“The modern community quickly attracted new immigrants from Italy mainly from the Abruzzi & Molise Regions near Rome; Campania Region near Naples; and the Calabria Region further South. Provinces included Avezzano & Agnone near Rome; Caserta & Benevento near Naples; and Cosenza & Catanzaro in Calabria. As the population grew in North Rochester, it became known as Little Italy.”

“It was scene from modern day Camelot. It was my first Presidential Election and having no allegiance to Democrats or Republicans, I registered as an Independent. It was an easy vote for Senator Kennedy and he was an excellent President. Unfortunately, in 1000 days, President Kennedy would be assassinated on November 23, 1963. I have remained registered as an Independent to this day. Not too surprisingly, the Gallup Poll in December, 2020, found that 41% of Americans identified as Independents; 31% as Democrats; and 25% as Republicans!”  

“That first evening when Patti & I returned from the movie and a brief stop at the Tender Trap, J.T. Daw, Patti’s father, offered me a ham sandwich. It was the best ham sandwich ever. With the friendliness and kindness of Patti’s parents and Patti, a beauty, the question occurred to me, “Why am I living alone in a Shadyside apartment going on a Safari every Friday night?”

“The 25th wedding anniversary occurred for Patti and me on September 10, 1988. We flew to Oahu to Pearl Harbor historical site and American sunken ships. From Oahu to the garden island, Kauai, was a short 23 minute flight. From crystalline turquoise waters and fine white sand to towering, verdant mountain peaks, as well as a unique tropical weather, Hawaii was an absolute paradise.”

“Patti & I arrived in Rome, Italy in 2002 and the first visit was to the Vatican Palace, home of the Pope. The Sistine Chapel was erected in 1473 and the main feature is Michelangelo’s painting of “The Creation”. Before we traveled to Venice to Naples, a visit to the Colosseum was in order. The Colosseum is an elliptical Amphitheatre located in the center of the city of Rome. It is the largest Amphitheatre ever built in the world. Construction began in 69 A.D. and was completed in 80 A.D.