A Sicilian in East Harlem By Salvatore Mondello

what is now the LaGuardia House at 116th St. and 2nd Avenue, is written up in my autobiography. She picked us off the streets of East Harlem and the church we attended was the Lexington Avenue Baptist Church, a beautiful red brick building in what was a high-class residential area of brownstone one-family houses. The Italian community was east of this area. When we attended church, Sunday school etc. on Sundays we boys used to walk literally on tiptoes and in silence! Miss Ruddy’s mission was at 114th St. near First Avenue, now part of Jefferson Park. When I was with Miss Ruddy one of her associates wanted me to go into the ministry. I gave it consideration but there were so many doubts in my mind as to my religious beliefs and convictions that I held off.”

When I got older, Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Captain America and other superheroes replaced my interest in local witches and the exploits of Firrazzanu. I must admit, however, that Batman’s enemy, the Joker, had a wicked smile that reminded me of my witch in my early days with comic books. I bought my comic books in a candy store on First Avenue between One Hundred and Seventh and One Hundred and Eighth streets. The store carried Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Captain America titles and these were the heroes I followed. One day I noticed on the wall above the comic book shelves a calendar featuring a drawing of a gorgeous brunette sitting on a suitcase with her thumb out looking to be picked up by a motorist. She had her right shoe in her left hand and her skirt was high enough to see the tops of her nylons. The calendar of the Elvgren beauty left an indelible mark on my view of feminine beauty. I decided that when