French Studio, 821 South Park Avenue, founded in 1947 in Herrin has been named HerrinFesta Corporate Honoree for 2020. The late Louis French, founder and owner of the studio, died April 29, 2014. He catered to the photography needs of Herrin and the surrounding area. The business remains with the same successful mission. French was […]
Tom DeChristina and Marilyn Matthews Ruppel, a longtime Herrin couple, who share their lives and their dedication to the city, will serve as Grand Parade Marshals of HerrinFesta Italiana 2020. DeChristina is a Chicago native, son of Joseph and Helen DeChristina. His father’s roots are in Palermo, Italy. He has fond memories of growing up in […]
Richard “Itch” Jones, Champaign, IL, a Herrin native and acclaimed college baseball coach who is among the 20 winningest coaches in NCAA Baseball Division 1, receives the HerrinFesta Italiana 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.Jones broke his leg while in third grade at Lincoln School, and the cast he had to wear caused severe itching. To get […]
Baldwin Piano and Organ Center, founded in l937 has been named HerrinFesta Corporate Honoree for 2019. The company occupies three historic building in downtown Herrin on the corner of East Monroe and North Park. It began its musical journey 82 years ago. The late Bill Barras purchased the business from Mildred Yuill in 1965. Barras died in […]
Marty Fosse, a Herrin native and acclaimed Chicago restaurateur, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award for HerrinFesta Italiana 2019. A l973 graduate of Herrin High School and graduate of the University of Evansville, he moved to Chicago in l980 where he made his mark on its culinary world. Marty’s career has included spearheading many restaurant […]
The couple, known for their devotion to community work and their love for the Herrin area and its history, were longtime co-owners of “Items of Interest General Store” in Energy. Bill is a retired coal miner, and worked at several area mines. He is also a noted metalsmith. Lisa is the power behind the Linda Jennings Banks History […]
HerrinFesta Italiana Lifetime Achievement award recipient for 2018 is Renald (Ren) Morani, Naples, Florida. He is a Herrin native and a 1957 graduate of Southern Illinois University. At SIU, he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity serving several years as treasurer. His parents were Martino and Angela Morani, who arrived in Herrin in 1925 […]
Moreland/Bishop Organization McDonald’s has been named Corporate Honoree for HerrinFesta Italiana 2018. The organization currently has 14 locations, West Frankfort, West City, Albion, Fairfield, Carmi, Harrisburg, McLeansboro, Johnston City, Herrin, two in Marion, Carterville, and most recently two in Carbondale. In 1981 John and Mary Moreland moved from Wisconsin to Southern Illinois and opened their […]
HerrinFesta Italiana names Herrin Mayor Steve and Sharon Frattini as Grand Parade Marshalls for 2018. They will be honored throughout the Festa event May 21- 28. He first served as an alderman on the Herrin City Council. He now serves as Herrin Mayor. He combines a comprehensive and diverse professional background to bring leadership skills that focus on the […]
HerrinFesta Italiana names Frank and Vicki Colombo as Grand Parade Marshals for 2017. The Colombo’s are longtime Herrin business leaders and community activists. Herrin High school sweethearts, they re-united and married in 1993. Frank is a Herrin native and lifetime resident of southern Illinois. The couple resides in rural Williamson County. Frank enjoyed a forty […]
