Weekend Getaway To Florida To Attend Bills & Baby Showers
9/25/2022 - Miami Gardens, Florida - We started our Florida weekend getaway Friday afternoon, driving West down the NYS Thruway to Buffalo Niagara International Airport to catch a direct flight on Frontier Airlines to Tampa, Florida. We arrived a little early and went to Alamo to pickup my awesome weekend ride a Black Chevy Camaro. We got to our hotel the Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Petersburg - Madeira Beach and crashed in our decent room. We were up early for the free breakfast at the hotel and then off to the Foxtail Coffee Company in St Petersburg for the baby shower for soon to arrive Baby Mila for Nicole and Jake. The coffee themed shower was excellent with a mimosa wall, balloons, cakes, cookies, games and fun. I was so happy to share this time with the happy couple and it was a great celebration of the soon to be arriving Mila. After the shower, we headed down to the St. Pete Pier and had a nice dinner at Fresco's Waterfront Bistro where the calamari and bacon wrapped scallops were excellent as usual. We walked the pier and headed back to the hotel to rest up for drive to the game. We were up early the next day and took Air Camaro south down the I75 to Hard Rock Stadium in under 3 and a half hours to watch our Buffalo Bills take on the Miami Dolphins. We arrived just after 11 and were able to hang out and tail gate a bit with the Staffords who had a large contingent down for the game. It was a hot day and rain free. We walked to the stadium and made it inside to our table seating in the corner in the terrace section. We had our own private table with swivel chairs and personal armed security. The seats were excellent. The Bills came out on the first drive and scored a Josh Allen touchdown pass to Devin Singletary to take the early lead, but a Allen fumble gave the Dolphins the opportunity to tie the game on a short field. They traded scores in the second quarter and were tied at 14 at the half. The Bills took the lead in the third with a field goal but the Dolphins answered with a touchdown setup by a Tua to Waddle long pass. The game will be known for two things Tua concussed in the first half and back in the second and the butt punt that gave Buffalo a safety late and a chance to win the game but came up short literally with Allen short hopping a game winning touchdown pass on fourth down. The final score was a 19-21 loss for the Bills. On the long drive back to St. Pete we encountered some heavy rains but made it back in good time. The next day, we went to Nicoles and drove to St. Pete Beach for a nice family lunch at the Brass Monkey located at the end of the beach. We were then off to Tampa International Airport to escape Hurricane Ian which was set to arrive the next day. We made it out of Tampa without issue and were back in Buffalo on time. An excellent weekend.Slideshow[]
Perfect Sunday Memorial Weekend Balloon Launch At Letchworth
Earth Wind and Fire Brings The Soul Funk To Artpark
9/9/2019 - Lake Como, Italy - A couple drone shots of gorgeous Lake Como. Most shots are near the village of Bellagio and a few shots of the city of Como. Lake Como and it's towns and villages are absolutley awesome !Slideshow[]
7/16/2019 - Lewiston, New York - Tuesday in July, you know what that means, that is correct another show and Artpark's Tuesday In The Park concert series in Lewiston, New York featuring Deb's favorite band Earth, Wind & Fire. We bought tickets to this one as soon as they were on sale. We arrived early enough to get a good spot and the crowd was large. The opening band was some jazz ensemble from Buffalo who were not that good. Fortunately their set was short and Earth, Wind and Fire soon hit the stage. They did a great set that sounded terrific and was full of energy. They opened with one of my favorites Sing A Song. They played all their classics including the Beatles cover of Got To Get You Into My Life, Shining Star, Boogie Wonderland and a guitar jam filled That's The Way of The World featuring Morris O'Connor on guitar. Philip Bailey continues to amaze with his voice and Verdine White still jams away on bass guitar. They finished the show with their classic hit September. A very good show that we will surely see again soon, Deb insists!
Toronto Road Trip Light Show, Cars and Plant At Massey Hall
2/17/2018 - Toronto, Canada - We headed north of the border today to Toronto, Canada to see the classic rock legend Robert Plant and his band the Sensational Space Shifters perform at the classic venue Massey Hall. They are touring promoting the new album Carry Fire. We headed up early with a short wait on the Queenston Lewiston Bridge. It was a cold day and we hit downtown Toronto a little early parking at the Eaton Centre and walking the city a bit. We headed to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and checked out some awesome cars at the 2018 Canadian International Autoshow. We saw some insane vehicles from classic cars of the 1920's and 30's to Porsches to Vettes to contemporary cars from every car maker in the world, a nice way to spend part of a cold day. After the autoshow we headed to the Toronto Light Fest at the lovely Distillery Historic District. After taking in the lights it was show time and we headed to Massey Hall. Large lines had formed outside the venue that included plenty of street vendors with shirts and scalpers with tickets. We had good seats for the show in this classic venue and it was a sellout. Plant and his band the Sensational Space Shifters came out and did a fantastic set of tunes from his new album Carry Fire to classic Zeppelin. The band was very tight and Plant proved he still has it. He opened with New World and did some nice covers of Zeppelin song's including That's The Way and Babe I'm Gonna Leave You. he finished the set with Misty Mountain Hop. The band came out for two encore songs first the Plant solo classic In the Mood and closing with Zeppelin's Bring It On Home. An excellent show in a great venue, we will be back for sure.Slideshow[]
Kiss Brings Freedom To Rock Tour To Blue Cross Arena
8/29/2016 - Rochester, New York - Today was a special day, Deb and I were celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary today and decided at the last minute to do what else but go to downtown Rochester, New York to see the classic rock of Kiss at Blue Cross Arena. We got tickets at the door up in the rafters of the Blue Cross Arena. The band the Dead Daisies opened the show and jammed pretty good playing a couple good originals and a couple of good cover tunes. Kiss came out shortly after and put on what was a really good show. They opened with Detroit Rock City and played a set of many classics. They jammed classics like Shout It Out Loud, I Love It Loud and Lick It Up. The show included Gene Simmons spitting blood and spitting fire and Tom Thayer wailing on guitar. The show included the classic Love Gun with Paul Stanley flying across the arena to the elevated stage. The costumes, lights, fire and rock provided a great show. The encores included Beth and a salute to America with timeout to honor are armed forces on stage reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance and jamming on the Star Spangled Banner. The final number was what else but Rock and Roll All Nite. A nice way to spend our 24th wedding anniversary.Slideshow[]
A Simple Christmas At Home With Family
Linkin Park And 30 Seconds To Mars Invade Darien Lake
12/25/2015 - Hilton, New York - It just didn't feel like Christmas this year but we continued our traditions of gifts and family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We somehow had everything in place although not as much as in prior years making it simpler. We started with the traditional Christmas eve trip to Lockport to exchange gifts with the Stafford and Kuligowski families at Grandmas house. We trekked back home and attended a nice midnight mass at St Leos Church in Hilton. Santa unloaded his lighter sleigh and Christmas morning we got up and waited for Nicole to arrive late morning to start the festivities. Grandma Florio was on hand as usual to enjoy and partake in annual festivities. This Christmas gift shopping was tough but cash and gift cards help that cause. Santa did bring some cool stuff though including a nice set of Mizuno Golf Clubs, HP Laptop/tablet and a Sony PS4 with all the good games. A decent haul to say the least. We enjoyed the day playing with the many new toys and gadgets. We later feasted on the delicious Turkey prepared by Deb. The Mike Florio family joined us the day after Christmas for the traditional gifts and feasting on sauce, turkey leftovers, pies and yes cookies lots of cookies. A another very Merry Christmas in the books.....Slideshow[]
8/21/2014 - Corfu, New York - The concert summer continued today with another free show, again compliments of Deb, todays artist Linkin Park and 30 Seconds To Mars performing at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. It was calling for rain but turned out to be a nice evening for a show. We only had lawn seats for this show and found a decent spot close to center stage right by the fence. We arrived just in time to see the opening band AFI. They played an okay set that was well received by the small but growing crowd. The next act was 30 Seconds to Mars. They put on an excellent show with lead singer Jared Leto getting the crowd pumped up anyway possible. The raucous set included confetti machines, huge balloons and bringing the entire front row on the stage the crowd really loved it. They jammed on songs like This Is War, City Of Angels and closed the set with End All Days. The encore included a Zeppelin cover of Whole Lotta Love and Closer To The Edge. Again the crowd really enjoyed there set. Soon after Linkin Park hit the stage and took over the crowd and their LPU, Linkin Park Union, members and played a good set. They played some of their classics like One Step Closer, Numb and In The End. They pretty much owned the crowd and came out for an extended encore that included Crawling, What I've Done and finishing with Bleed It Out. This turned out to be an entertaining show and well worth the trip. Thanks for the freebie.Slideshow[]
Dominic Celebrates His 12th Birthday with Family & Friends
Legendary Randy Bachman Rocks Downtown Lockport
3/14/2011 - Hilton, New York - Dominic turned 12 today celebrating his 12th birthday at home with gifts and a sleepover party with a some of his buddies. The party included gifts, video games, and lots of snacks from pizza to cupcakes to the chocolate fountain. Dom raked in some excellent gifts including a new Les Paul guitar, cash, and gift cards to name a few. Dom also had a party with the extended family sharing the spotlight with sister Nicole who turned 16 earlier this month. It was a very Happy 12th Birthday for the Dominator.Slideshow[]
8/21/2009 - Lockport, New York - Dom and Dad attended the final concert of the Canal Concert Series in downtown Lockport today featuring the legendary rocker Randy Bachman. Jack came through with VIP passes to allow us close access to the stage. Randy Bachman played all his hits from Bachman-Turner Overdrive and many of the hits from his days in the super group the Guess Who. Although he looked older he proved he can still jam on guitar putting on an excellent show. Prior to the concert we went to Dom's favorite burger joint Reids and then explored the famous Lockport Erie Canal Locks and downtown Lockport. An excellent day of sites and rock and roll, Dom is now a BTO and Guess Who fan.Slideshow[]
Obituary: Rocco Florio (65)
Summer Is Over Time To Go Back To School
11/18/2008 - West Babylon, New York - Rocco J Florio of West Babylon, New York died suddenly on Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at the age of 65. Rocco was born in Brooklyn, New York on Monday December 28th, 1942 the second child of the late Donato and Carmela (DeFranco) Florio. He married Gail (Colligan) Florio Fischler and had two children Brian and Kevin. He is survived by his current wife Deborah and sister Theresa Florio. Dear brother-in-law of Andrea Gallo. Devoted son-in-law of Mary Brown and Pat Gallo. Rocco was the younger brother of the late Jack Florio. Family and friends may visit at the Claude R. Boyd-Caratozzolo Funeral Home, 1785 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY on Thursday from 7:00-9:30pm and Friday from 2:00-4:30 and 7:00-9:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at Ss Cyril and Methodius RC Church at 10:15am. Interment to follow at St Charles Cemetery. ObituarySlideshow[]
9/5/2007 - Hilton, New York - Summer officially ended today for the Florio kids as the first day of school arrived. Nicole was up very early for her first day of middle school. She walked with Al from next door. Dominic slept in for a while longer but was up an ready in no time to catch the early bus. Both were excited to go back but how long will that last. The first day was not uneventful as Nicole broke her wrist during cheerleading practice and will be in a cast for the next month.Slideshow[]
Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
