July 2004

Yes, Deana, I do have two questions for you. First let me say thank you for letting all of us who still love and miss your father, talk to you about him. Your kindness is a wonderful gift to all of your dad's fans. I know that Christmas is a bittersweet time for you and your family but is there one gift that your father gave to you on Christmas that perhaps touched you more than others? My second question, how could I obtain a photo of you? You're so pretty and full of spirit I'm sure you and your dad must have had a special relationship. Thank you Gerard Dean Mazas 

Dear Gerard,

Thank you for your kind words. It's my pleasure to be able to keep in touch with my fathers' fans. Yes, Christmas is a bittersweet time for my family. Dad had such a wonderful presence and kindness that can never be replaced. My favorite Christmas gift was a big white terrycloth robe with my name on it. It was just like the ones the "Rat Pack" wore in the sauna at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. As for a photo of myself, I'd be honored to send one to you. 

Best wishes always, 

Deana

 Hi Deana... Loved your dad and loved Ricci's book. Also loved dad's suede shoes... Any reason why suede? And who supplied them? Have a great holiday!! John Olsen

Dear John,

I'm pleased you enjoyed Ricci's book. Why suede? It was and still is cool! My father had most of his shoes made by a man named DeFabreezio. 

Best wishes, 

Deana

Hi Deana! You did such a wonderful job singing with Jerry Lewis on the MDA telethon! Do you plan on singing with Jerry in the future? Mike Wiggins 

Dear Mike,

I had a wonderful time singing with Jerry. And yes, I do hope for more engagements with him. I also look forward to seeing you again at the Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville. We always have a terrific time. 

Best wishes, 

Deana

When will your book be published? We are having a Dino Day her in Brisbane. Starting with 18 holes of golf, some scotch & sodas in t he clubhouse and then dinner. - I'd like the menu to be made up of meals that your dad really did like. Would you please tell me what his favorite meals were? I know he loved angel hair spaghetti and tiramisu -- and I've had that each time I've visited Da Vinci - but what else did he like? Thanks so much for keeping his name up there. We love him so much and appreciate the time you put in. Thanks again. Shan Brown 

Dear Shan,

My book, titled "Memories Are Made of This, " will be published later this year. I look forward to sharing it with everyone. Your Dino Day sounds terrific I wish I could be there for all the fun. My suggestion for additional menu items would be fried zucchini and pasta fagioli. Da Vinci's is still one of our favorite restaurants. My husband, John, and I sit in Dad's booth whenever we go there. 

Best regards always, 

Deana

My family and I have been fans of Dean's for years. Mom and I would love to come to the 2003 Festival in Steubenville. Please send me more information. Thank you so much. This means a lot to me. Pam Sciarretta 

Dear Pam,

Please try to attend the Dean Martin Festival. It's an experience you'll never forget. All the information is available on the website. 

Best wishes, 

Deana

Hi, My name is Charlotte, I'm 21 and I live in England. I am writing to you to let you know that my mum, Heather, is such a massive fan of your father's and she has been since she was a little girl. She is hoping to visit Steubenville in the future to see where your father grew up and to just look around the town. I would be really grateful if you could send an e-mail to her. I'm not sure what about, but I know that she would be pleased. Thank you for taking time out to read this. Thank you, Charlotte 

Dear Charlotte,

I went to college in South Devon and was a wonderful experience for me. Who can blame your mom for being a Dean Martin fan? He was a wonderful, loving and talented man. Steubenville is a small town with fantastic people and they all love Dean Martin. I hope you and your mom get a chance to come to the Festival…you won't be disappointed! There is much fun had by all! 

Best wishes to you and your mom Heather. 

Deana

Dear Deana, I just want you to know how important your dad was to me growing up. I wrote him a fan letter (the only fan letter I have ever written) when I was eight and got an autographed picture. It is very faded now, but I cherish it. All my friends, growing up in the 60's, were into Hermin's Hermits and the Beatles, but not me. Dean Martin all the way. (I must have been a strange child.) Everyone I have ever known think of me when they hear your father sing. Airport was the first movie I saw on my own. Big day for a 9 year old. Two buses and a subway ride in Toronto. He has sang me through many moments of my life and many very important memories are tied to him and his music. My mother died of Alzheimer's disease and ft only music that she would listen to, that would calm her down in her declining years, was your dad's. I wish I could thank him for that. I miss him. My children, 11 and 16, are now also big fans. His legacy continues. Thank you for letting me express my appreciation. Sincerely, Colette 

Dear Colette,

Dean Martin was very cool in the 60's. He even bumped the Beatles out of first place on the charts with "Everybody Loves Somebody." It's nice to know that my father brought some sunshine into your mother's life. Thank you for encouraging your children to listen to his work and continuing his legacy. I miss him also. 

Best wishes always, 

Deana

Dear Deana, You must get this a lot, but I will tell you anyway. Your father has provided a lot of great entertainment for me and my friends since I learned about him in the early 70's. He was a great performer, a loving man and a wonderful human being. Your family must be so proud of him. My question is -- Do you know of any plans of making a movie of his life? Tony De Angelis 

Dear Tony,

I never get tired of having people express how much they love my father and the joy his music, movies, and TV show brought them. And yes, my entire family is very proud of him. As far as a movie, I'm hoping that my book, will hit the big screen. 

Best wishes, 

Deana

I just want to tell you how much your father was loved here in Texas. Not only by my family, but also by all the people in Texas. Would like to know if you have any plans for a qualified impersonator to play the casinos, say in Shreveport, LA, to bring that Martin persona? Mary Estein 

Dear Mary,

My father loved everything 'western', especially Texas. It's always nice to hear how much people adored him. There are quite a few impersonators out here that would probably love to play the casinos. 

Best Wishes, 

Deana

I was surprised to find this link to you through the website. It's wonderful to have a chance to write to you personally. If you remember, my mother, Carole, and I 'attended the festival this past June. We're the people from Dallas. All of your family was kind and open to all us festival goers. I speak highly of you all every chance I got here in Dallas. In fact your cousin Guy and I have emailed each other twice and am so honored to have the opportunity to be communicating with the Crocetti family. I also really enjoyed Archie. Please give him my regards should you see or hear from him. I have a unique question to pose to you. Was your dad left-handed? I've notice in Rio Bravo, the pistol in his left hand. Also I believe a pistol was in his left hand in The Sons of Katie Elder. I realize your time is limited, but welcome wholeheartedly an answer if possible. In any event, please continue to keep your dad's memory alive as I continue to plug for him here in Dallas. By the way, I recently purchased the Dean Martin musical doll by Gemmy Corporation at a local JC Penney Store. I was thrilled, since I stumbled upon the doll by chance. Thanks for making our time in Steubenville unforgettable. Gratefully yours, Robert & Carole Azzarello 

Dear Robert and Carole,

Of course I remember all of you from Dallas. Please give my best to your mother. Dad wasn't left-handed but my brother, Craig, is. I'm pleased to hear you purchased the Dean Martin doll; it's alot of fun. Thanks for writing and I hope to see you in Steubenville in the coming years. 

Best regards, 

Deana

Hi Deana, I'm looking forward to 2003's festival. We have our reservations all ready. I met you at last year’s festival. I'm the person who lost 115 pounds walling to your dad's music. I still walk everyday. I'm up to 6 miles T joined a gym and workout everyday, still look great. I also correspond with Guy Crocetti via email on a regular basis. He gave me Grandma Crocetti's ravioli recipe and I love to make them. They take me all day, but they are worth it. I'd really like your pasta fagioli recipe. Did I spell it right? Thanks, Deana, see you in June. That's the weekend of my birthday this year. Hope all is well with your family. Love to you all, Kate 

Dear Kate,

Keep up the good work. Six miles a day is fantastic! I hope you get into some free weights; it really helps to build muscle and strong bones. When I see you in Steubenville, I'll give you the recipe for pasta fagioli (and yes, you spelled it correctly!) All is well with my family, thank you for asking. 

Best wishes always, 

Deana

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