Yesterday’s Treasures /The Four Seasons Bus Tour
April 5th, 2009Dear Jim, Audrey & Walt,
I am writing to you from my home outside Long Beach Island (L.B.I.) and thinking what a sunny and bright day it was and how fast the time flew by – with all that we did and all that we saw. I would like to take a moment to say I’m so glad I was able to make time for this event–beginning at Yesterday’s Treasures and packing in a full six hours of neighborhood memories. I did this on behalf of my Dad, Nick Massi and his family and of course, in honor of The Four Seasons.
As Nick’s daughter, I think it is so sweet and considerate that Jim, Audrey, and Walt continue to contribute in their own way. Jim – for your store; Audrey – for researching, preparing and setting up the tours in such a great way; and Walt for sharing all of your knowledge on the history of these special guys. I personally thank you for being such unique fans and admiring and selecting the most awesome group – The Four Seasons/ Jersey Boys (you have good taste…Ha! Ha!) You can tell who I have always looked up to!
Jim…you’ve created quite a Four Seasons ‘museum’ there at Yesterday’s Treasures. I had to smile as I heard my favorite music playing as I parked that morning. You have it all–videos, albums, CD’s and the list goes on & on. It’s too much to describe, but I was fascinated looking through your wonderful little store that has catalogued so much history. I know sports (my favorites being hockey, baseball, and football) almost as well as I know music, so I can say that your collection of sports memorabilia was rather impressive, as well.
Now on to the tour! After photos there in Union, we boarded the bus (which naturally featured my favorite performers). I was looking forward to again seeing these unforgettable places, though I knew it would be rather emotional. I miss those times of great memories; of my Dad and our family and all of the Seasons, who will always be very special to me.
Within 45 minutes, we were driving around the area where I grew up–before, during, and after Nick Massi was with the group. Starting in Newark, where Nicky grew up on 12th Street, in two different homes on that block–one of which his dad had built. Then we saw the house where our family lived a few blocks away in Bloomfield which was our home when Dad and the group had their first really big hit-Sherry.
We had a fun lunch at Dickie Dee’s. (I had their Italian hot dog; can’t tell you the last time I had one of those–or pizza, for that matter). Pearl, Bob and I made a quick trip down the block to Calandra’s for a sweet treat. Thanks to my new friends for that mountain of a chocolate chip cookie…I’m glad we shared it.
After a few more attractions, we also stopped at the Belmont Tavern and had a chance to say hello to owner, Jim Cuomo. They are absolutely famous for their chicken savoy! Moved right along to the home where Tommy DeVito grew up with his seven brothers and sisters and on past some former lounges where the group played in the early years. I know that one of the more popular stops on Audrey’s tour has been the Stephen Crane Village where Frankie lived with his family and his mother, who lived right in back of him; so many great memories there for me and my family!
We drove by the Belleville High School where Tommy is honored on their Wall of Fame. Just a few minutes down the road in Nutley, we saw where Frankie and his family moved, before we headed to Bergenfield to see places of Bob Gaudio’s. We saw the house where he wrote Short Shorts and the school he attended, then past the home when he was married in Cresskill. I loved seeing Tommy’s and Bob’s homes in Montclair after all these years. Then there was another home of Frankie’s and a short drive to one of Joe Long’s. Joe’s house has been beautifully remodeled, but Audrey found a painting of how it looked when Joe lived there!
Then, we headed from Roseland to Livingston and on to GOOD OLD WEST ORANGE. I enjoyed reminiscing for everyone on the bus about so many places along the way. My Dad bought our family their dream home on the top of the hill, and trust me, it is steep with the reservation all around-just one block from Livingston. Very good memories here; it will always be a special town for me and also my husband because our families are still there, so we visit quite often. As we were growing up, every weekend my brothers and I ice-skated at South Mountain Arena–now called Richard Codey Arena…my brothers with their hockey and me with my figure skating. It was like we lived there on weekends; I could walk that cut-through path in my sleep. It’s nice to know that some things don’t change–I still skate even today, as much as I can.
The town has a lot of good restaurants (The Manor, Highlawn Pavilion, Mayfair Farms, Pals Cabin), a wonderful reservation with beautiful views, shopping malls, (Essex Green, Livingston Mall, and Short Hills Mall), Turtle Back Zoo, good schools, Thomas Edison’s home. It’s such a nice town and I’m glad my parents selected it for our home. It had a few good recording studios, too! House of Music and Vantone Studio-which my Dad did a lot of work out of.
Well as you can see we all had a very busy ride with listening, singing (Four Seasons songs, of course), and snacking. I think there were more than 30 sights on the tour and, of course, I was able to add a lot more. Audrey throws in a couple extras like Martha Stewart’s childhood home and Yogi Berra’s place; what she didn’t know was that Yogi’s son was friends with my two brothers – small world. I thank our driver, Wanda, who made a very comfortable ride for us and always knew where she was going; and Carmine for sharing his expertise on the various covers of Four Seasons songs, etc.
Audrey–great job! Walt–thanks for narrating part of the tour. It’s my pleasure to have shared this sunny and very beautiful day. Hope everyone enjoys their favors; it will keep that memory alive….
I wish you all the very best
“Bless You”
Patti
Patti Massi-Candeliere
www.nickmassiart.com
Work Hard/Dream/Be Kind
Patti – what a great tribute to your father. Thanks for the memories. I hope to take the tour some day and hope you can come along.
Comment by Linda — April 5, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
WHAT A DAY AND WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THIS 5TH FOUR SEASONS BUS TOUR, AUDREY DID A GREAT JOB AGAIN AND OF COURSE THE HIGHLIGHT WAS HAVING A ORIGINAL FOUR SEASON/JERSEY BOYS DAUGHTER WITH US THE WHOLE DAY, WHAT A WONDERFUL PERSON PATTI MASSI IS, HER DAD WOULD BE PROUD, I NEVER MET NICK MASSI BUT ON THIS DAY I FELT I DID THROUGH HIS DAUGHTER PATTI, WITH THE SEASONS MUSIC PLAYING AND PATTI THERE AT MY STORE I FELT VERY GOOD THAT DAY, NOW IF ALL THE DAUGHTERS GET TOGETHER AND GO ON A FUTURE TOUR IT WOULD BE REALLY A SHOW STOPPER. OH WHAT A DAY!
Comment by jim petrecca — April 5, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
I’ve been waiting patiently for such an article to let me know what I missed, so thanks for writing Patti! The tour gets bigger and better every time. I’ve had the good fortune to attend two, but it’s obvious that Audrey packs new and exciting stops each time. Thanks for posting the photos and the article. I’m sure that your presence enhanced the tour even more.
Comment by LuluThompson — April 5, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
Patti,
It was a real pleasure and honor having you come on the Neighborhood Tour. Not only the many places and memories that you were able to share, but also the accompanying emotions that are so real when remembering wonderful events of your childhood–up through today. I have to agree with Jim Petrecca that spending time with you gave me a glimpse into your Dad and his full life.
Thanks for sharing those photos, too. Before this tour, I hadn’t had a chance to include sights in West Orange, but with your stories, you’ve certainly given me some ideas. (I was pleased to include two additional homes of Frankie’s this time, plus the purchase and sell dates of others!) You mentioned the renovated former home of Joe Long; at first I was disappointed that the home had been redone, but when I was able to track down the owner who purchased it from Joe, I learned they had a painting done of the original home!
Thank you to everyone on the tour–for your interest in the early neighborhood perspective of the Seasons. Thanks also to Jim Petrecca for again sharing his extensive Four Seasons memorabilia collection and to Carmine Basciano for enlightening us on song covers of the Seasons and other artists.
When this record-breaking show was well-named “Jersey Boys,†it spotlighted the distinctive influence which their hometown edge provided. These men traveled around the country and across the Atlantic, and yet…it comes back to “Jersey†to convey the grit and adaptability that made them a success.
Thanks again Patti for your warmth, openness and enthusiasm; it was a special day!
Comment by Audrey — April 5, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
Patti, thanks for taking precious time to write this for those of us who didn’t make the tour, and for sharing your personal events at the various West Orange restaurants; I think anyone who grew up in North Jersey has been to each many, many times. (As I get older, I wish even more that the Manor would put its rest rooms on the main floor!!) I like Jim’s thought of all of the Seasons kids getting together for the ultimate tour!!
Comment by Howard Tucker — April 6, 2009 @ 7:55 am
Susie,
Your the best,hope to see you over the summer…
Have a Blessed Holiday.
Ciao,
Patti
Comment by Patti-Massi-Candeliere — April 6, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
Walt gollender does not have a computer and relates his message to all that he had a grand time with the 5th tour, he enjoyed being on the bus and meeting patti massi and related to me that the tour is getting a lot of feedback in the old neighborhood with the people that lived and grew up in the 50s and 60s happy to see the jersey boys back on top….
Comment by JIM PETRECCA — April 6, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
I would like to say that the bus tour was quite an enjoyable experience thanks to Audrey’s great diligence and research and also having Patti Massi daughter of the late great original 4 Season’s Nick Massi there to share with us such wonderful stories and insights about Nick who I had the great pleasure of meeting twice as well as the other 4 Season’s. Also,want to thank both Audrey and Patty for allowing me to share some rare and very seldom heard 4 Season’s cover versions. Many Thanks, Carmine Basciano
Comment by Carmine Basciano — April 7, 2009 @ 1:38 am
carmine basciano has the biggest collection of cover versions of the seasons in the world, and it was a pleasure having him on the tour,,,,,thanks again carmine.
Comment by JIM PETRECCA — April 9, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
“Sounds like all went well!”
I did mention the tour on a couple of my shows, hope
this was of some help. I have “Part 2″ of the Yesterdays
Treasures and Joey Reynolds at the Union Centennial
Parade Show that is still incomplete. Send me any
updated info soon.
My Next TV Talent Shoot: Pianos, 36 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
“Be There!”
“Never, No Never, Miss a TV Talent Shoot!”
Call for details: 973-568-4587
Regards,
Jo Shenman
Host/Producer
The Jo Shenman Show
“On The Air” Productions
Comment by Jo Shenman — April 12, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
Need to add Tommy Devito You Tube this wont submit!
Comment by Jo Shenman — April 12, 2009 @ 11:16 pm
I HAVE TOMMY DEVITOS CD IN MY STORE, AND ITS ONLY AVAILABLE AT MY STORE ON THE EAST COAST, YESTERDAYS TREASURES, HOPE TO SOON HAVE DANIELLE GAUDIOS JERSEY BABYS IN MY STORE, JOE FRANKLINS OVERNITE DVD COLLECTION WILL BE IN MY STORE SOON, JOE VISITED RECENTLY AND LOVED THE STORE SO MUCH HE WANTS TO RETURN SOON,
Comment by JIM PETRECCA — April 13, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
To see Tommy DeVito Interview on The Jo Shenman Show when Jersey Boys was making its explosive entrance into our world, go to:
You Tube: Jo Shenman 143 or http://www.Jo Shenman.com
Any questions: Email: [email protected] or Call: 973-568-4587
Comment by Jo Shenman — April 14, 2009 @ 12:44 am
The tour was a great time. To go through the neihborhoods where it all took place was very exciting. Dickie Dee’s Pizza is still just a good as it always was. What made it special for me also was many of the areas we visited were areas I gre up in so it was a double banging memory lane trip. Afterwards Peark and I stoppped at Marios restaurant in Union for a bite and in the bar we met the son of the owner of the Four Season’s Bowling alley. He told us the story of how it was his uncle that turned down the four seasons. Small World
Bob
Comment by Bob Foley — April 14, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
Bob needs to spell check! We had such an enjoyable day. Audrey did a great job putting it all together. I can’t wait for the next one. Thanks to Patti for sharing all her memories of growing up as a Four Season’s kid. I’ll never eat a Calandra’s chocolate chip cook again without thinking of her. I have to thank Carmine for the CD’s. If I could read his handwriting on the return address I would have sent a thank you in the mail but….
Comment by Pearl Foley — April 22, 2009 @ 8:46 pm