"SHE PUTS ME TO SHAME."

Story by Peter Vuono

Title by Otto Frank.

Dedicated to Kate M.,  Tammy C.

and Joe Steinfeld- heroes all!

   On page 186 line 11, in the popular book,"Diary of Anne Frank, Otto Frank says this about his daughter Anne who had written the diary while she and her family hid in an attic in her father's building in Amsterdam from the Nazis from 1942-1944. Anne and her family were captured and she died while being held captive in Bergen-Belson concentration camp at age 15 from typhus. I saw the play in 1974 for the 1st time and when I see the medals depicted with this story, I, through the lives of my family members, remember Otto's statement. Anne had an amazing faith in love and humanity in spite of the cruelty reaped upon her, her family and her people. Anne was a German born Jewish girl. In her diary, Anne says, "Where there's hope, there's life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again".

   When I look at the medals, I realize that they represent 3 world records of mine. I sometimes feel a little proud but not for long. Why? First, "pride" is the worst of the 7 deadliest sins. Secondly, I did very little to earn them and if world record medals are to go to anyone at this address they should be given to my wife who has undergone 6 operations and to the little girl sharing the photos with the medals.

   Lucy was born on Flag Day in 2021. For 3 years and 10 months of her life she was made to do all hygienic chores in a crate and to put forth at least two litters of puppies for a puppy mill. Just as amazingly, the cruel keepers of the mill belong to a religious sect who are usually purported to be people of peace and forgiveness. I didn't see it with Lucy.

   On both of her hind legs are two black scars(one frontally and one laterally), from a crate that was too small for her and her puppies. Thanks to her intrepid rescuer Kate- a 21st century Harriet Tubman- and her step mom- Tammy she was delivered to us and is truly the answer to our prayers. Like Anne Frank she is filled with nothing but love  and hope. She too, has maintained a love and faith in 

humanity.

  So when I periodically pass by these world record medals, I now smile; pride is gone. They don't belong to me; they belong to Lucy who deserves them so much more than I. She puts me to shame.

 TURNING ANGER INTO ART

By Peter Vuono

   Not long ago, a 17 year old from Pontiac Michigan gunned down 4 of his classmates and was sentenced to life in prison. What made this case unprecedented was the fact that both of the youth's parents were given 10-15 year prison terms for involuntary manslaughter. The court stated that there were multiple warnings that the boy would turn to violence and that his parents had ample opportunity to stop it.

   Shortly after  the 9/11 attacks, New York businessman Allen Kay coined a phrase that many now use-"If you see something, say something." Even the late congressman, Elijah Cummings used the phrase. I have no doubt, that those reading this would certainly be proactive about a potentially dangerous situation and alert the proper authorities whether it be by a stranger, friend or relative. However, this still leaves one with the question as to what one should do to keep a good kid on the strait and narrow path to peace and happiness. One theory is to ascertain what the youngster's passion is and encourage him or her to pursue it. In this way, a potentially dangerous thought or idea can be diverted into something good. Here are two exceptional examples of this with two individuals separated by nearly 150 years They could have chosen to be destructive but chose instead to channel their anger in another more positive way.

   Edgar Poe was born in  Boston in 1809.  He was abandoned by his father in 1810 and his mother died in 1811. He was taken in by his uncle John Allan who was strict and parsimonious. The young man would call himself Edgar Allan Poe. Poe entered the University of Virginia but dropped out after one year. While there he fell in love with and became engaged to Sarah Royster but for reasons unknown, they parted.

   He later entered the army and then on to West Point. He was exceptional at what he did and received the rank of lieutenant while there. It was at this time that he published his first book of poetry. Poe loved to gamble and he was constantly at odds over money with his uncle.  He then decided to write full time and by disobeying a few orders he was expelled from West Point.

  In 1836 he'd marry his  cousin Virginia Clemm. Virginia would die in 1847 from tuberculosis at age  24. Although he kept writing, Poe became entrapped in a world of disease, drugs and alcohol. He died in Baltimore at age 40. In spite of it, he had written some of the greatest Gothic Horror stories of all time such as "The Tell-tale Heart, "The Cask of amontillado", "The Pit and the Pendulum" and "The Fall of the House of Usher". 

  I'll not soon forget the looks of astonishment that my students projected as I read the "Cask of Amontillado" to them. Their eyes widened like half dollars as they listened to the account of the vengeful Montressor walling up the hapless Fortunato alive in a wine cellar. Many of Poes stories would make the silver screen and to this day are unsurpassed. Fast forward 149 years.

  To say that Frank Feranna Jr- born in 1958- was a recalcitrant would be an understatement. Raised by a single mom who soon abandoned him, he would live with his grandparents in Idaho. His sister, who had Down's Syndrome would pass away several years later. Frank became a bit of a "problem child". He vandalized neighbors' homes, shop lifted  and was expelled from school for selling drugs. He'd be sent back to his mom and raised in Seattle.

  Feranna would buy a bass guitar with the money from another guitar that he stole. He formulated  several bands and then with drummer Tommy Lee created Motley Crue. He would rename himself Nikki Sixx. They had a hit album with "Too Fast For Love" but with the added money came heroin addiction.

  One night after making merry in an LA club called the Rainbow Room, Sixx witnessed a woman being accosted by a biker with bad manners. He took off his studded belt and swung it hoping to ward of the attacker who was undaunted. A fight ensued and shortly after, two off duty policemen  got out of the car and mercilessly beat both the combatants with batons.

  Naturally, Sixx was angered but rather than doing something violent he wrote a song about this experience (Knock Em Dead Kid) which would be a hit number off his next album. In 1987, he overdosed and was clinically dead for two minutes. He was successfully revived and decided to dry out. He is now a father of 5 and 25 years clean.

  The point I'm trying to make here is that here are two men, one a writer and one a musician with horrible lives. However, instead of picking up a gun, a knife or some other weapon, they picked up a pen and a guitar pick and vented their angst and anger to something so positive that they both, in their own way, achieved greatness. What if we as friends, parents, and teachers try to observe a child's passion and direct them toward it. Poe and Sixx were lucky, they had no one but themselves to channel their passion. All the more reason why we as a community try to direct the younger generation to divert their angst and anger into art.

" In the heat of the night, you went and blackened my eyes. I'm back, I'm back , I'm back and I'm commin your way"--Nikki Sixx

 SIMON OF CYRENE

By Peter Vuono

    ON April 21, 2012, I had a heart attack. On the 25th, I received a quadruple bypass operation. The artery known as the "Widowmaker was 90% clogged! I was sent to Tufts medical and was assigned two brilliant thoracic surgeons- Dr. Afshin Ehsan now of RI Hospital and Dr. Mattheau Julien now of Texas.

   My doctors were so masterful that I was out of the hospital in a week and was lifting weights lightly two weeks after surgery. Two years after surgery I completed my Black Belt training and pulled a 400 deadlift in competition. I DESERVE NO ACCOLADE! Rather, it was the expertise of these two doctors that saved me along with God's grace and my prayers to Mary.

  Dr. Julien was like a medicinal "Batman". He would appear in my room in the middle of the night to watch over me. I never saw him arrive or leave but I remember his kindness. At this juncture it is important that I mention that Dr. Julein is African American . These two gifted physicians paved the way for me to continue to help my parents, my family and my future students and I'm forever grateful.

  Now, fast forward to 2025. The President's press secretary was quoted as saying in front of cameras and reporters the following:" When you are on an airplane with your loved ones which every one of us in this room has, do you pray your plane lands safely and gets you to your destination or do you pray that the pilot has a certain skin color?"

  I've noted that the secretary wears a cross but I'm afraid that her knowledge of what Cyrene was like in 33 AD isn't what she'd like it to be. Cyrene was an African country now called Libya. It's inhabitants were Black. Does anyone really think that it was a coincidence that the man conscripted to carry Christ's cross was Simon of Cyrene?  I think not and the texts of Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26 would attest to this.

  Christ, even in his last moments chose this time to mend a schism that would continue to last for centuries later.  I would hope that the next time the secretary adorns herself with a cross, that she is reminded of who helped carry it! 

 WHO A TEACHER IS, IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT HE TEACHES

By Peter Vuono

Title derived from a quote by Karl Menninger.

  
  Three years ago I lost my friend, Bobby Uto, to cancer. Bobby was a great teacher but he was loved by thousands of kids over almost 4 decades not because he was just a great teacher, but because Bob lived a life of compassion, love, and thoughtfulness. He loved his students and they loved him.

  Decades before, I had an instructor at college- Dr. Anthony Deleo. Dr. Deleo was the person who initiated Special Education at Bridgewater State University which led to tens of thousands of Spec. Ed teachers and the services that they would give to Special kids.

  Dr. Deleo had a stroke in the 60's. At times, during his lectures he would, on occasion, veer off the course. I was used to it and it really didn't matter because what I learned from the person he was would last a life time. When I started student teaching, I was told that I couldn't stay in the classroom because I didn't take two prerequisite courses. I then went back to the school and found that they were filled to capacity. Dr. Deleo walked me over to the registrar and cut through all existing red tape and got those courses for me. The next semester I was ready and went back to student teaching with him as my mentor. No teacher I had ever had had gone that extra mile for me and Dr. Deleo taught me a lesson that I would never forget.

  Fast forward to the present. There's a priest from Nigeria who guest celebrates at my church. This is Father Elias Ojomah. For those that don't know, Nigeria is a very dangerous place for Christians and especially priests. In the past 10 years 150 Catholic priests and 50,000 Christians have been murdered by the Boko Haram regime. Father Elias is more in tune than any American how lucky we are to be here. 

   I sometimes miss a word or two of Father Elias' sermons. This is what happens when one is as old as I am. It doesn't matter one iota, however, as Father Elias' humanity and compassion shine through stronger than the sun. On March 9th, Father Elias found out that an alter boy had a birthday. At the end of Mass, he placed the boy in front of the alter and sang with the entire congregation, "Happy Birthday" to the young, beaming man.
 Father Elias knows how precious life is and celebrates it every millisecond. It matters not if I miss a word or two from his sermons. The way he conducts his life and character is a sermon for the ages.

  In 1970, a friend of mine from high school said," Everyone's a priest in his own way".How right he was! The way we conduct our lives is a daily sermon and if we do it like Bobby Uto, Dr. Deleo or Father Elias, people will go and do the same and pass this humanity on. So when the day comes that you are working hard and think that maybe you could do better, cast that thought aside because who you are is far more important than what you could ever teach

                  GUINEFORT;  THE DOG WHO BECAME A SAINT

By Peter Vuono

     In the year 1350, in the small town of Chatillon-Sur-Chalarone which is  North of Lyon, there lived in a castle a wealthy knight with his infant son, his wife, a chamber maid and his loyal Greyhound, Guinefort.

The name Guinefort was derived from the German "Wini" for friend and  the French word "fort" for strong, or "Strong Friend". One day the knight decided to go hunting and left his son in the care of the chambermaid and Guinefort. The maid left the baby to do household errands and as she did a poinsonous viper entered the room. 

  Immediately, Guinefort sprang into action and tore the snake into pieces. The violent struggle knocked over the baby's crib. Although he was unharmed, his presence was obfuscated by the crib. Blood was everywhere.

  When the knight retuned, he saw the results of the conflict but did not see his child. As Guinefort received his master, the knight could see how bloody his jaws were. Thinking that his noble greyhound devoured his son, the knight went into a rage.He drew his sword and killed the dog.

  Immediately after, the knight heard his son cry and became overcome with grief when he realized his fatal error. Incredibly distraught, the knight carried the body of his loyal friend to the well. He covered it with stones and planted a tree in front to memorialize his friend.

  When word got out of Guinefort's valor, peasants flocked the shrine to pay homage. In 13th century Europe, the rules of canonization in the Catholic Church were not strict and the town's people declared Guinefort a "Saint". He would be made the patron saint of children and hundreds of patrons from all over Europe would visit.

   When Rome got wind of it, they sent a Dominican inquisitor- Stephen of Bourbon- to investigate. After Stephen documented on paper all the events that led to Guinefort's sainthood, he declared that Guinefort could not be deemed a saint. He burned the greyhound's remains and cut down the tree. He then threatened fines to worshipers.

  This all backfired. Stephen's manuscript was copied and published all over Europe. Patrons would continue to worship the shrine for another 650 years even until 1970! The rules of canonization are now clearer where the proposed saint must have an incontrovertible miracle attached to him or her.

  Archeologists have explained that the dog has been in a partnership with man in harmony and friendship for over 12,000 years where the Neanderthal and Homo Sapiens converged. The tale of Guinefort 13,350 years later is one of the greatest pieces of evidence that this bond only got stronger.

  This noble friend's tale simply reinforces what we dog lovers already know; that love, loyalty, protection and companionship between us and our dogs enduringly prevails 675 years later and will continue to do so in the heart of man.

"ONE DAY WE WILL SEE OUR ANIMALS AGAIN IN THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST.PARADISE IS OPEN TO ALL OF GOD'S CREATURES"-  POPE FRANCIS

  

      

Christopher Annino overcomes the Odds

Christopher Annino https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0030399/ is an award-winning Athlete, Actor, Journalist, Broadcaster, Filmmaker, Pro Wrestler, Musician, and Writer. Christopher Annino was diagnosed at a young age with severe disabilities and at one point in his life he was homeless. He is now a successful business owner and philanthropist. Annino is the co-founder of the www.womenswrestlinghalloffame.com  ,the New England Music Hall of Fame www.nemhof.com  ,and Tag Team Hall of Fame www.tagteamhalloffame.com He is also the ambassador of the Blues Hall of Fame http://blueshalloffame.com/Local_Blues_Talent/Local_Blues_Talent_of_Massachusetts.html  

Christopher Annino’s success is based on his roots. Born with severe neurological disabilities and severe Aspergers. Despite his disabilities he put his focus on academics and athletics. He had great support from his parents, and extended family especially his cousin’s NCAA hall of fame inductee Brenda Post Killebrew https://wnegoldenbears.com/honors/hall-of-fame/brenda-post-killebrew/63 , Andrea Tega Post, and former teacher Leanne Williams. He learned a lot from his amazing teachers throughout middle school and high school, Police Sargent Doug Hoffman, DARE Officer Timothy Curtis, and Fire Chief Danny Keogh. Christopher grew up with a New England work ethic instilled in him at an early age. Growing up he looked up to basketball hall of fame inductees John Stockton, Larry Bird, Red Sox all-star Mike Greenwell, Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner, one-armed major-league pitcher Jim Abbott and Baseball Hall of Fame Cal “Ironman” Ripken Jr because of their work ethic.

He competed in the AAU in multiple sports including fencing, judo, weightlifting, and track and field. In his teen years he would volunteer his time at the Mystic Noank Library, and Special Olympics Connecticut and became Volunteer of the Year of Arc of Southeastern Connecticut2009. He was a state barrel racing champion with the Tri State Horsemen’s Association https://tristate-horsemens-association.square.site/  he was trained by world class equestrian trainer Trish Babcock. He went to school with the former New York Mets all stat Matt Harvey at Fitch Senior High School in Groton, Connecticut. There he lettered in Football, Track and Field, Drama, Choir, and was the first member of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and International Thespian Society. Before he graduated, he was inducted into the National Honor Society, he was a junior firefighter, was a cantor for Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mystic, Ct, achieved life rank from Boy Scouts of America, wrote for the school newspaper, was runner up for poet laureate and went to prom four times including his senior prom with his close friend world recording artist Samantha Urbani https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Urbani After he graduated from high school he attended and graduated from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSB_Media_Arts_Center  He later went to pursue his dream to be a pro wrestler. He was trained by NWA legend Susan Tex Green, Big Hoss Furman Jeffords, Chris Blackheart, ECW original Gary Wolf and is an honorary graduate from WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Handsome Jimmy Valiant’s Pro Wrestling School. In 2024 Jimmy Valiant himself made him an instructor and gave Christopher his official name and he now wrestles as Rescue911 Chris Valiant https://www.facebook.com/rescue911prowrestler  and when he is teamed up with ECW original Pitbull #1 Gary Wolf  he is The Intimidator Pitbull # 3. In pro wrestling he won the Ox Baker Memorial Cup, SPW Tag Team Titles, NWA New England Brass Knuckles title https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NWA_Brass_Knuckles_Championship_(New_England_version) , USA World Six-person Tag Team Title, VPW tag Team Championship, USWF Tag Team Championship, Costa Rican Trios tag Team Championship, and the World Six Person Tag Team Championship. In 2022 he successfully inducted the inaugural class of the Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame and made Yahoo News https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jazz-madusa-luna-vachon-inducted-011613073.html  At Mitchell College he thrived and was an NCAA athlete playing Lacross https://www.mitchellathletics.com/sports/mlax/2007-08/bios/Annino_Christopher  and was on the first Rugby team. There Professor Marc Goldsmith acted as a great mentor to him and as a result he was able to get an internship with Stan Lee of Marvel Comics. While there he was editor of the then school newspaper The Beacon, a member of the Mitchell College drama society, Mitchell College Choir. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2009.  At Mitchell College he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society https://www.ptk.org/ , National Leadership Society https://www.nsls.org/ , Collegiate Athletic Honor Society https://www.chialphasigma.org/  While at Mitchell College was also an on-air personality for WBLQ, Jammin 107.7, Soft Rock 106.5. He also at one time wrote for The Day Newspaper, The Westerly Sun, Soundwaves, Norwich Bulletin, and The Scope Newspaper. He graduated from Mitchell College with honors and competed in professional powerlifting, strongman competitions, and was starting offensive lineman for the semiprofessional football league NEFL. Shortly after graduating Mitchell College, he graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy and became a Firefighter, EMT, and a Haz Mat Operations Specialist. He was a career firefighter for a few years until he was injured in an accident. He had badly injured his back to the point where he was not able to walk. He found out that his friend Claudia was sick with Cancer and he decided to train to do a fundraiser to help raise funds for people like her for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer foundation   www.tbbcf.org   So he decided to set a world record  as seen here on WTNH Channel 8 News  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7_AumTlQAU&t=73s by pulling a 3,000 lb SUV for a mile and raise money for the cause. He became a Certified Chaplain and ordained Minister through the Universal Life Church and won a community service award for his involvement with LGBTQ advocacy, and just produced a film on LGBT community Directed by Constance Kristofik called Holding Space https://gardearts.org/events/holding-space/  in2024 he was given a proclamation from the state of Connecticut for his involvement in music preservation through the New England Music Hall of Fame www.nemhof.com  as seen here in the Connecticut Insider https://www.ctinsider.com/shoreline/article/ct-sin-sisters-inducted-new-england-music-hall-18499331.php  He met his now fiancé VanessaMarchewka aka Marsha Maraschino aka Vanessa Valiant who was trained by former WWE superstars Mario Mancini, and Paul Roma. Together they have become a power couple and both New England Music Hall of Fame www.nemhof.com , NEMHOF News, Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame www.womenswrestlinghalloffame.com  , and are together producing several films. Both are also involved in pro wrestling and often Marsha manages Christopher Annino.  Vanessa Marchewka is a Criminal Justice Major at Central Connecticut State University and currently works for the state in victim advocacy.  Vanessa is directing several documentaries including the 2025 New England Music Hall of Fame Induction. Both volunteer their time to help the homeless, both attribute their success to their faith in God and their strict training at Black Bear Karate Dojo http://www.blackbearkarate.com/index.html in Westerly, Rhode Island, The form of karate is traditional Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Reihokan. In 2023 Christopher Annino had his first leading role in a feature film called Covid Karma https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22036900/   Directed by international award-winning filmmaker Biju Viswanath. The film won a staggering 33 international awards including 12 best actor awards won by Christopher Annino. He was recently featured in the Westerly Sun Newspaper https://www.thewesterlysun.com/lifestyle/entertainment/covid-karma-to-be-screened-on-sept-11-in-mystic/article_65f106a0-4667-11ee-87e8-7bde40455247.html  and he was recently featured in Yahoo News when he inducted the group The Monkees into the New England Music Hall of Fame https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/monkees-receive-england-music-hall-142837096.html  Christopher Annino plays a Russian assassin in a feature film thriller “Midnight” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33094181/?ref_=rg_mv_close starring Rosario Dawson (Rent, Sin City, Clerks 2, Star Wars) , Milla Jovovich(5th Element, Resident Evil, Ultra Violet) , and Ryan Guzman star of the TV show 911 and it will be coming out shortly. He will be wrestling January 25, 2025, as Rescue 911 Chris Valiant in Florida with Negdog Championship Wrestling at Circle S BBQ LLC 14698 US-19, Hudson, FL 34667-3349, United States https://www.facebook.com/events/541269312043440?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

  And on February 15, 2025he will be hosting the 2025 New England Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New Bedford, Massachusetts with the voice of Charlie Brown Duncan Watson https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914603/  special guest presenters Detroit Debbie, ECW original Angel Orsini, former Mrs. Rhode Island Marie Catherine Parente, the NEMHOF Inaugural best artist Renee Leavitt,2025 best new artist Frankie Justin, NEMHOF News editor Steve Prescott,  NEMHOF inductee’s Mach Bell (Joe Perry Project), Hirsh Gardner (New England), Cliff Goodwin (Joe Cocker), New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Don Vega, promoter John Ippolito, DJ Gadget, author Vikki Vine, Co-owner of NEMHOF Vanessa Marchewka, Senator Heather Somers. The official NEMHOF induction ceremony will be at The Vault, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The event will be a food drive for PACE https://paceinfo.org/  and50/50 raffle for the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network https://www.sclgbtqnetwork.org/  The NEMHOF All-star band consists of Connecticut’s Sophia Coppola, Sinthea Sinatra, NEMHOF Inductee Liz Borden, Co-founder of the New England Music Hall of Fame Kathy Steahle, and 2025 NEMHOF best young artist16-year-old New London Ada Mae Florek. The 2025 NEMHOF inductees include Massachusetts very own Charlie Farren (Joe Perry Project), David Hull (Aerosmith), Grammy Nominated Jon Butcher, Doug Wimbish (Living Color), Broadway producers Tom & Michael D Angora , Broadway singer’s  Maya Days (Law and Order), Mary Callanan(Mama Mia), Daniel Coughlin, Linda Viens, Sal Baglio, Joe Pet, BJ Snowden, D-Tension, Manchester Pipe Band (the oldest competitive pipe band in America),Albert O (WUMB), Loren & Wally (WROR) , The Nervous Eaters, The Bristol’s,  Bob Metzger (Don McLean),Freddie Mercury (Queen), Emmy Award Winning Charles Ives, Chris Brubeck, Canadian musician Stompin Tom Connors, The B-52’s,  Kennedy Center Honoree Dave Brubeck, Joey Melotti, Roomful of Blues, Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Nammy award winner Felipe Rose (Village People), John Chan ,Marion Meadows, Arti Dixon, Dan Brubeck, singer/ songwriter Martin Page, The Monkees, Toni Lynn Washington, WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Jimmy Valiant,  Toads Place, and, Alison Kaufman (WCNI).  Previous inductions can be seen on ECUSA TV www.ecusatv.com   or the app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ecusa-tv/id1665898621    Two documentaries will be filmed that evening, one on the 2025 NEMHOF induction directed by Central Connecticut State University alumni Vanessa Marchewka & STF media & and on The Fools Directed by Karl Preusser. Mystic River Foundry www.mysticriverfoundry.comalong  with Norwich resident Steve Prescott builds the Wailer Award that each inductee receives. New England Music Hall of Fame news affiliate NEMHOF News can be watched on local access station SEC-TV www.sec-tv.org  located in Groton, Ct. Tickets are available: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-new-england-music-hall-of-fame-tickets-1099604349209?aff=oddtdtcreator  After February he will be working on finishing co-directing comedy feature film The Lollipop Gang https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9481630/   with Angel Orsini. The film stars original Glow Girl Jeanne Basone https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1067428/bio/  who just released official autobiography https://www.amazon.com/Hooray-Hollywood-True-Story-Original/dp/B0DPGMJGQL  He will be working with Marvel comic artist Rusty Gilligan https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0319207/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_1_in_0_q_rusty%2520gilliganon  an Emergency Medical Services comic book series based on his pro wrestling persona Rescue 911 Chris Valiant and his real life firefighting career. Special guests will include original GLOW Girl Tiffany Mellon, Dennis Lytle Wrestling N Wrecovery, Lacy Traylor daughter of WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Big Boss Man, Ms. USA Dolly Sharrow, US Navy Veteran Coryann Armstrong, police officer Gil Maffeo, and Captain Klaus D. Cat created by Fire Fighter / Army Veteran Steve Jordan. The goal for the comic book is to raise awareness in mental health, drug addiction, alcoholism, first aid, fire safety, and help with recruiting for the armed forces and local EMS.  

 RONNIE,DAVID, GOLIATH AND ME

By Peter Vuono

   Generally speaking, I had a happy childhood but there was oftentimes looming over my head, a shroud of fear. I was both physically and somewhat emotionally inferior to most of my peers. I was extremely diminutive in size; I oftentimes couldn't even digest my food. This in turn gave me a complex of interiority. I was often bullied and often afraid.

   Once in a movie theater, I was bullied away from a drinking fountain so a young tough and his sister could drink. At the same theater, I was so frightened by one  of  Ray Harryhausen's creations that I fled from the monster on the screen and walked out of the theater. I was so afraid of one of my parochial school teachers, that I ,on 3 occasions, got sick to my stomach and raced to the men's room! A butterfly's metamorphosis has 4 stages of development and mine would begin with my two cousins David and Ronnie Zoia.

   I never needed to read about the Titans of ancient Greece because they were personified by my two cousins. Ronnie was about 6"2" and a solid 220 lbs. He was a football phenom and once in his kitchen he pressed me over his head! Ron was the quarterback  for Hofstra. At about the same time a famous comedian did a popular monologue about the Hofstra team. He stated, "The smallest guy on the team was 6"1" and 490lbs!" He would later be drafted by the Buffalo Bills. This was quite commendable as he was working along side of NFL legend Daryl Lamonica  which made competition fierce! A knee injury caused him to move into another field where he would excel- Education.

   I'll not ever forget the day Ronnie, as an administrator, jumped out of a window like Batman to chase a recalcitrant motorcyclist  on foot whose revving engine disrupted the school environment!

  If cousin David were painted green I would never have had to read about the Incredible Hulk. Dave was a bit shorter at about 5"10" and weighed a solid 218! He had a penchant for bodybuilding and I'll not forget the time in his living room where after much prodding he flexed his left bicep. I'll never forget the gasps it drew including one from my father! Dave had a heart of gold. He knew I loved dinosaurs and he bought a dino comic book from the corner store next to his home. He saw me salivate over it as he reached his front door and without even reading the 1st page he gave me the comic. I never forgot the memory!

  I wanted to be like these guys but I didn't, at the time know how. Ronnie and David were the 1st two phases of my metamorphosis in defeating MY Goliath of fear and inferiority. It would continue by my being mesmerized by the mighty men of the silver screen and TV. The final stages of my changeover occurred after my being inspired by Steeve Reeves, George Reeves and of course, Bruno Sammartino.

  I started lifting weights and never looked back. In 74 I came in 2nd in the Eastern States Powerlifting Championships in Nashua. When the time came for a teaching job interview, my superiors Messrs. Phinney and LaBranche were so impressed with my powerlifting  that they gave me a job on the spot.

  I would win the NH State Powerlifting Championships in 77 but more importantly the love of my wife Diane.This lead to two wonderful children and a 35 year career in special Ed. thanks to the inspiration of my two cousins coupled with the mighty men of the silver screen and TV. I had come full circle and felled the Philistine. My Goliath is now dead.

 God sent his grace to king David. In a different manner he sent inspiration to me to defeat my demons. He did it for me and he can do it for you!

"Reaching into his shepherd's bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in his forehead, and he fell faced down to the ground"- 1 SAMUEL 17:48