Orange local businesswoman Lucy Diura, right, stands with Lenny D’andrea of D’Andrea Landscaping & Construction, left, the Italian American Businessman of the Year, and a relative on Saturday, Sept. 10, during the 15th annual Orange Italian American Festival in the city’s Little Italy section. The two-day event was on Sept. 10 and 11.
ORANGE, NJ — Orange’s Italian American Organization hosted its 15th annual Italian American Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 11, at the intersection of Mechanic Street and Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of the Little Italy section. That the second day of the celebration fell on the 15th anniversary of 9/11 was not lost on anyone involved in the festival.
“This is our 15th annual and some things have changed,” said Lucy Diura of Just Like Nonna’s Bakery on Lincoln Avenue in Orange on Saturday, Sept. 10. Diura is also a member of Orange’s Italian American Organization.
“Andy Farro is no longer here and the Sportivo cafe is under new ownership and management,” Diura continued. “The property owner is Lenny D’Andrea and D’Andrea Landscaping is the Businessman of the Year. They’re buying plenty of properties throughout the city of Orange, trying to rebuild the town.”
The new owner of Cafe Sportivo is Joe Porciello. Diura said he’d made nice changes to the old Little Italy landmark and that’s a good thing, because it’s a change for the better especially, after the terrible events of Sept. 11.
“It was just horrible and scary and it turned the world upside down but it made the country stronger,” said Diura. “Sept. 11 is going to be a special event. We’re going to have certain things out here. Jersey Sounds will be out here performing and we’re hoping that a lot of veterans come out, because we would like to honor them for all their hard work. It’s a 15th year for them as well, and we’re hoping to make it a remembrance for them as well. Hopefully, better things will come about.”
D’Andrea said he is willing to do his part to make sure better days come to pass in Orange. He and Diura said Orange pride is very real for anyone “born and bred in Orange,” as they were. That’s why they, Porciello, local Danny Reali and vendor Johnny Zeppole said they are committed to making Orange a better place.
“This is where we grew up, it’s part of our heritage,” Reali said Monday, Sept. 12. “We’re very proud that we grew up on these streets in this area since we were little kids, just hanging around, riding our bikes, skateboards and playing video games. Every little town should have a designated area for a culture that migrated to this area.”
D’Andrea said he was honored to be recognized as the Italian American Businessman for 2016. He said his family ties to Orange run deep, which is why he was amenable when North Ward Councilwoman Tency Eason approached him about doing some charity landscaping work for the Orange Public Library almost two years ago — he felt it was the least he could do to help beautify his hometown.
“In 1970, when we came from Italy, we ended up on Mechanic Street,” said D’Andrea on Saturday, Sept. 10. “Just keep it strong. Keep it coming back.”
Locals celebrate Italian American Festival added by Chris Sykes on
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