Family Brunch Meeting

December 21, 2003 Sunday

John announced that both he and wife hit 60 this year.  With great pride, he told the group that he ran 4 miles on his birthday.  Big deal.  In another milestone, he and Joel Beth any celebrated the 50^th year of their friendship with dinner at LeBecFin where Joel gave John a picture of the two of them in Merchantville at age 10 in front of a treetrunk blown over by Hurricane Hazel.

 Although each family will speak for themselves, John gave a few highlights.  Not all news is good and our family had a scary year with Mark and an acoustic neuroma which was successfully radiated, but has left some, hopefully temporary, nerve damage.  Liesl has been job hopping – now at Campbell ’s Soup, Holly is back with Joe, Justin and Valerie delivered Grace.

 Vincent announced that he and Anabel have been married 50 years this year and their children gave them a very nice celebration party.  Tami and Tony Sbarra celebrated their 7 year anniversary and just moved into a new home.  Tina and Dennis Peel also have a new home and Tina surprised Ann/Vince this weekend by coming home to join Marena and the rest of the family for this year’s brunch. In an editorial note, Marena got glasses this year and looks great in them.  Timmy said Donna wants a new home and in an unbiased testimonial from his father, we learned that Timmy is just the best son! The two of them are driving to Florida after the new year … to be joined by the women and children several days later.

 Tami spoke for the Sbarras and said that Jackson (of the green hair) is in culinary school.  She forgot to mention that he is an A student so Jackson spoke up for himself.  He is an A student … but said school is boring. Kira is also an A student and Trevor is just cute!  No A’s yet.

 Carl Carelli also turned 60 this year.  He reported on his daughters – Sonya has a new home in Marlton, Laura has moved home to attend graduate school at Villanova, and Carla is a sophomore at Monmouth.  He has two other beautiful women in his life, Mother, Aunt Jo and wife, Evelyn.

 Nick Ricci said wife, RoseAnn, has a new job (since he fired her last year) at Jersey Wahoos – a swim club in Marlton.  Julie and Katie are also working there.  They are sophomores – A students – and Angela is a freshman in high school.  

Cassie purchased a new home and Nick is remodeling it.  In a brief commercial message, Cass is renting her old house for $1000/month if anyone is interested.  (Timmy Aglialoro said he has 9 Mexicans working for him who he is currently putting up in a motel so he might be interested.  Cass did not seem enthused.)

 Susan Sumner said Bart is living in a good place in Collingswood .  He is a popular resident and all the women call him if he is late for Bingo.  Howard is 9 and Hannah is 5 – she loves to dance!  They sold their Collingswood house and are renting a townhouse in Deptford until they get re-settled.

 Rita went back to work after her ankle healed.  There were some murmurs from the crowd when the description got a little long-winded so Rita informed the group that since she has no new house and no new grandchildren to report on – they can just listen to her medical conditions and try to be polite about it.

 Marie Rose has a new job.  We were happy to have both Marie’s sons with us this year.  Scott flew in from Jacksonville where he is working as a pilot and aviation instructor.  Brad is coaching wrestling and women’s tennis – hardship duty – and will graduate from college in September.

 Michael Ricci and friend, Jackie DeLuca are still living in beautiful downtown Barrington .  The have a puppy from the new litter of Michele and Michael’s dog (is this animal ever not pregnant?) Ellie is killing them at school with straight As and Timmy still has the best baseball swing in the state, let alone the family.  In an editorial note – John says we should get Timmy’s autograph now before he gets into the majors and won’t talk to any of us.  Michael and Jackie started a new business called HandiServices.

 Mark and family are now living in West Chester where he has a new job and is dealing with the after-effects of the radiosurgery he had several months ago.  They are building a house and hope to move in in March.  He noted that his wife is beautiful and he would love to talk about his children, but they are all slightly below average – which is good news for those of you with A students since without below average, there is no curve.

Robert Carelli said he has been coming to these brunches for 25 years and thanked John for the invitation – to which John said you don’t get invited – you have to come.  Pete Carelli let everyone know that he had been invited.  John said this is your last invitation … from now on you are just like everyone else … you just come.  Robert and Diana both are enjoying their jobs and collectibles.  Robert claims to be hitting them straight.

Michelle Maher and husband, Mike, just found a home for the last of their puppies.  Michelle is working in graphic designs and Mike is a network administrator looking to get back in to government work.  Michelle is an animal-lover which we realized when she almost stole the magician’s bunny.

 Pete Carelli repeated that he had been invited – he wasn’t sure why everyone else was there.  He explained the family relationship – which is that he is a first cousin to Carl/Robert Carelli (Uncle Carl and his Father were brothers).  He has 4 children and 6 grandchildren – all above average.  He owns Custom Coach and sells limos.  John and Carl started him in business – having GIVEN him their snow cone business, although Vincent has been his mentor for the past 38 years.  Like almost all of the other Italian guys, he married an American – Joan – nice lady with a nice name.

 There were the usual non-blood family in attendance.  Joel Beth any and Chris Ochman left before the meeting as did the Lohmanns and Hilbronners.  Beverly Scheer reported that she knew Joan and John before they were Joan and John and has been coming to the brunch from the beginning.  She misses husband, Scott, but is happy to have Granddaughter Katie and a grandson on the way.   

Justin introduced our newest granddaughter, Grace Ann – otherwise known as Gracie.  We can now do the old George Burns routine “Say Good Night Gracie … Good night Gracie”.  Justin is working in Delaware for Clear Channel Sports and Valerie is staying up all night.

 In a late entry, Liesl said she is now working at Campbell ’s Soup as Director of Communications – the family will never go hungry again.  Jordan has very tough bosses but is otherwise fine.  So far today, Lily spilled two cups of coffee and an entire box of fish food and the day is still young.  Lachlan is fine and life is good.

 Another year for the family.  We are lucky to have each other.

Joan Carter (Aglialoro)