VOL. 123 - NO. 41 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, OCTOBER 11, 2019 $.35 A COPY State House Celebration Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Italian Heritage Month Committee OLUMBUS AY by Steve Vilkas C D October 1st marked the start of Italian-American Heritage (Observed Monday, October 14, 2019) Month, coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of the Italian Heritage Month Committee. Last week a festive program was held in the House Chamber of the State House, followed by a reception in Memorial Hall. Coro Dante, New England’s all- Italian repertoire chorus of the Dante Alighieri Society which was celebrating its own twelfth anniversary, performed the U.S. and Italian national anthems. Following opening remarks October Heritage Month President Richard Vita, Judge Joseph from House Speaker Robert Ferrino, Ret., Judge Peter Agnes and Lino Rullo DeLeo, the President of the Italian-American Heritage “In spite of leaving everything Di Chiara from Revere High Month Committee Richard behind and having to adapt School, Zachary Dieciudue Vita read the proclamation to a new reality, these Italian from Everett High School, Alec issued by Governor Baker. The immigrants would go on to not Ross from Wakefield High America — Land of Dreamers proclamation honored the leg- only survive but thrive and help School, Benjamin Lee from acy of Christopher Columbus, to make the United States what Boston Latin, and Ana Faiole. The year was 1492, a young man from Genoa, Italy, Cristoforo actress Anna Magnani, inventor it is today.” — Federica Sereni, Scholarships were supported Colombo, was convinced a route to the Far East could be found Antonio Meucci, Leo Liotta and Consul General Of Italy by the Italian Consulate, East by sailing West and he wanted a chance to prove it. Many thought Yolanda Cellucci. Liotta, better Massachusetts OSIA State Boston Savings Bank, Club he was a dreamer. Luckily he was able to persuade others and known as boxer Tony DeMarco, Vice President Denise Furnari Italia, CASIT, and Donne 2000. turned his dream into a reality. received a standing ovation, spoke about the role of the Order Awards were presented to In the years that followed, America became a melting pot for along with Cellucci who became of the Sons and Daughters of Italian-American Heritage people who, like Columbus, had a dream and were willing to a trailblazer in the world of fash- Italy in promoting, protecting Month Committee Co-Founders take a chance on what they believed in. The English, the French, ion with her Waltham-based and preserving Italian heri- Judge Joseph V. Ferrino Sr. the Jews, the Irish, the Italians, and countless others, all came bridal shop opening in 1967. tage. Describing the founding (Retired), Judge Peter W. seeking the freedom to make their own decisions and to have Federica Serini, Consul vision of Vincenzo Sellaro, Agnes Jr., and Comm. Lino the opportunity to make their dreams a reality. They wanted the best of both worlds and got it. These people were proud to General of Italy, refl ected on the Furnari also mentioned Lodge Rullo for their role in forming call themselves Americans and equally proud to hold on to the value gained from engaging with #2996, based in the North End, the Committee and collective traditions of their homeland. Where else but in America would the Italian-American commu- which celebrated its found- body of work. Massachusetts this be possible? nity. Identifying common traits ing last October. President of State Senator Sal DiDomenico Five hundred and twenty-six years later, we salute the man such as warmth, resilience and the Italian American Alliance received a Distinguished Public who took a chance — Christopher Columbus. A man who was industriousness, she observed James DiStefano reported an Service Award. a model for future explorers to emulate. We are the product of how important family factors increase in membership from “We have to educate the next all the Christopher Columbuses that came before us. into the cultural identity and 400 in 2018 to over 1,100 as generation. To teach our chil- We are Americans — the envy of other nations — where experience of Italian-Americans. of this year, with an additional dren about our culture. Don’t opportunities are boundless for every person. Some call America Sereni concluded by sharing 22,000 members in affi liated let other people express what the “Land of Dreamers.” We’re not offended by this. Instead, excerpts from President John associations. we are. It’s up to us to make we’re proud to be able to dream and, like Columbus, make our F Kennedy’s 1961 speech Scholarships were given to this a way of life all throughout dreams come true! celebrating the centennial of fi ve students from throughout the year. -Massachusetts State Italian reunifi cation. the Commonwealth: Daniel Senator Sal DiDomenico (Continued on Page 7) Major Pasquale Russolillo of the Massachusetts State Police, Jacopo Madaro, State Representative Adrian Madaro, Sal DiMasi, State Representative Paul Donato, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Judge Joseph V. Ferrino, Ret., Judge Peter Agnes, Lino Rullo, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, Consul General of Italy Federica Serini, October Heritage Month President Richard Vita, Stephen Maio, Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy State President Denise Furnari, and President of the Italian American Alliance James DiStefano PAGE 2 POST-GAZETTE, OCTOBER 11, 2019 Happy Columbus Day from STATE REPRESENTATIVE Adrian PLINY THE ELDER MADARO Gaius Pinius, called Pliny his encyclopedia of natural his- the Elder, was born at Novum tory from approximately twenty Comum (now called Como), in thousand notices or facts, and northern Italy, and moved to these were taken from about Happy Columbus Day Rome at an early age. When he two thousand published works was twenty-three years of age he or writings by more than four entered the military forces and hundred authors. His work served as a cavalry commander ran the full gamut of subjects DAN under Emperor Claudius, then which included astronomy, as a Provincial Governor under physics, geography, ethnog- Vespasian, and lastly as Fleet raphy, anthropology, zoology, Commander under Titus. His pharmacology of vegetables and RIZZO fl eet was stationed at Misenum animals, mineralogy, and com- Candidate for (near Naples) in 79 A.D. when mentaries on the history of art. Mayor of Revere Mt. Vesuvius erupted. His deep Some minor defects in his interest in such scientifi c phe- work are excused or quickly nomenon caused him to sail dismissed due to the enormity across the bay to the doomed of his accomplishments and city of Stabiae for a closer the short amount of time he HappyColumbus Day inspection of the volcano. He required to fi nish it. The facts evidently had gotten too close Statue of Pliny the Elder on and information contained in and died by suffocation from the the facade of Cathedral of his work are a gold mine and CITY COUNCILLOR strong volcanic fumes. storehouse of inestimable value, S. Maria Maggiore in Como in TONY During most of his life, Pliny Lombardy, Italy and a monument to the indus- was occupied in his military or try of this great scholar. civic duties; however, he was the Germanic Wars in twenty Pliny the Elder was a good able to carry an extensive scien- books. The second history is soldier, statesman, and out- AMBUTO tifi c study which occupied all of his masterpiece, and this is the standing author. He has often REVERE CITY COUNCIL - AT LARGE his leisure time. He wrote many “Historica Naturalis” (Natural been referred to as the Roman books on military, grammatical, History) in thirty-seven books. representative of encyclopedic rhetorical, and biographic sub- The last history was origi- learning, and the most knowl- jects. About two hundred manu- nally dedicated to Titus and edgeable man in the Silver Age scripts of this work are still in published in 77 A.D. but he of Roman literati. Happy existence. He also composed continually worked to improve it two great historical works. The right up to the time of his death. NEXT ISSUE: Columbus Day fi rst of these was a history of We are told that he prepared Seneca Wishing You Happy Columbus Day! a Happy Italian Heritage Month Enjoy celebrating our and a Wonderful AARON incredible culture throughout Columbus Day Italian-American Heritage Month MICHLEWITZ STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 3 HOUSE SPEAKER ROBERT A. “Have a Safe and Enjoyable DeLEO Columbus Day Weekend” LYDIA EDWARDS Joe Boncore — Boston City Councilor — STATE SENATOR East Boston Happy Charleston North End Happy Columbus Day from Paul J. Donato Second Assistant Majority Leader State House, Room 481 Boston, MA 02133 Tel: (617) 722-2180 Fax: (617) 722-2881 State Senator [email protected] COLUMBUS DAY PARADE 271 Spring Street Medford, MA 02155 Sunday, October 13 @ 1:00 PM Tel: (781) 395-1683 Sal DiDomenico Fax: (781) 395-2871 Best Viewing on Hanover Street in Boston’s North End POST-GAZETTE, OCTOBER 11, 2019 PAGE 3 POST-GAZETTE Fall Festival at Christopher Columbus Park Pamela Donnaruma, Publisher and Editor The Fall Festival at Christopher Columbus Park then featured magic, storytelling, music, face 5 Prince Street, P.O. Box 130135, Boston, MA 02113 took place this past Saturday, October 5, at the painting, and more! 617-227-8929 617-227-8928 FAX 617-227-5307 Park on Boston’s Waterfront. This family-friendly event is put on by the The annual event kicked off with a parade and Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP). e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.BostonPostGazette.com Subscriptions in the United States $35.00 yearly Published weekly by Post-Gazette, 5 Prince St., P.O. Box 130135, Boston, MA 02113 USPS 1538 – Second-Class Postage paid at Boston, MA POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the POST-GAZETTE - P.O.