Family Brunch Meeting

December 19, 2004 Sunday

The family gathered on the Sunday before Christmas and reports began with Vincent, the oldest male.  He announced that Tina was not able to be with us this year – that she and husband, Dennis, delivered a baby boy 6 weeks ago.  9 lbs. 5 oz named Dennis after his father.  In other news, Vincent informed us that he is basically a very happy person and that he has a great family.  No one disagreed.  

Tami spoke for the Sbarras.  She is still working in the same place, Kira is still an A student, Trevor is still cute and Jackson is still in culinary school.  Jackson works part time as a chef’s helper at Grazianos but doesn’t cook much at home – much to the family’s regret.  He did make killer bananas foster at Thanksgiving. 

 Timmy announced that BenMar (his company) is doing great and that Donna got her new home in Hammonton.  Thanks to sister, Tami, Drew now knows how to roll his tongue.  

Bart lives in a senior center with 100 residents – 97 of them women.  It is a little scary that a few are starting to look pretty good.  Daughter Susan and family have moved back to Lancaster .  Susan said their closest neighbor is a couple of miles away.  She is working part time at a Christian camp where she can be home when the kids are home.  Howard is 10 and Hannah 6.

 Cassie said nothing is new with her – the renovation that Nick had underway last year is still underway this year.

 The report for the Nick Ricci family was given by Katie and Julia who confirmed (for any one who doubted it) that Dad IS STILL working on Grandmom’s house.  Girls are both seniors – Julia has been accepted at Drexel in biomedical engineering.  Katie doesn’t know yet.  Both girls are driving – they acknowledged that the roads are no longer safe – Angela is a high school sophomore in her 2^nd year of crew.

Michael’s family had a quiet year.  Ellie was nominated to the honor society and Timmy is playing sports.  With his talent, this is a good thing.  

Michelle and Mike Maher’s dog got fixed – finally – so they are now puppy-free.  Michelle is working as graphic designer when she is not taking care of the now adult dogs.

 Rita had a boarder for  6 months this past year.  Cassie lived with her while the famous Ricci renovation was happening (or not happening depending on who you talk to).  The big news in Rita’s family was announced by Maria –  Scott got engaged and his fiancé, Heather, was introduced to the family  –  in an editorial note, Heather didn’t leave after she met all of us which is always a good sign.  When they leave after the champagne but before the food it usually means that they took seriously  “you marry the whole family”. 

 Carl Carelli announced that Evelyn got a new hip and likes it so much she got rid of the old one immediately.  Carla is a senior at Monmouth and couldn’t be with us because of fog and ice in North Jersey .  This was the first time she missed.  Laura is working in Philadelphia but is in New York this weekend with friends – and we think – one of them is male.  Speaking of males, Sonya introduced another new family-member-to-be, her fiancé Steve Pelna.  Steve did not leave after he met us all either so (a) we were on our very best behavior … (b) he really loves Sonya …  or (c) he was just overwhelmed by so many strange people in one place at the same time.

 Pete Carelli claimed he was invited – not actually directly but through a friend of John and Joan’s who told Pete we said we were looking forward to seeing him.  John said this was not an invitation – it was a warning.  Pete and Joan have a wedding coming up in July – not their own – their son who is marrying an Italian girl.  Can it be?

 John reported that he is still commuting to Boston to run Cybex … company is doing well … stock has gone from a little over $1 to $4 in 2004.  The big news is that John won the USA poker tournament at the Taj in Atlantic City which will be on ESPN in January.  He showed us the Rolex to prove it. 

 Mark said as opposed to all of the “nothing new” family reports, everything is new with the Hendersons .  New house, kids in new school, a new extreme makeover has left his face in better condition than last year.  Although he still has the same wife and the same children who are still underachievers.  In an editorial note, the kids are just fine … their grandmother said so.

 Holly reported that she has a new apartment behind the diner in Marlton.  Works part time setting up Acme displays and is active in animal rescue – otherwise known as the pooper scooper brigade.  Hannah and Howard have one of her feline rescuees.  

In other cat news, Liesl announced that they have a cat that could be rescued if anyone is so inclined.  Cat is small but a good fighter.  Liesl’s job at Campbells is going well, children Lachlan and Lily are large and active.  She and Jordan go to Lachlan ’s teacher conferences when they need an ego boost – Lachlan is the teacher’s pet. 

 Justin has gone from radio sales to banking and is now at Citizen’s bank in Medford.  Val is working as a secret shopper for a competitive bank which shall remain nameless and getting them settled into their new home in Swedesboro.  Gracie is walking and talking, Justin’s ticket business is doing well, and life is good.

 No other news… so the meeting was adjourned until next year.

 Joan Carter (Aglialoro)

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