Why “La Famiglia e Tutto” (Family is Everything)
Sicilians have a saying—La Famiglia e Tutto (Family is Everything)—and they live by what they say.
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Fingy Conners, Wild Bill Donovan, and the “Irish” First Ward
On my most recent trip back to Buffalo, I decided to take a walking tour through a different part of the city.
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Infant of Prague
So ubiquitous was the Infant of Prague statue in West Side homes that as a child, I assumed every house in the world had one.
Merry West Side Christmas
Grandma was happiest surrounded by loved ones on Christmas.
When the Saints Come Marching
The March celebrations honoring St. Patrick and St. Joseph couldn’t be more different.
Sogni Siciliani
Last night I dreamed I was in Sicily again.
Water in the Mouth
All I have to do is think about the authentic street food usually on offer at the Italian Festival—sfinge, cannoli, gardoons, zeppole, pizza bianca—and I begin to drool.
What Your DNA Test Won’t Tell You
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I want to express my gratitude to my ancestors for the many ways they shaped my life.
Root Bound
I am headed to Valledolmo and Montemaggiore Belsito in Sicily, to learn more about my great grandparents.
Nonni and the Loaves and Fishes
Don’t let the name Gardiner fool you—I had a Sicilian grandmother. She and my grandfather lived on the West Side of Buffalo in an upstairs flat with three small bedrooms and one bath. They had eight children (and adopted two more) who were likewise highly accomplished in producing offspring, so I shared my grandparents with […]