The Italian Connection

Dear Readers, Mother’s Day is Sun-day, May 13th. Most of us little Italian American “bambini” were blessed from the start with some of the best unselfish mothers God ever created and although they may no longer be with us, let …

Dear Readers, Francis Albert Sinatra, born December 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey, may be gone but especially during December, his birthday month, the melody and memories linger on.  Following are a few clips from my “Old Blue Eyes” file …

Dear Readers, Marco Polo is a timely topic as the Chinese New Year of the Snake began recently, as determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar.  Legend has it that Marco Polo brought pasta back to Italy from China, but that …

Dear Readers, Notes and Quotes for 2013. You make the world a bit more beautiful and better because you have been in it. ***   I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I …

Dear Readers, Looking back before looking forward in 2013, I am reminded of some great Italo-Americans I have met in the U.S.A., who have passed away but via their sons or daughters, their work continues to move forward.  In Louisiana, …

Dear Readers, As March begins dozens of Cardinals have gathered in Rome to elect a new Pope.  After nearly eight years as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, 85, surprised the world on February 11 by …

Dear Readers, January (Gennaio) the symbolic month of fresh starts is also the month when we could use a little pick-me-up after the happy hustle of the holidays, therefore  I thought I would recycle my “Tiramisù” column.   As 2013 …

Dear Readers, Here are a few songs for your Christmas Sing-along:   TU SCENDI DALLE STELLE 
 Tu scendi dalle stelle, O re del Cielo, E vieni in una grotta, Al freddo e al gelo; O bambino mio divino, Io ti vedo qui tremar, O …

Dear Readers, A February finale of Italian Connections: Art Aficionados know that the lady with the mystic, enigmatic smile and eyes that follow you across the room, known as Mona Lisa, was painted by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian painter, …

Dear Readers, The Romantic Month of February, was chosen by co-author, Lawrence DiStasi, to launch his latest book “Esty”. Esty, a diminutive for Esther, was his Hungarian born maternal grandmother (his paternal grandmother was born in the Campania Region province …