An Unforgettable Pastime

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>A heartwarming and deeply nostalgic journey into the past. This beautifully written memoir captures the essence of family tradition and the simple joys of life. Vitale's recounting of his family's restaurant and the significant moments from his youth is both vivid and touching. The author's ability to transport readers back to the 1960s a time of profound personal and social change is remarkable. His reflections on the challenges and triumphs faced by his Italian-American family in St. Louis offer a poignant reminder of the resilience and love that bind families together. Each chapter is filled with rich detailed anecdotes that bring the story to life making it a compelling read from start to finish. For anyone who enjoys stories of family heritage and the timeless values of hard work and perseverance this book is a must-read.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>In 1961 a father must go on with the daunting task of supporting his family of thirteen. Unable to continue in his current full-time position the decision is made to acquire a barbeque restaurant within a neighborhood inside of North St. Louis Mo. His son Michael is the eighth child inside a family of five boys and five girls. Willingly he decides to spend all the weekends and summer months at the restaurant to be near his father. Segregation around the restaurant has come to an end. Integration of the black community is slowly beginning to increase within the neighborhood. Michael suddenly realizes the difficulties and challenges the family encounters in keeping the restaurant open and still profitable.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>The story delves into the history of this Italian-American family and some of the noteworthy events that helped to shape this family's incredible bond of faith and love. Along the way Michael comes upon a cast of characters from the restaurant throughout his tales of adventure. Baseball seems to be the one constant theme which unceasingly weaves its way through his life. Above all of this is the deeply shared personal relationship with his father.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>The author uses his own style of Cathartic writing to capture and reveal some of the emotional depths of happiness sadness and even tragic difficulties we all face in life.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Memories. We collect and lock them away. Every so often we take them out and look them over. If we do it enough times these memories become unforgettable. This may be no different than the things that we collect; stamps coins collector cards paintings dolls or whatever. The collection of these things is considered a hobby. Pastime is defined as an activity done for enjoyment a hobby. It has been said that baseball is the great American Pastime. If so then is it possible to consider memories An Unforgettable Pastime? In honor of our Great American Pastime and metaphorically speaking this book was encapsulated inside of a single baseball game.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Near the end of this journey you are welcome to decide for yourself on the author's proposal to his readers about memories.</span></p>