Issue1, Summer

June, 2015

SINATRA SOCIAL SOCIETY

CELEBRATING THE LIFE ,TIMES & MUSIC OF FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA
"THE BEST IS YET TO COME"

THE SINATRA
SOCIAL SOCIETY
Jean Fritz - President
Bob Iannozzi - Treasurer / PR
Anne Ricco - Secretary
Anthony DiFlorio - Archivist
& Historian
Mark Casasanto - Newsletter
& Social Media Editor
Ed Stasny - Past President
We welcome your thoughts,
comments and most of all
participation! Do you have
something you want to share
with the society? A photo, a
story or a fond remembrance?
Be sure to pass it along:
SinatraSocialSocietyEditor
@verizon.Net

We look forward to hearing
from you!

Sinatraly Yours!

The Sinatra Social Society

SAY HELLO, SAY HELLO!

The Sinatra Social Society is back, and we are now online.
Actually, weve never been away if you have been attending our
biennial dinner dances. But, we havent been in touch recently.
Now, with Mr. Ss 100th birth anniversary coming up in
December of 2015, weve decided to enter the 21st Century as a
prelude to beginning the second hundred years of Frank Sinatra.
After 4 decades of dedicated service to the cause Sinatra, our
founder and president Ed Stasny is taking a well deserved
retirement and turned over the operation of the society to a new
slate of ocers. President - Jean Fritz, Vice President and Treasurer Bob Iannozi, Secretary - Anne Ricco, and yours truly, Anthony DiFlorio
- Society Archivist and Historian.
In that role I would like to present to members both old and new
a brief history of the SSS. It all began with Sid Mark and his
popular weekly radio program, Friday with Frank (Sinatra of
Course). The listeners of the program began to meet informally
on Friday nights at various venues to socialize and listen to Frank
and Sid. One of them was Edward S. Stasny. Ed was and is a
powerful personality, formed by 42 years as a successful used car
salesman. He decided to formally bring the members together in
a Social Club. If Ed was the head of the Society, Franny Casella
was the heart and soul. A long time devout devotee of Frank
Sinatra, Franny became part of the extended family of the Sinatra
Clan. Anywhere that Frankie went, our Fran was sure to be.
Thats how I became involved with the Society. I joined in the
summer of 1989 after the Atlantic City Sinatra Convention. Soon
after I received a phone call from Ed Stasny. The unmistakable
voice said, You live in South Philly near Franny Casella, she
needs a ride to the Meadowlands. Continued next page...
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Issue1, Summer

June, 2015

You dont decline an order from Ed! That began my fifteen year adventure as Frannys Chauer. But thats
a whole nother story.
During that time Ed asked me to take over the production of the Society Newsletter which I happily did
for almost a decade. In one of the last issues I published an essay on Sinatra by a young writer who was
an enthusiastic fan of Mr. Sinatra. This brings us to
Your new editor, Mark On the Corner Casasanto, who is one of Philadelphias elite writers. Hes been
an editor and columnist for Philadelphia Row Home Magazine, (Yes hes row home grown) an expert on
event management, a security consultant for visiting VIPs and in his spare time, he coaches soccer. Most
importantly, he is a lifelong devotee of all things Sinatra. It is my honor to present to you, South Philly
born and bred, Mark Casasanto.
Anthony DiFlorio - editor emeritus.

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD...

Thank you Anthony! To steal and paraphrase an oft used exclamation by Mr. S, "wow, baby, that's some
kind of intro!" I genuinely thank everyone for allowing me this fantastic honor to continue in words, the
legacy and music of the very man who continues to brings us all together.

It was so refreshing to see so many fans and friends this past Memorial Day Weekend when Frank, Jr.
brought his wonderful centennial celebration to the Valley Forge Casino Resort's Music Fair. It further
proves that our music is alive and well, and Frank, Jr. is indeed the caretaker of all things Sinatra.
Speaking of Jr., look for him to return to the area this fall with stops in Atlantic City and I'm also being
told there is a definite possibility of a Wilmington, Delaware stop on the tour as well. Pictured above is
sound check from early June at Foxwoods Casino, photo courtesy of our friend, Merri# Kelem.

Finally my friends, the upcoming edition of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine will feature stories on
both Frank ask area, Jr and Merrill Kelem. Look for the issue to drop in August and you can read it on line
at wwww.gohomephilly.com. Until then, enjoy the summer winds and some marvelous downtime!
The Sinatra Social Society

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Issue1, Summer

June, 2015

The Sinatra Social Society

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