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Norwalk Neighbors Notes: Fourth of July a Blast!

One of the true gems of Norwalk is Sprite Island. It’s close to shore yet still has an island “get away from it all” feeling. You can practically wave to your pals at Calf Pasture beach or shout across to friends on Shorehaven Road. “Oh, yoo who ... pal behind the fence and privacy gate ... helloooo!”

The Sprite Island Yacht Club, a haven for boaters and their families, has a history dating to the 1940s.  Andrew Cumming of Weston said, “There’s no better way to spend Fourth of July than at Sprite Island. We had a wonderful time and the view of the fireworks display was breathtaking.  The kids had a great time at the beach and loved canoeing. Of course, the food was great, Dan Lerner of Weston was in charge of the grill. He cooked us up some tasty barbecue -- the chicken sausage was delicious.  We hope we have the opportunity to go again next year. This was, by far, the best Fourth of July we ever had.”

Teri Gaberman, parent coordinator at Columbus Magnet School, and her son, Aaron Gaberman, agree. They loved it at Sprite Island. Teri said, “It was a magnificent, spectacular day! A million kudos of thanks and gratitude to our hostess extraordinaire, Stephanie Gaumer.” Others at the picnic included Joe Kos and his wife, Amy Davis-Kos, the inventor of KISS-U-tissues, tissues made to fit in a car’s cup holder.  (Something to look for at Walgreens.) 

For others, say “Fourth of July” and they think P I G: big, fat succulent pig.  Mark and Linda Dell'Isola of Wolfpit Avenue have been hosting a Fourth of July pig roast for the last 18 years. Talk about wake up and  smell the bacon. Wolfpit Avenue never smelled so good. “This year, Mark started the pig at 5 a.m., and by 1 p.m. it was ready,” Linda said. One fellow enjoyed the scent of the pig so much that he went in for a closer sniff, a very close sniff. He put the pig snout right over his face. Now that’s one way to start a conversation, Mr. Piggy.

Says Linda, “We did a pig roast before we lived here in Norwalk and before we had kids. The tradition goes back to Mark’s father. I just married into it.”  When Mark was a boy in Medford, Mass., his father used to roast pigs in a pit in the ground, surrounded by bricks. He used a hand-operated spit. Mark and his brothers learned the how-tos of pig roasting from their father.

Now, Mark gets help from his son, Anthony Dell'Isola.  Luckily, for the neighbors, no pit excavation or backyard bonfires are necessary. Mark owns a pig-size rotisserie oven. “He takes care of the pig, I take care of all the salads,” Linda said. Mark’s brother, Michael Dell'Isola, takes care of the hamburgers--just in case there are people who don’t eat pig.

Judging by the number of cars lining Wolfpit Avenue, lots of people eat pig, at least if the

Dell'Isolas make it. By 4 p.m., all the pig had been devoured. Gone. Not a strip of bacon left. Where did all these people who hogged down the pig come from? Cars with license plates from as far away as New Hampshire and Massachusetts were parked on their lawn. This was one very well-attended pig event. Relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues from Stamford, Norwalk and beyond came to pig out on Wolfpit. By the sight, scent and sound of it, these piggies thoroughly enjoyed the food, the drink and the cigars ... especially Mr. Piggy.

To have your social event, announcement or honor included in Norwalk Neighbors Notes, email Jeanne at jeannehard@aol.com.

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