Delco re:View Spring 2018 - 29

Behind the Scenes

www.DelcoBar.org

with Ciao Bella Living Italian Style
Connections with World Champions!
Submitted by Barbara Ann Zippi, Executive Producer, CiaoBellaLivingItalianStyle.World

"The Philadelphia EAGLES

are Super Bowl Champions of the World!"
With headquarters in the heart of the South
Philadelphia Italian neighborhoods, I want
to share some behind-the-scenes information
with Italian connections.
BRAVO in bringing faith to Philly fans,
both young and old. Father Jim DeGrassa
(son of Peg DeGrassa, pdegrassa@21stcenturymedia.com), who grew up in
Ridley Park, Delaware County, made faith
a national headline in the February issue
of Sports Illustrated. Father Jim's "Green
Mass" on Sunday morning of the "big day"
was featured in an article about Philly's
passionate sports fans.
Legendary Eagle Alumni Vince Papale,
#83, from Glenolden, Delaware County, is
an Italian-American whose life story as an
underdog was featured in the Disney film
"Invincible" which most recently reached the
$1 billion in revenue mark for Disney. Hot
off the presses, Papale had just released his
newest book a couple of weeks prior to the
Super Bowl entitled "The Last Laugh: Vision
to Victory" which was co-authored with his Eagles roomie, pal,
and successor, as Eagles special-teams captain, Dennis Franks.
The book is an incredible collection of empowering stories from
people who proved their doubters wrong because they had the
vision to victory. According to Papale, "The Last Laugh is all
about shattering expectations imposed upon you by others who
do not believe in your abilities, and it is something all underdogs
understand and appreciate. This is truly a special book that
applies to people from all walks of life."
When timing is everything, the instinct to wear Mummer's
attire by Eagles Champion Jason Kelce and coordinated by
his hair stylist, Libby Coyle, was a brilliant way to celebrate.
The Eagles have professed this victory is "for their fans," and
the legendary Mummers, like the Eagles, are Philadelphia
Institutions "of the people" with fans world-wide.
The Avalon String Band Costume theme, "Ire-land of
Leprechauns" from 2008, has endeared Kelce even more to the
Irish community. Now for the Italian connection; the designer
and manufacturer of this ten-year-old costume, that sparkled like
new, was Italian American James May.
May, an Americanized Italian version of the family name
of Maio, has roots in the Italian community of Chester and

professionally, made his career headquarters
as a designer in Ridley Township, Delaware
County. Learning the craft from his mother as
a young boy, for 44 years, until he retired in
2015, May has been the top tailor for many
Mummers organizations who razzle dazzle
us on New Years' Day, producing close to
2,000 costumes PER YEAR of our favorites.
The parade, 118 years old, means May has
been involved with over 1/3 of the parades on
record. Do the math! Known for the quality of
movement in his costumes as the "Jimmy May
Sway," it did not disappoint 10 years later as
Jason Kelce presented it to the world!
May continues to share his talents for the
underdogs, creating "King Dog" during the
Eagles winning streak and "CID Dog" for the
Delaware County District Attorney's office
while under the direction of former District
Attorney, and now the Honorable, Jack Whelan.
Currently, back in his design studio in Ridley
Township, May is now in production again and
excited to combine his love of string bands with
his love of 'underdogs' with the release of 2018
"Official" and "Fan Favorite" Championship
hats.
As for the crowd size controversy in numbers released, in
today's age, let us use social media statistics, and keep in mind
that this is only one telecommunications carrier, AT&T. They
report data of "44.5 million selfies taken during the victory
parade, peaking at the time of Kelce's 'hungry dog' speech,
which surpassed Pope Francis' stats, covering a 2-day period."
The "Underdog" theme is one that resonates with every
Eagles fan, and shows how current and past players give their
hearts to their fans for a lifetime. Bravo, Jason, for your raw love
of Philly and to the Eagles organization who brought world-wide
fame to Philadelphia. To quote Jeffrey Laurie, "Eagles Football
fans are the best on the Planet!"

Until next time, Ciao Bella!
Ciao Bella Living Italian Style is proud to market May's
Championship hats and coordinate book signings and
motivational appearances by Vince Papale and/or Dennis
Frank, so they can share their story and personalities with your
company/employee event or organization. For more information,
contact 610.566.4883 or CiaoBellaLivingItalianStyle@gmail.
com. *
Spring 2018

| 29
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