The Happiest Place on Earth

Take a close look here: this is Kathleen on the water slide at our Disney hotel! Something about that place makes us all forget ourselves a little bit--Nick talked me into Test Track and then there was Splash Mountain (on the "wet side" of the car!). Anyway, it was a great trip--thank you Kathleen and Nick for spending some time with us. I think that was a great way for Kathleen to begin her retirement.

We are looking forward to seeing some of the rest of the family tomorrow at Jean's!

Help needed with a little mystery

Spending a nice quiet Sunday morning doing the usual--going through family files! What else would Pat be doing when she has a few quiet minutes? I came across a little mystery I am hoping some of you will be able to help with by thinking through some of the stories you've heard.

Notes from an interview with Aunt Mary indicate that Peter Manzelli (Marguerite's brother, your mom's uncle) was first married and had a little girl then later lived with another woman ("the Nervo girl") and had no other children. My note says (and I believe I'm quopting Aunt Mary) "this makes Johnny the first official grandchild". I've never thought too much about it and I don't suppose it matters very much who was the first official grandchild (Emily Anne and I have something in common there) BUT genealogy abhors a lost family so I got looking to see if I could find Uncle Peter and this family.

I found a good candidate Peter Manzelli 30 years old in 1930 married for about 10 years to Mildred with 8 year old daughter Evelyn. Aunt Mary says she does not know what happened to the first wife but I wonder if these could be the family? Anyone have any memories of Uncle Peter Manzelli stories? Children named Evelyn? Any Mildred memories?

Neither do I know when Peter died. There's a Peter Manzelli of about the right age who's last residence was Broward County Fort Lauderdale Florida at the time of death August 1978. Any chance this might be the right Peter Manzelli?

If this is the right family, it appears that perhaps Uncle Johnny may not be the first grandchild as he was born about 2 years after Evelyn was born. If you recall any stories it might help me go a little further in this research. I already have found Mildred as a child so it would be interesting to know if I'm on the right trail!

Take care to all. Hope your summer is going well. We expect to see Kathleen and Nick next week at Disney before they come north.

Baby Smiles

I guess the upcoming baptism of Emily got me thinking about babies (mostly my own of course). I can recall very distinctly the first time Ryan grinned at me in that way moms know is just for them and not gas bubbles. Here's the card Michelle sent along when Ryan was born and it says it all about that first smile. I have kept it on my bedroom mirror all these years to more easily bring back the joy that first smile brought. You can click on the image to enlarge it for easier reading.

What little memories do you have of the babies in your life? I was old enough to remember when my mother brought sibling number 5 home. I can still see her coming through the door with the baby for the first time. Another sister wondered why we had ANOTHER and did we have to keep her. That's the advantage of being one of the older ones in the house--no one says that about you!

So think about sweet baby smells, smiles and gurgles. Here's wishing for a blessedly wonderful baptism day for Emily. God Bless.

Welcome Emily Anne!

We are very excited to hear of Miss Emily's arrival into the world, especially since it heralds the beginning of a new generation for the Dalpiaz siblings. Another layer of family history is about to be woven into the tapestry of your story. How do you like that flowery language?

I find it interesting to note how names follow down through the lines. New parents usually do not do this deliberately but first names often repeat themselves several generations laters. Of course, you know that Jake has a great great grandfather Jake (not his given name, but it's what he was called) as well as a great grandaunt Emily. I have no idea about Lindsay's family but perhpas there is even a Lindsay back along the line somewhere.

Anyone up for naming a baby Costante??

First Weekend Summer 08

Here we are already on the first full weekend of summer 08. What are you all doing?? To update you on some rural upstate activities, Ryan is playing summer baseball, basketball and football. This alone keeps us on the road (thank you gas prices) and mostly out of trouble. He has now finished his Regents exams and is officially done with his sophomore year.

Amy is home and working and the Binghamton Mets and for elementary summer enrichment. She is enjoying the downtime with her friends and giving some extra love to the cats. She plans to visit Allentown and the new boyfriend next week. She is really feeling like she misses her cousins and wants to have a Ya Ya get together sometime soon.

James is outside right now revving up his new weed whacker. More power! He'll be marching this summer and getting ready to take his band on the last trip under his direction. They plan to go to Florida next November so the fund raising is in high gear.

So, again, what are you doing this summer? What did you do the summer you were 16??? Or don't I want to know.....???

Since graduations are high on the list in June, I thought you all might like to see this. It appears that your grandfather attended night school at the elementary level. I imagine it was to learn English but I've never heard anything about this--do you know the story? Looks like your grandfather was about 33 years old with young children in the house when he attended this program. It must have been very important to him and I see the importance of education survives in his descendants.

Welcome June!

This will certainly be an exciting month for all of us. I am enjoying Jake and Lindsay's blog and look forward to a new branch on the family tree this month! That's a great first baby picture there!! Congratulations Jake, Lindsay and Marisa on your graduation. We are very proud of you all even if we can't be with you all too much.

Recently, a sudden random sound of construction brought me directly back to one afternoon when I was very young. I was in my room for my afternoon nap and the same construction noises kept me awake. I have never forgotten that afternoon--I believe it to be my first memory. Construction noise regularly makes me recall that day.

Sounds can be very powerful triggers. Garbage truck sounds bring me back to Duffin Avenue. You all know exactly the sound I mean. I was talking to Amy about this as we were driving back from Wallops Island this weekend and she volunteered that the Barry Manilow song This One's for You always makes her think of her Grandpa Dalpiaz. She shared that she didn't get to know him as well as she would have liked and that she wished he knew of her accomplishments and daily activites. That's why that song makes her think of him. I find it very comforting that a song you might hear any time would bring your dad back to mind. It helps keep him alive even for his grandchildren.

So this brings me around to say Happy Birthday and ask what kinds of sounds bring memories back for you?