This photo taken in 2010 at The Italian American Club in Las Vegas. Me on the left pictured with my long time friend Michael DiBari Sr. He was the last Rep for the Gambino Family, He also was involved in the very last Casino Skim Operation at the Legendary Continental Hotel here in Vegas in the very early 1990's. "Uncle Mike" as I called him for I knew him over half of my life, served under Carlo and also John Gotti. Mike was indicted and charged for racketeering along with his crew and sentenced to 5 years in Boron Federal Prison, in California. Later, Mike was placed in the Nevada Black Book of Excluded Persons, which banned him for life from ever entering a casino again. Mike worked as a Slot Manager at The Continental Hotel. One of the last places the Mob controlled before finally leaving the casino. Mike was a great guy! He was also an entertainer too. We shared many mutual friends and a lot of good times together. We never denied each other of a favor. Mike was true blue old school. He passed away in 2020 from Dementia. His son, Michael Jr. is like a brother to me. He took care of his father up until he passed away. Mike Sr. was funny, always good with a story or joke. One night we are at the Italian American Club hanging out during this same night, Chazz Palmiteri gave a symposium and was promoting his BIVI Vodka. Mike Sr. took a bottle off the banquet room bar cart and some cups, poured the 4 of us with him a drink and we all toasted. The first words of Uncle Mike's mouth were, "this tastes like gasoline"! LOL!!! We all laughed. Just one of the many people/characters I knew in my life. May God keep him resting easy and blessed and you will never be forgotten Uncle Mike. You were the best! Stevie D. 👍

My friend, Al Contrera original bass singer of the Mystics doowop group, of "Hushabye" fame, wrote this great book about the life and times of the Mystics and also the "mob twist" in the book. The Mystics formed on the streets of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, NY. which was a mob controlled neighborhood for many decades and at is pinnacle in the 1950's and 60's. A must for those who appreciate a good read of history and another example of doowop music paralled with the mafia. For each came from the same urban neighborhoods. Stevie D.

"The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him."— St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen