Attending Reunion: From Joey Calig April 28th 2008

Dear all, the Joey Calig branch of the family intends to be there in total. That is Joey, his wife Claire, our son Greg and his wife Pam, their son Harrison and the triplets who are now 12 weeks old; Ross Benjamin, who is named for my dad and Claire's uncle, Dylan Levi who is named for Pam's cousin and maternal grandmother, and Alana Pearl, named for my mother and Pam's fraternal grandmothers (both were Pearl's). Our son Dan and his significant other Erin intend to come in from New York. That makes 10.

Ten is significant in that there were 9 brothers and sisters; the children of Eli and Diana Calig, which meant that my Zayde Joe had 8 siblings. He was the first to come to America and brought with him his parents (Eli and Diana), my Bobby Fannie (Fayge as we all new her) and his oldest son, my uncle Bill. He later brought each of his 8 siblings here. They initially lived in the big house he had bought on the corner of Cassett and Ledley Streets in the old Hill District. He helped each one start in business or get some work, find mates if needed and start out in life. He had the biggest livery stable in the Hill at the top of the Cliff Street Incline which ran down to the major wholesale food area, which became known as the Strip District. You should try and get there when you are here. The Philadelphia South Market has nothing on us. So when you count the numbers up they come to 10 Caligs that my Zayde helped get here; his parents and his 8 siblings.

I can still remember the picnics when uncles Morris and Abe used to have a couple of their employees bring the trucks to the picnics with ice, pop, barrels of beer (Uncle Morris used to always shout at kids, "Get away from the beer, or else", ice cream, corn and God knows what else. Uncle Tom, who was the Deputy Chief County Detective was in charge of "taking care of the County Police in the park. They would never seem to see the beer, as alcohol in the parks was illegal. The drove past the older kids who were making out in the backs of the cars. And even though the park closed at 8 PM, somehow we were allowed to stay until 9:30 or 10 PM. Amazing what $20 could do in those days. If you come to the picnic I will tell you of some of the other wonders our uncle Timmy (that's what Dad called him) was able to work, often without telling our parents.

I can't wait to see you all. We MUST not let this chance to go back 50 or 60 years slip away from us.

I will take some time and add more history to the blog in the next few days. Holli, please post this on the blog.

Joey.