Celebration

What's a new book without a book party?

On Aug. 26, 2005, Jon and Kay Niemann hosted a celebration at the historic Strater Hotel in Durango, Colorado, for family and friends who helped make Salone Italiano possible.

Here's Kay, with her mom, Lena.

Left to right, are Neal Sundquist with his wife, Angela, and Michele Birdwell.

Angela, a native of Rivarolo Canavese, Italy, helped translate the family letters that led to Salone Italiano.

Connie Trontel, left, and Gen (Trione) Robinson had a lot to talk about. And why wouldn't they? They had been writing to each other for 70 years, but had never met until the celebration in Durango!

The following day, the group rode the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Silverton. At right are Jon and Kay Niemann, and in the row behind them, Pete and Carla Urban. Carla did the illustrations for the book.

The train plays a prominent role in Salone Italiano.

The train arrives in Silverton.

Left to right, are Mike and Dee Cleary and Dean Robinson, at the building that was formerly the Belleview Saloon.

	Celebration!
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