Welcome to New England!!!  Only here can you experience 100 inches of snow and 105 degree temperatures in a five month period.  My older brother just recently sent me a picture of his SUV with just a fraction of it visible due to the monstrosity we know of as the winter of 2010-11  This was February.  This made my wife and I reminisce of our days as kids in an Italian home when global warming was just thought of as putting one of grandma's knit blankets around the earth.

Below is what we came up with.  How many of you can relate?  How many of you have a similar experience you'd like to share?  Feel free to send it along to us.

1) Couches - Wanting to take a nap in the middle of the day was done with caution since the plastic cover mom had on it created the Italian version of the "Slip n Slide".  It was so hot in the living room that one of two things happened...a) you slid right off or b) you stuck to it like glue.  Either event eliminated the napping potential.

2) Central Air - Non existent in an Italian home back in the 70's & 80's.  At night to prepare for bed we were asked as kids to grab a pillow off of our bed and head into the only room that had an air conditioner.  Don't be last because that would practically put you next to or under the couch.  If you've read #1 remember the couch thing is something to avoid.  Floor space was at a premium but here is the funny part.  So as not to have us laying on the rug directly a yarn knit blanket was placed beneath us creating a sweat shop scenario which in turn created a discomfort second only to the plastic couch.  Good times.....

3) The Double Fan in the Window - Did you have one?  This contraption supposedly had one fan blowing in the cool air from outside and the other taking the hot air from the room.  It was as close to central air as we got.  Did it work?  No.  Was it always on?  Yes.  Could it have been the worst invention ever?  Possibly next to the Q Grill.

4) Church - A true test of the will from so many figures.  The Pastor.  God.  Our parents.  So unbearably hot that people were passing out in the pews.  In church H.S. never stood for the Holy Spirit but rather the Holy Sauna!  Want to add to this....as an altar boy you'd have to wear the garb therefore adding a layer of clothing.  There would be physical confrontations for the space right in front of the positioned fans.  Which would just circulate hot air by the way.

5) Car Rides - Being the youngest of three and before car seats were a mandate, John, would be stuck in the middle of his two hulking older brothers in the back seat gathering no wind from the rolled down windows.  Air Conditioning?  The Dodge Polara didn't have it.  What you wore in the car inevitably had to be changed prior to your arrival.  Mom loved this since it doubled the laundry load.   Sorry Mom.

6)  The Freezer & Siblings - John used to think his brothers always hid the ice cream (or Gelato) in the back of the freezer.  Why?  He would constantly see them opening the freezer and looking all the way to the back of it.  Looking for ice cream?  No.  That was their version of central air.  They would just stick their heads in the freezer to rid themselves of the equatorial heat the Cessario household experienced. 

7)  Sun Block - Never.  Closest thing to it was either the beach umbrella or the thinnest long sleeve turtleneck in summer colors that still fit.

Those were our Top Seven.  How about you?

Also were the memories of the Italian Festivals we went to as Italian Americans in Hartford and New Haven.  Authentic food, authentic music, authentic culture...  We, along with several other vendors, will do our best in re-creating those times at this years Italian American Festival.  On Center St in the heart of Southington, July 29th, 30th & 31st we look forward to providing you our wonderful stuffed breads and marinara sauce for dipping.  Rides for the children, bands for the music to dance to and many other attractions....come and enjoy!!!!! 

Don't forget our inventory sale through July 31st

25% off all dry products and gift baskets***

25% off all freshly frozen prepared meals

10% off all cooking parties

****does not include Rachel's Cookies and Treats

MANGIA GIO!!!!!!!

SOUTHINGTON'S ITALIAN FESTIVAL

JULY 29TH, 30TH & 31ST 

Check out the latest menu.....

Don't forget to please visit us at MANGIAGIO.COM.