Maria Gloria Rando

Dear Readers, In February we traditionally pause to celebrate lovers (Valentine’s Day) and Presidents. Once Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and George Washinton (Feb. 22) were honored individually; now they are collectively celebrated on Presidents’ Day (Feb. 16.). Our third President, …

Dear Readers, February dates with an Italian connection: Amerigo Vespucci (1452-1512) was born in February. He is the Florentine sailor, merchant and map maker who gave his name, Amerigo, to America. He entered the service of the Medici and lived …

Dear Readers, November notes with an Italian connection: Thanksgiving Day is celebrated the fourth Thursday in November, since it was so fixed by President Lincoln in 1864. The custom dated back to the day of Thanksgiving set aside by the …

Dear Readers, Christmas Sing-Alongs are always fun be they in Italian, English or a little bit of both. Here are some lyrics to help you get started: Christmas Sing-alongs in Italian TU SCENDI DALLE STELLE Tu scendi dalle stelle, O Re del …

Dear Readers, President Sergio Mattarella, who assumed office in February as the 12th President of Italy, was born in Palermo (Sicily) some 73 years ago. Unlike some of Italy’s more flamboyant politicians, President Mattarella drives a Fiat Panda. He is …

Dear Readers, January is named after Janus, the Roman god of doorways, beginnings and endings. According to Roman mythology, Janus, an ancient king of Italy, was the son of Apollo and Creusa. Husband of Jana, father of Iberius by Camasena, …

Dear Readers, December is here, but while “Jesus is the reason for the Season”, each year it seems the focus becomes the ringing of cash registers rather than church bells. Do your holiday shopping with an Italian connection: ***   …

Dear Readers, March brings shamrocks and my annual “St. Patrick was Italian” column: A “St. Patrick was Italian” remark, tossed into your March conversations, can ignite boring talk into boiling talk if you have some conversational fodder handy, to buttress …

Dear Readers, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on January 19th this year, reminds me of some bits of Black History with an Italian connection:   American Republican politician, Edward Brooke III, died on January 3, 2015 at age 95, …

Dear Readers,   The 126th Tournament of Roses Parade, held on the first day of each New Year in Pasadena, California, had its theme this year “Inspiring Stories”. Featured was a “riderless horse” that represented Grand Marshall Louis Zamperini, a …