By 

Andrew DeMarco

With Christmas and the Holiday Season here, I thought I would write about some events that affected me and illustrates different kinds of gift giving. 

In the past, I have written about the Robber Barons, families with the names of Rockefeller, Carnegie, Ford, Vanderbilt and Morgan. The names have changed but the generosity and commitment of a new breed of Santa Claus cannot be questioned.  

Recently, Michael Dell and his wife made a $6.25 billion dollar pledge to provide 25 million American children, 10 and under, an incentive to claim the new investment accounts for children created as part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending legislation. Money which recipient can use as they see fit once they come of legal age.  

A few weeks later, Phil Knight founder of Nike and his wife donated $2 billion dollars to Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute which will fund “revolutionary” advances in cancer care and research which hopefully down the road will benefit millions.  

Finally, there was the donation by golfer Justin Thomas, the former Alabama golf star, which might be considered a pittance with a $1 million dollar donation. The gift will benefit Alabama’s men’s and women’s golf programs and their home at the Crimson Reserve. Hopefully, the University will use the money saved here on other programs to benefit the student body, but I don’t think anyone can question whether these new Robber Barons have contributed their fair share. It also inspired my wife and I to buy extra gifts for the “Toys for Tots” drive as well as contributing more food to the local church food bank. 

But as I have always said the best gifts are the simple ones. This past week a group of us got together for a sort of reunion. The group was made up of old bartenders, customers and bar flies (I fit in all 3 categories), some of which haven’t seen one another for over 30 years. The group used to hang out and work at various bars and restaurants in New Rochelle, Pelham and Larchmont. We all caught up on family and what we were doing now in retirement, which was followed by the usual discussion of all our ailments, which might have been brought on by our former youthful exuberance but now probably due to our age. Stories of the good times started to fly. Tales of the crazy and funny things we did as well as stories of all the people that crossed our paths during that time. We all agreed that although some of us hadn’t seen one another in some time it never felt that way and it was like yesterday, we last saw each other. We also agreed that a good time was had by all.  

So, when I look back on Christmas 2025, I will remember those huge donations which may benefit millions down the road and will always be grateful for the new breed of Santa Claus. The time spent at our get together reminded me of a line from the old movie “It Happened on Fifth Ave.”   

“To be without friends is a serious form of poverty.” 

This is a poverty that all in our group will never know and proves that the simple gift of friendship is the best gift anyone can receive. All this gave me that special holiday feeling that Cousin Bob would call that…..Rosy Glow! 

Merry Christmas 

Merry Christmas 

Happy Holidays 

& 

A Happy and Healthy New Year  

To All 

To All r  

To All 

By

Andrew DeMarco

With the release of “The American Revolution” the upcoming documentary by Ken Burns for the 250^th Anniversary of our nation, I thought I would write about one of our lesser-known Founding Fathers. I would like to tell you about Hyam Salomon, a Polish-born Sephardic Jew. In his twenties, he traveled widely across Europe as a merchant and broker. These experiences broadened his worldview and gave him a deep understanding of international finance as he also became fluent in several languages, and eventually he made his way to the Colonies.

When Salomon arrived in America in 1775, he immediately embraced the Patriot cause and joined that city’s branch of the Sons of Liberty. He was arrested twice by the British on charges of espionage. The first time he was pardoned and the second time he managed to escape to Philadelphia.  Not long thereafter, he established a brokerage house for international trade. For much of the war, he worked alongside Robert Morris, who was the Superintendent of Finance, to help fund the Patriot cause. Morris often referred to Salomon as “The Financier of the Revolution.”  Without this, the Revolution might have failed. He said about his new country:

“To serve my adopted country is to serve humanity. Freedom, once gained, must be guarded by all who cherish it.”

Morris’ diary records show that between 1781 and 1784 Salomon had lent more than $200,000 dollars to the American cause. Salomon also lent the sum of $20,000 to General George Washington for the decisive Yorktown campaign. With the treasury empty, it was Salomon who raised the money to pay and provision the troops for the march south and to victory.

In addition, Salomon lent money to statesmen such as James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, Presidents who unlike politicians today left office in very dire financial conditions. It is said that in total Salomon had loaned and was owed $600,000 dollars (about 15 million in today’s money), though the exact amount is unknown.

When Hyam Salomon died in January 1785, he held $353,000, largely in depreciated certificates of indebtedness and continental currency, which were virtually worthless. The additional debts and loans were never repaid and he died destitute and in debtors’ prison. The grave site of Hyam Salomon is located in the Mikveh Israel Cemetery in Philadelphia and although it is unmarked, there are two plaque memorials. One has the simple inscription Hyam Salomon “American Patriot” and the other lists him as a Founding Father. The government and country he helped establish could never repay the debt that was truly owed to him.

So, as we embark on the 250^th Anniversary or Semi-quincentennial, maybe we should all make an effort to occasionally take some time and learn more about what made this country what it is today. Look at the good and bad, the myths and legends and maybe we will all have a different perspective and outlook as to what our Founders had hoped and dreamed for us in the future. I am sure that if we did, we would realize that if we follow their examples, it will give us all that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that….. Rosy Glow!

By

Andrew DeMarco

About a month or two ago my wife and I attended what I will call a “tri-party” for one of my golfing companions and his wife. I use the term tri-party because it was a celebration of his and her birthdays as well as their anniversary. Oh, did I forget to mention that my golfing buddy Mark just turned 95! His wife Eva was celebrating her 90^th birthday and their 69^th wedding anniversary. I felt honored to have been invited since I have known Mark and Eva for a short time just over a year, and they thought enough of me and my wife to have us there with their friends and family. Mark and Eva are an incredible couple, and both have overcome what most would say were difficult times. Mark was orphaned at a young age, and it is something he would rather not discuss, and I respect his wishes in this matter. Eva was a doctor and Mark an electrical engineer.  Both lived under Fascism and even under the brutal rule of Tito in Yugoslavia.  In 1969 they left Yugoslavia with the children to start a new life here in the U.S. Eva literally had to start from the beginning since her medical credentials were not honored here, and she had to begin her career all over again. It didn’t stop her she was determined to build a new and better life for her family.

At the party I got to meet their family, their son Mladen and daughter Daniela as well as all their grandchildren and their great grandchildren. By the way, there is another great grandchild on the way. Watching this family together reinforced a lesson I learned a long time ago, and that is if you have the love and support of your family there is nothing that you cannot accomplish. The proof is in the fact that all of Mark and Eva’s children and grandchildren are successful and determined, traits which I can safely assume came from them.

The other lesson I learned was one of procrastination. I had originally intended to write this Rosy Glow right after the party some months ago, but I kept putting it off. The usual excuses of I’ll get to it, I have time all crept in. This procrastination made this a difficult lesson to learn and this Rosy Glow more difficult to write. You see unfortunately Eva passed away and now she will never get to read this and know how much I admired her and her family.  But somehow, I think she knew that already. I can picture her shaking her head not in disgust but in a way that would say see, you learned a lesson now don’t make the same mistakes. Hopefully I’ll put my procrastinations behind me. I do know this whenever I think of Eva and Mark and their beautiful family, I know that it will give me that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that…..Rosy Glow!

By

Andrew DeMarco

As is my custom during Black History Month, I will once again tell the story of one of the lesser-known African Americans. This time I have chosen to write about Bass Reeves.

Reeves was born in 1838 into a family of slaves in Arkansas who were owned by a state legislator named William Steele Reeves. During the Civil War, William Reeves’ son Colonel George Reeves fought for the Confederacy and retained Bass as a servant and took him with him.  At some point, Bass escaped and fled to Indian Territory. Once there he became acquainted with the ways and customs of several Indian Nations, including the Creek, Cherokee and Seminole as well as others. He learned their languages, tracking skills and became adept with firearms. His marksmanship and ambidexterity enabled him to carry two side arms. He became a farmer and rancher until 1875 when he was appointed a U.S Marshall for the Indian Territories and served in other law enforcement roles for over 32 years.

He was an imposing figure standing six feet two inches tall, the lawman, who often donned a large hat, suits, polished shoes and two Colt Peacemakers at his sides. He patrolled 75,000 square miles of Indian Territory often with a Native American at his side to assist him. He made over 3,000 arrests and killed over 14 criminals in defense of his own life. After making these arrests, he left his “calling Card” which was a silver dollar. In a strange twist in 1902 Bass had to arrest his son Benjamin “Bennie” Reeves, who was charged with murdering his wife, Castella Brown. Bennie was convicted and found guilty by a jury on January 22, 1903, in Muskogee. In 1907 and nearly 70 years old, Bass became a member of the Muskogee, Oklahoma police department and was the only black officer in the department.

If his exploits sound familiar they should. It is believed that Bass Reeves was the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. If you really look at it, you can see how that is very likely. A well-dressed man establishing law and order with his two six guns by his side along with his Native American Sidekick and leaving his calling card.  Instead of a silver bullet he left a silver dollar.

Reeves was immortalized in popular media, including TV shows, films, novels, poems, and books. In 2011, the US-62 Bridge, which spans the Arkansas River between Muskogee and Fort Gibson, Oklahoma was renamed the Bass Reeves Memorial Bridge. In May 2012, a bronze statue of Reeves by Oklahoma sculptor Harold Holden was erected in Pendergraft Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas and in 2013he was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame.

So, whenever I hear the “Wiilliam Tell Overture” I will not only think of the Lone Ranger but I will also give a nod to Bass Reeves. A man who overcame slavery and led a life dedicated to law and order and who became a legend and probably inspired another. I know that all this will give me that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that….. Rosy Glow.

By

Andrew DeMarco

I had originally intended to post this Rosy Glow before the Christmas Holiday but circumstances beyond my control prevented me from doing so.

With Thanksgiving and the elections behind us, the Holiday Season is now in full swing. After hosting Thanksgiving this year, I have come to realize that the most important thing in this world are the 4Fs. What might you ask are the 4Fs? That is simple: Family, Friends, Fun and Food. That is why I am puzzled with people who will not sit down or even talk to members of their family because they have different opinions and political views. I guess they would prefer loneliness rather than being with loved ones. Why?  I have no idea.

These attitudes reminded me of the Holidays or just about every Sunday at my grandparents’ house. Every Sunday was usually a day filled with debate and discussion, usually the kids versus the adults, especially with Uncle Cappy leading the charge for the older generation. Topics such as the Vietnam War, politics, sports and religion were debated before dinner and needless to say at times they would get heated. Both sides felt that they were right and just and nothing would change our minds. When it got too heated, Great Uncle Joe would pull out his harmonica and start playing a tune and it would calm us all down at least temporarily. After the next course, the debates would start again and it would go on after every course amd in an Italian home there were many courses. These discussions did nothing to damper the holiday or our feelings for one another.

I learned some years later that Uncle Cappy actually agreed with us on some issues but he was just playing devil’s advocate. He also told me that he did it because he wanted us to form our own opinions as well as learn how to respect the opinions of others. I have come to realize that it was also being a part of a family and to be tolerant of all the varying opinions of family members. I am sure this played a part in us being a tight knit group.

One thing that I do know is that when I am with members of the family that have different opinions than myself, it will not keep us from enjoying our company and most importantly the 4Fs. I guess it was the way we were brought up that helped instill these beliefs in us. This is why it makes me wonder how anyone could allow another person’s opinions to keep them from enjoying the 4Fs especially at the holidays.

So, as we gather this Christmas, I know it will not matter what that relative sitting next to me might think politically, religiously or anything else because it will not keep me from enjoying Family, Friends, Fun and especially the Food. I am certain this will fill me with the Holiday Spirit and that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that….. Rosy Glow!

Regarding those circumstances beyond my control, well they only added more meaning to being with family. I got an early Christmas present this year, a Pacemaker and although I was home Christmas Day, unfortunately, I did not get to spend the day with family and missed out on the 4Fs. However, it made me realize how important it really is and those who don’t know this are missing out on that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that…..Rosy Glow!

A belated

MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL!