Garibaldi-Meucci Museum to Host NOT IN A TUSCAN VILLAGE Speaker, 9/13

On Saturday, September 13 at 2 pm, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum will present a very special guest speaker. Nancy Petralia, along with her husband John, is author of "Not in a Tuscan Villa," which is currently a bestseller in the travel book section on Amazon.com. The book tells the real-life story of this middle-aged American couple who went to live in Italy for a year, and explores the harsh reality of what unforeseen complications can happen when you try to make your dreams come true.

Newly retired and looking for more than a vacation, John and Nancy pack some suitcases and head to the "perfect" Italian city to live for a year. Within days of their arrival their dream becomes a nightmare. While enjoying the art and the food, making new friends and learning new customs, they must also learn to negotiate the roads and the health care system, and discover how much more difficult everything becomes when you don't really speak the language. Through the good and the bad, the Petralias learn more than they anticipated-about Italy, themselves, what it means to be American, and what's important in life.

Part memoir and part commentary, "Not in a Tuscan Villa" is a quirky and sincere exploration of the thrills and trials that can arise when you have the courage to step out of your comfort zone and do something challenging in later life. It graphically illustrates the axiom that you must "be careful what you wish for..."

Admission of $10, $5 for members includes a light reception. Books will be available for sale for the author to sign.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, located at 420 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, NY, was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned by the Sons of Italy Foundation and administered by the NYSOSIA?GMM?Board of Commissioners.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation; Coccia Foundation; JP Morgan Chase Regrant in partnership with the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI); The Staten Island Foundation; The Lois and Richard Nicotra Foundation and by grants allocated by New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.

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