Page 3 - Italian-American Herald - October 2024

By Barbara Ann Zippi
National Italian-American Heritage month
was established by the United States Congress in October
1989 to recognize Italian-Americans’ contributions to American society and highlight the impact of the Italian-American community on American culture.
And while “inclusion” is a popular buzzword in today’s politically correct climate, the concept is nothing new to Italian Americans, many of whom have been practicing inclusion for years.
Many present-day leaders hold back on the visibility of their Italian heritage, but I want to share one organization’s commitment to honoring all native and immigrant ancestors: The black granite monument
that has greeted visitors in the courtyard of the Courthouse and Government Center Complex in Media, Pa., since the early 1990s.
Many are unaware of how it came about. It was spearheaded by the former Columbus Quincentennial Foundation and the late Judge Anthony Semeraro of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.
The foundation’s pledge was to serve national, religious, cultural, educational, family and charitable needs of all persons while raising awareness of our multicultural
PEOPLE
heritage. My duty was to create a public relations and marketing program to promote the vision of the plaza renovation for a group of prominent business and community leaders of all nationalities assembled by
the judge.
Judge Semeraro had
the wisdom to insist on black African granite for the monument, with
an etching of a Native American woman looking at the fountain, along with a time capsule to
be opened by a future
generation. The site of the
monument was renamed
the Native and Immigrants Plaza at the Delco Government Courtyard. It is a living tribute to our ancestors, a place set aside to honor our family roots.
The monument displays the names of many different immigrants and their date
of arrival in America or birth year. The flowerbed plaques are engraved with names of business and professional patrons who helped Delaware County to flourish. This huge undertaking didn’t cost the tax payers a dime. They were proud to commemorate those ancestors who braved great hardships to live better lives in America.
PHOTO BY BARBARA ANN ZIPPI
One person who would applaud the monument’s enduring legacy is George Bochetto, a Philadelphia attorney who
has worked pro bono behind the cause of protecting Italian monuments at Marconi Plaza and elsewhere. The world is watching his efforts, and with each victory comes
the strength to move forward honoring our culture and heritage and our pride in being an American.
ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
OCTOBER2024 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 3 FROM THE ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Late judge’s vision of multicultural inclusion
has powerful message today in Delaware County
Vol. 11 No.10 – October 2024
A MONTHLY NEWSPAPER SERVING THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
A DIVISION OF TODAY MEDIA Editor & Publisher Robert F. Martinelli
Vice Pres. Business Development
Charles W. Tomlinson Jr.
Associate Publisher
Barbara Ann Zippi-Och
Managing Editor
Al Kemp
Art Director
Rosalinda Rocco
This issue’s contributors
Andrea DiFabio
Chuck Douglas
Ken Mammarella Jeanne Outlaw-Cannavo Nikki Palladino Natalie Pantaleo
Dr. Domenico Pratico Charlie Sacchetti Murray Schulman Tanya Tecce
Lou Thomas
Social Media Director
Andrea Di Fabio
Senior correspondent
Jeanne Outlaw-Cannavo
Advertising Sales
Christina Kelley Pam Mariani Murray Schulman Jessica Stryker Tanya Tecce
Production Manager
Eric Bolis
Graphic Designers
Kyle Manzolillo Natalie Newhart
Editor Emeritus
Joseph T. Cannavo
TODAY MEDIA, A MARTINELLI HOLDINGS LLC
President Robert F. Martinelli Secretary-Treasurer Richard Martinelli In Memoriam
Chairman Angelo R. Martinelli (1927-2018) Vice President Ralph Martinelli (1962-2019)
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For editorial, email ItalianAmericanHerald@todaymediainc.com. Published monthly by Today Media, 1000 N. West Street, Suite 601, Wilmington, DE 19801 and distributed
at various locations throughout the Tri-State area.
Contents
Pride and joy .................................... 4-5 History........................................... 6, 8-9 Celebrations ........................................ 10 In Memoriam ....................................... 11 Reunion ............................................... 12 Through the Grapevine ........................ 14 Did You Know? .................................... 15 Wellness.............................................. 16 People ................................................. 17 Achiever .............................................. 18 Geography...........................................19 It’s All Good / Pagina Italiana...............20 Dining In and Out.................................22 News from Italy...................................23 Business.............................................. 24 Education ............................................ 25 The Chef’s Perspective........................26 Per I Bambini.......................................28 Local ...................................................29 Language ............................................ 31 Honors................................................. 32 Arts and Entertainment .......................34
DeGrassa: Delco Chamber honors longtime journalist
Continued from front page
of Delaware County have made an indelible impact. Her legacy of empowering others and championing local causes truly sets a remarkable standard for us all.”
DeGrassa began her professional career at The Beach Haven Times on Long Beach
Premier Digital Partners
Island, N.J., covering the music scene at the Jersey Shore. Back home in Delaware County, she began covering municipal meetings
and writing feature stories for The News of Delaware County.
For the past 25 years, she worked at Town Talk Newspapers, beginning as
reporter, columnist, and associate editor
and eventually moving up to the position of editor of Town Talk Newspapers, Springfield Press, Garnet Valley Press, County Press, and News of Delaware County.
Continued on page 17
RENAISSANCE ESTATES OF PACKER PARK