The Gondola

The Gondola is the name of the souvenir graduation program from PS 83 June 1942. Since this is graduation season, I was looking through it out of curiosity and noticed some things I thought you would find interesting. 

This program cover has your mother's name in the upper right hand corner, written in her hand.  The graphic is obviously hand drawn.  The signature of the artist indicates she was one of your mother's classmates.  Your parents were about 14 at the time, so I'm presuming this is an 8th grade graduation program.  The first thing I noticed with interest was that the agenda for the event seemed to have a strong ethnic flavor.    Perhaps there was a South American/Hispanic theme?

What a sweet thought that the President of the Mother's Club presents the medals and awards!  Somehow I find that comforting.  There is an extended list of patrons and patronesses (I'm guessing this program was some kind of fund raising effort).  That list contained several familiar surnames including Dalpiaz, Coffarelli, Manzelli, Sapienza,  Miglietta, Petro, Restivo, Jozwicki--Must have been every single grandparent, aunt, uncle and parent of each graduate considering how many there are on that list!

It appears great effort was made to include everyone in the contents of the program.  I find that very similar to today's efforts.  Also in line with today, I noted there seem to be a small number of "over-achievers" --those whose names you see on every other page in the yearbook.  You remember those people from your own yearbook, right?  Anyhow, when I realized that I might find familiar names, the search was on. 

 The program opens with a poem that appears to include all graduates:  As Others See Us.  Lucky for me these were alphabetical. 

Finding Mary Sapienza's (Aunt Mary's) contribution was a big bonus!  I'm not sure why she's in some of these lists and not in the others but perhaps Angela can shed some light on that one of these days. 

Your mother apparently enjoyed the Drama Club writing and portraying Mother Csorba (?!)

and your father the Shop Club (surprise!)

Regina and Mary find themselves commended for school spirit (along with a number of those afore-mentioned over-achievers)

Robert, Regina and Mary were "On the Alert for Defense"--written in a very patriotic tone:

You'll note that someone marked your mother in the picture with a plus sign!

Not surprisingly, the patriotic tone is heavy.  This is only a few months following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  Many of the students had obviously been affected by the war. 

You've probably seen this picture of the graduates--this is not too far from the size of our own high school graduating class this year.

Aren't they cute?  Then they enter high school..........

View from the other side

My life has been a bit tumultuous these past few weeks and the blog has suffered accordingly.  I am hoping that my newly freed up schedule will allow me to be a better caretaker.  Hang in there with me please. Friday June 21 was my last day of work after 34 years at Harpursville.  I was 22 years old when they took a chance on me in September 1979.  I don't know what your experience has been lately, but our district no longer hires 22 year olds.  We hire "experienced" adults: teachers laid off from other districts or second career professionals.  I didn't know anything.  Unlike some young adults, I knew very well that I didn't know anything.  I knew that well enough to pay attention, work hard and learn along the way.  And, boy, did I learn!!!

When I woke up on Saturday June 22, it was a brand new world.  It truly felt different--as though I'd stepped over some crevice that wouldn't allow stepping back.  I did not expect that.  Everyone assured me enthusiastically that I would LOVE retirement and they were right (a whole 3 days into it now).  It's hard to describe unless you've experienced it.  It's a little bit like becoming a parent.  Everyone says it changes you and that you can't know until you experience it.  It's like that.  Without spit-up.

As I was contemplating this blog post, it occurred to me that the feeling was a little bit like Nik Wallenda's recent walk over the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.  Highly publicized, lots of people watching and praying, questionable outcome. He commented afterward that the winds were a little stronger than expected and he had to readjust.  So on this journey in recent months toward retirement, it was a lot like that.  The buffeting winds were stronger than anticipated which called for adjustments.  But I am successfully on the other side now. 

The retirement party was EPIC.  I felt very fortunate to be alone in the spotlight for those few hours.  It was noted that there were more retirees in attendance than active teachers --they seemed surprised but I wasn't.  In nearly every circle of friends, I am the youngest.  I loved it back in the day but it came to bite me in the *ss a little bit as each of them retired and I found myself kind of alone and adrift.   It felt just right to have many of them in attendance that night along with 2 of my sisters, Ryan and James.

 The evening's entertainment included the Tin Man, pieces of a tombstone, and a tissue wave send off!

 The Tin Man was describing one ReadAloud event where we held a Wizard of Oz murder mystery.  He wore the Tin Man costume the guy brought but it was MUCH too small, especially the pants.  And Paul here was terribly afraid this costume malfunction would cost him his job. 

The tissue wave send off replicates a tradition I started many years ago.  Outside the second story library window is the top of the music room.  We'd invite teachers to step out onto my "deck" on the last day to wave good by to the elementary students leaving in the busses to start their summer vacations.  The elementary teachers wave tissues on one side of the street and we wave from above.  Kids love it. It was great to see this from the other side and a very touching addition to the evening.


The table decorations at the party were a series of caricatures depicting some of my activities throughout the years.

 This shows "Old Paint"--it's a wooden book truck that was in the library when I started way back in the last century.  One of the English teachers would ride him like a horse and called him Old Paint.  He's badly in need of varnishing and touch up but I like his character just the way he was.  He's used every year to hold the diplomas as graduation so I wasn't able to ride him out of the school on the last day as I wanted to because he was already laden with diplomas.  It's probably the only thing left in that library older than my time there.  And I expect he's being reconditioned this very minute.  Poor thing.

But I feel as though I'm being reconditioned every day as I consider taking a nap--checking the clock to see if it's too late for a nap--then realizing IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TIME IT IS.  Or when I'm thinking about dinner and realizing: yes, I do have time to prepare that.  Or when I'm grocery shopping and don't have to buy things that can go easily into a lunch box.  You get the idea.  It's the little changes so far that have seemed so very sweet to me this week.  My first week on the other side. 

Thanks for all your well-wishes.  It has meant a great deal to me.

1928 was a very good year----mostly.

Your father's 85th birthday would have been this week--and your mother is already 85!  I was doing a little research into the year and thought you might be interested to know that Mickey Mouse also made his first appearance in 1928 in Steamboat Willie".  Bubble gum, recliners and sliced packaged bread also became available for American consumers which tells  you just a little bit about the pop culture of the day, don't you think?  The House at Pooh Corner was published and the first yo you factory opened so it was certainly a brand new world for children lucky enough to be born that year.

But, wait, being a child in 1928 was not like being a child in this century.  In fact, I believe many of us would find it hard to believe that parenting advice of the time admonished parents not to drop sentimental slop all over their children's heads--it suggested they be treated as small adults with handshakes for greetings and perhaps a very occasional kiss on the forehead if absolutely necessary.  This is the advice of James Watson who published Psychological Care of Infant and Child in 1928.  Here's an interesting section of that book.  When we ponder how our parents acted or reacted in ways that seem foreign to us, thinking about how their parents treated them might help ease that confusion.  I forget sometimes that parenting advice has evolved over time and that children are direct products of their home lives.  Parents sometimes might have tried to follow the best professional advice of the time; which, to us, seems as foreign as not having sliced bread available.

My research did uncover one very interesting fact.  There was a lunar eclipse June 3 1928 so don't you wonder if that had some affect on your father's birth?  There are still many many folk stories related to pregnancy and childbirth and a lunar eclipse and I have a feeling your grandmother believed most of them at the time.

Although we often study pictures very carefully for details, sometimes we forget to do the same with documents.  Here's a record of you father's birth.  The first thing I notice is that he's named "Bob".

 I don't believe it to be an official birth certificate if you read it carefully but it was cared for as carefully as if it was--and perhaps it could be used as such back in the day.

And some other favorites for a little trip down memory lane:

 1975 joint anniversary party (Thanks Kathleen!)

Easter 1993

 I've been told this is the Bellmore house.

 Christmas 1989--your dad looks bemused.

You've seen this one before but I love "the pose" as he watches you guys open gifts.

So Happy Birthday and enjoy June now that the calendar has turned.  I know I will :) !

Memorial Day memories 2013

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope everyone is having a nice day even if the weather could be better up here in the Northeast.  I thought you might enjoy seeing some of your favorite relatives in their military gear in honor of the day.

 Your dad of course--

Uncle Johnny --they are both so handsome looking!

I think this is Phillip Coffarelli

And I think you'll remember this is from your grandfather James' album

Now of course we all know that Memorial Day has come to signal the official beginning of summer.  And what would summer and Memorial Day be without a parade?  I don't know if these are Memorial Day parade pictures or not but they come from those sticky page albums.  I am sure you will recognize these much better than I.  Not sure who the photographer is but hasn't photography come a long way since?

 I think that's a Dalpiaz kid behind that man's arm.  Love this kid in the from with his glove stuck in his belt!  (I hope that's not James)

 I'm guessing Thomas is in this drum line. 

OK.  I'll need some help with these.  I'm sure you'll be able to give me some clues.  

I took a quick trip out to Erie this weekend and found myself with a little time on my hands.  So (of course) I visited a cemetery or two.  My first cemetery was St. Bonaventure in Olean so I could "see" my grandparents and other relations on my mother's side of the family.  At first I thought there was a funeral in progress because there were so many cars lined up but the dozens of little flags reminded me it was Memorial Day weekend.  There were several volunteers carefully placing those flags on the appropriate graves.  I had forgotten those flag reminders don't get there by themselves, so a huge thank you to those volunteers!  

 

In Erie, it was much the same.  The cemeteries were very busy with volunteers and family members sprucing up gravesites.  I was very moved by the sight of an older man down on one knee in front of a grave looking very pensive.  My imagination likes to think he was acknowledging his father, uncle or son.  Perhaps the reality was that he needed to rest but regardless, he was visiting a grave for a reason on Memorial Day weekend.  I wanted to ask if I could take his picture to show you how moving it was but it seemed to be much too private to interfere.  I'm glad for his family that he was there.

And I'm glad for all of you as well.  Happy Memorial Day and Welcome Summer 2013!

Home, James!

I thought you might be interested in seeing the evolution of your grandfather's chauffeur licenses and getting an idea of his place in New York state history with these.  Last March, the New York Times published the Evolution of the New York Driver's License  and it's an interesting walk down memory lane, especially in light of the valuable collection of licenses left behind and cared for by your family all these years.

According to the article, 1918 was the first year that driver's licenses were issues (without photograph) but you can see this is a chauffeur's license.  I've never been clear on what he did that required a chauffeur's license.  On February 1, 1918, your grandfather was 19 years old and although I think Ryan James looks pretty adult for his age, this picture seems to be of someone older than 19!  He had yet to go to Italy during his World War I term of service. 

A few years later after the War:

He was 24 years old by now and would be married by the time the license expired on June 30 (they were married June 23 1923).

Fifteen years later he weighs the same!  He certainly looks older now ten years later and was probably ill.  He died in February 1934 a few months after this license expired.  These licenses don't seem to have changed very much in this time period.  Updated New York state licenses are on the way:  (from the article) The newest licenses, made of polycarbonate materials, are laser engraved, not printed, and feature a pair of black-and-white portraits that help make the licenses more difficult to counterfeit.  I hope I look better in black and white ..........

Update on the Disabto family

Sometimes information literally falls into your lap when you least expect it.  Research has been on the back burner recently, giving way to the beautiful spring weather.  Blog writing sat right there next to research on that back burner.  Then it rained.  So here I am.

Anyhow, the rain apparently brought out the research instincts of Margaret Coffarelli Disabto's great granddaughter who contacted me offering some tidbits of information about this elusive family.  Remember that Margaret is your grandfather James oldest sibling.  She was born in Italy in 1880 shortly before emigrating to New York.  She married an older man who'd been married before:  Marco Disabto.  They had at least 9 children.  This new "cousin" of yours descends from Marie Disabto Cochrane.  Her name is also Marie.

This is what Marie has to say: "Talked to my mom today and she said that Mark came here through Ellis Island alone. His mother had died and father was remarried. He then was part of an arranged marriage with Margaret. I believe that they were a few years different in age. Margaret lived with my Grandmother Marie and my mom (when my mom was a child) in the upstiars of their house. Margaret told my mom about the arranged marriage and Margaret was told he was a good man. She told my mom you know what they were right he was a good man. Mark died from a possible cancer."

This gives me some valuable information as I pursue this family.  In a previous post about this family, I think I shared with you a newspaper article about Margaret's son Joseph who was killed in action at Guadalcanal in January 1943.  This is what Marie shares about that: 
"As far as Giuseppe/ Joseph death. The story I heard was that he was on duty that night and not sure if there was a party the night before, but everyone else was asleep. Joseph saw, heard the attack coming and single handedly killed/delayed the enemy until help arrived/woke up. He was killed saving and alerting a lot of men to the enemy sneak attack.
My grandma mare had a picture of Grandma Disabato dressed all in black sitting down holding all Josephs medals. Silver star, purple heart and I thought the congressional medal of honor. After my grandma died we think our uncle Jerry took it....but really don't know."

This may be a repeat appearance, but it's a good reminder:

You see Marie Cochrane is mentioned here.

 Here's an example of what's been taking my attention away from research and blogging:

I hope you all are enjoying spring as well!

 

Birthday memories

I saw a news headline that mentioned "April 19 events" and it gave me pause.  I'm sorry the date of your mother's birthday is forever etched in people's brains as an anniversary of a tragic event.  But, for you, it's a time to remember your Mom and I thought you might enjoy these.  Thomas said "keep them coming" so I intend to!

I'm sure you'll remember the celebration of your mother's 60th birthday in 1988.  It was particularly eventful for us as Amy was just about a month old and she made her first trip to Long Island to help celebrate!  I remember the restaurant required a chair be set aside for Amy which I thought was ridiculous but it was well worth the surprise for your Mom.

I like this one because Mrs. King and Betty are right by your mother's side with thoughtful looks on their faces.

Now from the sticky page albums:

She looks very happy in this picture and such a sweet outfit!

I'm guessing she's 9-10 years old maybe?

 This one is labeled in your mother's handwriting:  "Taken at Andrew's house".  I expect someone will be able to identify the make and year of that car and maybe the date could be narrowed down a bit.

 This one is also labeled in your mother's handwriting:  "Jan 15 1950".  I'm not sure who the baby is?

This appears to be a bridal shower for your mother who looks a tad overwhelmed in this shot!

She would have been 85--can you believe that?  Happy Birthday memories to you all.