<![CDATA[My Site

<![CDATA[My Site - Blog]]>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:27:55 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Scoping out Scottsdale]]>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/scoping-out-scottsdale

#RockSolidHistory from Scottsdale, AZ, and happy #NativeDay. Originally a place where just the Pima tribe lived and called Vaṣai S-vaṣonĭ, it has now become a fancy suburb of Phoenix that has seen its share of changes since its founding in 1894.

Located in the Salt River Valley, Scottsdale celebrates its history with sculptures, from marsh birds, to wild horses, to miners and the Butterfield Overland Mail Service. They are beautifully done and well placed.

Take a walk around the Old Town if you are visiting!

#PhoenixHistory #ScottsdaleHistory #PimaHistory #VasaiSvasoni #ButterfieldOverlandMailService #ArizonaHistory

]]><![CDATA[A vibrant time in Vernon this weekend]]>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/a-vibrant-time-in-vernon-hawthorne-this-weekend

The Vernon Street Fair (535 County Route 515, Vernon, NJ) is coming this Saturday September 19! Stop on by and visit my booth along with others.

[THE HAWTHORNE EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!!!] Then on Sunday September 20 is the rain date for the Hawthorne Green Fair located at the Louis Bay 2nd Library outdoors, 345 Lafayette Ave, Hawthorne, NJ.

I have a new poetry book out, but will of course have copies of “A Rock Solid History of Hawthorne, New Jersey.” It’ll be a good time.

See you there!

#IndependentAuthor #NewJerseyPoet #NJHistorian #VernonStreetFair #FuninSussexCounty #WeekendFunNJ #HawthorneGreenFair #HawthorneGreenTeam

]]><![CDATA[Never Forget - 25 years later]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:04:18 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/never-forget-25-years-later

As a resident of New Jersey and knowing people who perished on September 11, 2001 in NYC, it is always surprising to me how far and wide the effects were felt, especially if you consider the incidents in Pennsylvania and Washington DC as well.

In fact, my brother had a meeting near the Pentagon that day and luckily survived.

Here you see a memorial, seemingly out-of-place, in a park adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits in LA. However, it is in honor of Capt. Charles F. Burlingame, a Navy captain, who was piloting the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. According to reports, he was forced to the back of the plane by terrorists.

Burlingame, who lived in Virginia as an adult, graduated from nearby Anaheim High School. So that is why his memorial is in LA.

Thank you, Capt. Burlingame, for your ultimate sacrifice.

#Sept11sacrifices #NeverForget25yearsLate #honoringSept11pilots #CaptBurlingameSayHisName #CaptCharlesFBurlingame

]]><![CDATA[A beautiful weekend for a good cause]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 20:29:20 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/a-beautiful-weekend-for-a-good-cause

UPDATE ON DATES! The next 2 weekends are shaping up to be good one to visit a fair and donate to a good cause! I’ll be at 2 fairs selling my books, and will donate a portion of proceeds to both the YMCA of Belvidere and Word Seed Inc. of Paterson. Be sure to stop on by!

📚 September 12, Saturday: Belvidere Victorian Day, Garret Wall Park, Belvidere, NJ. Hours 10am-6pm.
📚 September 19, Saturday: Vernon Street Fair, 535 County Route 515, Vernon, NJ. Hours 11am-3pm.
📚 [THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED] September 20, Sunday: Green Fair at the Hawthorne Farmers Market, 345 Lafayette Ave, Hawthorne, NJ. Hours: 10am-2pm.

#supportlocalauthors #printwithpurpose #givingbackistheonlyway #WordSeedPaterson #BelvidereYMCA #HawthorneGreenTeam #BelvidereVictorianDay

]]><![CDATA[A Victorian Venture]]>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 19:08:44 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/a-victorian-venture

***News Flash!***

I will be at many events this fall with my new poetry book, and other books. Swing by and say hello!

I am especially excited that I will be in Victorian dress for Belvidere Victorian Day. Come on out for a fun day. A portion proceeds will go to a local youth educational program.

September 12, Saturday: Belvidere Victorian Day, Garret Wall Park, Belvidere, NJ. Hours 10am-6pm.
September 19, Saturday: Vernon Street Fair, 535 County Route 515, Vernon, NJ. Hours 11am-3pm.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED September September 20, Sunday: Green Fair at the Hawthorne Farmers Market, 345 Lafayette Ave, Hawthorne, NJ. Hours: 10am-2pm.

]]><![CDATA[Limited run of poetry book]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/limited-run-of-poetry-book

Did you order your “Paterson Poetry” book yet? Don’t delay because there are only a limited number available.

Please visit the product page on my website at authorditko.com or see me September 13 at the Green Fair at the Louis Bay 2nd Library in Hawthorne.

And thank you.

#PoetryofPaterson #IlovepoetryNJ #Patersonpoetry #ImaPoetDontYouKnowIt #WinnerofaPoetryScholarship

]]><![CDATA[True Mexican independence day...]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/true-mexican-independence-day

#RockSolidHistory from #PalmDesert California!

Many believe Cinco de Maio (May 5) is when Mexico celebrates its freedom from Spain, but it is actually September 16, the day the Mexican War against the Spanish began in 1810 by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

Years later, true independence came on August 24 of 1821 when the Treaty of Cordoba was signed.

This mural at a supermarket in Palm Desert perfectly captures the joy of mariachi music, a remnant of Mexican culture that is still vibrant in the Southwest U.S. today. Over many years, this area of California experienced fluctuating ownership between Spain and the United States.

#LoveMariachi #USMexicans #MexicanIndependence

]]><![CDATA[Poetry book now ready!]]>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/poetry-book-now-ready

**New merch alert!**

I have finally gathered enough courage to publish a small book of original poetry inspired by Paterson, New Jersey. Filled with natural elements, dreamy pictures, and a relaxing and reflective vibe – grab one before I run out!

Also know that this book is entirely local to northern New Jersey – written by me, about local places, and printed locally.

I only ordered a small print batch, so don’t delay if you want my “Poetry of Paterson” book.

It is also only available through me! Please visit the product page on my website at authorditko.com or see me September 13 at the Green Fair at the Louis Bay 2nd Library in Hawthorne.

And thank you.

#PoetryofPaterson #IlovepoetryNJ #Patersonpoetry #ImaPoetDontYouKnowIt #WinnerofaPoetryScholarship

]]><![CDATA[This desk isn't for me...]]>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/this-desk-isnt-for-me

#RockSolidHistory and #LefthandersDay from #FrauncesTavern in #NYC!

I thought this was the coolest and most practical desk ever when I visited the tavern’s museum. Until I realized it is for right-handers. It would be totally useless for me!

Yes, I am a left-hander. 😊

I’m not too sure who’s desk this was, but it is a period piece, meaning it dates back to the late 1700s when the United States was founded. If you didn’t know, Fraunces Tavern used to be the location of the executive government of the new nation.

#AreYouALefty #LefthandersRule #LoveaLefty #EarlyUSHistory #EarlyExecutiveGovernment

]]><![CDATA[Feeling "Home Alone" near Chicago]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.authorditko.com/blog/feeling-home-alone-near-chicago

#MovieMonday and #RockSolidHistory from the #ChicagoBurbs!

You may or may not know that prolific film writer and director John Hughes grew up near Chicago. He also lived there most of his life and naturally set many of his movies there.

You may recognize the following if you are a “Home Alone” movie buff. All locations are in Winnetka, IL if you ever visit:

🎥McCallister home at 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka

🎥 Old Man Marley's home at 681 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka

🎥 Pharmacy (really an ice cream shop) in Winnetka where Kevin McCallister goes to a pharmacy for a toothbrush

🎥 Park (Hubbard Woods) in Winnetka that Kevin runs to after the pharmacy

🎥 Walkway over train tracks in Winnetka (next to Hubbard Woods Park)

#JohnHughesfilmlocations #LoveHomeAlone #ChristmasMovieLocations #Winnetkafilmlocations

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