Last week I wrote about wars. I told my friend, Vicki, about a war story we experienced because of my brother Tony. She thought I should write about it. Because this story tells so much about who Tony was and the woman who helped him become the man he became, Vicki thought I should share it with you, so I will.

My brother Tony was shot down during WWII. He was picked up by an English freighter. After he recuperated, he was sent to Germany as a provost marshal. While in service in that capacity, he and a buddy found some art treasures. He said to the young man, “We just found these treasures. They aren’t ours. We have to turn them in.”

And they did.

Years later, after the war was over, a young man came to visit my mother. He wanted to meet the woman who raised such an honest young man! We in the family were thrilled to have this experience!

My brother Roddy and my brother Tony also had another experience in England. While there, they met the great reporter, Ernie Pyle. He wrote the story of two brothers, one in the Merchant Marines and the other in the Air Force (our brothers) who met in England. He took their picture, too. Roddy was in the sailor uniform and Tony was in the Air Force uniform. It made a good story: two American brothers meet up in London.

I was always a baseball fan. Every night we’d walk down to the ball field and watch the boys play. I remember there was a Jimmy Anise (that’s what it sounded like) who was a good player and cute. Does anyone remember him? Just think, we used to walk to school, walk home for lunch, walk back to school and then we walked home after school. Then we walked back to the field at night.

No wonder we didn’t get in trouble. Who had time or energy? And just think. I had a heart condition and then I think of all the civic things I got involved in. I often wondered what I would have done if I’d been healthy! I still think that ideas are energy. My father used to say “the mind.”

I used to say, “ideas.” The same thing. Think positive and stay well!

I found a formula I lived by. It’s this. Live right and you’ll always have peace. You have to have peace with yourself. You have to live with yourself. You’re not responsible for anyone else. For example, if you vowed to yourself you’d never cheat on your husband and you never did, you’d always have peace. Now if he ever cheated on you, that’s his burden to carry.

Now for some good news! I always save the best for last. Monday, I attended a meeting in Fredonia’s Village Hall. Mayor of Fredonia, Mrs. Landis, has decided to have a Fredonia Italian Festival. Former mayor, Stephen Keefe, who is married to Janet Calanni, is the chairman. The group decided to hold the festival on Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will be held in Barker Common and throughout the village.

Anyone who has a special Italian recipe they would like to sell, get in touch with Stephen Keefe at 672-7510. This is open to anyone that does Italian cooking. Stephen’s big fear is that someone will be left out! Don’t let it be you! Also, if you have good ideas for activities, speak up now.

This is great news for CIAO members because we loved having an Italian festival! I’ll keep you informed and if there are new games or ideas. We’re open for new ideas!

We are looking for stories. Maybe we can make a history book!

I’ve been thinking of all the musical talent I’ve seen in Dunkirk and Fredonia’s musicals. I’m sure all schools in Chautauqua County are loaded with talent. This is a great opportunity for positive exposure. Call Stephen Keefe.

Music teachers, you see plenty of talent. How about acrobatics? This can be exciting!

It has been brought to my attention that during other Italian festivals, they sold books about the Italian-American experience. Perhaps people who purchased them would be willing to share. It will be interesting to see where this all leads!