Writer. Foodie. Yogini.
The restaurant was established at 41 Greenwich Avenue between Perry and Charles Streets in NYC in 1936, where it remained, owned and operated by my mother’s family for more than fifty years.
Angelina Morra, the namesake, was my great grandmother. She was an orphan and illiterate who came to America fromPiedmont, Italy in the early 1900’s, like so many other European immigrants in search of a better life. According to family folklore, she worked fourteen-hour days first as a scrubwoman,
Those of you who know me since I was a kid and those of you who know me as a writer know that from the time I was 12 to 14 I was stalked by Jose Ramos, the person who up until very recently was believed to be involved with the Etan Patz disappearance.
I am thrilled that New Rochelle Daily Voice lists my upcoming talk and class on their website. The event, scheduled for Feb. 10th at 3:30 PM is free.
At it, I will discuss my forthcoming work, “Finding Yia Yia: A Greek Tragedy,” in which I share the story of my attempts to untangle my family’s secrets and honor the memory of my grandmother – often in the face of resistance from my family members.
This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments are served at 3:30; program begins at 4:00pm.
View the details here:
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In 1935, 30 year old Greek immigrant and mother of two young children, Mary Derecas was brutally stabbed to death in her New York City apartment. More than 75 years later, Mary’s granddaughter Angela Derecas Taylor of New Rochelle set out to learn about the grandmother she never knew; locate the unmarked grave in a Potter’s Field; and grapple with the shocking revelation of the murderer’s identity.
Angela will visit At Home on the Sound to discuss her forthcoming work, Finding Yia Yia: A Greek Tragedy, in which she shares the story of her attempts to untangle her family’s secrets and honor the memory of her grandmother – often in the face of resistance from her own father and aunt, the murder victim’s children.
Where: Larchmont Avenue Church, Russell Hall, 60 Forest Park Ave, Larchmont. To reach Russell Hall, use the Forest Park Avenue door of the church near Wendt Avenue.
When: Refreshments are served at 3:30; program begins at 4:00pm.
[heading subtitle=”Finding Yia Yia” title=”A Greek Tragedy”]Because 80 years is long enough to keep a secret
More than three quarters of a century after the brutal murder of her grandmother, Angela Derecas Taylor set out to untangle her family’s closely guarded secrets, learn about the grandmother she never knew, and come to terms with the reality that her own beloved grandfather was a murderer. Finding YiaYia: A Greek Tragedy is the story of Angela’s search for the truth, in the face of resistance and animosity from her family members, to bring her grandmother’s story to life, uncover the circumstances that led to her tragic death and bring honor to the memory of a woman, Mary Derecas, who was left in an unmarked grave.
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“WOW! Thank you so much for doing this program for At Home On The Sound. You are a fabulous storyteller and held our audience spellbound as you spun your tale. It was an extraordinary afternoon”
— Elinor Fredston, Founding Board Member, At Home On the Sound, Larchmont, New York
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“You spoke so beautifully about trying to find and know your grandmother. You are a brave woman, deeply passionate, filling your life with meaning and much more. Thank you for sharing your journey and I look forward to your next chapter.”
— Reena Kashyap, Ceramic Artist, New York City
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“It was a wonderful talk, not only factual but moreover from the heart…. The story has been with me ever since I left.”
— Frank Buddingh’, Dunedin, New Zealand and New York, USA on twitter @buddinghtree
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[heading subtitle=”Just A Waitress” title=”An Italian Opera”]Raised on deceit, manipulation and fine Italian cuisine…
Angela Derecas Taylor’s collection of stories and memories are set in and around her family’s Italian restaurant, founded in 1936 in Greenwich Village. At turns heartwarming and horrifying, comical and catastrophic, Just a Waitress: An Italian Opera introduces four generations of strong-willed Italian women plus a host of family members, colorful locals, criminals, hangers-on, and one frighteningly jealous cat. Angela’s candid accounts of her upbringing and experiences entertain while celebrating family, perseverance, survival, independence – and making one’s own way in the world.
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“Vivid descriptions, flavorful dialogue and a dessert-like final sentence. I loved the story (and thanks for reminding me about Zito’s bread).”
— James Tobin, Author, Willamsburgh, VA
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[heading subtitle=”At Your Service” title=”An American Dream”]It takes a Greenwich Village
A native New Yorker, born into a family of restaurateurs, Angela Derecas Taylor realized at a young age that there was a whole world beyond the boundaries of Manhattan Island. A child of divorce, Angela bounced between the secretive, old-world immigrant ways of her mother’s family and the laid-back, permissive lifestyle adopted by her father in the 1960s. In At Your Service: An American Dream, Angela shares stories of her growing up and striking out on her own. With both humor and devastating honesty, she recounts the highlights of her career and her personal life – a journey filled with obstacles, heartbreaks and triumphs encountered on her path toward inner peace and purpose.
“Powerful, moving, captivating! Four stars! And that is just on the promotional flyer!!!”
— Jill Casey Drum, 20 year Facilitator of “The Real Book Club”, Greenlawn, NY
