NEIGHBORHOOD NOIR

October 8, 1960. St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Wedding Day for Bob & Sue Nataloni, who recently celebrated their 60th wedding Anniversary. July 1953. Pennypack. Irma Bridget Retallick. 1986. Brian Cellini, Robert Polillo, George Marrinucci, Mike D’Emillo, Paul DelBorrello & Wendy.

1960. Harry & brother Rockie Cellini playing “Morra” (left) and cooking at the bungalow in Clementon, NJ.

1966. Liliana Gravagno, age 3, at her home on Dudley Street in South Philly.

1962. Christmas Day. MarieElena, Danielle & Linda Rocco.

1960s. Paramount Pictures in Hollywood, California. Connie Mascitti with her cousin Phyliss & Aunt Doris Lembo – the day she met Elvis Presley! John Zambrano (forefront in the lighter-colored overcoat) with “the guys” in South Philly.

1951. Boxer Joe Bonadies.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2021

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HANGIN’OUT

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10. Jim & Beth Moylan spend time with their grandkids Norah (4), Aubrey (2), James (9), Victoria (18 months) & Bradley (6).

Congratulations to Felicia Punzo who married Dennis Quinn at St. Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Church on 11/27/20. Photo by Mark Louis Photography

Hangin’ out with MomMom Mary DePasquale on her birthday!

Rowan drives through Candy Cane Lane thanks to Fishtown District, The Fillmore Philadelphia & Rivers Casino.

Jane Roser & brother Brian spend some time together outdoors on Thanksgiving.

Congratulations to Brandon Tomasello and fiance Noelle on their recent engagement!

Gionni Powers was ready to hang out with his family for the Holidays!

Santino Andreozzi is hangin’ out with his great-grandparents Angie & Joe Andreozzi.

Congratulations to Torianne Rota & Anthony Lana on their recent engagement!

Hangin’ out with Donald Paciocco, 84 years young, born & raised at 8th & Catherine Sts. In his teen years, he was a valet for Palumbo’s, where he also worked the cloak room. He & wife Leonora (DiArenzo) recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. 11.

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17. Coraline hangs out during her grandfather’s birthday celebration.

Anastasia Buonacuore celebrates her 1st birthday on January 5th!

Cousins GiaCapri & Elle wish everyone a healthy, happy 2021. And thank you, Santa, for the merry Christmas! Photo by Talia Rota Photography

Congratulations to Ave Cima, the USOA Miss Teen Pennsylvania. Good luck at Nationals this February! Photo by Eireann Photography

The cousins are hangin’ out! Madison Gillen, Alexa Zepp, Brett Jackson, Jade Rota, Meghan Gallagher, Michael Gillen & Nicolette Retallick.

PRH’s Andrew Andreozzi hangs out with his dentist, Dr. Robert Spennato, who is featured in this issue.

Members of the Phandemic Krew hang out at Citizens Bank Park. Read more about these Phillies Phans in this issue.

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STRAIGHT OUT OF A DREAM

ON THE CORNER with MARK CASASANTO

uring a particularly tough stretch of the

DCoronavirus, just before Thanksgiving, I was checking in on a couple of relatives who had fallen quite ill. Wrapped up in the wellness check, I had an interesting conversation. It proved to be almost as settling as it was unsettling.

Truth be told, I don’t dream often and honestly, I’m not quite sure if I envy those who do. Regardless, I am intrigued and fascinated by the interpretive discussions about one’s dreams. So much so, I always encourage avid dreamers to keep a journal by the bedside to document their stories of slumber. Maybe it’s just the writer in me forever chasing a story, but I can say this with certainty, if my dreams were prolific and worth sharing, they’d damn sure be written down for future development and extended exploration.

With that said…

My cousin’s wife, a nursing professional who was caring for the loved ones I was inquiring about, told me about a recent dream. My mother Mary appeared to her, along with her sister – my Aunt Tee (Theresa) – from an illuminated doorway. She believes my mother said, ‘We are all together and it’s going to be ok. We know what’s going on.’

The imagery was striking and immediate. I needed no deep reflection. I knew exactly where my mom was standing.

The only childhood home I ever knew had this amazing vestibule. It was highlighted by seafoam green subway tiles with the acoustics of a million-dollar recording studio. The overhead light, finicky as it sometimes was, always shined bright. Like a lighthouse to a sea-battered sailor, it safely welcomed us home.

‘We are all together and it’s going to be ok. We know what’s going on.’

I didn’t have to close my eyes to see my mom standing under that light, as if centerstage, delivering her soliloquy in dreamscape. It was vivid, as if it happened only yesterday.

Growing up in the seventies, and even the better part of the eighties – you know, before Al Gore invented the internet and social media ruined socialization – the after-dinner hours were cut right from a Hallmark movie. It’s when friends and family came to call, often without an invite. This wasn’t exclusive to my family. It’s just the way it was back in the day. There was always some sort of home-baked item on hand like Jewish apple cake, lemon pound cake or zucchini bread. If not, then certainly, as my mom would say, “A piece of Entenmann’s” at the ready. And of course, the coffee was always on.

My mom’s words in the dream, “We are all together,” strengthen my belief that “all of them” who routinely graced our dining room table with love, laughter and good will are still doing so in some sort of mystical way. I loved that our home was usually the centerpiece of activity. Front door. Back door. From whence they came, it mattered not. Across the board, it’s how families bonded, stayed together and how friends remained dear, tried and true. It’s an acquired trait I embrace to this very day. My door is always open and setting another plate is never a problem.

If my mom and Aunt Tee were here in the physical, they’d whip out their “dream books” after hearing the details of this dream in search of a correlating number to give the local number writer. Then, of course, box it for a dollar!

Collectively, we’ve been through some hellacious times of late. For me, it’s shed new light on the need to harken back to the simple and less pretentious way of life. To appreciate the values of spending actual, not virtual, time with those you love and enjoy. Better days lie ahead. When they arrive, do yourself this favor. Knock on the doors of those you love. There’ll be other times for texts, Zoom and FaceTime calls. Bring some cake and let them make coffee. Life’s too short. Enjoy each other’s company… now.

NEW YEAR & NEW OPPORTUNITIES R at IVERS CASINO Philadelphia

While 2020 was an unprecedented year, Rivers Casino provided some holiday cheer despite the challenges. The annual Thanksgiving turkey donation was the highlight of the holiday season. Our community outreach program, “Rivers Gives,” enabled our team to give back to the local community when our city needed it the most.

Each November, Rivers Casino and its Team Members are proud to donate hundreds of turkeys to local organizations throughout the city and 2020 was no different. More than 600 turkeys were distributed to dozens of organizations in the area, making the holidays a little happier during these difficult times.

by EMILY DOÑES, Rivers Casino Community Relations Manager Whether it’s donating turkeys, volunteering, fundraising or just showing up for a community event, Rivers Casino Philadelphia and the Rivers Gives team looks forward to supporting our community in any way possible. And now, as we move into the new year, we’re always looking for motivated people to join our incredible team. There are new opportunities in store, including FREE dealer school at Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

Dealer School Training

If you’re fun, enthusiastic and enjoy working with people, Rivers Casino has the job for you. Train to be a table games dealer through our free dealer school where you’ll learn blackjack, craps, baccarat, pai gow and more. With room for advancement and on-thejob training, there are many opportunities like dealer school that enables every Team Member to be successful at Rivers.

Rivers currently offers weekend and weekday training programs throughout the year and provided virtual courses during the casino’s temporary shutdown. The sixweek courses are ongoing and open to the public. No experience is necessary but applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Details

FREE six-week course ($2,000+ value), available year-round Morning and afternoon classes offered for the weekday course Weekend course hours are Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. High school diploma or equivalent required Full-time or part-time job offer with benefits upon graduation

Please visit RiversCasino.com/

Philadelphia/Careers/Dealer-School

for updates and more information and to apply to dealer school.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.

FREE DEALER SCHOOL AT RIVERS CASINO PHILADELPHIA

FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME JOB OFFER WITH BENEFITS UPON GRADUATION!

For details and to apply, visit: www.riverscasino.com/philadelphia/careers/dealer-school