1955

I was dating Tom back in 1954 and 1955 right after he got out of the service and 8 or 9 months before we were married. We didn't usually do too much except the movies, going square dancing and seeing friends.

One weekend Tom said we were invited to Sunday dinner at the Toti home. The Toti people were very Italian. Originally from Italy. They had a beautiful home in South Williamsport and owned a bar in Newberry. They had several children but I can't remember how many. I do know they had two daughters, Julia and Betty. You all remember Betty as Aunt Betty and Uncle Earl. Tammy's father and mother. She and Julia were the neatest people. I always enjoyed their company.

This particular Sunday, Tom and I went to the Toti home as did Bill & Julia, and Betty and Earl lived there in the apartment upstairs. I was a nervous wreck. I did not know these people and Tom did so he was comfortable. I give him credit as he stuck by me the whole time except when the women asked me to come to the kitchen. There I met Mama Toti (Betty & Julia's mother). She was a short and quite round lady and spoke brokenly but was a very cheerful person. I was so impressed with the preparations for dinner. She had spaghetti hanging on a line in the kitchen along with some pasta that was probably for ravioli. You had to duck for the strings of pasta hanging there. There was a large pot of sauce simmering on the stove and it smelled simply wonderful.We talked or rather I listened and tried to fit in but I was NOT Italian.

In a little while we sat down to dinner. What a meal. Spaghetti made from scratch, even the sauce. It was simply delicious. They were insistent I eat a lot as I was very skinny at that time. They were very nice to chat with and I enjoyed the dinner but was glad to get out of there and calm down.

I got to know Julia and Betty much better as time went by and we became friends. I went back to the Toti home a few times after that but it was not something we did often. I spent my visits with Julia and Bill.

Julia and Bill is another story.