Thanks, Dad

by Heidi Horchler

My dad, 1976

Since Eileen and I started this blog, I've been bugging my parents to send me stories. My mom's parents were from Norwegian, Irish and German descent, and Dad comes from a very colorful and interesting Italian American family. My ancestors from both sides came from the Old Country, mostly in the 1800s and settled in the Midwest. My mom's side in Minnesota and North Dakota, and my Dad's side to Chicago. I know that one of my mother's grandmothers came here as an indentured servant (what must that have been like!) and one of my father's grandfathers came the long way - by steam ship,  around Cape Horn, South America, and all the way up to San Francisco. He was there for the great Earthquake of 1906, and later made his way across country by working on the railroad, baking bread for the workers. Such stories!


Last week, while talking to my dad, he mentioned that he had been working on something for the site. I was pretty excited, and couldn't wait to see what he came up with. When he sent it to me, I had to laugh. When asked to tell about stories from the old days, and a memory of his family, for a website by, for and about Senior Citizens, my dad chose to write about his kids; me and my brother John:


by Art Giovannoni

This is for my daughter, Heidi. I am a retired tool & die maker, and I live with my wife of 27 years in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Heidi has been after me to write an article for her latest blog. I want to relate to her readers a little bit of her and her brother’s earlier years.

A totally awesome picture of us, 1981

  I became a father in August of 1967. My eldest, John, is a son to be proud of. He is a musician, teacher, and partner in a thriving music store in northern Ilinois. Oh, but when he was a teen, the drums, the DRUMS! Then he put himself through college, earning a degree in music, wow! Yes, as you can surmise, I’m a proud father. He also loves the outdoors. We spent every summer vacation camping and fishing. Once he even caught a large-mouth bass that I had lost. I know this because my hook was still in the fish’s mouth!

 In 1969 on another August day, God saw fit to bless my former wife and I with a BEAUTIFUL child. Heidi. A name, by the way, I chose. She was always, and still is, full of energy! She has always loved the outdoors; camping, fishing and since her marriage, hunting. She has a passion for acting, writing and horses. She is an excellent cook, no - chef and a fine mother of two great boys. (This from a proud grandfather)

Well, Heidi, I hope this qualifies for your blog.

Love ya, Pook. Dad

Thanks, Dad