Every Christmas, Denver’s Civic Center glows with thousands of lights — a tradition generations have grown up with. But few people know the name of the man behind it.

In this special Christmas Day episode, Stephanie and Sandy tell the remarkable story of John Malpiede, an Italian American electrician whose creativity, perseverance, and love for his city transformed Denver into a national symbol of holiday magic. Born to immigrants from Potenza, Italy, John spent nearly four decades as Denver’s city electrician, quietly shaping the city’s skyline — from Union Station chandeliers to the Civic Center Christmas lights that drew crowds from across the country.

Through the Great Depression, World War II, devastating fires, tight budgets, and even a shocking wiretapping scandal that briefly put his career and reputation on the line, John never stopped finding ways to bring beauty and joy to Denver. His work reflected not just technical skill, but heart — salvaging materials, inventing solutions, and believing that even in hard times, a city deserved light.

This episode explores John’s family roots, his rise as Denver’s “Christmas lights man,” the controversy that nearly derailed his career, and the legacy he ultimately left behind — one that still shines every holiday season.

A story of resilience, community, and quiet craftsmanship, Episode 81 is a reminder that history is often shaped by people working behind the scenes… flipping switches, climbing ladders, and lighting the way.

In the dramatic conclusion of our four-part series, we follow the twists and turns of Angelina Garramone’s murder trial in early 20th-century Denver. From shocking testimony about cruelty in Concetta Forgione’s past, to accusations of witchcraft, forged checks, and family betrayals, this final chapter brings the story of Maria LaGuardia’s death into sharp focus.

We uncover how witnesses, including Concetta, Stella, and even Angelina’s husband Luigi, shaped the case, how the Italian community reacted, and how newspaper portrayals of Angelina reflected the prejudices of the time. The verdict may have sealed her fate, but questions still linger about motive, justice, and what truly became of Angelina after prison.

Join us as we close the book on one of Colorado’s most haunting Italian American stories.

The story of La Diavola Rossa takes a darker turn in Part 3 of our Angelina series. After years of scams, trials, and whispers of violence, Angelina becomes entangled in the disappearance and murder of Maria LaGuardia—a 65-year-old woman from Denver’s Little Italy who spent her life searching for her missing husband.

In this episode, we follow Maria’s tragic final days, the chilling details of her murder, and the shocking confessions that implicated Angelina and others in the crime. From coded gestures of silence to gruesome superstitions, this chapter reveals just how deep fear of Angelina ran in her community.

Join us as we uncover the testimony, the drama, and the haunting aftermath of one of Denver’s most notorious cases.

🎧 Italian American Stories Podcast – Bringing Our Ancestors’ Stories to Life

In this second installment of Angelina Garramone’s story, we unravel the darker side of a woman whose schemes went far beyond fraud and forgery. When two Italian women, Dorinda Cellante and Maria LaGuardia, disappeared from Denver’s Italian colony in 1910, suspicion began to swirl around Angelina.

This episode dives deep into the shocking murder of Dorinda, her tumultuous life, dramatic divorces, and tragic end. From bizarre newspaper depictions and courtroom battles to chilling evidence like forged deeds and handwriting quirks, we explore how Angelina’s cleverness and cruelty left a lasting mark on the community.

Join us as we continue peeling back the layers of one of Denver’s most infamous Italian American stories—a tale of power, manipulation, and murder.

In this special re-release, we return to the story that first sparked the creation of the Italian American Stories Podcast, the scandalous and fascinating life of Angelina Garramone.

Born in Potenza, Basilicata, Angelina arrived in Denver’s Little Italy as a young girl and grew into one of the most talked about figures in the community. Known both as a fortune teller and the “Queen of Little Italy,” her story blends family tragedy, fiery scandals, and elaborate real estate scams that preyed on her own community. From a dramatic courtroom confrontation to schemes involving forged deeds and even piano rentals, Angelina’s life was filled with ambition, controversy, and intrigue.

Join us as we revisit one of our favorite Italian American stories packed with newspaper drama, community feuds, and the early signs of crimes that would eventually define Angelina’s legacy. This is part one of a multi-episode series uncovering the rise of one of Denver’s most notorious Italian American women.

In this episode of Italian American Stories Podcast, Stephanie and Sandy step up to the plate with the trailblazing story of Lucille Colacito, a Colorado-born Italian American who made history in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II.

From her childhood in Denver’s Little Italy to her days as a catcher for the Kenosha Comets, Lucille broke barriers and became the first woman from Denver to reach the softball “big leagues.” Along the way, she balanced the expectations of the 1940s—where women ballplayers were trained in etiquette as much as batting—while proving her talent on the field.

Lucille’s journey didn’t end with baseball; she went on to win state softball championships, earn a hole-in-one as a golfer, and receive recognition in both the Denver Metro Amateur Softball Hall of Fame and the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Women in Baseball exhibit.

Her career may have been short, but her impact was powerful—paving the way for future generations of women athletes. ⚾✨

In this episode of Italian American Stories, we explore the inspiring life of Denver’s own Kate Ferretti—an Italian American milliner who left her mark on the city’s fashion scene with creativity, grit, and heart.

Born Henrietta Malnati to Italian immigrants who helped build the Colorado State Capitol, Kate grew up watching her mother sew Easter outfits and learned the value of hard work from a young age. After working under fashion icons like Madame Lily and Madame Rossi, she rose to fame in Denver as a talented hatmaker with clients ranging from society women to the legendary Molly Brown.

Kate’s story is one of joy and heartbreak—from becoming a mother to Denver’s first triplets to experiencing unimaginable loss. But through it all, she poured her heart into her craft, building a thriving millinery business right in the heart of Little Italy.

Join us as we remember the woman whose handmade hats turned heads, shaped trends, and brought a touch of Paris to North Denver.

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary life of Joseph Bona, a prominent Italian American mortician in Denver, Colorado. From his humble beginnings in Chicago to becoming the trusted undertaker for Buffalo Bill Cody, Joseph’s story is one of ambition, dedication, and a touch of humor. Discover his journey to Colorado, his rise in the funeral industry, and his colorful life filled with lavish parties, charitable acts, and an enduring love for his wife, Margaret.

This episode is packed with fascinating details, including the story of Buffalo Bill's controversial burial and the unique charm of Italian wheat lights decorating the Bona home during Christmas.

Join us for this incredible tale of a man who left a lasting legacy in Denver and beyond!

Step back in time to 1930s North Denver’s Little Italy, where a shocking murder tested a family's strength. In this episode, we unravel the tragic story of Theresa Spanarella, who was killed by her jealous brother-in-law, Alex. The dramatic trial that followed revealed deep family conflicts, but despite the gravity of his crime, Alex served only a short sentence. Join us as we explore the impact of this devastating event on the family and the community.

In this episode, we explore the tragic and mysterious story of 5-year-old Sammy Sabell from Denver’s Little Italy. In 1928, the close-knit Italian community came together to search for Sammy after he vanished. Despite their efforts, his body was discovered five days later, raising more questions than answers. Strange tips and events surrounding the case continue to baffle, making this story a haunting piece of Denver’s history.