An Unforgettable Pastime

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Near the end of this journey, you are welcome to decide for yourself on the author's proposal to his readers about memories.