Do you know Vinny? (Not like I do!)
Vincent Salvatore DiGloria—pure Irish and a well known contributor to C&F (well, one of those two facts is correct)
My wife and I just got back from a nice stay at his place in Virginia Beach. We dropped in for a surprise on his birthday, Thursday. We missed connections on our flight so his wife and daughter had to keep him up till nearly midnight for our surprise; then we all had to keep the big Saturday dinner party secret and smuggle him there without giving it away. It was pure Italian! His son Aaron from out of state gave a very moving speech, as did many others including his pastor and several from his church. I played a D version of the birthday song on a CPVC (just couldn’t fit my mandolin into our baggage load). After the party we watched a new age Irish band in the mall for about an hour (got a CD—Tim Janis “Water’s Edge”)
These were just a few of the constant flow of events, to say nothing of the tunes and songs we shared.
Hey, this man has more whistles than I do! While we were there he got the Sterling Tully—WOW!
Have you ever become instant family? Well we did! These folks are the finest! It’s more than southern hospitality; Cathi and Vinny adopted us!
Let’s hear it for VINNY!
Mack
Hey, Happy Birthday Vinny! Sounds like a great time 
All the Best!
Loren
I’ll now have TWO of you to raise my glass for!
My best to Vinny, and to you as well Mack!
…“May you live to be 100 years, with one extra year to repent!”…
Brian~
Happy birthday! Many happy returns,JS
I had no idea Vinny was older than me! Happy Birthday, old man. (He’s not a lot older.) Vinny mailed me a great book of Celtic fantasy awhile back. I promised to send him one in return, but I could never find the one I wanted to send. (So I didn’t send nothin’) I still have your address sitting out so when I climb up the ladder (after I bring it upstairs) and check the suspect cupboard for a box of books (are you holding your breath?)…anyway, one day I’ll surprise you. Best wishes,
Tony
HAPPY 50TH VINNY!
I sent you 2 posts on your day and they both bounced! Sounds like you really had a great one. Just wanted to tell you…yer still
a pup! Many happy returns, Gm
PS. Hope you like the tipper.
Happy Birthday Vinny!
May your life be filled to overflowing with all of God’s blessings.
Erik
Well. I guess that lets the age-cat out of the bag! (I’ve already got my AARP card . . . heck, a discount’s a discount!)
Seriously, we had a great time, Mack and Joan are wonderful folks and really helped to make the event special. I just hope I have as much energy and enthusiasm as Mack when I reach his age . . . heck, I’d like to have that much energy and enthusiasm NOW! He wore me out!! But it was fun.
Thanks GM for the tipper. It’s a beaut and I’ve been wanting one. “Joyful noise” is a good description of what I do!
Erik, I just know you timed the delivery of your whistle for a post-b-day surprise. Give my thanks to the German Postal system.
My thanks also to Loren, Brian, Jim and Tony for the kind words and wishes. Tony, you really didn’t need to rub that “older than me” thing in, ya know
There really is something special about whistle people in general and this community in particular. I am so glad to be even a small part of it.
Vinny