Chief Becomes U.S. Citizen

 On the Fourth of July, it's a pleasure to announce that Chief Kasibante, husband of Fieg cousin Laura Fieg Kasibante, became an American citizen on July 2, 2023.

We are so proud to welcome him into the family of U.S. taxpayers!

 

Fiegs Get Together in Florida

Fieg Cousin Sue Williams sent an email outlining a visit she and hubby Ed had with the families of their niece, Laura Kasibante, and nephew, Brian Fieg.  Says Sue, "Hi Judy - Ed and I went to St, Augustine on April 5, 2023 to spend the afternoon with niece, Laura, nephew, Brian, and families. Attached is a pic from the restaurant. We had a great time in the Florida sun at the beach……that’s why there are sooooo many red sunburned faces!

Laura and family will return to Uganda this summer so Laura can start a new teaching job in August.

 Starting on the left: Laura Kasibante, Chief Kasibante, Shemaiah (3/7/20) Kasibante, Brian Fieg, Emily Fieg, Caleb Fieg (8/14/12), Judah Kasibante (7/18/15), Nathan Fieg (5/27/16), Max Kasibante (9/18/13), Lily Fieg (6/30/14), Zionne “ZZ” Kasibante (3/20/17), Sue Williams, Ed Williams.

Thanks for the update, Sue, and for being such a super aunt!

Marsha and Bill Adams Steppin' Out

 

Fieg cousin Marsha Whiteside Adams and husband Bill recently attended a dinner for past chairmen of the American Concrete Pipe Association in Florida.  Bill is retired now, but formerly was very active in the family business making concrete highway forms such as drainage conduit.

New Life for Foti's Bakery

Foti's Italian Bakery, makers of Foti's bread, a family favorite for generations in Oneonta, closed when the family decided they had worked long and hard enough. The sound of wailing rang through the hills of Otsego County. The business was sold to an out of town bread maker but, rather than continue Foti's as such, they brought their own recipe into the old bakery. It was good bread, but it was not the same, and the bakery closed after a few years.

There is a family account of Uncle Bud Fieg driving from Missouri to Oneonta to visit his family, stopping at the grocery store to pick up a loaf of Foti's, and eating half of it before he reached the cash register.

Richard Fieg of Ste. Genevieve, Mo. had hopes that he had found a reasonable facsimile in St. Louis, and was kind enough to send a couple of loaves along to Greg Fieg in Oneonta for his birthday. It was good bread, but not Foti's.  The distinguishing characteristics of Foti's were in the crunchy crust, and the soft, very moist interior full of air bubbles - with the consistency of mashed potatoes but not mealy - just the right amount of leavening and a generous coating of corn meal on the bottom. And the taste....

The building at 42 River St., which will observe its 100th anniversary next year, recently was converted into an Italian bistro called Dazzo's Kitchen, run by a 30-year-old restauranteur. The restaurant has a wood-fired oven and has received positive reviews, but has made no attempt to revive Foti's bread. If they did, Oneontans would beat a path to their door. 

It is difficult to believe that a product so beloved could dry up and blow away.

Catch-up Word Paintings

 

CATCHING UP!

Happy belated birthday to Jean Davie Fieg - 94 years old on February 9! If you get the chance, send her a message via Phyllis at phyllisfieg@gmail.com. Jean was born in Greensboro, NC on Silver Ave. where her dad was manager of the A&P grocery store. Phyllis retired from the U.S. Postal Service and is now bookkeeper/landscaper/bathroom scrubber at 1405 Knightwood Drive.

Nancy Fieg Lynch, daughter of Ed Fieg and Karen White, and husband Dan had a baby boy named Sawyer, and what a cute kid! He has all the trappings of being an ingenious child  - bright, joyous, engaging and perceptive says his great-uncle Greg Fieg. 

He keeps on truckin' running a thriving business.  Cade Dangca's company recently was involved with the reconstruction of the Throgs Neck Bridge over the East River. Cade and Megan's son is named Weston but Cade calls him "my little excavator."

Editor Judy Kestner recently attended the winter meeting of the Texas Ornithological Society in Abilene, Tex. It was a wonderful event with speakers, birding field trips and fun with friends. No life birds, but Judy got a life mammal: a beaver! The organization's spring meeting was also held in Abilene. It was quite a bit warmer....

Judy's husband, Joe, is recovering from a stroke suffered in October 2021. He has stopped falling out of bed (haha) and we have seen other improvements. 

Eva Dangca gave up her career as a barista, chickened out, and is now working at Buffalo Wild Wings in Oneonta.