HISTORY- The Pino's Story

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Pino's "Il Sonetto", was founded by Giuseppe "Pino" Bologna in 1990.  Pino grew up during post-World War II, in Alcamo Sicily amidst poverty and unemployment.  At a very early age, 9 years old, Giuseppe assisted his parents by working in a pastry shop to help support his siblings.  Pino remained at the pastry shop until he was 21 when he moved to Brooklyn as contract labor, to work in a Restaurant.  When he came to the US, in 1960, he did not speak any English but quickly acclimated with a little help from community members in Brooklyn.

Pino's work ethic and motivation helped him save up enough money to open his own pizzeria in Brooklyn in 1963; "Pino Brothers Restaurant and Pizzeria".  The neighborhood that was home to his restaurant was rundown, but Pino along with other businessmen in the area invested in restoring the area, which lead to the eventual success of his restaurant.  Two years later, Pino became a US citizen and sponsored his family in Sicily to move to the US.

Even with the demands that the restaurant placed on Pino, he also pursued other interests as a Songwriter, a poet and an author.  Among the songs credited to Pino were 12 songs on "Jaquidi Jaquida" a Spanish LP in 1977.  In 1997 he wrote the lyrics and songs for the CD "What Dreams I Hold" and in 1998 "Engineers".  Both these CD's were released by Sycamore Productions Inc, Pino's record company.  In the late 70's, Pino teamed up with song writer George David Weiss (The Lion Sleeps Tonight & Can't Help Falling In Love) and Giuseppe Murolo (an Italian Conductor) to write two songs "Every Little Thing" and "Say It Like It Is".  The theme of the song "Every Little Thing", is about an outdated songwriter that falls in love with a younger woman.  Pino, Weiss and Murolo created a film based on this theme called "Mademoiselle".  Pino was credited as the Executive Producer and co-Songwriter for the film.

It was on the set of "Mademoiselle", in Naples Italy that Pino met Susan Monts.  Susan was cast as the female lead in the film.  It was after the completion of the film that Pino asked Susan to meet his family and the couple were married in 1984.  The film won three Golden Halo Awards and one Diamond Halo Award from the Motion Picture council of Southern California.  About a year after the release of "Mademoiselle", Susan landed a role as Dr. Aja Doyan, on "Search For Tomorrow" a daytime soap opera.  Due to the demands that the soap placed on Susan, she asked to be written off the soap to pursue her passion in theater.  Susan starred in several off-Broadway productions in New York.

While in New York, the couple owned and managed a semi-professional soccer franchise- the Brooklyn Falcons.   Pino also authored a book of poetry titled "Achiredduci" meaning "Sweeter and Bitter" in Sicilian.  The book was copyrighted and published in 1993 by Bordone.  Other credits to Pino include a Patent on Lemonier, a liquor drink.

The Bologna's moved to Terre Haute, Indiana in 1989 to be in semi retirement.  Susan's father was from West Terre Haute and she still had family that lived in the area.  Pino originally had no intention of opening another restaurant.  He wanted to focus on his poetry and music, but it wasn't long before he finally decided to open Pino's "Il Sonetto" Italian Restaurant.  The restaurant started as an upscale pizzeria, but as soon as the patrons discovered that Pino was a chef, the demands for his culinary creations which forced the couple to turn it into an upscale restaurant. True to form, Pino decided to expand in 1994.  In 2001 Pino was diagnosed with cancer and he passed away in 2003.  Two years later Susan decided to shut down the restaurant.  In early 2006, Susan sold the restaurant to the new owners.

Sources:

Susan Monts-Bologna

Cindy Dobbs: "Cooking Up A Storm" Terre Haute Tribune Star Newspaper, August 8th 1999