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NewsFrom the November 2026 issue

Keystone UNICO hosts Columbus Day flag-raising event

In celebration of October as Italian Heritage and Culture Month and in honoring Admiral Christopher Columbus for his navigational skills in reaching the Americas, thereby initiating the great explorat

November 4, 2026
Speakers at the Columbus Day event included, from left: Michael Cappellini, representing Saint Ubaldo Society, Jessup; Yvonne Gatto, UNICO National PA II District Governor; Bernadette Baum, President of Carbondale Chapter UNICO National; Vince Sardo, representing The Columbus Day Association; Dino Darbinzio, President of Scranton Chapter UNICO National; Jeff Casella, representing The Felittese Association and The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy Association, both of Old Forge; Carlo Pisa representing the Community of Saint Rocco Church, Bunker Hill; Alfredo Pisa, President of The San Cataldo Society of Dunmore.; Christina Casale McDermott, representing The Colony of Saint Lucy, Scranton; Linda Bonacci Anelli, representing The San Mango D’Aquino Society of Bulls Head, and Mark McDade, Charter President of Keystone UNICO, Dunmore, and Program Facilitator of the Italian Flag Raising of Lackawanna County.
Speakers at the Columbus Day event included, from left: Michael Cappellini, representing Saint Ubaldo Society, Jessup; Yvonne Gatto, UNICO National PA II District Governor; Bernadette Baum, President of Carbondale Chapter UNICO National; Vince Sardo, representing The Columbus Day Association; Dino Darbinzio, President of Scranton Chapter UNICO National; Jeff Casella, representing The Felittese Association and The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy Association, both of Old Forge; Carlo Pisa representing the Community of Saint Rocco Church, Bunker Hill; Alfredo Pisa, President of The San Cataldo Society of Dunmore.; Christina Casale McDermott, representing The Colony of Saint Lucy, Scranton; Linda Bonacci Anelli, representing The San Mango D’Aquino Society of Bulls Head, and Mark McDade, Charter President of Keystone UNICO, Dunmore, and Program Facilitator of the Italian Flag Raising of Lackawanna County.

In celebration of October as Italian Heritage and Culture Month and in honoring Admiral Christopher Columbus for his navigational skills in reaching the Americas, thereby initiating the great explorations and migrations over the following centuries, Keystone Chapter UNICO recently conducted its 15th annual Italian Flag Raising at Lackawanna County Courthouse.

Keystone UNICO members sponsoring the Italian Flag Raising were, from left: Mikhail Barnansky, Katherine Barnansky, Vince Sardo, JoAnn Martarano, Mary Lou Karliak, Ann Summa, Holly Capellini and son Angelo, Ann Berardelli, Cathy Bianchi, Cathy Gerard, Joe Lacertoso, and Michele and Mark McDade.
Keystone UNICO members sponsoring the Italian Flag Raising were, from left: Mikhail Barnansky, Katherine Barnansky, Vince Sardo, JoAnn Martarano, Mary Lou Karliak, Ann Summa, Holly Capellini and son Angelo, Ann Berardelli, Cathy Bianchi, Cathy Gerard, Joe Lacertoso, and Michele and Mark McDade.
AT LEFT: Keystone UNICO attendee members are, from left: Mikhail Barnansky, JoAnn Martarano, Joseph Lacertoso, Ann Berardelli, Laurie Marino, Holly Cappellini, Stephanie Camoni, Michael Cappellini holding son Alessio, Katherine Barnansky, Angelo Cappellini, Yvonne Gatto, Catherine Gerard, Bernadette Baum, Robert Baum, Catherine Bianchi, Joseph Fazio, Vincent Sardo, Mary Lou Karliak, Mary Ann Capone, Dino Darbinzio, Jeff Casella, Carlo Pisa, Alfredo Pisa, Christina Casale McDermott, Linda Bonacci Anelli, Sherry Casale Crapella, Ann Summa, Mark McDade, Michele McDade, and
AT LEFT: Keystone UNICO attendee members are, from left: Mikhail Barnansky, JoAnn Martarano, Joseph Lacertoso, Ann Berardelli, Laurie Marino, Holly Cappellini, Stephanie Camoni, Michael Cappellini holding son Alessio, Katherine Barnansky, Angelo Cappellini, Yvonne Gatto, Catherine Gerard, Bernadette Baum, Robert Baum, Catherine Bianchi, Joseph Fazio, Vincent Sardo, Mary Lou Karliak, Mary Ann Capone, Dino Darbinzio, Jeff Casella, Carlo Pisa, Alfredo Pisa, Christina Casale McDermott, Linda Bonacci Anelli, Sherry Casale Crapella, Ann Summa, Mark McDade, Michele McDade, and

Eleven representatives presented on behalf of 12 Italian organizations about their contributions in our Lackawanna Valley. The attendees were welcomed by Mark McDade; the prayer in Italian was led by Michael Cappellini; the pledge to Old Glory was led by Carlo Pisa; and the Italian flag was raised by county employee Tony Pliska.

See it as it ran in printOpen the November 2026 Dunmorean to page 11 →