Happy Halloween 2012 and backwards

Seems a little strange saying "Happy Halloween" when everyone is getting their feet back under them following Sandy.  Odd that these late October storms seem to have become more commonplace.  You might recall that Ryan was born in the midst of the Perfect Storm in 1991 --I was blissfully unaware at the time, but you can't seem to escape the weather news today.

James remembers putting together "home-made" costumes when you all were little--the same for us.  Our poor mothers and fathers having to help create so many costumes!  Very very rarely did we get a store made costume although we'd get a face mask once in a while.  I can still remember the smell of those new masks.

Halloween has certainly changed over the years to become a media event.  OK by me because I enjoy the hoopla and the villianry.  We had no school today due to the storm and it really messed up my wardrobe plans for the week!  I plan these things out very carefully so I can wear all my regalia.  Now I'm short a day, but I'll take the day off.  Much more relaxing.  Talking about a Perfect Storm--if you're teaching this week it's as close as you can come.  Full moon, Halloween and sugared up kids, impending storm and (for us) field trips.  It was destined to be a week to try the patience of Job.  But now it's a day shorter.

I thought you might enjoy a little trip down memory lane in honor of Halloween:

I'm assuming this is Halloween but it's a costume 

regardless--what a sweet angel!

The last picture I took quickly before leaving for the hospital to give birth to Ryan.  My grandmother made her cape for her Fairy Godmother costume.

And, with this, we'll fly off into the night and wish you all a Happy Halloween.  PS Happy 21st Ryan!

Facebook, Schmapebook

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found my grandfather Francis Flynn on Facebook recently.  Really!  As I've mentioned one zillion times, occasionally I surf the internet somewhat aimlessly looking for family surnames or events.  I did so recently with my grandfather's name and there he was, right there on Facebook for everyone to find.  Can you imagine? 

This got me thinking about what he would have thought of such a thing.  Facebook, social networking and seeing himself land there would probably be things about which he would shake his head ruefully.  "Social networking?  That's no big deal---we've been networking since the cave man."  Oh yeah? Well, actually....yes they have.

James tells me your family did not have a party line on the phone, but we did when I was young.  Now THAT'S a "social network" where all kinds of news got shared while others kind of lurked in the background soaking it up.  Another tool used by your ancestors was likely the local newspaper.  Articles and headlines appeared in those days that you would never, ever see today (that's if you ever actually have a newspaper in your hand anymore).  I found some interesting tidbits that I imagine kept the networking wires abuzz at your family's Sunday dinners back in the day.

 This one's a little hard to read, but your great grandfather Giuseppe (Joseph) Manzelli apparently inherited a fair amount of money from his brother--$7500 for Giuseppe and Pasquale!  You don't see these kinds of things in the paper today. Brooklyn Daily Star April 6 1928.

 You should take a look at this one which talks about your grandmother Marguerite Manzelli performing at St. Rita's --all the way at the end it mentions she had a solo.  Also included in this production was her brother Albert as well as Amelia (I'm thinking this might be Emily?).  Take note near the top of the article where it says "A large attendance is expected, notwithstanding that today Ravenswood is practically cut off from trolley communication with the outside world because of the snow blockade."  This is from Mon Feb 16 1920 when Marguerite was just shy of her 22nd birthday.

 From the Long Island Star Journal we have a picture of Andrew Manzelli March 4 1940 all decked out in "Western Regalia for Minstrel".  This would be something else our families had in common as my dad was a regular at the minstrel shows (usually in a dress singing Barbra Streisand, but that's another tale for another day)

This one begs for the rest of the story since there surely is more to tell.  I believe this to be your great uncle Peter.  Hmmmm.  The Gangster Squad??

I'm now quite certain that Facebook currently exists because this stuff no longer does.  But, it's great on birthdays--thank you for all the birthday wishes today!  I love my birthday on Facebook!!

Treasures from a Cousin

Doesn't this look very familiar?  This little treasure that found its way to me via one of your Isoldi cousins that I've become acquainted with online (I'm going to call them e-cousins).  Michael Russo and I have been in touch to discuss the Isoldis.  Your great grandmother "Jenny" was an Isoldi before she married Giuseppe (Joe) Manzelli. 

Grandmother Jenny had 2 brothers (Ralph and Michael) and 1 sister (Amelia).  Amelia married Eugene Russo in 1906 and their grandson Michael has been very generous in sharing photos and information.

I think I've already posted their wedding picture but here you go again for the sake of comparision and a memory jog.

The first picture above is from Amelia and Eugene's 40th wedding anniversary celebration in a shed attached to the house.  It looks so much like your family's pictures that I just smile when I see it.  Some of the attendees are identified: "Attached shed to Eugene- Amelia's house on 43rd St in Astoria L-R: Antoinette Russo (Marino) Louie Dino (family or friend of), Francis Isoldi's wife Alice Isoldi?, 2 women and baby boy - unknown, Celia Russo (tall woman in back), Eugene Russo, Amelia Russo (Isoldi), Anthony Russo, Giovanna Manzelli (Isoldi), Unknown (Manzelli?) Ralph Isoldi, Sarah Isoldi, wife or Ralphie Isoldi, and Ralphie Isoldi, Couple sitting on floor unknown"

James thought perhaps the guy in the foreground might be Uncle Peter, but that doesn't seem like the right combination given this event--what do you think?  Do you know who the woman next to your great grandmother is?  Their 40th anniversary would have fallen in 1946.  This woman does bear resemblance to Grandmother Jenny, don't you agree?  

Anyhow, I thought this was a lot of fun though it makes me miss taking the time to delve into my research.  Here's another I thought the car lovers in the family would enjoy.  The oldest man in the picture in your great grandfather Joe Manzelli.  The other men are Russo family members. It's labeled 1928 Astoria Park.

Gotta love how they are decked out and posed in this picture! 

Bon Appetite!

Happy Birthday James!  Despite all appearances, I have not abandoned this blog nor have I lost interest.  We were in Erie visiting Amy this past weekend, which was very nice as I haven't seen her in quite a while.  We went to this English pub and took this picture in honor of Drew:

This is warm spiked cider--apple caramel...yummm......I thought that was a great idea.

It's a shout out from the Elephant and Castle for Drew's birthday!  Happy Birthday Drew!

I was listening to one of my podcasts recently (another pasttime that I have fallen way behind on) and she was talking about the interesting family history that can be gleaned from recipes, kitchens and food preparations.  I have a pretty good memory of my grandmother's kitchen but absolutely no clear memory of the food she made for us when we visited.  I have a couple of her recipes that my children like very much, but not much memory of the actual meals she prepared when I was a child.

James was able to describe your grandmother's kitchen with some surprising detail considering James' memory bank--this is not a slam on him, it's just that these kinds of details usually escape his attention.  He doesn't recall that your grandmother had a recipe book or collection of recipes--is this the case?  One of the restaurants in Erie offered polenta so James ordered it and told Amy and Michael polenta stories.  This is one way such food memories get shared and passed down.  It isn't all about the written recipe books!

While we were in Erie, Amy bought one of our meals for us.  I believe this is the first time this happened and it feels like she's taken another step toward adulthood.  It was a little hard to accept her offer, but I knew it was important to do so.  I remember the first time I bought my parents their meal in a restaurant and I felt so grown up and responsible.  That I remember that to this day is an indicator of the impact of that small act.  Providing your parents their meal either by preparing it yourself or in a restaurant is a rite of passage that creates those food related memories and lend to the telling of the family story.