Work on forming sister-city ties to be recognized.
By: Rachel Silverman
Six Princeton area residents will receive a special nod from the Italian government on April 29, as they become inducted into l’Ordine Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.
The six Princeton luminaries Princeton Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand, former township mayors Cathleen Litvack and Richard Woodbridge, and former Princeton Pettoranello Sister City Foundation presidents Antonio Pirone, Nicholas Carnevale and Domenick Tamasi will be honored for their work in creating a sister-city relationship between Princeton Township and Pettoranello di Molise, a town in the southern Italian mountains.
The group also will be recognized for its efforts to establish The Princeton/Pettoranello Sister City Foundation, which promotes collaboration between the two governing bodies.
"The unique work of The Princeton/Pettoranello Sister City Foundation serves as a success story and organizational model for other sister city relationships nationwide," a news release said. "Principal among this work has been the complete restoration of an award-winning Princeton park, Pettoranello Gardens, establishment of Italian-language collections and a language-arts center in the Princeton Public Library, cultural, medical, musical and student athletic exchange programs with Italy, and post-Baccalaureate grants for research on Italian and Italian-American themes," it cites.
Inaugurated in 1990, the sister city relationship is meant to recognize and celebrate the numerous Italians who came to Princeton from Pettoranello at the beginning of last century.
"Many of the early immigrants from there were skilled stone masons who built substantial parts of Princeton University," the news release explains. "Today, nearly 3,000 descendents of these immigrants still live and work in the Princeton area."
The award ceremony will be officiated by Dottore Stefano Mistretta, who serves as the Italian consul general in Philadelphia. During the April 29 induction, Mr. Mistretta will present the six Princeton residents with certificates knighting them with the title of Cavalieri.
L’Ordine Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, or the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, was created in 1951, replacing a similar order that existed under the Italian monarchy. Awarded by the president of the republic to those who have rendered distinguished services in the field of science, letters, arts and economy or in the performance of activities for social and philanthropic aims, the privilege is traditionally reserved for Italian citizens.

