In the 50's, Gene's La Villa was "the" destination spot for many Calgarians wishing to experience authentic Italian cuisine and fun filled evenings of dancing and socializing. Maria Cioni has captured the essence of it all in this sweeping, creative story of the lives of her family and the people they touched. Reading this book brings it all back to life, as if it happened just yesterday. The book is a rich tapestry of interwoven events, embracing the ambitions of an Italian immigrant family to make their place, the place, for life in all its fullness. Thank you Maria for a lovely story.