In 1989, Congress designated October as Italian Heritage Month. Italian Heritage Month honors more than just Christopher Columbus. This month provides the opportunity to highlight and recognize the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Americans of Italian descent as well as Italians in America.
We honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States but even more specifically, the Mohawk Valley.
Over 5.4 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1992. Today, there are over 26 million Americans of Italian descent in the United States, making them the fifth largest ethnic group. The country was even named after an Italian, the explorer and geographer Amerigo Vespucci. The presence of Italians in the Mohawk Valley can be traced to Dr. John B. Marchisi, who has been noted to have arrived in Utica in 1817.
He was a pharmacist and was the first of thousands of Italians to arrive in Oneida and Herkimer Counties over the next century. We honored him in 2020 with a wreath-laying ceremony at Forest Hill Cemetery. Our Italian Pioneer Project each year honors those Italian Immigrants and Americans of Italian Descent who positively impacted the Mohawk Valley.
This year, on Thursday, October 12th, at a celebration dinner, we will be honoring, with the Dr. John B. Marchisi Pioneer Award, 6 Americans of Italian descent who have greatly enriched our community. Honorees are: Marie Russo, Alberta and the late Pasquale Santacroce, Mary and Frank Scarano, and Frank Tomaino.
Italian Heritage Club Of The Mohawk Valley
October~Italian Heritage Month Celebration Dinner
You are invited to join us
As we honor and celebrate the rich contributions made to our community
By
Dr. Marie A. Russo
Alberta and the late Pasquale Santacroce
Mary and Frank Scarano
Frank Tomaino
We also honor Alfredo “Fred” Valentini ~Volunteer of the Year
Keynote Speaker
Richard Benedetto
A native son of Utica, retired journalist and co-founder of USA Today. White House correspondent
covering the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W.Bush, Bill Clinton, and
George W. Bush. Recipient of the 1998 Media Award presented by the National Italian-American
Foundation “for outstanding contribution to the positive image of Italian Americans.”
Thursday, October 12 2023
Twin Ponds Golf and Country Club – 169 Main St. New York Mills
5-9 PM
5-6 pm Registration and Reception/Cash Bar
6 pm- Opening remarks followed by Buffet Dinner
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Advance Payment and Registration required by September 30th
For more information, call 315 733-6106
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October Italian Heritage Month Events
October 2nd (Monday) 10 am Flag raising, Utica City Hall, honorary flag raiser will be Frank Blando. Coro Italiano will sing the National Anthem, followed by the Italian Anthem. Proclamation by Mayor Robert M. Palmieri. We will then proceed to the Christopher Columbus Statue at the Parkway for a wreath-laying ceremony and a Reception hosted by IHCMV.
October 4th(Wednesday) 4 pm flag raising Herkimer County Office Building, 109 Mary Street Herkimer. Honorary flag raisers Vincent and Rose Scalise. A proclamation will be presented by Herkimer County Board of Legislators Chairman Vincent Bono. Coro Italiano will sing the National Anthem followed by the Italian Anthem. A reception hosted by IHCMV will follow in the Herkimer County Legislative Chambers.
October 5th (Thursday) 11 am Flag raising, Rome City Hall, Honorary Flag raiser Rev. Paul Angelicchio. Coro Italiano will sing the National Anthem, followed by the Italian Anthem and a proclamation by Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo. Reception hosted by IHCMV to follow in City Hall Lobby.
October 12th (Thursday) Italian Heritage Month Celebration Dinner 5-9 PM Twin Ponds see registration announcement listed above.