In keeping with the “people” theme of this issue of Northern Wilds, what better way than to feature a story about a group—Ladies of the Italian Society of Port Arthur—that has been continuously operating for more than 65 years, each year raising thousands of dollars for charities and, at the same time, maintaining and promoting Italian culture, cuisine, and traditions. And to commemorate their milestone anniversary, they did something they had never done before.
First, some background. The roots of the Society go back almost a hundred years to the 1930s in Port Arthur (now part of the city of Thunder Bay) when a small group of Italian women started meeting in each other’s homes for companionship and support. According to the Society, what they had in common was that they were new immigrants to Canada and now living in “a strange land trying to decipher the English language.”
Decades later, in January 1970, after more Italian immigrants had arrived in Thunder Bay, 12 women restarted the group, taking on the name The Ladies Auxiliary of the Italian Mutual Benefit Society, and focused on community involvement and helping charitable organizations. While the members contributed much to the community over the years, especially in cooking, sewing, cleaning services, drapery, hospital work, and serving in restaurants, it was membership in the Society that provided fellowship, meetings, and opportunities for social and fundraising events.
The group grew and evolved, changing their name in 1989 to its current one, Ladies of the Italian Society of Port Arthur (LISPA). Governed by a board of directors with a constitution and bylaws, they meet monthly at the Italian Cultural Centre in Thunder Bay and work cooperatively with the Men’s Italian Society of Port Arthur. Today, there’s an active membership of over 200 and a number of working committees. For example, the Scholarship Committee awards bursaries for continuing education; the Honour Committee provides recognition for long-standing members and an Honour Guard for the funerals of members; and the Social Committee organizes volunteers for banquets, plans activities for monthly meetings, and more.
Over the years, the Society has been an important part in Thunder Bay’s cultural scene. They were present at the first Folklore Festival of the Thunder Bay Multicultural Society in 1972, which celebrated the city’s cultural heritage through song, dance, displays, and cuisine. At teas and various events, they have become famous for baking and selling signature Italian foods and pastries like crostoli, peaches, and cannoli. And since the first Festa Italiana in 1991 (now one of Northwestern Ontario’s biggest annual festivals held in August), members of LISPA each year have cooked and baked an array of Italian cuisine.
While the two main goals of LISPA remain the same after more than 65 years—raising funds for charities and promoting Italian culture, cuisine, and traditions—how they meet those goals changes with time. After COVID put a halt on hosting teas, this was added to the reality that core group members were getting older and the younger-generation members had different ideas, so LISPA searched for other fundraising ideas. And in February 2025, they came up with something unique that would combine Italian cuisine with raising funds. They decided to celebrate their 65th anniversary by publishing their first-ever cookbook, but it would not just be any recipe collection. This cookbook would feature authentic Italian recipes, some handed down through many generations, and others that had been in existence for decades or collected from family albums containing traditional favourite recipes. The cookbook would be a cultural legacy, named Buon Appetito! Classic and Contemporary Italian Recipes. The first printing of 1,000 copies sold out quickly, and a second printing has now been received.
“The cookbook contains over 300 recipes, from classic Italian offerings perfected by local Italian ‘Mammas and Nonnas’ and others that offer contemporary twists to traditional recipes,” said Jo Ann Witiluk, the cookbook project lead. “It was challenging, yet very satisfying, to translate a number of recipes submitted in Italian. A number of recipes were written without measure or instruction, and so we have provided the missing instructions.”
Each recipe tells its own story and represents various regions of Italy. Witiluk’s message about using recipes is: “Put on some music, maybe sip on a glass of wine, enjoy the moment, and take the time to consider starting a family album by recording your favourite recipes for yourself, children, or grandchildren.”
As a bonus to Northern Wilds readers, the Ladies of the Italian Society of Port Arthur gladly share the following recipe from the cookbook:
Nana Maria Cava’s Spaghetti Sauce
Submitted by Irene Cava
2 pork shoulder or pork butt chops
Canola oil
l/2 cup onion, chopped
1 small can tomato paste
l/2 cup fresh Italian parsley
2 28-ounce cans whole tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 shake hot chili pepper flakes
2 or 3 fresh basil leaves
In a Dutch oven or saucepan, brown pork chops in oil. Add onions and garlic. Cook a bit, then add tomato paste to chops. Stir to coat chops.
In a blender, puree tomatoes and add to browned chops. Add l/2 a can of water, and the salt, parsley, basil, and pepper flakes. Cook on a slow boil for 2 hours, or until it tastes good.
If adding meatballs, add cooked frozen meatballs 1 hour before sauce is ready to eat. Buon appetito!
Cookbooks are $20 and available at various outlets in Thunder Bay. For further information, contact [email protected].
