Dreams Do Come True !

I begin with a little boy who lived above a pasta shop in a very small town in Sicily before immigrating to Brooklyn at the age of 14. He did not speak English at that time, but managed to graduate from College made possible by a soccer scholarship, and began a career in Banking.

It was a very good job, but one that did not make fulfill his childhood dream. It was not his "Cup Of Tea". Banking was not his passion, food was !

Ergo the shirt, tie and jacket went in the closet and were replaced by an apron. His journey of joy up the mountain began by working in, operating and owning pizzerias all over the New York and New Jersey area. The last one, in Orangeburg, grew into being elected Rockland County's favorite Italian restaurant. You may have heard about it or even dined there. Its name is Del Arte's, its owner/chef is John Carollo. John will soon be celebrating the Quarter of a Century Anniversary of Del Arte's success in Orangeburg and thanking the community for its success.

How was that possible ? John's love of food -> only using the best fresh food for which he personally shops - cooking it very carefully/lovingly - making sure it doesn't leave the kitchen unless its perfect. I mention the kitchen because you never see John when you are dining in Del Arte's. He is not at the cash register or greeting people at the door to seat them or moving from table to table to chat. His work must be done in the kitchen, which is his art studio. What appears on one's plate is culinary art, sometimes very creative and original art.

My other story also begins in Rockland County by another 14 year old born just 10 years later in nearby Pearl River.

Early on, he made it clear that his passion was music. So he graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music College in Boston. The Conservatory is the oldest independent Conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world [[WikipediA].

While a student, he made his spend money by playing Irish music on his violin [fiddle] in a very popular Boston Irish Pub. He grew beyond just playing his fiddle. He took over managing the music space attached to the pub. He did for music, what John Carollo did for food.

When the Pub Owner moved to Seattle, Chris went with him. While enjoying great success in Seattle, he realized he wanted to compose, record, play and produce a much broader spectrum of America's music genre for every situation, event, venue and taste. Like John Carollo, he also loves to create new. Ergo, he moved to Southern California where a much broader universe of music had a home.

His dream came true. His name is Chris Murphy. He happens to be my son.

Ironically these two dreamers will share their gifts in the Del Arte's Restaurant next August 18th to raise money for John Carollo's sister in Sicily, who is living her dream of being a Nun doing God's work. Dreams do come true.

The evening at Del Arte's is sold out, but you can always dine at Del Arte's [except on Mondays], but you can only catch Chris when he comes home for a visit and to do an East Coast Tour which is now.

Chris will be performing solo, with fiddle, at the Turning Point Music Cafe in Piermont at 4 pm on Sunday, August 15th for all his fans, friends & future fans for only $20.20. Make your reservation by calling 845-359-1089 or emailing https://piermontclub/product/chrismurphy. Proof of vaccination required.

Why not make a day of it in the charming Hudson River shore Village by dining before or after in its many excellent eateries and enjoying original American music everyone loves in an very intimate venue with a BAR. The Turning Point Music cafe is Rockland's oldest music venue.