This Passes for Memoir

The recent update of Anthony's World, our web site now includes a long list of memoir pieces by Anthony Buccino. 

Let us know if you have a favorite memoir piece that's not listed.

On the town!

Remembering the Soldier Named Above the Street Sign

I first came across Gary Formica in the early 1990s. I was walking my yellow Lab in a nearby neighborhood, and the second sign above the street sign caught my eye.

Gary P. Formica, SP4 A-KIA 10-4-70 Vietnam

I never knew him, never even heard of him before coming across this memorial sign. Nearly 25 years on, there wasn't much thought given to a stranger who died long ago in a place far away.

And yet, I was drawn to this place, to this corner, or across the street from it where I stood long gazing at the stranger's name. My dog would realize we weren't going anywhere and settle in the grass. Did Gary live in this corner house? This house where their dog barks at strangers until it realizes we aren't here to disturb the peace.

I'd wonder if his parents lived here still. What did they think when then went outside and saw their son's name on a corner sign. Did he have brothers and sisters and their children who never met him?

Continue reading

Brookdale Soda then and now

Or thanks to The Record columnist Bill Ervolino for contacting us about our favorite childhood beverage, Brookdale soda.

We talked his ear off at the mention of Brookdale soda.

We are mentioned in his story Then and now: Memories of Brookdale soda still fizz within its fans.

The newspaper also used one of Anthony's photos, with permission, of course.

The column referred to our Brookdale soda blog.

No mention was made of our classic story Memories of Brookdale soda. It appears in A Father's Place and Greetings From Belleville, New Jersey.