Neighborhood News from Little Italy

marzo / March 2023

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Mardi Gras celebrated at LI Lodge

A lively, enthusiastic and fun-loving crowd gathered at the Little Italy Lodge this month to usher in the season of Lent with a Mardi Gras party. A Cajun-focused menu was prepared by the Lodge's recently elected president, Christopher Pisano, with Chef Mark Orendorff. Lively DJ music inspired a conga line inside and outside, and the warm camaraderie of members, guests and friends was apparent. The Lodge welcomed groups from other Baltimore-area OSDIA Lodges such as Annapolis, Towson/Dulaney, Harford County, and Grand Lodge of Maryland.

Don't miss out on all this Little Italy Lodge fun - become a member today!

Fee is $60 annually. Not Italian? "Social memberships" now permitted.

Email the Lodge for more information about joining.

MAKE ITALIAN ARANCINE

Saturday, March 18

11 am - 12 noon

Chef and proprietor of Joe Benny’s Focacceria in Little Italy will demonstrate how to make arancine (stuffed rice balls). Instructor: Joe Gardella; fee $25; in Center

MAKE ITALIAN EASTER BREAD

Saturday, March 25

11 am - 1 pm

Remember the delicious Easter bread Nonna and Zia made? Treat your loved ones to this tasty bread and begin a new family tradition! Instructors: Nancy Barbieri Wolfe, Mary Ann Barbieri Owens, Celeste DiFerdinando Hughes; $25; in Center.

MAKE CREAM LIMONCELLO

Both Saturdays: April 1 and 15

11 am - 12:30 pm

Learn to make limoncello, a delicious liqueur. Instructor: Arthur Gentile; $15; in Center.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES

online and in Center

7 classes - $80

These and other class

topics available!

click to view full list of Spring classes

Spring Events

"I consider this a great honor to pay tribute to my great-grandparents, my grandparents, and my parents." ~ Michael F. Pastore

Events at Saint Leo the Great

Blast from the past

Famiglia Muffoletto

(circa 1946)

submitted by the Bova twins - Janice & Joyce

Maternal grandmother, Concetta (nee Culotta), and grandfather Salvatore Muffoletto emigrated from Cefalu, Sicily. After landing on Ellis Island and following a short stay in New Orleans, Louisiana, they settled in Baltimore on High Street. The Muffoletto marriage produced 12 children - eight survived to adulthood. The couple owned a stand at the famed Lexington Market in Baltimore City. One of their daughters, Mary, was a professional dancer (photo below). In 1942 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, she married Anthony Bova, a Baltimore firefighter and police officer. They had identical twin daughters, Janice and Joyce Bova. Their paternal grandmother Santa (nee Scolio) and grandfather August Bova emigrated from Termini, Sicily.

Pictured bottom row l-r: Rosie, Sam Jr., Lena Rose, Freddie

Second row l-r: Jimmy, Vince (holding daughter Mary), Sam Sr., Concetta (holding

photo of deceased husband), Josephine (holding twin Janice),

Mary (holding twin Joyce), Marie (holding Carl)

Third row l-r: Mary, Betty, Annie, Connie, Gene, Anthony, Albert

Top row: Delores & Tony

Mary Muffoletto, daughter of Italian immigrants,

was a professional dancer.

submit your vintage photo >>>

Include caption, people ID, location, approximate year, and your name.

Photos must be Little Italy or Italian immigrant-related.

from our email box

"We want to thank the Promotion Center for Little Italy for years of interesting information and entertainment pertaining to the historic Baltimore Italian community. Because of your continued search for Little Italy folklore, we have sent vintage photos for your publication and readers. Our sincere thanks for your dedication and for everything you do for the Italian community."

~ Ciao, Janice & Joyce Bova