Neighborhood News from Little Italy, Baltimore

maggio / May 2023

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Promotion Center for Little Italy

honors Pastore Family's

5 generations in business

Promotion Center for Little Italy, Baltimore, hosted its premier Business to Business Breakfast in Little Italy April 26 which attracted 55 attendees, as the Pastore Family was honored for five generations in business. Saluti to Michael Pastore and his family, a household name in Baltimore's Italian American community for 125 years - since 1898 -(pastorefood.com) including Sun of Italy line of products. Ray Alcaraz, co-founder of Promotion Center, presented a framed certificate to Pastore, and Maryland State Delegate, Nino Mangione, presented a Proclamation. Thanks to Chef Will Sterling of Saturday Morning Cafe (formerly Ciao Bella) in Little Italy, who prepared a hearty breakfast.

"I want to thank you for the wonderful job you did to honor my family," said Michael Pastore. "It was a great honor which you bestowed on my family and I will never forget it."

Pastore's is an Italian wholesale distributor originating in 1898 by Michael's great-grandparents, Vincenzo & Cira Garofalo, who opened a grocery and produce store in Baltimore at 1007 E. Lombard Street. They passed the business to Michael's grandparents, Frank & Mary Pastore in 1960, then to his dad, Uncle Vince and Aunt Shirley.

"I came into the picture in the late 1960's when my dad decided to get more involved with the wholesale side of the business and purchased the property at 815 E. Pratt Street," said Pastore. "That was at the corner of Pratt & Albemarle Streets, which later became known as the 'Gateway to Little Italy.' I took over running the wholesale business in the early 1990s. I am the fourth generation and my children are the fifth." As of 1989, the warehouse and offices have been situated on E. Lombard Street in Highlandtown. View timeline & history >>>

Mount Saint Joseph hosts

Italian and bocce clubs

Mount Saint Joseph High School in Irvington, Maryland, offers a full Italian language program for students to study four years of Italian language instruction: Italian I, II, and III classes (at both College Prep and Honors levels), and Advanced Placement/Italian IV. The Italian Language & Culture program, in its tenth year, grew out of practice of beginning Italian language in Mount Saint Joseph's World Languages Club, established 20+ years ago. The program is led by Dr. Elizabeth Scali Pease, Ph.D. (pictured), instructor of French and Italian, World Languages Department, and moderator of World Languages Club and Bocce Club.

The Bocce Club is for students to relax and enjoy some friendly competition after school. Pictured is Dr. Pease's enthusiastic Italian II Honors class in the classroom and outside on the campus' bocce courts.

"I attended the Promotion Center for Little Italy Business to Business breakfast last month to support Mike Pastore, a 1966 graduate of Mount Saint Joseph High School," said George Andrews, President of Mount Saint Joseph. "We have a long legacy of graduates who grew up in Little Italy and/or have a family business in the neighborhood."

Mount Saint Joseph is a Catholic, college preparatory school for young men sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers.

Separately from MSJ language programs and clubs, the new Baltimore Chapter of Filitalia International was established this year and supports the promotion, protection and preservation of Italian language and culture. It is anchored in the school's Italian language program and community with a mission to promote fellowship and build youth scholarship opportunities - for the love of all things Italian.

Photos courtesy Mount Saint Joseph High School

The Italian Festival Committee is working hard to bring you St. Leo's annual traditional FEAST of SAINT ANTHONY FESTIVAL June 2-4.

Check out this solid list of vendors, stands, and activities.

Plan to join us!

STREET VENDORS

Alpha Omega Imports - olive oil, spices, balsamic vinegar, salt
Art by Barton
Autograph Memorabilia - Silent Auction
Avon - cosmetic, skin care, fragrance products
Bob Bell Nissan/Kia - auto dealership
Bracelets by Design - jewelry
Bubbas Mining Co - mining buckets, crystal carvings
Charm City Fabrication - Italian millefiori jewelry
Columbia Pawtisserie - Dog biscuits & treats
Corky Crafts - wreaths, wine bottle charms, cork boxes
Davidus Cigars
Etsy Shop, Toby Rivkin - ceramic art
Freshies by Stephy - car fresheners
Furever Gracie - pet products

Italian Photography & Framed Art
John's Italian Ice, soft pretzels, hot dogs
Juniper Flower & Herb Farm
Lo Bello Imports - hand-painted Italian ceramics
MFG Toffee
Olmo Brothers Nursery & Farm - pasta, vinegar, polenta, rice
Raw Blossom - bath & body
Scentsy - candles and scents
Succulent Scents by Stacey - candles
T. Creative Company - wooden figurines & jewelry
The Nut Cart
Waffle-Licious (Little Italy) - bubble waffles with fresh made ice cream, coffee, shakes
Wild Bill Sports Apparel

*List is as of May 11, subject

to additions/deletions

GAMES & RAFFLES, KIDS' FUN, PARISH STANDS, NONPROFIT ORGS

50/50 Raffle
Baltimore Hoop Love - stilt walker, balloon animals, hula hoops, bubbles
Beer trucks
Daughters of Isabella - kids crafts
Face painting
Game Wheels - Italian baskets, Mugs of $Money$, Wine & Biscotti
Italian swag products
Johns Hopkins - nurse recruitment
Kids' Games Trailer
Knights of Columbus
LINA/Little Italy Neighborhood Association
Little Italy Lodge - Italian-related merchandise
Pandola Adult Learning Center
Parish-hosted Italian food & drink stands
Pull Tab Game (instant winning)
SIAB/Society Italian American Businessmen
St. Vincent Pallotti Society
Saint Anthony Society
University of Maryland Medical Center
VIVA
Theme Baskets Raffle (spa, sports, Italian, etc.)

Taste of Italy dinner serves fun, raises funds,

for Scholarship Foundation

Another successful Taste of Italy event was held April 23 at the Sons of Italy Little Italy Lodge. This popular annual fundraiser is always a sellout and benefits the Little Italy Lodge Foundation. Chef Christa Bruno prepared mouthwatering Italian dishes, from antipasti to fish - all plates were delicious, made even better with a pairing vino. "It was an amazing day," said Christopher Pisano, Little Italy Lodge's newest president, "and I look forward to the dinner next year!" The Foundation has started the important task of determining its next scholarship awardees from the applications and essays entered. "We wish all applicants the best of luck!" says Pisano. The Foundation’s mission is to award educational scholarships to eligible Lodge members and their descendants.

Little Italy Lodge hosts numerous events ...

become a member today! ($60 annual dues)

Non italiano? Non importa!

Social memberships are offered. Email Lodge to inquire.

Blast from the past

Maria Santa Zannino became a funeral director in 1965 and was continuously engaged in the management of the family funeral home, founded in 1958 by her husband, Joseph Zannino. Mrs. Zannino was the recipient of numerous awards for devoted leadership service to the Order of Sons of Italy in America and instrumental in the formation of numerous lodges. She was coordinator of Italian Festivals and Columbus Day parades in Baltimore for many years. Serving as a board member to various associations, she contributed her organizational and interpersonal skills to American Council on Italian Matters, Italian-American Organizations United, and American Society of Italians & Friends. A supporter of Our Lady of Pompei Church and St. Leo the Great Church, Mrs. Zannino was especially devoted to fundraising for children with disabilities, through March of Dimes and Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore City. She died in 2013.

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

"Thank you for the newsletter. It is with great pleasure to read all about the old neighborhood. What tradition, what a solid neighborhood. God bless all of you."

~ Tom in Monkton, Maryland, S. DiPaula & Sons Seafood

"I want to thank you so much for publishing the article about my family in the Promotion Center newsletter. It is so gratifying to see that their story will be read by other Italian Americans."

~ Cheers, Sally Di Marco