Monthly Archives: September 2019

Toritto in Milan – From the Archives – 2015

Posted on September 23, 2019 by toritto

Piazza del Duomo, Milan.  The entrance to the Galleria is through the arch on the left.   The statue is of Vittorio Emanuele II. So it’s June 1994 and yours truly is in Milan in a serviced apartment (kitchen, living room and bedroom) a … Continue reading →

Posted in travel | 7 Comments

Strange Fruit

Posted on September 22, 2019 by toritto

Abel Meeropol and his sons Robert and Michael play with a train set. Once upon a time, when I was a young teen, the public high schools of New York City were the crown jewels of public education in America.  … Continue reading →

Posted in history | 13 Comments

Toritto in Venice – From the Archives – 2015

Posted on September 21, 2019 by toritto

Hotel Danieli It’s January 1975 and thirty something Toritto is going on a business trip for the Great American Travel Company. To Venice. Italy. Tough duty but someone has to do it. Actually the company’s “Venice” office is in Mestre, a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Toritto in the Garden Lahore

Posted on September 19, 2019 by toritto

hi Fifty two year old Toritto in front of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. So its 1994 and Toritto  is on the road for the international banking arm of the great American travel company.   As a Managing Director I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

How Young Is Too Young?

Posted on September 17, 2019 by toritto

So its the middle of 1963 and the 20 year old Toritto is dating the 17 year old JoAnn.. We were in love; geez were we in love.  I took her to her prom when she graduated high school and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

The Introduction – From The Archives – 2015

Posted on September 14, 2019 by toritto

“Comrade Balabanoff! There is someone here I would like you to meet!” Angelica turned around to face the voice. It was Franco, one of her colleagues on the Central Committee of the Italian Socialist Party. “Good evening! How are you!” … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Immigration – Italian Americans and Fascism

Posted on September 13, 2019 by toritto

   A young Benito Mussolini  I swear to my honor To serve with fidelity and discipline the Fascist idea of society – based on religion, the Fatherland, and the family, and to respect the authority of the League and of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Immigration – The Great Depression and Fascism in New York

Posted on September 11, 2019 by toritto

The great stock market crash of 1929 brought an abrupt end to the “roaring twenties” and brought us the Great Depression of the 1930s.  Unemployment rates reached 25% and immigration, both legal and illegal plunged.  It was the only time … Continue reading →

Posted in history | 5 Comments

In Memoriam – September 11, 2001

Posted on September 10, 2019 by toritto

Climbing out from underground ride a giant escalator then turn right and right again join the rush passed drug store chain “National Bank of Who Knows Where” flower carts and coffee vendors through the great revolving doors transported to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Running With Stars – From The Archives For My Birthday

Posted on September 10, 2019 by toritto

Today is my 77th birthday.  I never thought I would live this long, being a Type 1 diabetic virtually all of my life.  I  survived a burst appendix in 1965, a heart attack in 1995, a stroke in 2004 and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments