Local Author Seeks Your Life in Photos

After interviewing and writing stories for her book, “Slices of Life: Italian-American Stories,” Trumbull resident Joanna Leone now wants to gather photos for her second book from Connecticut residents and turn their photos into poetry.

The themes will be “love, family, something you learned from a family member, celebration or a special memory. It’s got to be a picture that tells a story." 

"The pictures can be from any era and any ethnic background," she said. Leone will match each photo with verses from her poetry for her multi-cultural picture book.

For specifics on photo requirements or for more information about how to participate in this fun project, you may contact her at JMaria165@hotmail.com. 

She hopes to begin collecting photos from CT residents from June 30 through  Dec. 1.  She said the project will be simple and fun for everyone and she "looks forward to hearing from residents from throughout Connecticut."

Leone said she values family stories because she's the youngest child in her family, her roots are in Trumbull,  and there were so many good memories in Trumbull,where she attended St. Joseph High School and graduated from Sacred Heart University.
 
Michelle Krasznai, director of Alumni Affairs at St. Joseph said she is proud of the school's "accomplished Alumni and

Joanna M. Leone is one of them.  Her book,  Slices of Life: Italian-American Stories is evidence of this. When asked to describe St Joseph High School in one word, many students, parents and alumni respond 'family.'  It’s very fitting that Joanna has written  memoirs that encompasses family and St Joe’s congratulates Joanna on her achievement," Krasznai said.

"Staying close to traditions and connected to family is what keeps us grounded," she added.

Leone's neighbor, Pat Milot, praised Leone's first book.

"It was very exciting to read her beautiful stories about her family and their trips to San Donato, Val Di Comino. In her book she shared many wonderful traditions from this small village that her parents brought to the United States.  Throughout the book, the love of her Italian relatives and her frequent trips to San Donato are evident.  It brought back great memories tome and my travel companions," Milot said.  

Leone said she was surprised to learn recently that Milot had travelled to San Donato Val Di Comino as well and immersed with the culture during her visit to San Donato.