Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Catherine Sabino is an editor and author who writes about travel ShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-light-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-light-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-regular-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-regular-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-regular-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .color-accent{color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.color-base #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .color-base{color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.bg-base #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .bg-base{background-color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.font-base #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .font-base{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .font-size{font-size: 54px;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-accent{color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-base{color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-base{background-color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-accent{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-size p #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .color-accent{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-size{font-size: 26px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 0.8);} .bg-body{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}The ornate facade of the 18th-century Madonna dei Martiri in Altamura As overtourism plagues more destinations each summer travelers tired of dealing with unwieldy crowds and premium hotel prices are increasingly checking out lesser-known spots like the Mugello and Etruscan Coast in Tuscany or the splendid villages of Imperia on the Italian Riviera Puglia, one of Italy’s most popular destinations with more than five million visitors each year is famous for seaside havens like Gargano and the Salento Coast it still has places to discover without swarms of tourists where towns and villages remain true to their roots and continue to be uncrowded in peak season (Visitors to Alta Murgia numbered around 100,000 in 2023 The Alta Murgia landscape with Castel del Monte in the distance The Alta Murgia National Park covers nearly 263 square miles Those who travel to the Alta Murgia often hail from Puglia and other parts of Italy They come not only for outdoor sports—the National Park spans nearly 263 square miles and offers pristine landscapes for cycling and trekking—but for the cultural attractions in Alta Murgia’s cities and towns provide glimpses into lesser-known aspects of pre-Renaissance Italian history The Slow Food approach to cooking and products are other lures (Culinary tourists can also go on truffle hunts in the Murgia.) Three UNESCO World Heritage sites and the city of Matera in adjoining Basilicata are easy to reach Andria and Altamura are Alta Murgia’s most visited cities. In Andria the star attraction is Castel del Monte, an imposing 13th-century citadel and the best-known stronghold of Frederick II a charismatic and cosmopolitan medieval ruler (and Holy Roman Emperor) a UNESCO site created in an octagonal shape incorporates classic and Arab architectural elements (Photo by Peter Meißner/ullstein bild via Getty Images) Frederick II was instrumental to the development of Altamura, a city often considered one of southern Italy’s “hidden gems.” Known for his fervid support of the arts and encouraged settlers to move to the city promising religious tolerance and to sweeten the deal These newcomers created distinct neighborhoods taking up residence in buildings constructed around small courtyards called “claustri,” a defining characteristic of the city’s centro storico today with many palazzi built between the 16th to 19th centuries But Altamura’s history reaches back even further named for the skeleton of a 35-year-old Neanderthal man discovered near the city in 1993 consists of three museums that showcase the city’s prehistoric past The local culinary treat is Pane di Altamura but more certainly from the late Middle Ages it must be made according to a simple recipe with specific ingredients like the Antica Forno Santa Caterina which opened in 1391 the Alta Murgia is home to 13 cities and towns for its elevated position affording stunning views of the Murgian countryside and the site of a medieval fair dating from 1294 The town is also well known for its dramatic aqueduct bridge Although not one of the official Alta Murgia municipalities a pristine locale with a jigsaw-like centro storico filled with white stone buildings Palo del Colle is rich in history,” says Sabrina Piccininni it was once a territory of the powerful Milan Sforza clan maintained a residence (now the Palazzo dei Principi Filomarino) and helped expand and renovate the main church Palo has many churches brimming with ecclesiastical art; like the Baroque Chiesa del Purgatorio originally built for the parish’s aristocrats Outdoor altars venerating various saints are located throughout the town Palo del Colle draws about 7000 visitors a year which led to the creation of the town’s Palio (Palo’s Palio del Viccio typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday.) She notes that roots tourism is very common here with travelers seeking to learn about their ancestry “arriving from Germany The town is also well-known for its freshly baked taralli wheat-based biscuits that are often flavored with fennel seed and served with aperitifs Young vintners like Nicola and Francesco Toto are creating a new chapter for Murgia wines with award-winning labels like Il Miglione Rosso and Giulette Bianco The Castello Marchesale/Palazzo Ducale dates from 1104 It was expanded and modified over the centuries Well known for its prized Slow Food almonds dates at least to the ninth or tenth centuries The centro storico includes a Norman-era clock tower and a medieval Castello Marchesale/Ducal Palace (The ducal portion of the palace is now owned by Giuseppe Paccione an attorney in Toritto; the ground floor and courtyard are sometimes used for events) Other landmarks include the Palazzo D’Urso with beautiful frescoes and heritage churches (San Nicola dating from 1402 and the 11th-century Madonna delle Grazie) Between three and four thousand men and women emigrated to the Americas from Toritto during the late 19th and early 20th centuries an exodus commemorated by a monument in the town The town is famous for its prized Slow Food almonds Almonds are the specialty of the town and sought-after by chefs throughout Italy Each September Toritto celebrates its famous product with a sagra and events and a food festival highlighting Toritto flavors according to Francesco Palmiotto of Proloco Toritto D’Urso runs the farm estate with her husband Domenico Viti The Masseria Pilapalucci dates from the 16th century The Masseria includes a bed and breakfast with a restaurant and pool Heading up the culinary efforts is renowned chef and cookbook author who reinvents classic Puglian dishes utilizing the bounty of the Murgia countryside Catherine Sabino is an editor and author who writes about travel.Follow AuthorNov 21 05:17pm ESTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .font-base{} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}Rome and Naples are among Italy’s most popular holiday destinations with thousands arriving in the Eternal City for seasonal events at the Vatican Lively Christmas markets and Nativity displays are big draws for Naples You can avoid some of the crowds and experience other rich festive traditions if you head to various cities and towns in Italy’s South where Christmas is celebrated with decorative and culinary gusto; temperatures tend to be mild (with highs in the mid-50s °F); off-season rates at hotels are attractive; and menus abound with dishes and sweets often available only at this time of year experts reveal what to see and do in Puglia (Note the Christmas season typically runs from December 8 through January 6.) Piazza Sant'Oronzo in Lecce during the holidays last year (Photo by Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images) provide a majestic backdrop for all the city’s end-of-year happenings and traditions linked to the most wonderful time of the year,” says Giovanni Colonna a group dedicated to showcasing the area’s cultural heritage “In many churches [among them the Chiesa del Rosario it is Christmas year-round with scenes and altars dedicated to the Nativity.” ArtWork offers tours “Christmas in Lecce,’ from December 21 to January 6 An artisan decorates papier-mache figures for a Nativity scene in Lecce which is renowned not only for its longevity but also for its artisan crafts (December 1-23) “The Santa Lucia Fair is reserved for papier-mâché artists This mercato is followed by another artisans’ fair (December 27-January 6) Those with a fondness for sweets can head to the annual Festa del Cioccolato a multi-day event coinciding with the religious holiday “The more classic Christmas market [runs] until the Epiphany,” says Colonna there will be a skating rink and a toy fair.” The Baroque Basilica di Santa Croce houses "The Adoration of the Shepherds," says Giovanni Colonna of ArtWork Culture A sleek holiday tree dominates the Piazza Sant’Oronzo throughout the season Another high point is the “monumental nativity scene in the Piazza Duomo,” says Colonna Artisanal panettone at Zephyr Restaurant at La Fiermontina Luxury Home A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the panettones will be donated to charity it’s typical to have a pasta with seafood or with cime di rapa turnip greens; on Christmas Day it’s often a lamb dish for the entrée Lodging: For those seeking high-end options, there’s the five-star La Fiermontina Luxury Home, a restored masseria located in the centro storico The intimate property has 16 rooms and three suites with grounds that include an olive grove and the Fiermonte Museum with art from the family collection (an ancestor was a prominent artist and muse to sculptors René Letourneur and Jacques Zwobada) Art lovers can even stay in one of the museum’s four stylized suites the hotel’s Zéphyr Restaurant will offer a special menu Small towns in Puglia also go all out with lights who heads up the Proloco in Palo del Colle “The Christmas atmosphere is very much felt in Puglia The most visited destinations at the end of the year are in the Itria Valley [e.g. although you can find a celebratory atmosphere in many places throughout Puglia Palo has a robust calendar of holiday events with the season kicking off December 6th (St Nicholas Day) when Christmas lights are turned on in the town There’s a “Sotto gli Archi” (under the arches) festival that showcases Palo’s historic passageways and artistic landmarks along with live Nativity scenes and concerts Dining: The Palo holiday table has changed a lot in recent years although it remains an especially flavorful one pranzo usually consists of homemade orecchiette with a classic ragù although menus vary in the area according to local tradition and available produce a fried pastry dipped in a wine-based syrup; the almond-based cookies and calzoncelli; or tartlets like bocconotti finished off with artisanal limoncello and rosoli liqueurs Italy’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement offers one of the most memorable landscapes in Italy—and that’s saying a lot and monasteries spill over limestone cliffs in two districts of the city referred to as Sassi (the Italian word for stones) parts of which were settled in the Paleolithic era with tiers of ochre-stone structures clinging to the craggy terrain has long prompted filmmakers (Pier Paolo Pasolini and Mel Gibson) to use the location as a stand-in for ancient locales It also provides an unusually evocative setting for Christmas festivities “Matera is especially magical during the holiday season,” says Julie Durso, a private travel manager with Scott Dunn “While many think of the well-known Christmas markets of northern Italy Matera is a hidden gem with its own splendor and festive markets as well as a Presepe Vivente [live Nativity scene] event.” held on select dates in December and January involves a dramatic Nativity re-enactment with some 200 participants It takes place along a 1.5-kilometer route starting in Matera’s historic center and winds through one of the Sassi districts (Caveoso) Dining: The end-of-year markets offer a good way to sample Basilicata specialties in one easy stroll with stalls featuring local products like artisanal cheeses For a seasonal approach to cooking classes she says her company can arrange lessons with a focus on holiday foods including struffoli (honey-glazed treats) and ferratelle Other desserts to try include such sweets as cartellate (also popular in Puglia) here drizzled in honey with cinnamon and orange flavorings Lodging: For a stay in an atmospheric property, Durso suggests Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita you can choose among “meticulously restored cave suites within a UNESCO-listed labyrinth.” She cites the authentic and spacious rooms that offer “a unique glimpse into the past The five-star Palazzo Gattini is a celebrity favorite The five-star Palazzo Gattini and if you’re returning here in summer when the temperatures soar you can book a suite with its own swimming pool Sicily’s exuberant spirit is on full display during the holiday season the centro storico gets decked out in lights and seasonal flowers and Christmas mercati are staged in different parts of the city There are performances of The Nutcracker (Lo Schiaccianoci) a celebratory New Year’s Day concert at the grand and beautifully illuminated Teatro Massimo opera house Alberto Ciarallo, founder of Cognoscenti Travel says as experiential travel becomes more popular are responding to the idea of “spending the festive season immersed in a new culture.” His firm has created an in-depth itinerary focusing on holiday traditions and experiences The trip includes a stay at an aristocratic palazzo in Palermo excursions to the medieval town of Erice for the Christmas market and to C0stinaci for the Presepe Vivente (live Nativity) Participants can also learn how to make classic Sicilian sweets and seasonal decorations he recommends excursions that combine both public and private aspects of the city like a curated visit to the famous Capo and Ballarò food markets to choose ingredients for a typical Christmas Eve meal The market outing is followed by an interactive cooking class at a private palazzo then dinner with dessert (Pandoro) and Passito di Pantelleria served by a Christmas tree he suggests a behind-the-scenes tour of the Teatro Massimo Barbara Iaccarino of Sicilian Journeys says that with Palermo’s popularity as a tourist destination “just seeing it off-season allows for a more exclusive experience.” To understand Palermo you need to visit a private palazzo,” she says since the city tends to hide its beauty “behind the curtains.” Photo by: Planet One Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images “the most sumptuous private residence in Sicily” (where scenes from Luchino Visconti’s iconic movie the ornate chapel in the city’s Royal Palace; visits to the Duomo di Monreale a Unesco site; and the Palazzo Butera for its wide-ranging art collection Palazzo Butera is located in the Kalsa district of the city ”one of the oldest and most authentic neighborhoods of Palermo,” she says Dining: The Sicilian holiday table is famously lavish with such specialties as zucca in agrodolce (red pumpkin in sweet-and-sour sauce); anelletti alla palmeritana a ring-shape pasta baked with meat and cheese; various swordfish dishes; and falsomagro Photo by Riccardo Lombardo/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Lodging: This historic Villa Igiea There’s a full calendar of holiday dining with special menus on Christmas Eve and even a brunch for the Epiphany (January 6) to wrap up the season The hotel can arrange insider tours of the Duomo di Monreale the UNESCO site with magnificent mosaics and an extraordinary blend of architectural styles; the chance to attend performances at the Teatro Massimo with seats in the Royal Box; and behind-the-scenes tours to meet those involved with the Teatro’s operas and ballets Santa Scorese was just 23 years old when on March 16 a young man with mental disorders who had been obsessed with her for some years Since 1988 he had persecuted her with threats and not even God”s” he wrote to her in a note but at that time Italian laws did not offer adequate tools to counter such phenomena Stalking as a crime was only included in the Italian penal code (Article 612 bis) in 2009 The police and authorities played down the seriousness of the situation believing that it was a “passing disorder” and that the man did not represent a real threat even though he had gone as far as an attempted rape which the girl had barely managed to escape from and someone always tried to accompany her when she went out her persecutor waited at her doorstep for her to return from a Catholic Action meeting No one had stopped Joseph; they thought of him only as sick but not evil Giuseppe ended up locked up in the judicial psychiatric hospital in Aversa (Caserta) where he remained for 10 years ready to make her own contribution to improve the world around her She was very active in her Catholic community and dreamed of becoming a missionary nomen omen; currently the Church considers her to be a Servant of God director Alessandro Piva made the documentary film Santa Subito which won the Audience Award at the Rome Film Festival L'Osservatore Romano00120 Vatican City.All rights reserved We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money Information on COVID-19 Funeral Assistance through FEMA \u003ca href=\"/resources/funeral-assistance\"\u003eRead More\u003c/a\u003e The family of Rocchetta Colasuonno created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Rocchetta (Toscano) Colasuonno was born in Binetto .. © 2025 John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals Inc. Made with love by funeralOne Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.​ Climate change is sending green monk parakeets to the Italian countryside leading them to take over in droves and wreak havoc on the environment The South American birds are not native to Italy, but were released by pet owners and escaped from aviaries decades ago The birds have thrived in the Italian climate becoming a marvel of Rome as well as the city of Molfetta But now, as the climate tropicalizes, the birds are on the move, causing issues in cities and countrysides such as Bari, Bisceglie, Giovinazzo, Palese, Santo Spirito and beyond (​MORE: Delicious Disaster: Crabs Invade Italy) The damage is most evident at Puglia almond groves, where the parakeets feast on the nuts, which are already facing historically low production due to climate change Fruit farmers have felt the impact of the birds as well The birds also pose a health threat to livestock and humans with the potential to transmit diseases such as psittacosis (known as “parrot fever”) a University of Kent project dedicated to the study of invasive parrots in Europe Italy isn’t the only country to play host to these unwelcome invaders. Hoards of monk parakeets have caused issues in Brooklyn, Chicago, New Orleans, Madrid, Barcelona and parts of Mexico, as well as other locales. And monk parakeets aren’t the only parrot species taking over, though a 2021 study found monk parakeets to be the most destructive invasive parrot species to crops They are also one of the most successful invasive bird species (​MORE: Alabama Teen, Teacher Find 30-Million-Year-Old Whale Skull) Europe’s parakeet invasions are expected to worsen as climate change creates a warmer climate. A warmer climate facilitates the spread of invasive parakeet species, and agricultural adaptations to climate change will mean a focus on producing more crops that the birds happen to thrive on, such as corn, nuts and sunflowers In recent years, Madrid has made an effort to cull the monk parakeet population, facing an outcry from activists. ParrotNet’s research pays special attention to the monk parakeet and notes that culling is an unpopular solution because of the public’s affinity for the green birds The parakeet population in Italy’s countryside has only recently gained traction with organizations that support farm workers and agriculture, such as Coldiretti Puglia. The problem has become a major talking point in the region within the last month, with government officials speaking out in hopes of a solution to the growing problem Senior editor Nicole Bonaccorso works as weather.com's photo editor and writes about breaking news The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news the environment and the importance of science to our lives This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.​ The South American birds are not native to Italy, but were released by pet owners and escaped from aviaries decades ago But now, as the climate tropicalizes, the birds are on the move, causing issues in cities and countrysides such as Bari, Bisceglie, Giovinazzo, Palese, Santo Spirito and beyond (​MORE: Delicious Disaster: Crabs Invade Italy) The damage is most evident at Puglia almond groves, where the parakeets feast on the nuts, which are already facing historically low production due to climate change The birds also pose a health threat to livestock and humans with the potential to transmit diseases such as psittacosis (known as “parrot fever”) Newcastle’s Disease and avian influenza (​MORE: Alabama Teen, Teacher Find 30-Million-Year-Old Whale Skull) Europe’s parakeet invasions are expected to worsen as climate change creates a warmer climate. A warmer climate facilitates the spread of invasive parakeet species, and agricultural adaptations to climate change will mean a focus on producing more crops that the birds happen to thrive on, such as corn, nuts and sunflowers and notes that culling is an unpopular solution because of the public’s affinity for the green birds The parakeet population in Italy’s countryside has only recently gained traction with organizations that support farm workers and agriculture, such as Coldiretti Puglia. The problem has become a major talking point in the region within the last month, with government officials speaking out in hopes of a solution to the growing problem Senior editor Nicole Bonaccorso works as weather.com's photo editor and writes about breaking news, travel, climate and more. The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM. \\nGreen Parakeets Overwhelm Parts Of Italy This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Send help right to the people and causes you care about Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee When Massimo Stano crossed the finish line of the 20km race walk at the Olympic Games He turned around and bowed to the next two athletes across the finish line the silver and bronze medallists respectively are both from Japan and earned the host nation’s only track and field medals at the Olympics who has immersed himself in Japanese culture for most of his adult life it felt only natural to show such respect to his opponents “Japanese people have taught me all about having respect for rivals so it felt normal for me to bow to them,” explains the Italian race walker “And winning against two Japanese race walkers adds extra value to the medal.” who had never before won a race outside of Italy produced one of the biggest surprises of the Games to land his gold medal And the fact he did it in one of his favourite countries made it all the more special Japanese people and the culture,” explains Stano “My passion for the country started many years ago after I watched some Japanese films I’ve grown fond of Japanese comics and manga I visited Japan for a training camp a couple of years ago in preparation for the Olympic Games and it strengthened my passion for the country A post shared by Massimo Stano (@massimostano) he looked so at home on the streets of Sapporo when he bided his time until the closing stages before surging ahead of his two remaining rivals “It’s the best achievement in my life The Olympic gold medal is the recognition for all the efforts and sacrifices I made in training over the years I would have preferred to compete in the rain because I perform better than other race walkers in wet weather But in the two months leading up to the Games I repeated in my head that I was the strongest athlete in the field “The biggest joy was hearing the Italian anthem on the podium,” adds Stano who dedicated his victory to his wife Fatima and daughter Sophie “It’s a feeling I can’t describe; I wish everyone could experience it at least once in their lifetime.” who grew up in Palo del Colle in the Southern Italian region of Apulia started out in athletics as a middle-distance runner at the age of 11 and would win every race his club needed someone to enter the race walk he had reached an international level and represented Italy at the 2009 World U18 Championships on home soil in Bressanone becoming a police officer as a member of the Fiamme Oro Padova Athletics team and then enjoyed a major breakthrough in 2013 when he earned silver at the European U23 Championships in Tampere including the fracture of his right and left tibia he moved to Castelporziano near Rome in 2016 to join Patrick Parcesepe’s group which also includes fellow Olympic 20km race walk champion Antonella Palmisano and I believe Parcesepe is the best coach in the world because he continually updates his training methods,” explains Stano “He’s able to understand his athletes and help them meet their needs I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I did at the Olympics had it not been for him A post shared by Antonella Palmisano (@nellypalmi) “I get along well with all of my training partners and I’d say Antonella is the leader of our group,” adds Stano and have competed in the same events since we were in the U15 age category so we’ve known each other for many years so I was so happy when she went on to win in Sapporo.” Just two years after joining Parcesepe’s group Stano achieved his first podium finish at a senior championship event placing third at the 2018 World Race Walking Team Championships in Taicang He finished 20 seconds behind Ikeda and 20 seconds in front of Yamanishi – the two with whom he shared a podium at the Olympic Games in 2021 “The World Race Walking Team Championships is more difficult than the Olympic Games because every team can field five athletes so I didn’t expect to win a medal,” says Stano “But I achieved two podium finishes: individually and as a team “I started race walking because I wanted to discover my limits and that performance made me realise that I could be competitive with the best athletes in the world.” Stano’s progress continued in 2019 and he made a big leap up in class at the Race Walking Challenge meeting in La Coruna where he broke the Italian 20km record with 1:17:45 he was considered a medal contender going into the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 but he was given a time penalty during the race which effectively ended his medal ambitions and he finished in 14th place Stano wouldn’t have made the changes that led to his success in Sapporo two years later but I learned a lot from this bad experience,” he says I would not have worked so hard on my technique.” The postponement of the Olympic Games also worked in Stano’s favour as he was sidelined for most of 2020 by a medial tibial stress fracture He returned to action at a low-key 10,000m race in April this year then one month later he competed at the European Race Walking Team Championships in Podebrady Although he finished outside of the medals he took huge encouragement from his 1:20:30 clocking – the second-fastest of his career – and his eighth-place finish With two-and-a-half more months’ training Stano knew he had the potential to finish much higher at the Olympic Games of the five gold medals won by Italian athletes in Tokyo Stano’s was perhaps the most surprising of them all “It’s the first time in recent years that Italian athletics has done so well,” says Stano who became the third Italian race walker to win the men’s 20km Olympic title after Maurizio Damilano (1980) and Ivano Brugnetti (2004) not only for Italian athletics but also for sport in general First the Italian team won the European Football Championships then Marcell Jacobs and Gianmarco Tamberi won their Olympic gold medals on the same day Tamberi and Jacobs are my teammates for Fiamme Oro and I know them very well Their gold medals helped me because they gave me the extra motivation to achieve the same result.” Stano now hopes that Italy’s success in Tokyo will inspire the next generation of athletes in his country “Sport has given me the opportunity to travel around the world and visit the world and I want to send this positive message to children,” he says “I hope that we will be an inspiration for the future generations helping children believe in sport and in their own dreams.” Strong Stano secures another gold for Italy w.. High school teachers and a disused ice hockey.. If you’ve ever dreamt of diving into the lap of luxury but your wallet is more of the “economy class” variety, we’ve got something that might pique your curiosity. Feast your eyes on this peculiar specimen – a vintage VW Beetle dressed up in a Rolls-Royce disguise It’s currently listed for sale in Palo del Colle and it’s got us wondering: why on earth would anyone do this to a poor Bug The build seems to have its roots in a 1972 VW Super Beetle Convertible, a model originally crafted by Karmann. Somewhere along the way, someone decided to give it a drastic makeover, transforming it into what they hoped would resemble a Rolls-Royce The finishing touch is the wood-style side sills which are combined with patches of wood trim inside the cabin More: VW Beetle With A Futuristic Makeover Could Be Yours For $4.5k The retractable top appears to be in quite a sorry state, with the rear glass seemingly on the brink of detachment, and a few unsightly holes in the fabric. As for the mechanical condition of this Beetle, it remains a mystery, as does the mileage, which could be considerably high given the car’s age. Should you find yourself intrigued by this unique creation, you can reach out to the seller via Facebook Marketplace The asking price for the Rolls-Royce bug is €9,500 (a touch over $10,000 at current exchange rates). This sounds too much for a modified Beetle, especially if you consider that used prices for a genuine Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow from the 1970s start from around €13,000 ($13,800) in Italy This is probably why the model hasn’t found a buyer yet A quick search online reveals that similar open-top Beetles with Rolls-Royce bodykits are used for weddings in Italy maybe due to the limited space on the narrow streets These fiberglass components were manufactured by various companies back in the day and were also available in North America In an interesting twist, a few years ago, our counterparts at Jalopnik discovered a court document from 1976 in Atlanta Rolls-Royce had filed a lawsuit against A&A Fiberglass for emulating the styling of its models with a creation known as “The Elegant Beetle.” Despite the court ruling in favor of Rolls-Royce with the grille and ornament recognized as its trademarks these kits continued to find their way into the market 2017 at 4:51 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}HILLSBOROUGH NJ — Kimberly Ann Santaromita of Hillsborough Township has been selected as Miss UNICO Hillsborough for 2017-18 Santaromita is a Hillsborough High School graduate and is a second-year student at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Education She is pursuing her master’s degree in education for grades Kindergarten through sixth and she maintains a 4.0 grade point average obtaining a degree in psychology with a minor in education She also competed on the Rutgers University Equestrian team for two years in both English and Western pleasure teams Santaromita is an avid reader and enjoys helping and caring for animals Santaromita is very proud of her Italian heritage and feels as it connects her with her grandparents and her father Her paternal grandmother was born in Italy in a town near Bari called Palo del Colle She then immigrated to the United States at the very young age of 10 Her paternal grandfather’s family was originally from Naples and Sicily During her time at Hillsborough High School Santaromita studied two years of Italian language classes She traveled to Italy to experience its rich culture and further connect with her native roots She enjoyed the beauty of the country and the people in the areas she visited which included Florence Santaromita’s first official Miss UNICO Hillsborough public appearance will be at the Hillsborough Rotary Fair Family Fun Day for families with children and young adults with disabilities on Saturday UNICO National, founded in 1922, is the largest Italian American service organization in America, with local Chapters in 22 States across the country. Its all-volunteer members work to support charitable, educational, scientific and literary causes while promoting Italian heritage and combating negativestereotyping. For more information visit www.unico.org (Image via Hillsborough UNICO: Kimberly Ann Santaromita) Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. He was born in a small town in Italy four months after Rocky Marciano became the world heavyweight champion As Vito Antuofermo grew up in Palo del Colle during the 1950s and 1960s he said he knew very little about the famous Italian-American athlete Antuofermo and his family moved to New York City a police officer brought him to the Sweeney Center in Brooklyn to box in the Police Athletic League rather than arrest him The more Antuofermo got involved as an amateur boxer in the late 1960s and early 1970s the more he wanted to learn about that Italian hero called the Brockton Blockbuster “That’s the reason I found out about Rocky,’’ recalled Antuofermo there was something there that gave me inspiration to really fight “Then I won the Golden Gloves in New York in 1970 and 1971 He really inspired me to go to the gym more and keep getting better and better.’’ Antuofermo went from a teen-age fighter with no experience to the world middleweight champion winning the title against Hugo Pastor Corro on June 30 He went 50-7-2 with 21 knockouts in a career that went from 1971-1985 and featured a pair of championship bouts against Brockton-based Marvelous Marvin Hagler who now owns a landscaping company on Long Island so he was happy to be on hand at Marciano Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the unveiling of a statue in honor of Marciano “It was nice,’’ he said after the ceremony If I would go back to my hometown in Italy and the last time I was there was 20 years ago It’s great when this happens in a city the size of this one.’’ said he tried to pattern his style as a fighter after Marciano He was not afraid to get inside and mix it up going toe-to-toe whenever the situation presented itself The sight of a bloodied Antuofermo was not uncommon in his fights Antuofermo was the reigning champion who gave Hagler a shot at the title and one judge scored the bout for Antuofermo In the rematch less than two years later when Hagler was the champ the fight was stopped after four rounds at the old Boston Garden Antuofermo was cut in the early minutes and was knocked down in the third round “I fought like him,” said Antuofermo of Marciano I wish I could have had half of the punch he did That is something I didn’t have naturally like Rocky did I came out swinging and did so right to the end I’d probably still be champion at almost 60 .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Carol Ann Benanti | benanti@siadvance.comSTATEN ISLAND -- Though he made his debut into the world in Bari the day Americans everywhere were celebrating the 141st birthday of our nation -- the country he would one day call home While in his native town of Palo del Colle the "birthday boy" was a police sergeant transplant also served under Benito Mussolini during World War II Antonio wed Damarida (Dora) Napoletano in the "old country" back in 1952 and in 1953 their daughter Two years later they relocated to Montreal where Antonio became a coal miner for the Canadian Copper Refinery In 1968 the couple moved to the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn where the birthday celebrant worked as a long shore man until his retirement Fast forward a little more than 30 years later and the Napoletanos settled in the South Shore town of Huguenot when the couple became residents of Clove Lakes Health Care & Rehabilitation Center the Castleton Corners facility they still call home Marie goes on to explain Antonio was active until he was in late 90s "He was always gardening and fixing something in the house He drank red wine every single night with his dinner and had a Stella D'Oro "S" cookies every morning for breakfast."Antonio's five grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Marie Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices \n m_gallery = \"centenarian_living_life_to_ful\";\n m_gallery_id = \"23094788\";\n m_gallery_title = \"Centenarian living life to fullest\";\n m_gallery_blog_id = \"4499\";\n m_gallery_creation_date = \"Tuesday 1:41 PM\";\n m_gallery_permalink = \"http://photos.silive.com/4499/gallery/centenarian_living_life_to_ful/index.html\";\n m_gallery_json = \"https://blog.silive.com/photogallery/4499/23094788.json\";\n m_gallery_pagetype = \"embed\";\n m_gallery_type = \"photo\";\n <\/script>\n Gallery: Centenarian living life to fullest This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday Adjust Text Size: A+ A- As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 27 Share your memories and/or express your condolences below Unfortunately with the need to moderate tributes for inappropriate content your comments may take up to 48 hours to appear .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Maura Grunlund | mauragrunlund@siadvance.comFather William Damroth celebrates Mass in the back yard of the Falcicchio family home on Lighthouse Hill Angelo and Theresa Falcicchio and their adult daughters hosted a mass in honor of Our Lady of Fatima at their Lighthouse Hill home Word of mouth spread after last year’s event friends and neighbors gathering in the Falcicchios’ back yard last Sunday and praying the rosary is the most important part of the whole feast,” Mrs to officiate because he was the celebrant at memorial services following the deaths of Angelo Falcicchio’s parents Last week’s event was modeled after the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal each year on the Madonna’s feast day It began with the recitation of the Rosary led by Tonia Ameno followed by mass and the blessing of bread donated by Rina DelGiudice and Amelia Luzzi Father Bill led a procession around the neighborhood which comes from Italy and has been blessed at the Vatican The statue then was returned to the backyard shrine graced with pink roses that Mrs Falcicchio created on a decorative rock hill by a pond “It was windy but every one of the over 80 candles that we placed around the Madonna stayed lit until I blew them out at 11:30 at night,” Mrs Falcicchio was born in the town of Palo del Colle in the province of Bari and belongs to a society named after her hometown that makes pilgrimages every year to the World Apostolate of Fatima Blue Army Shrine in Asbury “The whole story of Our Lady of Fatima is just amazing how she appeared out of nowhere to the three children and the fact that everything she said would happen now is happening,” Mrs “People are losing faith and people are not praying the rosary.” three Portuguese children received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova de Iria Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace for sinners and for the conversion of Russia Mary gave the children three secrets concerning devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary a vision of hell and a “bishop in white,” who was shot by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows into him Falcicchio is among those who believe the third secret foretold the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in St The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima was approved by the local bishop in 1930 and added to the Church’s worldwide calendar in 2002 Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.