Profits from Conte’s second book will, again, help others

Jennifer Raley
Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Once again, Joe Conte has put his pen to paper with plans of using his profits to help others.

About a year after publishing his first book, “Down the Yellow Brick Road: an ALS Victim’s Quest for Oz,” which was written about his late wife Connie’s struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosi, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Conte decided to write a more upbeat story.

Conte, formerly of Hagerstown, describes his second book, “Flies in my Spaghetti, Chocolates Over the Wall,” as “a potpourri of anecdotes dealing with fun, travel, and a sprinkling of remorse and sadness.”

All proceeds will go to the Constance Joan Schneider ALS Group, Inc., as did proceeds from the first book.

“This is much different than the first book — it’s more upbeat,” said Conte, who know resides in Ashburn, Va. “It was more enjoyable to write — it took a lot of recollection and going through old papers. It’s autobiographical journey about growing up and joining the service and meeting different people.”

The book also includes historical facts about places in Conte’s journeys.

Readers of all ages can identify with the tales of joy and heartache, said Conte, a retired meteorologist.

“The overall message is that the good in life outweighs the bad,” he said. “The flies represent the remorse or sorrowful times in life and the chocolates the happiness that is so illusive because of day-to-day barriers.”

Originally, Conte wanted to use the proceeds to help the loved ones of those suffering from ALS in the United States and Canada; the ALS patients’ families could use the for funds for doctor house calls and hiring people to relive caregivers; however, people showed little interest requesting the funds.

Conte thinks the reason little interest was shown is because family members don’t want to feel like they can’t take care of their loved ones on their own.

Now, Conte plans to redirect his efforts by beginning a program called Cornucopia of Toys, Food, Clothing for Kids in Appalachia, 2008. He wants to provide clean water, and money for food, clothing, toys and possibly home repairs.

While he has the funds, Conte is tying to establish contacts with individuals and/or agencies to guide him to people and areas in need of assistance in the Appalachian region.

The new book should be available in January. Conte can be contacted at (703) 724-1992 or con20132@yahoo.com.

Contact Jennifer Raley at jraley@times-news.com.
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