226 Pine Street was more than the address of Sadie and Charles Guisto and their three children, Thomas, Camille and Angela. It was also the site of many Arenella family celebrations. With the Arenella sense of humor, Sadie hosted many special events.
There was the diet shower for a family member. The centerpiece was a broom, dressed up as a woman, signifying the future shape of the subject of the party, from which all kinds of diet foods were attached with paper streamers, which wound up resembling a May Pole. Part of the festivities was a “This is Your Life” segment, in which Sadie read from and presented the subject with a book containing different incidents in her life.
And who could possibly forget the “Recital”? Upon becoming the proud owner of a somewhat broken down piano [the ivory was missing from some of the keys], Sadie sent out invitations to family members informing them of a recital at the Guisto home. They were all given certain items to bring as an admission fee. Elizabeth Garro, Sadie's sister, was asked to bring ten painted finger nails. Elizabeth had no idea why, until she arrived for the recital. It seems that she was able to play chopsticks, so she was to be the featured performer. The room was arranged with chairs facing the piano, and Thomas Guisto entered, dressed in a tuxedo, complete with white gloves. He then proceeded to place a huge candelabra on the piano [in the fashion of Liberace, who was quite popular at the time]. That signaled the entrance of the pianist, who, until that very moment was a mystery. In glided Elizabeth, resplendent in a very comical outfit, and played chopsticks, sort of.
226 Pine Street also saw many bridal showers, baby showers, New Year’s Eve celebrations, with everyone dressing in a home made costume, some of which were quite imaginative, picnics, birthday parties, holiday dinners, and all kinds of family get-togethers.
In her later years, Gaetana Arenella always spent holidays at Sadie and Charlie’s. Thus, by evening, all the rest of the Arenellas drifted in and out. Christmas time saw a life-size Santa on the front porch. He held a sack with a grab bag gift for each small child who entered. The house was filled with joy and love and drew the rest of the extended Arenella family like a huge magnet. A good time was always had by all.