room visits. For families, the program is designed to provide support before problems become emergencies. Nurses for Newborns accepts families who may have a baby with medical concerns or a history of neonatal intensive care, parents dealing with mental health or physical challenges, families seeking parenting education, and families in need of basic resources. Services can continue for as long as two years after a baby’s birth, depending on the family’s needs. The organization currently serves families in Missouri and Tennessee. In Missouri, Nurses for Newborns operates from its headquarters at 3 Sunnen Drive in St. Louis and serves families across numerous counties. “Nurses for Newborns provides home-based services to promote the health, safety, and well-being of babies and their families,” the organization states in its mission. As the organization continues its work, its central message remains that a child’s future can be shaped by the support a family receives during pregnancy and the earliest years of life. About Nurses for Newborns Nurses for Newborns is a nonprofit organization founded in St. Louis in 1991. Through home-based nursing, social work, and community health services, the organization works with expecting mothers, Continued on page 12
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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
WITH TRUE EMERGENCIES (accidents, arrests, etc.):
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Things To Do
From September-October
Paint Louis at the St. Louis Riverfront flood wall
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
Attend the NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway
Check out the Tennessee Williams Festival at the Berges Theatre
Pints & Pages book club at Schlafly Bottleworks
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
PROCESSION FROM OU R AD VERTIS ERS
“You're awesome!!!”
All are welcome!
October 4, 2026
TRAN NGUYEN
Business Owner on The Hill
10:30 am. Saint Ambrose Church Assemble on the parking lot at 10:15 am. Procession goes from church to Wilson to Edwards, to Bischoff, to Marconi, and into church for 11 am. Mass. Golf carts available misericordiastl.com
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Continued from page 10 newborns, and families to promote healthy development, safe parenting, and family stability. Services are provided at no cost to participating families.
Sons of Italy Foundation Honors Leaders, Dignitaries and Scholars at 37th Annual NELA Gala
On June 25, the Sons of Italy Foundation® (SIF) welcomed distinguished guests, community leaders, scholarship recipients, and supporters to its 37th Annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The Foundation’s premier fundraising and public affairs event honored the Region of Umbria as OSDIA’s 2026 Region of Celebration, while recognizing individuals whose leadership, service, and achievements have made a lasting impact in business, education, philanthropy, and Italian American culture. “This partnership is a testament to the long and important friendship between the United States and Italy,” said OSDIA National President Thomas A. Lupo in his remarks. “As the nation’s largest and oldest Italian American organization, OSDIA is honored to foster these transatlantic relationships and to celebrate the regions that have shaped our community—past, present, and future.” During the evening, the following distinguished honorees were recognized: Mary Naccarato, Chair Emeritus, OSDIA
Il Pensiero
Grand Lodge of New York Gift of Sight Committee and Grand Lodge of New York Past First Lady; Cav. Anthony Julian Tamburri, Ph.D., Dean, John D. Calandra Italian American Institute & Distinguished Professor of European Languages and Literatures, Queens College, CUNY; Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President, and CEO of F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) and its banking subsidiary, First National Bank; and Comm. Joseph Sciame, Vice President Emeritus, St. John’s University, NY and President of the Sons of Italy Foundation. Further enhancing the evening were Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, serving as Master of Ceremonies, and acclaimed tenor Christopher Macchio, who provided special performances as the Gala’s Musical Guest. Serving as Honorary Co-Chair was Ambassador of Italy to the United States Marco Peronaci, while Stefania Proietti, President of the Region of Umbria, served as Honorary Chair. Both delivered remarks highlighting the enduring relationship between Italy and the Italian American community and the importance of preserving Italian heritage and culture for future generations. “Throughout the years, OSDIA and the Sons of Italy Foundation have been protecting and promoting the Italian heritage, greatly contributing to strengthening the relations between Italy and the United States,” said Ambassador Peronaci during his remarks. President Proietti also emphasized the importance of U.S.-Italy relations, saying “Tonight, I want to thank you... [for keeping alive] the special bond between Italy and the United States by protecting language, culture, traditions, and identity for future
Settembre
2026
generations.” She added that “Umbria is a land of historic cities, beautiful landscapes, outstanding food and wine, timeless Italian elegance, and exceptional quality of life.” Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Sons of Italy Foundation’s 2026 scholarship recipients. Selected from a record-breaking pool of applicants, this year’s scholars were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community service. The Foundation awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships to deserving undergraduate and graduate students of Italian descent, continuing its longstanding commitment to educational excellence. “Since its founding in 1959, the Sons of Italy Foundation has invested tens of millions of dollars in the futures of bright, ambitious Italian American students through its National Leadership Grant Program,” said National Executive Director Shayla Kaestle during her opening remarks, adding that “This year’s scholarship program has proven to be one of the most selective in recent years, with nearly one thousand applicants from across the United States.” The Sons of Italy Foundation® (SIF) is the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), supporting scholarships, medical research, disaster relief, cultural preservation, and veterans’ initiatives nationwide. Since its founding, SIF has contributed tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes, including awarding more than $600,000 in scholarships over the past four years to outstanding students across the country. Learn more about the SIF at sif.osdia.org/about.