Maria Merlino

Maria Merlino is a Philadelphia author and artist whose works cover varying subject material. She is the Executive Producer of These Ain't No Fairytales: The George Martorano Stories. Her father, Paul, was a highly decorated WWII war hero who served with Audie Murphy in the Army's 3rd Division. Her mother, Lucia, a war bride, was an Italian nurse. They met at 300 General Hospital in Naples Italy where Paul was recovering from wounds sustained in Anzio Beach. Maria is a national and internationally known needlework designer with patterns published in many books and magazines. You can also find her writings in Philadelphia's RowHome Magazine where she writes about celebrities, historic Philadelphia, food, wine and culture. On the lighter side, Maria was a Ringling Bros.and Barnum& Bailey Clown College graduate. She made radio history on the Howard Stern Show and is a former stand-up comic. Her album, T&Honey was locally produced and is compilation of 8 original songs written and sung by her. In her spare time, she runs a children's charity called A Stocking Full Of Love which collects hand-made Christmas stockings and distributes them to the less fortunate kids in Philadelphia. Maria also attended culinary school and sees a cookbook in her future.