DEAR JOSEPH, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SOME OF THE TRADITIONS THAT WE CARRY ON FROM THE GRANDPARENTS WHO CAME FROM SICILY. CHRISTMAS EVE IS A FAMILY GETOGETHER SERVING SAUSAGE, FRIED POTATOES, AND PORPA(OCTAPUS OR SQUID. THEN SPINGEE IS MADE, IT IS AN ITALIAN DOUGHNUT. MIDNIGHT MASS AND AFTER THE OPENING OF PRESENTS. THIS LEAVES US UP TO 2-3AM. SANTA COMES BETWEEN THEN AND THE TIME THE KIDS GET UP. THE DAY IS SPENT SNACKING AND SEEING OLD FRIENDS. DINNER IS RAVIOLI STUFFED WITH MEAT AND SPAGETTI SAUCE. AFTER DINNER ANOTHER ITALIAN PASTRY IS CANNOLI. THE TRADITIONS OF THESE THINGS ARE BEING HANDED DOWN TO THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. HOPE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. LET US HERE FROM YOU. CAROL CROCE