The Signature | May 25, 2023

The TheSignature Signature

Acitrezza to host Swordfish St. John the Baptist Festivals

NAS Sigonella Mental Health Resources

NAVSUP FLCSI

Holds Change of Command

Direct Line A Proclamation on Mother’s Day, 2023

American Rescue Plan helped keep the doors open for 220,000 child care providers - 90 percent of which are owned and staffed by women - so families could go to work while their children were cared for. We expanded the Child Tax Credit and cut child poverty in half during our first year in office. The historic infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy laws I signed as part of our Investing in America agenda are creating good-paying jobs for women in sectors where they have been previously underrepresented. And to ensure that new and expecting mothers can thrive in the workplace, I signed into law new protections for pregnant workers and nursing parents in the workplace: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act.

Interactive Customer Evaluation

Q.Considering many are here accompanied as well as Active Duty, it would be nice if the NAS 2 Galley had special meals on occasions such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. There are so many monthly themes that the Galley could implement in their menus but also be open for non-Active Duty members, such as Federal Civilians and Dependents.

Q.I am a government employee (GS) and was with a group of military officers and other GS employees, the GS employees were denied access to eat. Why is this? We are government employees. Any other galley I have gone to welcome all government employees. I would think about changing your policy and allow all government employees to dine at your galley.

Commanding Officer Capt. Aaron Shoemaker

are being installed because they are a safe option to have in a barracks. If you leave the range on and no pan is on the range the coil isn’t engaged and won’t start a fire. Right now we have installed 80 in both buildings with a CAMO package to install the rest within the next year. If the old one fails they install one of the new ones that we have at the warehouse until those stores are depleted or the CAMO will replace them. In the handbook that you are given it states the purpose of the pans and what type you need to buy. These pans are available at the NEX. I do not know the availability at any given time because we are starting PCS swing at the barracks but they are a product that the NEX carries. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to housing.

Executive Officer

Cmdr. Ronald Cappellini

Command Master Chief CMDCM Randy Dickerson

EDITORIAL

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the moms and the women filling the role of a mother in our lives, who bless us with a total sense of what it means to be family. They believe in us so we can believe in ourselves. They sacrifice to give us opportunities they never had. They are there for us at our highest points and our lowest moments, lifting us up when we need it most.

The lessons I learned from my mother, Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden, continue to guide me today. She led with honor. She believed everyone deserved to be treated equally. She reminded my siblings and me that failure was inevitable, but giving up was never an option. She would say that courage is the greatest virtue, because without courage, you cannot love with abandon.

My wife, First Lady Jill Biden, has loved our children and grandchildren with abandon as well. She was the glue that helped put our family back together after my boys and I experienced profound loss. Every day, her joy, wisdom, and strength bring light to so many, including the students she teaches full time.

Across the country, mothers are nurturing children, providing for families, and driving innovation in every field. They serve at the highest levels of government, lead our Nation’s military, and power our economy - running some of the biggest companies in the world and operating beloved small businesses on Main Streets across America. At the same time, many mothers work night shifts and jobs that often do not pay them enough to make ends meet and support their families. As moms continue knocking down the barriers that stand in the way of all women and girls reaching their full potential, my Administration is working to give them support and opportunity. Our

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is leading the charge to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for all women and to make sure pregnant women and moms in all communities are treated fairly. We released a Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis to lower the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity; reduce disparities in maternal health; and improve the experiences of women before, during, and after birth across the country. Our American Rescue Plan gave States the option to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage for a full year - up from just 60 days - and we have already approved requests from over 30 States and Washington, D.C., to expand this coverage. And my Administration continues fighting for a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program.

Today, at family gatherings across America, let us give thanks for all the mothers and mother-figures, who we love so much. Let us be sure to make the most of our precious time together. Let us also keep in our prayers those who observe this day with a hole in their heart, missing a mom’s irreplaceable presence and the comfort it brings, as well as the mothers who know the pain of losing a child. Finally, let us continue working to extend our country’s promise of dignity and opportunity to America’s mothers - the least we can do for the people in our lives who have given us the most.

The Congress, by joint resolution approved May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday in May each year as “Mother’s Day” and requested the President to call for its appropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 14, 2023, as Mother’s Day. I urge all Americans to express their love, respect, and gratitude to mothers everywhere. I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

A. CNICINST 4061.1A is the guidance that ALL Navy Galleys must follow. This instruction specifically states AUTHORIZED PATRONAGE FOR NAVY SHORE GALLEYS and specifically annotates that all Headquarters, Regions and Installations must abide. For your awareness the following are AUTHORIZED PATRONS at Shore

Galleys: Rations-in-Kind (RIK) Sailors permanently assigned to the installation or supporting commands or RIK Service Members assigned to commands not directly supported by the host installation galley (i.e., ships in homeport, hospitals, brigs, etc.).

The following personnel are authorized to purchase meals in a shore galley: Active Duty personnel (U.S. and Foreign Military); Reservists on Active Duty; escorted family members of Active Duty personnel & reservists on Active Duty; midshipmen, cadets & Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps personnel on orders; government civilian and contractor travelers on orders when authorized to subsist from the shore galley; Civilians & contractors who work in the galley (only at their work location).

Nonprofit youth organizations and military sponsored tour groups may dine at the galley but only when approved by the installation CO.

The primary function of base Galleys is to provide food to RIK and Active Duty eligible Sailor’s or service members that are permanently assigned to the ashore installations. Because the current surcharge rates do not currently provide sufficient reimbursements of costs, ashore Galley patronage is limited to this list. Now in response to why they are allowed in during special meals per this instruction the CO may authorize opening the Galley once a month to retirees and other civilians. We schedule this special meal to recognize the strength of diversity in our armed forces and heritage. (Asian-Pacific heritage month, Pride month, Navy Birthday, etc). Additional occasions per month are not budgeted for but can still be recognized with a cake cutting. However if these special meals create a financial or manpower burden to the Galley and/or hinders access to the meal for RIK personnel, then access will be revoked. Our manning is budgeted off of RIK Service Members, NOT CASH PAYING PATRONS and even active duty members receiving BAS can be turned away if the cost or man-hours spent to produce becomes too much for the Ashore Galley. A potential example was for the Christmas Special Meal when there was the water shortage on NAS II.

Q. The electric stove that was issued to us doesn’t work. They tell us we need a certain pan called the induction pan. The NEX doesn’t even sell these types of pans. I already have my own pans and I shouldn’t have to buy a whole new set of pans. If you issue use new electric stoves you should at least make sure you have the pot and pans in the NEX or you should issue you use something to use.

A. We currently have been swapping out the old electric heating coil ranges at both buildings over the last year. The new units that are going in require a magnetized base pan to trigger the heating coil to introduce heat and if the pan is taken off or not connecting then the coil shuts off. These

Q. Today 17MAY23, the driver did not bring the appropriate shuttle during the first run. The posted schedule states that the first run of the day from Monday-Friday is supposed to be a 55-Passenger Vehicle (Bus). Luckily, there was only 15 in total this morning but this can turn into a safety issue if this becomes a trend. 1. Please post accurate POC information at each bus stop so riders know who to call or report issues. Currently there are no posting at any bus stop or on the shuttles. The schedule does not have POC information either.

A. We apologize you were inconvenienced with the shuttle bus service and completely understand your frustration. The shuttle is a contracted service and we are working closely with our contractor to resolve the well-founded issues you mentioned. While the bus drivers cannot predict or control traffic delays impacting their schedule, they surely should never be leaving the bus stop prior to listed timelines. The shuttle bus runs 8 times from Monday to Friday and 5 times on Saturday and Sunday/Holidays, from NAS I/Marinai/ NAS 2. We found that providing a 55-passenger bus during the 1st and 7th runs for the NAS I-NAS II Shuttle Bus daily from Monday through Friday, and a 19-passenger bus during all other NAS I-NAS II runs, has resulted in an acceptable level of service. This can always be discussed/negotiated with the contractor, in the event that the smaller bus is insufficient. The sub-contractor informed the contractor that multiple bus breakdowns have been experienced over the last week but they should have most of them repaired and back in service this week. We were informed, in the future, if their larger bus breaks down that they should use two of the smaller ones to make up the difference. PWD will update any outdated information at the stops. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Drake Greer drake.e.greer.mil@us.navy.mil

Public Affairs LPO MC2 Kelsey Culbertson kelsey.s.culbertson.mil@us.navy.mil

Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.ln@us.navy.mil

PAO Staff Writer\ Photographer MR3 Max Rector Timothy.m.rector2.mil@us.navy.mil

Ao3 Samayaah Smith samayaah.k.smith.mil@us.navy.mil

CONTACT US

Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil

DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001

BZ

Excellent service at PSD. The Analyst followed up and took great care to ensure received what needed. She went above and beyond.

I received wonderful service from our security team at the NAS1 gate office today. They promptly provided my friend with a week long pass and the process was seamless. They were so kind, helpful, and patient with my many questions. However, I was very disappointed at the site of the workspace we provide for our security team. This space is one of the first impressions guest have of our base, and our security team work exhausting hours (including nighys and holidays). It would be nice for them to have a clean, updated, professional environment for them to spend their time. A nice workspace can also benefit the emotional wellbeing for our security team. Thank you for your time

This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy.

Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.

In the Spotlight

Assigned to Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI), Logistics Specialist Seaman Leorhiza Jay An Vallite is a twenty-two year old Sailor from Manila, Philippines. She joined the Navy June 14, 2022, to follow in her father’s footsteps, a prior Navy Sailor. In addition, she plans on seeing the world. “I find it fulfilling to serve my country,” said Vallite. “It means everything to me. It gives me a chance to better myself while protecting the ones I love.” Her father gave her an influential quote that she uses to accept challenges and adversity, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”

Although she hasn’t been able to travel yet, Vallite says she hopes to travel to Switzerland and France. Vallite has been a part of NAVSUP FLCSI for the past seven months. Her primary responsibility is working as a Command Personnel Pay Administrator (CPPA) for NAVSUP. Her duties include helping Sailors transfer and check-in from one command to another and update their service records. She has also been assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella’s Auxiliary Security Force (ASF) to enhance base security.

“Vallite has been a stellar performer and all around help,” said Retail Specialist 1st Class Vanessa Silva, Vallite’s leading petty officer. “Her positive attitude

is nothing less than infectious. Junior and Senior Sailors alike can stand to have a Sailor like her on their team.”

“My favorite part of my job as a CPPA is helping Sailors make sure they are checked in, receiving the correct entitlements and making sure their records are current,” said Vallite. “My job is very rewarding, the skills I’ve developed: public speaking, organization and management, have benefited my life.”

In her free time she likes to go hiking, camping, play basketball and paint. She currently holds three associate degrees and plans to apply for tuition assistance once she has three years of service to complete her bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Vallite has said joining the Navy has been her proudest accomplishment. Reflecting on where she has come from to where she is now, she is extremely proud of herself. She has created meaningful relationships with her peers and leadership which she credits to her positivity and work ethic.

NAS Sigonella’s strategic location enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required, ensuring security and stability in Europe, Africa and Central Command.

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Europe holds Change of Command

Story by Joseph Yanik

NAS SIGONELLA, Italy - Rear Adm. Peter G. Stamatopoulos, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) commander, Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) held a change of command ceremony during which Capt. Shannon W. Walker relieved Capt. Douglas S. MacKenzie as commanding officer May 11, 2023, at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.

In his remarks, MacKenzie addressed Walker, his wife, Kim, and the entire command who were in attendance.

“Shannon and Kim, we are ready to hand over the torch,” MacKenzie said. “I’ll watch you with pride and confidence and keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you lead this incredible team and their families to new heights..”

“To the NAVSUP FLCSI Team: Focus on the Fleet and the region,. it’s why we are here,” MacKenzie said. “Continue to take care of each other and continue to be the FLC team that the Navy and NATO needs to win the big fights that are coming our way. Look to see what’s different, embrace the red and continue on the CNO’s journey to Get Real and Get Better.”

Walker’s most recent assignment was as deputy commander, Aviation, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support. During the ceremony, he became the tenth commanding officer of NAVSUP FLC Sigonella since it was established in 2005 as the seventh FLC making up NAVSUP’s global logistics support network.

“To the FLC Sigonella, Kim and I could not be happier to join your team,” Walker said in his remarks. “I am humbled and honored to be your commanding officer and I look forward to our journey. You have my commitment to advance our logistics efforts. We will accomplish this by being simplistic in our approach and relentless in our effort; we will judiciously exercise empowerment and we will hold each other accountable.”

NAVSUP FLCSI is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars.

FLCSI provides a full range of solutions for logistics, business and support services to the U.S. Naval, Joint, NATO and Allied Forces across 14 enduring and forward operating sites; forward contingency and cooperative security locations in 13 countries in Europe and Africa.

Name: LSSN Leorhiza Jay An Vallite Command: NAVSUP FLCSI

Story and photos by Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Samayaah Smith

NAS Sigonella Mental Health Resources

Medical (Behavioral Health)

Emergency Crisis on base dial 911

Off base dial (+39) 095-56-1911 for NAS Sigonella and (+39) 095-86-1911 for NAS Sigonella II

Appointments: Mental Health: 624-6095

Fleet and Family Support Center

Duty phone: (+39) 331-670-9468

Office phone: DSN 314-624-4291 or (+39) 095-56-4291

Military/Veterans Crisis Line

-Call 988, then press 1

-Text 838255

-Chat online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat

Psychological Health Outreach Program (non-emergency)

-Call 866-578-7467

Navy Chaplain

-Duty phone: (+39) 335-831-4493

-Office phone:

NAS Sigonella DSN 314-624-3975 or (+39) 095-56-3975

NAS Sigonella II DSN 314-624-9049 or (+39) 095-56-9049

-Email NAVY311@navy.mil

-Text navy311@navy.mil

-Visit www.navy311.navy.mil

Military OneSource

-Call 800-342-9647

- 24/7 Worldwide collect: 001-703-253-7599

- Telecom Italia: 800-172-405

- U.S toll-free: 1-800-342-9647, DSN: 800-342-9647

- 24/7 Online chat https://livechat.militaryonesourceconnect.org/chat

Real Warriors Live Chat

-Visit www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/ Psychological-Health-Center-of-Excellence/Real-Warriors-Campaign

Wrap up

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

-Call 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)

-Visit www.taps.org X

DoD Safe Helpline/Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR)

-Call the Safe Helpline 877-995-5247

-Chat online at www.online.safehelpline.org

-Visit www.safehelpline.org X

National Domestic Violence Hotline

-Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

-Text “START” to 88788

-Chat online at www.thehotline.org

-Visit www.thehotline.org X X

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

-Call 988

-Chat online at https://988lifeline.org/chat/

-Visit https://988lifeline.org/ X

SAIL (Sailor Assistance & Intercept for Life)

CONUS:

-1800-273-talk(8255)

OCONUS:

-0080-1273-TALK (EUROPE) X

Italian News Acitrezza to

host Swordfish St. John the Baptist Festivals

By Dott. Lunetta

Make sure to mark this mouthwatering festival on your calendar! The annual Sagra del Pescespada di San Giovanni (St. John’ Swordfish Festival) returns to Acitrezza on June 16-18 and July 7-9. A great food event, it takes place at the slip of Alaggio (located under piazza Giovanni Verga, the town main square) in Acitrezza, one of the most picturesque seaside villages in the Catania province. The festival started in 1960 as a fried fish event called “Padellone” (big frying pan) but was later suspended for a few years in the 1980s and eventually resumed to become a swordfish festival. Starting at 8 p.m., delicious swordfish will be prepared by local skilled cooks. Fish will be served with a glass of fine local white wine, salad and bread.

The festival precedes the celebrations honoring the town patron saint St. John the Baptist that will be held at the end of the month under the breathtaking backdrop of the Acitrezza waterfront, the beautiful Lachea Island and the Faraglioni rock-cliffs which, according to Homer’s legend, are those hurled by giant Polyphemus at the escaping Ulysses. The festival will also feature arts and crafts vendors. For more information, visit https://www.facebook. com/groups/sagradelpescespada

A week after the Swordfish festival, Acitrezza will host another spectacular celebration, the St. John the Baptist Festival! So, make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to see how “Trizzoti” (Acitrezza townspeople) keep alive an ancient tradition displaying deep religious devotion and showing the special bond that the town has with the sea. “San Giovanni Battista” or St. John the Baptist has been venerated in Acitrezza for over 300 years through a spectacular festival running every year from June 23 through 25. Highlights include religious processions that will be held throughout the historic center and along the seaside. Spectacular performances such as the “U pisci a mari” pantomime and the “Calata dell’Angelo” (Descent of the Angel) will also be staged. The festival revolves around the “Parrocchia di San Giovanni Battista” (St. John the Baptist Parish) that hosts both the wooden statue depicting San Giovanni Battista and the saint’s relics. June 24 is the climax of the celebrations. Festival starts at 10 a.m. with the moving unveiling of the statue. In the afternoon, “U pisci a mari” is staged in the Urnazza district at 5 p.m. and begins with a group of fishermen in castoff clothing (a straw hat, a red shirt, tattered shorts, and a yellow sash; yellow and red are the colors of the saint) tied together by a rope walking towards the pier while dancing and singing among a large crowd. Three performers jump on a boat that is decorated with flowers, and yellow and red ribbons. The fourth actor a skilled swimmer, who plays the swordfish, dives into the water. The fifth performer plays the Raisi or crew leader. He places himself on the highest point of the pier giving directions to capture the fish. Once the swordfish is sighted, the Raisi shouts phrases in ancient Sicilian inciting the fishermen to catch it. After several attempts, the fish is eventually caught. The fishermen hoist it aboard and try to butcher it but the swordfish manages to

By Dott. Lunetta

Strawberry Festival returns to Maletto (June 23-25) Troina honors St. Sylvester in June

Sigonella strawberry-lovers should not miss the 36th edition of the Sagra della Fragola (Strawberry Festival) a premiere food event taking place in Maletto historic center from June 23 through 25. The festival kicks off on Friday, June 23 at 10 a.m. in the main square (piazza XXIV) with a free strawberry tasting. In the afternoon, a flag throwers’ performance is held at 5 p.m.

Bring the entire

a weekend

and entertainment! The annual

escape twice. The fishing goes on and the fishermen capture the swordfish again (this time it is a real one, usually a dead shark or tuna fish). But once again, while the fishermen are about to praise the tastiness of the fish, it escapes disappearing into the sea. The fishermen give up in despair, argue and overturn the boat. The pantomime is over.

Later at 7 p.m., a solemn procession (Trionfale uscita del venerato simulacro del Santo Patrono) starts from piazza Giovanni Verga. Devotees screaming: “Viva San Giovanni”

(Long live St. John) escort the statue depicting the saint through the streets of the southern part Acitrezza.

At 8:30 p.m. and later at 10:30 p.m., the “Calata dell’Angelo”

(Descent of the Angel) is staged in piazza delle Scuole. This performance, which is accompanied by music and fireworks in the background, features the descent of an angel that pays homage to the touring statue of the saint on behalf of the city districts. A concert of the Italian Army brass band (Fanfara Bersaglieri dell’Etna) will be held at 9 p.m. in the main square. At the end of the tour (around 11:30 p.m.), devotees perform the “Cussa” (the run) that consists of covering the last route of the procession (via Provinciale) running while carrying the statue.

A firework show ends the festivities while the statue is placed back into the Parrocchia di San Giovanni.

On the last day of the festival, June 25, holy mass is celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at the St. John Parish. In the evening at 7 p.m., a procession leaves from piazza Giovanni Verga and proceeds through the northern part of the town until late at night.

During the procession at 8 p.m., the “Calata dell’Angelo” show is replicated in via Provinciale. At midnight, amazing fireworks by Vaccalluzzo, one of the most fireworks company in the world, will be staged. The festival will then end with the “Cussa” performance.

For detailed schedule visit www.parrocchiaacitrezza.it or www.acitrezzaonline.it (this website will also broadcast the celebrations live).

Festival highlights include the following events: Sicilian carts’ parade (June 24 – 11 a.m. in the historic center), Cooking show featuring the scrumptious “risotto alla fragola” or strawberry risotto (June 25, noon in piazza Basilio Catania) and the tasting of the giant “grande torta alla fragola,” a huge record-breaking strawberry cake weighing over 6,200 pounds! (June 25- 5 p.m. parade and 6 p.m. cake tasting).

Other strawberry-base specialties served during the festival include “pizza alla fregola” (strawberry pizza), “arancini alla fragola” (deep-fried rice balls with strawberries), “Macedonia alla fragola” (fruit salad with strawberries) and more. Music shows will be held every evening ai 9 p.m. in Piazza IV Novembre.

During the festival, the local tourist office will offer guided tours of the ruins of the castle, the town’s museum and the other attractions.

Maletto is a picturesque town nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna that is nicknamed the “Città delle fragole” (Strawberries’ City). There are three variety of strawberries that are cultivated in Maletto, “Madame Moutho” a large, juicy strawberry, the small and tender “Fragolina”, or Fragraria Vesca,” which are commonly used in desserts and the “Rifiorente”, which can be grown 11 months of the year and therefore is nicknamed “the four-season strawberry”. The fruit is ripe between May and June.

The Maletto juicy strawberry was awarded in 2013 a Municipal Designation of Origin status (DE.CO.), a seal of quality certifying the specific geographical origin of a certain food product

The historic origin of the cultivation dates back to 1906 when the “Madame Moutho” of France variety was first planted in the Nelson’s Duchy at the beginning of last century. The Duchy is a small castle located in the outskirts of Maniace, a hilltop village located about eight miles from Bronte. It was built in the 18th century on the ruins of a medieval abbey erected on a basaltic rock by Queen Margaret of Navarra in 1173 and belonged to the world-renowned British Admiral Horatio Nelson, the one who defeated the French at sea during the Napoleonic Wars.

However, since the cultivation was not effective, it was decided to move it, in the 1950s, in the upper mountain area of town, in the fertile soils of volcanic origin and cultivated mainly in association with vineyards. Thus, cultivation developed rapidly, reaching great commercial success, characterizing itself by its peculiarities of flavor, goodness and fragrance. In a short time, strawberry became the landmark of Maletto. Strawberries are rich in calcium, iron and vitamin C and contain a high level of antioxidant capacity against free radicals. For more information and detailed schedules, visit https://www.facebook.com/ photo?fbid=369018458596809&set=pb.100064659733610.-2207520000..

Troina, a picturesque Sicilian town nestled among the hills in the Enna province, will host a plethora of late spring and summer events for the entire family through June 12th. The town is famous for being an historic military site. It was actually one of the main battlefields of WWII during the 1943 Allied Troops’ liberation of Sicily. On May 28th, Troina townspeople will hold the first part of main religious festival featuring the traditional “Festa D’a Ddrarata,” a pilgrimage which consists of riding in groups, composed of members from the local brotherhoods, on decorated horses who went to the local forests to pick laurel branches which were later offered to San Silvestro or St. Sylvester, the town patron saint.

Other upcoming festival’s highlights include the “Kubbaita” a spectacular traditional historic Arabic horse parade re-enacting the 1535 triumphal entry of Emperor Carl V into town. The parade will be performed at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 and will begin from piazza Matteotti to arrive to piazza Conte Ruggiero. Re-enactors featuring knights and ladies in Spanish-style costumes from the 16th century, with grooms, horses, valets and flag-wavers, will parade through the streets of the city, throwing and distributing nougats and sweets to the festivalgoers. Also planned along the route is a flag-waving show in to be held in Antonio Gramsci Square and a grand finale show. The parade will end in the Conte Ruggero Square.

Other highlights will also include the traditional Sagra della Vastedda cu Sammucu, a mouthwatering food festival celebrating the most important Troina specialty, a delicious flat oven-baked bread filled with elder flowers, salami and tuma cheese (June 17 and 18). For more information and detailed schedules, visit the following web sites: https:// enjoytroina.it/festinosansilvestro/

https://www.comune.troina.en.it/turismo/index.php/it/ focus/folklore/il-festino

• Please note that some of the festival’s schedules, dates, times and venues are subject to change. Please check the festivals’ websites for updates.

family for

of fish delicacies

Acitrezza Sagra del pesce spada (swordfish festival) begins on June 16th at 8 p.m. at the Alaggio slip on the town waterfront of this enchanting fishermen village. (Photo by Acitrezza Parish of St. John the Baptist Press Office)