Neighborhood News from Little Italy

dicembre 2019

CALENDARIO

Our calendar is inclusive of Little Italy events

planned by various organizations in The Neighborhood

and is updated to the best of our ability.

around the neighborhood

Friday, December 6

6:30: Christmas carols in

St. Leo's Church

(227 S. Exeter St.)

7 pm: tree trimming & lighting

(corner High & Stiles Streets)

Annual Little Italy

Tree Lighting

Join the Italian community as we kick off the Christmas season in The Neighborhood!
Christmas carols! First in St. Leo's Church, then at tree lighting
Complimentary hot beverages & Italian cookies!
Santa Claus with treats for the kiddies!

details >>>

Thursday, December 19

6-8 pm

Christmas Caroling

The Little Italy community is proud to welcome back the Park School of Baltimore a cappella ensemble: the Eightnotes and the Vocal Chords, who warm our hearts during the winter holidays as they carol among Little Italy's restaurants performing traditional and contemporary songs. The a cappella vocalists will perform along S. High Street in and outside the restaurants.

St. Vincent Pallotti Society of St. Leo's Church would like to extend its gratitude to those who donated towards the success of the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate. A reminder to anyone who made a cash donation - to participate in the January drawing for a $100 gift card, please be sure your name is submitted. Email here.

The 4th annual Little Italy Meatball Fest scheduled for January 26 sold out in two days! This year to be held at Pandola Learning Center (St. Leo's School), it will include Best Meatball Competition, delicious food, killer meatballs, fantastic company, raffles, giveaways, and a good time! Proceeds will benefit the Pandola Learning Center as they maintain their fall and spring classes in Italian culture and traditions, founded in 1996! Meatball Fest was created by Joe Gardella, proprietor of Joe Benny's Focacceria on High Street.

2020 Voyage of Discovery through National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) - in its 20th year, this all-expenses paid cultural and educational initiative sends Italian-American college students to Italy to strengthen their understanding of their heritage and the contributions Italy has made to the world. Participants must be between ages 18-23 at the time of travel (May 2020). Apply now; deadline is Sunday, February 2, 2020. Click for details and application >>>

2020 scholarships through the Sons of Italy Foundation® (SIF) ... Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA) has awarded nearly $61 million in merit-based scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $25,000, in a nationwide competition. Students must complete applications online by February 28, 2020. Click for more info >>>

We know you're Christmas shopping ... gift the history of Little Italy!

The neighborhood's fascinating history dates back to the Italian immigrants' arrival in Baltimore in the late 1800s. Chapters of interesting stories about Saint Leo's Church, neighborhood businesses & buildings, Little Italy icons and more! Book sales benefit the 501c3 volunteer-based nonprofit organization, Promotion Center for Little Italy, Baltimore, and is authored by a Saint Leo's parishioner.

$19.99 - order a copy of Baltimore's Little Italy >>>

"The Italian Community in Baltimore"

New book in production needs your old photos

Suzanna Molino , author of Baltimore's Little Italy, and director of Promotion Center for Little Italy, is writing a second Italian-related book for Arcadia Publishing. " The Italian Community in Baltimore" will be entirely historical photos and captions. YOUR photos are needed to fit into the specific chapter categories below. Email Suzanna if interested in submitting potential photos, which can be Little Italy related OR images related to the general Baltimore-area Italian community.

Many photos have been pouring in of families and immigrants - grazie tanto! The author needs more photos of Italian-related organizations, Little Italy events, and photos of neighborhood buildings, old documents, and former Italian-owned businesses in the Baltimore area.

CHAPTER CATEGORIES

for a new book in production,

"The Italian Community in Baltimore"

Arcadia Publishing

Italian-owned businesses
Events in the Italian community
Old passports, postcards, menus, letters, documents
Events & people of Italian-related organizations
Italian-related houses, buildings & landmarks
Growing up Italian
Weddings, Baptisms & Communions at St. Leo's
Italians at work & home

in honor of Veteran's Day

Father Bernie Carman , St. Leo's pastor, blesses the war memorial plaques on the outside of the church building in honor of Veteran's Day. The parish will forever remember and honor the brave men and women of Little Italy who answered the nation's call to defend American while serving in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War.

When President Harry Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, thus ending World War II, an impromptu celebration broke out in the streets of Little Italy ... kissing, hugging, music, dancing, and eating & drinking commenced as people dragged tables and chairs outside and loaded them with food. Restaurant owners served drinks and food on the house. The St. Leo's Fife & Drum Corps were practicing in the school hall when they heard the news. Wild with joy, band members poured into the street and began an impromptu parade. Little Italy was bedlam! The church bell rang, and hundreds of people from around the city visited St. Leo's where prayers and tears flowed abundantly.

[excerpted from the book, Baltimore's

Little Italy: Heritage & History of

The Neighborhood]

RAVIOLI WRAP-UP - St. Leo's twice-annual Ravioli Dinner was held November 10 and the parish staff extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making it another success ... from the volunteers who showed up to make ravioli and roll meatballs on three different Saturdays ... to the volunteers who worked the dinner ... to the attendees who supported the event. St. Leo's also thanks the following for their generous donations. Early March 2020 will be the next dinner - date soon to be announced!

Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop for 15 cases of cannoli
Sabatino’s Restaurant for 10 cases of Italian ice cream
Grace Otterbein for pizzelle cookies
Charlie Varapapa for Italian cookies

It doesn't have to be Giving Tuesday to support us ... please consider making an end-of-year donation to our 501c3 nonprofit organization, Promotion Center for Little Italy, Baltimore?

make a tax-deductible donation here >>>

We are volunteer-based without funding and dependent upon donations and your generosity . ANY amount you choose to

donate will help us to produce promotional communications,

such as this newsletter, fliers & materials for Little Italy's various

organizations (lodge, parish, neighborhood orgs, bocce leagues, etc.)

and to maintain Little Italy's presence online as we promote events

and keep alive The Neighborhood's Italian heritage and history.

Grazie tantissimo for your generosity!

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BUON NATALE! Christmas is the time for cooking and giving. This Italian cookbook is the perfect gift for someone who has everything. Need a stocking stuffer, hostess gift, or an addition to your cookbook collection?

Sale price: $8 each / $15 for 2

(includes shipping)

Mail check or money order:

Francena Hall

125 Boyce Road

Centerville, OH 45458

937-433-7313

email Francena

Buon Appetito!

"When I was a little girl, I would visit my Sicilian grandmother (nonna) and watch her cook. I wrote this cookbook to preserve her recipes for my daughters. I have tried to create recipes that are fun, easy to follow, delicious, simple to prepare, and use inexpensive ingredients." ~ Francena Hall