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Thanksgiving 2009
 The
meeting of the "Cousins" continues! Just prior to Thanksgiving, Cousin
Dominick and I met for the first time in Orlando. His sister (also my
cousin) was visiting from up North. We enjoyed a great Italian dinner
at Magianno's - a lot of great food very nicely prepared.
For
Thanksgiving, Sam prepared another culinary delight. She worked for
several days making pies and all the fixings for the Turkey dinner.
Notice I mentioned the desserts first! The turkey was really good this
year - nice and moist. Anyway, Mom and Paul, Uncle Tony and Aunt
Betty, and Lucy and Rolf shared the day with us. Sam also made her own
"centerpiece" for the table. I initially thought she was nuts when she
asked me to drill holes in the pumpkin, but as you will see, it came out
really nice. And to our amazement, without any water, just the
moisture from the pumpkin, the flowers were still fresh for several
surprise, the flowers stayed fresh for several days. To enjoy the
photos, click on THANKSGIVING 2009.
Winter
Park Boat Tour
The
"Cousins" Ray and Henry, continue to get together, this time back in
Florida. During our time together, we took the Chain of Lakes Boat Tour
in Winter Park. Located on Lake Osceola in the quiet suburb of
Winter Park and less than 10 minutes from downtown Orlando, the boat tour
offers hour-long, guided cruises through three of the seven lakes and two,
narrow man made canals on the tranquil Winter Park chain. The tour offers breathtaking
views of opulent private homes and exquisite estates sprawling along the
shores.
Back
at the Scarfo "estate," Ray's wife Nancy bonded with Sierra.
To enjoy the photos, click on WINTER
PARK BOAT TOUR. You can also read below how the "cousins"
reunited after 50 years and the reunion that followed with many other cousins
and aunts.
The
North & South Scarfo's
The
bonds of a new family "union" from a year ago (see stories below)
continued with a visit of the Northern Scarfo's to those in the South!
In March, Ray and Nancy visited Sam and Henry for a long weekend. The
weather was mostly favorable and we got to enjoy the Winter Park Art Festival,
a local play, a trip to the beach, and a day at Kennedy Space Center. In
between was lots of food, a few bottles of wine, and the company of family
that are now friends too. Click on the BEACH and KSC to view the
photos. Enjoy!
Christmas
2008
We
were blessed with family
and friends joining us to help celebrate Christmas. Our
"family" from Canada joined us along with dear friends from
Miami. Mom and Paul also shared Christmas Eve. Sam out did herself
with culinary meals on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Day. Henry
did his usual superb job on the barbeque and there was plenty of wine and
other spirits including home made "sugar free" eggnog. We were all
treated very nicely by Santa so we must have been real good all year
long. Michael brought Henry a "trio of Singing Moose."
They are interactive with each other and sing and dance a Christmas
Song. There is a long story about the "Henry Moose" but
needless to say, when you come to visit, you will find "moose"
virtually everywhere in the house! To enjoy the photos, click on CHRISTMAS
2008.
Scarfo
Family Reunion
In
August, Henry and his First Cousin Ray met for the first time (see following
story). The cousins and their wives thoroughly enjoyed each others
company and it was agreed that Henry and Sam would take a trip north to meet
more of the family. A date was set and nothing more was said of the
details until the October visit. Unbeknownst to Henry, a big reunion was
being planned. Family members including an Aunt he had not seen since he
was a young child, and several first cousins, spouses and children who he had
never met, traveled near and far to meet and welcome Henry and
Sam.
Sam
and I were totally overwhelmed with the warmth and love that everyone extended
to us. Cousin Joe, the family historian, hosted a wonderful dinner at an
Italian Restaurant in the North End. We returned to his and Christine's
home for dessert and more spirits. The next day, Ray and Nancy hosted
the reunion at their home. Italians love to eat and the spread of food
and spirits was extensive and delicious. But the best part, was meeting
a family that I knew was always there, but never met. We all toasted to
the occasion and then Sam and I were surprised with a beautiful hand made
quilt to commemorate the day. The quilt was made to allow everyone to
sign it and for photos from the day to be embossed on the reverse.
Cheryl made a beautiful quilt and her talent is applauded! I have trouble with
a button on a shirt! The quilt will definitely be treasured for both the
memory of the weekend but of a lost family found. Enjoy the photos by
clicking on SCARFO FAMILY REUNION. Cheryl
also took some great photos too. Click on MORE
REUNION PHOTOS to see them.
Cousins
Meet After 50 Years!
It's
funny how life's twists and turns can bring unexpected surprises! Many
years ago, almost 50, the paths of two families diverged. Recently due
to an unfortunate death, two first cousins found each other and expressed
interest to meet for the very first time. Ray and Nancy were already
coming to this area to visit with another relative so two visits were combined
to create a reunion of two long lost cousins. Sam and I in all our years
of marriage have never shared any activity with another couple that have the
same last name as we do!
In
two quick days, we learned about each other's families, dined together thanks
to Sam's gourmet cooking, and then we toured the St. John's on the Rivership
Romance. As you may have seen on the news, Tropical Storm Fay came for a
visit in mid-August and decided like many people, that she liked
Florida. Fay stayed for almost a week and dumped from 14 to over 30
inches of rain. While Fay is gone, she left the lakes and rivers swollen
with many flooding their banks. Some of the photos you will see will
show just how high the St. John's is at this time. In fact, to get to
the pier we had to drive through water on city streets that was more than half
way up on the tires.
Cousin
Ray and Nancy also got to meet Henry's Mom and her friend Paul and we all
enjoyed a nice relaxing dinner together. An all too short but very nice visit
ended with a commitment to meet again, to learn more about the family tree,
and to meet other cousins and relatives. Now, it's virtually impossible
to visit with Sam and Henry and not also give attention to Sugar and
Sierra. Fortunately, Nancy loves dogs and both our girls gave her plenty
of attention! Enjoy the photos by clicking on COUSINS
REUNION.
Tribute
to George H. Hall
April 13, 1914 - August 7, 2005
On August 7, 2005, our Dad, George Hall, passed
away after a long illness. All dads are special to their families and
was Dad was no exception to us.
Not only did Dad Hall have a love and devotion to his wife, children, and
grand-children, but he contributed important scientific and engineering
research and development for the betterment of mankind. His inventive
nature (he is credited with over 50 patents), and creative mind served him
well, and made his family very proud. Click on GEORGE
HALL TRIBUTE to learn more about "our dad" and to view a photo
journal of some memories of the happy times we shared with him.
Tribute
to Adelaide V. Rossi
September 6, 1916 - April 23, 2005
Our
wonderful and loving Mother, Addie, left with the "angels" in the
early morning of April 23, 2005. She died peacefully with her family at
her side - daughter and son-in-law Adrienne and Henry; son and daughter-in-law
Steve and Beth; and grand-daughter Meghan.
While we are all very sad that we have lost her, Addie would not want us to
remorse over her passing. She would say, "celebrate the many
wonderful memories we shared together.
Click on ADDIE ROSSI TRIBUTE to learn more about "our
mom" and to view a photo
journal of some of the times we spent together.
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