Alpharetta, Ga. – Hispanic Heritage Month is well underway all across Georgia. Here in Forsyth County a number of free programs are scheduled to celebrate the occasion.

Casa Nuova and Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon Thursday to mark the occasion. The story of Casa Nuova is the story of a man and woman (Antonio and Maria Fundora) who emigrated from Cuba in search of the American dream and whose love of cooking brought them together.

Antonio arrived from the island in West Palm Beach, Florida where he began his career at the bottom of the restaurant ladder then rose rapidly through the apprentice system and quickly became a master baker and chef, moving to New York City. In the early 70’s he visited Atlanta while on vacation and realized he had found the place he wanted to settle down and call home.  Shortly after moving to Atlanta, he opened his first Italian restaurant, Alfredo’s.  Other restaurants followed, Avanti’s, Toni’s Casa Napoli, Antonio’s Bakery, Tony’s Farmer’s Market and Casa Nuova.

In 1987 he met Maria on a blind date. Who could have known then just how much these two Cuban natives would have in common or how extensively their lives would touch so many others around the world with hope, courage, inspiration and love. Today Antonio is the master chef and Maria is the General Manager of Casa Nuova.

On Thursday they hosted 30-40 guests for a luncheon of fine food and desert in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Their guests were a diverse group – many were native of Hispanic countries like Colombia and Nicaragua.

Forsyth County District 2 Commissioner Alfred John was one of the guests.

“I was impressed with the diversity I found here,” he said. “I was impressed with how welcoming people were not just to me, but to one another. This means a lot that out community is moving forward, not just as a local, individual community, but as Forsyth County as a whole.”

He added that the Hispanic or Latino community is part of the fabric of our society. “They are in construction. They are in business. They are in banking. People don’t realize how integral they are to the health of our community. I’m proud to have them here.”

Other events include

• 7 at 6:30 p.m. Bilingual Storytime for all ages will be held at the Cumming Library on Dahlonega Street featuring English and Spanish stories, songs and activities.
• 10 at 3p.m. Hispanic-owned restaurant Tacos and Tequilas will host a tasting buffet and talk about Mexican holiday foods, typical means in various regions of Mexico and food stapes in Mexican kitchens. Registration is required. For more information: https://events.forsythp.org/event/5609660
• 24 at 2 p.m. Adult MakerDay/Sugar Skull Canvas Art Post Road Library will host an arts and crafts event. Participants will be given an introduction fo Mexican El Dia de los Muertos (the day of the dead) traditions and the significance of the sugar skull design.
• 27 at 7 pm. at the Cumming Library, Dr. Ary Malaver, a professor of Spanish and Portugese at the University of North Georgia will talk about how cultural awareness, identity and creativity c.an influence how we perceive our differences.
• 28 6:30 p.m. at the Cumming Library Stories of the Day of the Dead. Storyteller Barry Stewart Mann will present stories from Latin American both Engish and Spanish. There will be props, puppets and plenty of opportunities for audience participation.