Paranormal Activity — Rose’s Dad

The Second Night

In 1991, we moved into a new home not far from our first home. Unlike our first home, which we both new from a builder, this home was about thirty years old. It was a very normal looking split level and a place that you would not associate with paranormal activity.

That changed the second night we were there. My wife’s sister and her husband were spending the night and about 2 AM we heard loud banging. It sounded like someone was banging on the door or the walls. We all ran out into the hallway and were asking each other what happened. No one knew! It was very strange, but we all went back to sleep and forgot about the incident.

Who Turned Off The Light

Not long after that incident, I was leaving for work the day after Thanksgiving. My wife was out of town,, and after I left home, I noticed that I had left the kitchen light on. I was running late, so I left it on. When I returned home, the light was off. I figured the bulb blew out. Then I checked the switch and saw that it was turned off, but not by me.

Is One Bedroom For The Ghost

One weekend my father-in-law visited us and stayed in the small bedroom in the front of the house. A couple of weeks after that my wife came home after visiting him and relayed the following story.

My father-in-law asked her why we bought such a big house, and was one of the rooms for the ghost.

“What ghost?”, my wife asked.

“The one in the bedroom.”

He went on to describe a short old man that was dressed in shorts and a baseball cap and was pacing in front of the window in his bedroom.

The next day I saw our next door neighbor and asked her if Rose’s father was short and if he wore shorts and a baseball cap.

She turned as whiter as a ghost and asked, “How did you know that?”. I explained that she asked what bedroom. When I told her she informed me that the room was Rose’s sewing room and that her father would pace back and forth waiting for her to return from work!

The Wood Pile

In the winter I would pile wood up in the garage for the fireplace. I would stack it up nice and neat. One night I heard noises from the garage like wood being moved around. The next morning I found that the would didn’t fall from the pile, but it was scattered around the garage.

The Froebel Star

Rose was born in the Black Forest in Germany. One year I redid the insulation and floor in the attic and cleared everything out. I moved everything away from the center and so there was a wide open space. A few weeks later I found a German Origami Froebel Star dead center in the attic. It was never there before and could not have just dropped from somewhere, it was placed there.

I recognized the star as being from Germany because as a boy in the cub scouts, my den mother was from Germany and one year we made these stars at Christmas.

Rose's Mom

After a few years, everything stopped. We then learned that Rose’s mom had passed away. Our conclusion was that possibly Rose’s dad was waiting for his wife. We never felt threatened, but there were a couple of attic rooms where Rose’s parents lived that always seemed a bit eery.

Reviving Italian Folk Music: A Journey with Allaboara

March 21, 2025 No Comments

In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Anthony Taddeo from the Italian musical group Allaboara. They discuss Anthony’s Italian heritage, family roots, and the traditions that shaped his identity. The conversation delves into the discovery of Italian folk music, the formation of Allaboara, and the cultural impact of their performances. They explore regional variations in Italian folk music, the instruments used, and the evolution of the genre. The discussion highlights the importance of preserving cultural practices

The Journey Home — Day 6 — Torre del Greco and Boscotrecase

March 18, 2025 No Comments

Click here to join out Facebook group The original plan for today was to make a quick late morning stop to the cemetery in Cercola to see where my great-grandfather, Nicola Piromallo was buried. However, at the lunch on June 4th my Zio Nicola (more about that later) told me that he wanted us to visit family in Torre del Greco. So we were able to work that into the schedule. Cercola is about 30

Wine By The Class – What are the types of wine?

March 16, 2025 No Comments

In this conversation, Anthony Verdoni introduces the world of Italian wines, sharing his extensive experience in the wine business since 1971. He discusses the significance of Italian wines, the various types, and provides insights into wine production statistics. The conversation transitions into a detailed exploration of fortified and aromatized wines, focusing on Marsala and vermouth. Anthony shares insights into the history, production, and types of Marsala, a fortified wine from Sicily, and explores the characteristics

The American Italian Heritage Museum

March 12, 2025 No Comments

In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Phil DiNovo, the founder and executive director of the American Italian Heritage Museum. They discuss Phil’s Italian background, the journey of Italian immigrants, the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations, and the importance of preserving Italian heritage. Phil shares insights about the establishment of the museum, community engagement, and the significance of collecting and preserving artifacts that represent Italian culture. The conversation highlights the contributions

Tuscany Tresures

March 7, 2025 No Comments

In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino speaks with Ilene and Gary Modica, authors of ‘Tuscany Treasures.’ They share their journey of obtaining dual citizenship through Gary’s grandfather, their experiences living in Lucca, and the process of selecting the perfect Italian town. The Modicas discuss their unique approach to writing a guidebook focused on local festivals and traditions, as well as the importance of experiencing the authentic Italian culture found in smaller towns. They also provide

Uncovering Italian Roots in Calabria and Campania

February 27, 2025 No Comments

In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Lisa Gagliardo about her Italian roots and family history. Lisa shares her family’s immigration story, cultural traditions, and the challenges faced by her ancestors. The discussion highlights the importance of ancestry research and the connection to Italian heritage, as well as the experiences of growing up Italian American. Lisa reflects on her discoveries and aspirations to visit her family’s hometown in Italy, emphasizing the significance of maintaining cultural identity