Type to search

Thanksgiving is the time to reflect on those things in life that we may take for granted

Share

Thanksgiving is a celebration unique to the United States. When my cousin Irene Acciavatti visited America last summer with her 20-year-old daughter from Loreto Aprutino, Italy, Rachelle’s one request was to sit at a family table for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.

For Americans, between Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving tends to be overshadowed. But today I would like to share my gratitude with readers of this newspaper, and invite you to share your Thanksgiving thoughts by posting your family dinner photos on the Italian American Herald Facebook page.

This year I’m thankful for Rob Martinelli, chairman of Today Media Group and publisher of this newspaper. He had the foresight to add the IAH to his company’s magazine portfolio, which includes Delaware Today, Delaware Business Times, Twin Capes, Main Line Today, the Hunt, 912 INC. and most recently Bethesda Today. Being part of this group has allowed this newspaper to extend the social media outreach that all publications need today. Visit our web site to share the monthly stories online with your family and friends through Facebook, X and Instagram. When you visit www.italianamericanherald.com, don’t forget about the easy-to-read digital editions on the top right of the home page.

I’m thankful for our loyal advertisers, sponsors and supporters– some year-round, some seasonal, some underwriting special feature sections. They all support this paper’s mission to preserve Italian traditions and culture for generations to come. Their support allows IAH to grow the budget and pages to bring you more news and stories from here and in Italy. They are the reason and backbone of this newspaper’s growth.

I’m thankful for the staff at IAH including the Today Media support team who bring each issue to life. Managing editor Al Kemp shepherds our growing brigade of volunteer writers, develops projects, safeguards editorial standards, crafts catchy headlines and reminds all of us (including yours truly) that we exist in a world of deadlines.

Our designer Rosalinda Rocco knocks each issue out of the ballpark when it comes to the visual presentation of the pages for stories and advertisers. Digital editor Greg Mathis has expanded this newspaper’s digital efforts to include a full interactive web site, where you can list your upcoming events, at no cost to you, dedicated e-blasts, bi-monthly e-newsletters and all social media platforms. And Andrea Di Fabio’s public relations and marketing efforts on Facebook, X and Instagram allow IAH news to be available at all times on any mobile device. Look at the staff directory on the left column of this page for everyone who is involved from writing features to making sure IAH gets to the presses on time.

I’m thankful for the mail subscribers representing 22 states and the growing delivery distribution of this newspaper. IAH covers the state of Delaware from Wilmington to the Rehoboth Beaches, New Jersey from Cape May to Atlantic City to Cherry Hill plus the Greater Philadelphia area including the surrounding suburbs of Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. You can pick it up at restaurants, bakeries, cafes, churches, boutiques, gourmet grocery stores, special shops, retail stores, private clubs and lodges, museums, libraries and regional special events. Interested in adding a location to the list? Shoot me an email at ItalianAmericanHerald@TodayMediaInc.com.

I’m thankful for my family, in Italy and America. As we grow older and lose connections to our immigrant forebears and loved ones, I treasure those memories more and more. I’m thankful for being blessed with great parents, Anthony and Rita Zippi, who kept the Italian traditions alive and for my immigrant grandparents who kept our family bonds with our relatives in Italy.

And, because my brothers and sister blessed me with nieces and nephews, I’m thankful to be called their aunt. I get to enjoy their growing families to treasure as if they were my grandchildren. And, my sweetheart Bob, for turning me into a “farm living” girl from South Philly.

Barbara Ann Zippi

Associate Publisher

  • 1

Stay up-to-date with our free email newsletter

Keep a pulse on local food, art, and entertainment content when you join our Italian-American Herald Newsletter.