Italian-American Association of Luzerne County celebrates Columbus Day Oct. 11

The Italian-American Association of Luzerne County (IAALC) held a Columbus Day ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the statue of Christopher Columbus, Pittston. District Magistrate Alexandra Kokura-Kravitz was guest speaker. Dr. Anthony Bruno II and Peter J. Adonizio, 2015 honorees, laid a wreath at the statue.

The 38th annual Columbus Day Banquet was held at Genetti’s Hotel and Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre, later that evening. Atty. John Terrana served as the evening’s toastmaster. Dr. Anthony D. Bruno II was honored as the 2015 Person of the Year, and Peter J. Adonizio was honored as the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Principal speaker was federal Judge Joseph Saporito Jr.

Herman Castellani is the IAALC president.

District Magistrate Alexandra Kokura-Kravitz was the Columbus Day guest speaker at the foot of the Columbus statue located at the corners of Kennedy Boulevard and Main Street, Pittston.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015-Columbus-Day-Events-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDistrict Magistrate Alexandra Kokura-Kravitz was the Columbus Day guest speaker at the foot of the Columbus statue located at the corners of Kennedy Boulevard and Main Street, Pittston. Submitted photos

Standing at the Columbus Day wreath-laying ceremony, from left, Herman Castellani, president of the Italian-American Association of Luzerne County; Dr. Anthony D. Bruno, II, selected as the 2015 Person of the Year; and Peter J. Adonizio, the recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. Flanking the statue are two representatives of the Knights of Columbus, Pittston.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015-Columbus-Day-Events-2.jpg.optimal.jpgStanding at the Columbus Day wreath-laying ceremony, from left, Herman Castellani, president of the Italian-American Association of Luzerne County; Dr. Anthony D. Bruno, II, selected as the 2015 Person of the Year; and Peter J. Adonizio, the recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. Flanking the statue are two representatives of the Knights of Columbus, Pittston. Submitted photos

This year’s Person of the Year, Dr. Anthony D. Bruno II, speaks at the Italian-American Association’s Columbus Day banquet.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015-Columbus-Day-Events-3.jpg.optimal.jpgThis year’s Person of the Year, Dr. Anthony D. Bruno II, speaks at the Italian-American Association’s Columbus Day banquet. Submitted photos

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Peter J. Adonizio speaks at the Italian-American Association’s Columbus Day banquet.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015-Columbus-Day-Events-4.jpg.optimal.jpgThis year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Peter J. Adonizio speaks at the Italian-American Association’s Columbus Day banquet. Submitted photos

Principal speaker at the 2015 Italian-American Association’s Columbus Day banquet is federal Judge Joseph Saporito Jr.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015-Columbus-Day-Events-5.jpg.optimal.jpgPrincipal speaker at the 2015 Italian-American Association’s Columbus Day banquet is federal Judge Joseph Saporito Jr. Submitted photos

Shown are members of the head table for the 38th Annual Columbus Day Banquet held at Genetti’s Hotel and Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre, sponsored by the Italian-American Association of Luzerne County. First row, from left, Patty Griffith, board member Louise Castellani, Giovannai Saporito, Alicia Adonizio, Danielle Bruno, board member Judy Deice. Second row, toastmaster Atty. John Terrana, president Herman Castellani, principal speaker federal Judge Atty. Joseph Saporito Jr., 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Peter J. Adonizio, 2015 Person of the Year Dr. Anthony D. Bruno II, Apollonia Bruno, board member James Deice.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015-Columbus-Day-Events-6.jpg.optimal.jpgShown are members of the head table for the 38th Annual Columbus Day Banquet held at Genetti’s Hotel and Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre, sponsored by the Italian-American Association of Luzerne County. First row, from left, Patty Griffith, board member Louise Castellani, Giovannai Saporito, Alicia Adonizio, Danielle Bruno, board member Judy Deice. Second row, toastmaster Atty. John Terrana, president Herman Castellani, principal speaker federal Judge Atty. Joseph Saporito Jr., 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Peter J. Adonizio, 2015 Person of the Year Dr. Anthony D. Bruno II, Apollonia Bruno, board member James Deice. Submitted photos