Marisa Tufaro’s paternal grandmother prepared wonderful Italian pasta dinners. On any given Sunday, the aroma of meatballs, sausage, and braciole simmering on the stove for hours in homemade gravy (sauce) filled the house.

As preparation for the main course neared its end, family members would whet their palates with mozzarella, prosciutto, and Italian bread while the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett or Dean Martin played softly in the background. A pinochle card game usually followed the meal.