Ice cream and baseball have long been associated with the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer because what could be better than a brown bonnet cone or a cherry-topped sundae and a bases loaded nail-biter Yankee game? How about working for Carvel, delivering 40 sundaes a week to George Steinbrenner, and receiving free tickets to the games? Debbie Angiolillo, a 30-year Ossining resident, shares her story, My Carvel Job, one of the submissions received for Old Traditions, New Beginnings, a not-for-profit project and collaboration between the office of State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and local senior citizens, Cora Silvestri and Judith Shangold, aimed at passing down lifelong experiences and words of wisdom to the next generations.
In 2024, Old Traditions, New Beginnings put out a call for submissions to the senior citizen population aged 60 plus, encouraging contributions of essays, poetry, and memoir. In addition to My Carvel Job, submissions included A Conversation with my Friend Val, Octogenarian, by Valeria (Val) Masullo; The American Dream, an account of Italian immigrant Carmela Rizzuti Cupo’s life; and a song titled Only One Ossining written by Anthony Ripostella.
While in rehabilitation after an accident that tragically claimed the life of her husband, Cora Silvestri had written poetry to aid her physical and emotional healing. Later, she compiled the poems into a self-published book, Poetic Emotions, that she shared with family, friends, and those struggling. Judith Shangold, an Emmy award-winning Executive Producer at NBC Television before retirement, met Silvestri at the Ossining Senior Center, and they bonded over a mutual concern for the senior population affected by isolation and loss brought about by the Covid pandemic. Realizing the therapeutic benefits writing brings to those dealing with loss, grief, heartbreak, and physical healing, the women wanted to give senior citizens a place to share their writing and brought the idea to the attention of Assemblywoman Levenberg’s office.
“The senior population experienced so much loss and isolation as a result of Covid, and we want to give them a sense of belonging,” said Shangold. “They need to know their stories matter and are a part of their legacy.”
Silvestri told River Journal North that everyone has a story, but not everyone is comfortable or able to write it. She is enthusiastic about capturing stories for future generations, and since the call for submissions, she has aided in authoring stories that seniors told her in their own words.
Old Traditions, New Beginnings is a compilation of stories 250-1000 words per submission from those 60 years and older. Those interested in contributing their own writing or volunteering to help others share their contributions are encouraged to email district95@nyassembly.gov.
MY CARVEL JOB
By Debbie Angiolillo
Back in 1972, I worked for the number one Carvel Ice Cream Store which was located in Yonkers, New York. I stayed there for 6 years. What I thought would be an easy place to work became more than that. It was an interesting place to work.
Mr. Tom Carvel had his office right upstairs from the store. He watched the workers and expected the finished products to be perfect. There was even a special Ice Cream Soda that we had to make for him. If it was not done right, you were fired on the spot.
I also found out that I had to attend Carvel College, which was located on the bottom floor of the store. There I learned how to prepare all the ice cream products that were sold in the store. They had refrigeration machines on wheels that were used to make Holiday Cakes and Birthday Cakes. Two of my fellow employees taught me how to create the different toppings and designs on the cakes. I also learned how to clean the machines. I worked my way up to become Manager of the Store.
Employees were given Flying Saucers as a treat while we were working. Another perk for me was the use of a hotel room near the store which I used on different occasions.
Along with working at the Store, I had to make deliveries to different people and places. My favorite delivery was to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. George Steinbrenner was one of my drop-off clients. He ordered 40 special sundaes every week. I would go to his office and personally deliver them to him. We would talk about working at the Carvel store and he would give me free tickets to Yankee games. We became good friends. I also delivered Flying Saucer ice cream sandwiches to the Stadium.
My next stop was a small store in Tarrytown, New York. I delivered many different cakes to that store.
A most memorable happening at this job was when I befriended the mother of my Assistant Manager. She took me to a place in Peekskill where I met my future husband.
I really enjoyed my job at Carvel and, until today, I enjoy eating their products. My favorite treats were a vanilla ice cream cone with sprinkles and a brown bonnet.
