1957 Lake Shore Drive, Center Harbor, New Hampshire

[Joseph A. Chiarello]

I have miles to tell, try to remember, exchange memories from what I remember as a child there and then from the early to mid 1950's till the day we were thrown out of Paradise in 1962.......



Anyone game...... Joe yesterday was my 58th birthday

[Lynne]

wow - sorry you had such terrible memories, but it seems that from all your writings that you are really still hooked on CH and sad/bitter. You can always make new memories. After my father died, it was hard for me as well - especially when my mom re-married. We could go back there either and then my grandparents sold their summer house, Rockledge was sold, then grandmas and eventually, property on Lake Kanasatka. I moved up when I was about 28 full time, before that I was up here going to college for my freshmen year.

Well - take care - again - sorry for that happened to you.

I'm glad you found the Hamptons. I've been out there a few times. Were you close with Peter Guardino and family? I never knew about that stuff, I guess I was too young to know. My brother was just born and I was about 5 1/2. Well, if you ever come back, I'd love to meet you again.

[catherine anthony erickson]

Remember the parties my mom would have for us, and also the apartment by the now Bridge. From here we moved to 67th Street between 11 and 12 Avenues, before we moved to NH for a short period of time, but returned to Brooklyn, NY.

Your cousin, Cathy

[Joseph A. Chiarello]

Catherine & Lynne,

I am glad that you both from two different generations were able to connect because of this site. Lynne, please forgive me for interjecting any negatives from the past. My Mom and your Mom though having a one level generation difference were both very found of each other. My Dad loved your Dad, his Nephew Stephen, very much and was distraught when your Dad left this world way too soon. During the winters, we lived in Bay Ridge on 81st Street between Colonial Road & Ridge Blvd., .....I have a remote memory of your Mom & Dad w/your baby brother & yourself living in a fairly tall brick apt. building in Brooklyn around 20 blocks south of our home and I remember once riding my bycle down to your building when your Dad was ill.

In the 1980's when I was living in the West Village (NYC) your brother and I had dinner in my favorite Italian Resturant on West 8th Street between 6th Ave & 7th Avenue. I tried to share as much memory as I had at the time with your brother. He gave me a copy of a brief (3 minutes) CD film that he had made as a homage to your Dad. It was close up film of your Dad driving the Guardino (your Grandmother's - side & my dear Little Aunt Lilly) pre-1930's 3-cockpit Chris Craft, the 'Iris". I wish I still had a copy. It was a peek into the future of your brother's years later talent. I (11 years old???) also have an image of you (4 to 6 years old???) in the early 60's/Center Harbor of crossing paths on Grandpa Dick Chiarello's side of the compound on the stone path just south of Dick Chiarello's house with the brook dark brown railings behind you, the well w/roof on your Grandfather's property, then the red & white house with the screen porch on the northeast corner of your grandfather's (my Uncle Gus) house. I often remember my cousin/your dear Aunt Willy sitting in that porch. Did you know that one summer in the late 1950's your Grandfather (my Uncle Gus) gave us a black poodle that he said he brought back from Paris, France. Your Grandfather was my 2-year older than me Sister (Gloria-Lina) Godfather. That is enough for the past. Please forgive me if I said anything that was negative. My Dad & Mom loved your Dad & Mom very much.


To: Catherine

I was very ill the past ten days and finally this evening called my Mom to tell of the passing of Francine. It took her over 30 seconds to respond once I told her. She had no idea of Francine's passing and started to cry into the phone.

She also told me after she got her composure that when my Dad (your Uncle Joe) died in 1992 (65 years old) that your brother, Francis, sent a very moving note about Dad to her. She holds that note very close to her heart. Please let Francis know (he did good). Please also, Mom wants to know how she can contact you & Francis and do or at least say something about Francine. They were fairly close at least once a year...which is more then most relatives can count.

Best to you Catherine & to you Lynne.


Joseph A. Chairello

[Lynne]

Joseph - I'm sorry - didn't mean to upset you. Yes, I do hate to be reminded of negative stuff about the family - because I listened to it so many years growing up. I was often grilled by Aunt Lillie & Grandma, Aunt Madeline and so on, after my father died and had a rough time when my mother re-married. I just prefer to try to focus on the positive and wonderful memories. I know that there were many terrible things that went on - which I did not realize until I was much older. I loved my grandparents despite all the other stuff - I was very close to them, especially after my father passed away. I would fly down to VA to spend vacations with them and had great times with Aunt Willie. I called my grandparents every week for my whole adult life, until they passed away. I too was clinging on to the past. I live in the past way too much, so I'm told. I'm trying to stay in the present and make some new memories with my daughter and husband here. I always gravitate to the lake and often drive around aimlessly wondering what the heck I'm doing. It will be hard w/out Francine, just as it was when Uncle Dickie and Aunt Pauline passed (they ended up living in Meredith - then in Guilford). I see Anthony, Charles and Paula once in awhile. Several of the cousins have bought houses on islands on the lake.

I didn't know you lived so close to Grandmas and my grandparents. I remember both houses very well- as I spent every Sunday there for dinner. They moved to LI and then we went out there and then to Virginia. I have some great old pictures too. If you want, I'll see about getting a copy of that tape my brother made. He is 5 1/2 yrs younger than I - we are very good buddies.

Please respond so I know you've read this. Again - I'm sorry if I was too harsh on you. I just hate dwelling on some of that stuff. To each his own.

[Joseph A. Chiarello]

Lynne,

Please do not worry, your Mom & Dad were wonderful and everything else is what happens in most families. what we all have seen and experienced is not to be judged and weighted to our own hearts & souls but to understand and to see as nothing more then .. but part of each of our own unique path ...once we (especially me) learn to lighten up ..... each one of us have our own story with a past, present, and future and no one or nothing in the past should own us in the present and the future.... those who try scar us with the past should be kept at a distant (whatever it takes) ...once I and possibly you understand this in our/your heart it may no longer define us...just as we may hold those before us bigger than life...remember those after us may also us (you & I) bigger than life.

say hello to your mom & your brother from me and my mom

[Lynne]

Joseph - thank you. You are a wonderful writer and such a sensitve man. I am always told by by mom to "lighten up" - that's bad when you own mom has to say that! I know how it can be. I understand what you are saying about defining us. I know that I feel that I have been defined by my family - that's not such a bad thing. I'll take the good, the bad and the ugly - afterall, that's what has made me the person I am today.

My grandmother always told me "blood is thicker than water" always stick by my brother and I have. She was very strong and went thru her own heavey things, I'm sure. Things were very differnt for women then, espcecially in a wealthy Italain family. The men did as they pleased, as you know. I admired her greatly, she never complained, even in many years when she no longer had use of her legs - and then in the nursing home where she died and had early dimentia. I learned many things from her.

I spoke to Aunt Willie the other night, she was saying "Joseph was such a nice kid!" - she said, well I guess he's not a kid anymore! I hope I see you again. Please come up and I'll take you around on the dirt roads and we'll have some great talks - I'm sure. take care, hello to your mom as well - I'll pass along your hellos as well. Love, Lynne

[Lynne]

Hi: I am your cousin as well. I don't know if you remember me, my father was Stephen. Francine and I have been in touch in the summer and at Sandwich Fair almost every year. I'll miss her and I am sorry she has passed, although, she looked as though she was done fighting the hard battle.

Lynne

[catherine anthony erickson]

Hi Lynn, yes I remember you and of course I remember your dad, Stephen. Franny fought a hard battle, and she is in a better place now, out of pain, and with my mom and dad. I miss her terribly. Robert, he son, sent me a photo of Franny and his two boys with her at the fair last October. The grandchildren have taken it hard. She was one hell of a person, and one great teacher. We had two memorial services for her in Larchmont, NY and Frank (my brother) and I drove up. It was very sad, but yet what a tribute to my sister, so many friends, co-workers (teachers), kids she influenced showed up. We were honored. I miss her very much, she passed on 21 January (4 weeks ago today). Thank you so much for writing to me. My husband and I just moved from Savannah, GA to Lake Lure, NC and you can reach me on [e-mail] or 828-626-8194. Hope your mother and brother are well.

Cathy

[Lynne]

Hi Cathy: Thank you for writing back. Francine passed on my daughter, Alyssa's 19 birthday, Christi-Ann called me to let me know about the memorial. I hope to get together with her soon and also in the nice weather as well! I have many pictures to share with her. My brother, Stephen, bought a house in Moultonbor several years ago and he has a dock and several boats - he loves the lake and boats just like my dad did - it's funny. We spend a lot of time together and my mom and step-dad, Wally, come up for about a month every summer and spend it at Stephen's place. It's great. So many things have changed, but so many things remain the same. I have been living in NH for over 23 years, had to move up, I missed it too much when I was away. I never regretted the move. Sandwich still is the same, and someday, I'd love to retire there. I go to the town beach whenever I'm up that way and swim or just look out at the view. I take my mom for rides up that way whenever we're together, she loves the dirt roads. I go up to the lake all the time because Stephen's house is a year round one and decorated like an old lodge - awesome. I only have one daughter and she goes to UNH, where I work. My husband is a goldsmith and remembers your mom and dad - and of course the gravy, meatballs and the wine! Aunt Catherine was a blast. Hi to all for me. If you every get up this way, give me a shout. My cell is 603-380-2429. I'd love to see you and your brother too.

My mother-in-law lived in Savannah for awhile, but said it was too hot for her in the summer, but beautiful. She's in Cooperstown now - she's 91. Well take care. Again, sorry for your loss. Francine sent me some pictures last winter with a lovely note - it was nice to connect and remember when...o

[catherine anthony erickson]

Thanks Lynne for writing..it was good to hear from you. Chris said she talked to you about her mom's passing. I believe she, Robert, my brother (Frank) and I are finally feeling the effects of her being gone...it has been a rough weekend for all of us.

Keep in touch with Chris, she can use a good ear at this time.

We moved from Savannah after 38 1/2 years because I could not take the heart any more, and told my husband when retirement came, it had to be where there were 4 seasons, not 2..one week of winter and 11 months of summer.

If you are ever in Lake Lure, NC (30 miles east of Ashville; 90 miles west of Charlotte) please come see us. You have a place to stay.

Keep in touch.

Your cousin

Cathy

[Lynne]

I'll keep in touch and will give Christi a shout as well. I have work buddy that moved back to NC and she loves it. If I visit - I'll be sure to look you up and thanks for the invite.

Take care,
Lynne

[catherine anthony erickson]

Lynne

We'd love to have you. let me know.

Your cousin, Cathy