My father owned the Arena Grill during the '60's. It was a bar and restaurant ajacent to the New Haven Arena, and attracted a lot of the sports fans going to hockey games at the Arena. I was surfing the web a few years back when I found the website Roadfood.com, that chronicles "The most memorable local eateries along the highways and back roads of America". Somebody posted a comment, and it developed into a discussion of the Arena Grill in New Haven. Three guys who knew my parents and Billy Sandella, the other co-owner of the bar, posted comments and reminiscences, and I posted some "updates" as well. Here's the link.

Tags: Arena, Dad

Our poor little camera's shutter was very tired was very tired after this holiday season. We took loads of photos and movies from Thanksgiving thru New Years. We saw Santa here, we saw him there and everywhere we took pictures...pictures...pictures. I got pictures of the family from every possible angle. Now that the season is over and smoke is still coming out of the camera, let me share some of the highlights.

- Thanksgiving - We enjoyed our annual tradition of feasting and giving thanks at The Grammatico's of East Clover Circle. With Uncle John at the bar, Auntie Mikki at the stove, and Auntie Jo Jo's lasagna starting things off, it's no wonder they are booked solid every year.

- Auntie Carrie's Visit - Olivia’s godmother Carrie came to NYC. She relied on her style consultant Olivia to make sure she looked her best before going out for a night on the town in the big apple.

- "Halloween House" - Halloween was over in October, but it’s spirit lives on. Olivia and her dad made a gingerbread haunted house together in early December. Scary, late, but yummy!

- Santa - Olivia went to visit Santa at the Mall. Santa was so happy that she had been ‘good’ that he came for an early visit to Poppy’s house courtesy of the Orange fire department.

- Christmas Eve - All dressed up with someplace to go. The Calamita’s headed to Renee and Danny’s house for the annual Annicelli Christmas Eve Seafood Festival. Olivia had a great time playing with her cousin Ashley. The girls got really excited when Santa paid a surprise visit.

- Christmas Day - As always, Margaret and Joey opened their home on Christmas day. A new addition to the menu was a delicious Italian wedding soup, homemade by Margaret’s father Vince. With a meal that would serve an entire kingdom, everyone left the table full of Christmas cheer. But wait there’s more…a chocolate fountain, and let’s not forget the cannoli explosion.

- Other Holiday Photos - Here's some more holiday photos that don't fit into a big group. We have Olivia and Poppy, our apartment decorations in New York, Olivia the "football fan" and some pictures at the Fantasy Of Lights in New Haven.

- Visit to Carrie & Pete's - The holiday festivities continued after Christmas, because it was off to Carrie and Pete’s house for another fabulous meal by master chef Carolyn Gaetano. Olivia was too full, so she spent some quality time with ‘Cousin Jackie’.

- Olivia Visit's Alice & Chris - Before we said goodbye to 2007, Olivia celebrated with her new friend Alice. Alice’s mom Chris and Emily have been friends for more years than they wish to discuss. Olivia and Alice had so much fun together that Alice and her mom are planning to come to NYC this summer for a visit. Alice wants Olivia to take her to some great places to eat. I don’t think that will be a problem.

Tags: Olivia, D'Agostino, Carrie, Thanksgiving

In celebration of Jojo and Sal’s 50th wedding anniversary, a fabulous party was thrown by Nikki, Maureen and Sal at Maureen and Nikki’s home. Luckily the happy couple didn’t have to go far to attend the party, since they now live next door. Family and friends filled the house with happiness for Uncle Sally and Auntie Jojo. The living room was transformed into a dance floor complete with a live band. The kitchen was cooking with incredible food. And when you needed to cool down you could step out onto the deck for a drink.

All in all, a golden night for a truly golden couple.

Enjoy all of the pictures of the festivities!

Tags: Jojo, Sally, Murgo, Party

We had a really fun and busy holiday season last year. First, here's some movies from all of the holiday festivities. What would Christmas be without Santa visiting Poppy's house. The reindeer were resting so the firefighters pitched in and gave Santa a ride around town in a fire engine. Olivia got a present! Here's some pictures. On Christmas Eve, we went to the Annicelli's where Googie and Rene cooked the pasta together and Olivia played with Ashley. Santa made another appearance, so guess what. Another present! Here are some pictures of Christmas Eve. And after we opened presents Christmas morning we spent the day with the Murgos and Grammaticos at Joe and Margaret's house. We had lots of food and Olivia had lots of fun playing with her cousins and dancing with the mechanical Santa. Here are some pictures of Christmas day. Enjoy the movies and photos and happy belated Holidays! (In August !?!?)

Tags: Christmas, D'Agostino

Last Thanksgiving, we spent the day at Auntie Mikki's and Uncle John's, as is our tradition. The Murgo's were there as were all of the Grammatico's (of course!) Enjoy all of the photos. There are some great ones of Matthew, Todd and Olivia!

Tags: Thanksgiving, D'Agostino

We had a really great holiday Dinner at Olivia's Aunt Sylvia last fall. Audrey & Lige were there as were all of Sylvia's friends. Lot's of food and reminiscing, especially when Sylvia brought out the old photo albums. Of course, Olivia didn't want to miss a trick. Here are some photos.

Tags: Audrey, Sylvia

Last August, Matthew celebrated his first birthday party where he enjoyed munching on cheese doodles and birthday cake. Some Grammatico cousins enjoyed playing softball while his cousins Olivia and Todd romped in the bouncy tent. When things got too hot, everyone took a dip in the pool. It was a wonderful afternoon. Enjoy the photos!

Tags: Matthew

Each year around this time we have our family picnic. And each year it is long enough to entail all three meals plus snacks and this year was no different. We started the morning bright and early at the Grammatico's for breakfast and were there until after dinner and dessert. As usual, Olivia wouldn't get out of the pool and Emily ended up a little water logged. A good time had by all? Absolutly! Enjoy the photos. I'll have some movies up by early next week.

Tags: D'Agostino

I tested posting movies on YouTube instead of here, to conserve space and banwith. It's posted here.

Tags: Web

Last fall Olivia (and Mommy & Daddy) went to see "Baby Matthew" (as she calls him) and we spent the afternoon at Michael & Michele's. I finially got around to posting some photos here.

Megan had her 12th Birthday Party last weekend. Olivia and Poppy were invited along with lots of her family and friends. We had cake, and played games and Olivia watched Julie make a tornado out of two soda bottles. Here are some pictures and movies. Cake for everyone!

Last Sunday, July 3, the D'Agostinos had our annual family picnic at Joe and Margaret's. I took a bunch of photos and used the opportunity to build a D'Agostino page with pictures from past picnics, some Christmas days, Easter Sundays etc. Click here for the pictures and here for a few small movies I posted.

I'll be adding more pictures soon, as I dig them out of boxes and from my old computer.

While you are here please send me a message and let me know you've visited our home page.