View allAll Photos Tagged Spadafora,
Inspired by Jenny Spadafora jspad who posted her globe which is basically the long lost twin of mine...
The Birge Mansion was built in 1897 for George Birge, the founder of the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company. The Georgian style mansion was modeled on the lines of a villa Birge had seen on the Riviera and was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Little and Browne. Birge lived in the house until his death in 1918. The building’s first nonresidential use was as the Sisters of Divine Child Convent from 1938 through 1957, followed by a nearly 20 year stint as an Elks Club. It fell into serious disrepair in the mid 1970s, becoming a flop house and a party site for drunks and junkies and the scene of several small fires. Most recently it has been acquired by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and is undergoing renovations. When complete it will house the BPO’s offices and BPO Women’s Committee.
George Birge is most famous for co-creating the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company. National popularity of the company grew after a win in a cross-country race in 1908. Birge is also known for operating the wallpaper company M.H. Birge & Sons with this father and brother. The company was known for using a 12 color process of wallpaper production. Lastly, Birge was also a director and executive committee member of the 1901 Pan-American Exposition
Week 36/52 -
*Hit "L" to make it big!*
Week 36 is the reason why I did this project - to get better at photography and be around the people who I love.
This is my cousin, Nico. Nico joined the Air Force last year and has been away from home for a long time. He was stationed down in the south for about a year and now landed his dream gig in Italy where he has been for close to a year! He started as an air traffic controller but has since moved to a division of intelligence.
A few years ago I never would have imagined him looking like this and doing what he is doing. That is the amazing things about humans - If you want to be something, go get it. A little drive, determination and obvious drill instruction will get you there! His parents, family and myself are extremely proud.
Camera:
Canon 7d
*NEW* Sigma 17-50 (2.8)
1/40@F9.0
ISO 640
Strobist:
1- Canon 430EXII, 1/8, zoomed @24mm, fired in my DIY Beauty Dish, handheld by his Dad, Elio, ~ 2' from subject, camera right.
1- Canon 430EXII, 1/32, zoomed at 80mm, gridded (short), handheld by his cousin, Colby(flic.kr/p/a4wsAS), ~ 7' from subject, camera left
*triggered with Meike MK-7*
Objective: (Jeremy speak)
So for this shot, most of my technique is the same as some previous shoots. I wanted an edgy light with a hard edge light on his face. I wanted to keep it a fairly tight head shot but keep his colors and badges in the as well. I used my DIY beauty dish for that grittier style of lighting. I really like this thing. I built if from the bowl up! You can see the other shots I used it in here:
So I had his Dad, Elio hold the beauty dish about 2' away from Nico. I then had Colby, his cousin and mine, stand about 7' or so to his right, my left to get a solid rim or edge light on his left cheek. Colby can be seen here, flic.kr/p/a4wsAS, hurdling. This edge light helps isolate the subject from the background and gives a good hard line to structure the jaw line. That helped with the overall look of this shot.
And lastly, I tried to play in the walk lights and fading sunset to help create little more mood to the scene. Luckily right outside of my parents place is a long walkway with a bunch of street lights that lead into the distance.
Camera wise, I used a smaller aperature to make sure I got all of Nico's details in the picture. This was taken at F9.0. Usually at that high of a f-stop you can get everything in focus from front to back. I wanted to get a ton of detail in his face, suit, etc. I then used a really slow shutter speed to help 'drag' in what was left of the sunset and colors from the lights.
These last few weeks have been very memorable for me shooting. With only 16 weeks left I hope it only gets better!
The Birge Mansion was built in 1897 for George Birge, the founder of the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company. The Georgian style mansion was modeled on the lines of a villa Birge had seen on the Riviera and was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Little and Browne. Birge lived in the house until his death in 1918. The building’s first nonresidential use was as the Sisters of Divine Child Convent from 1938 through 1957, followed by a nearly 20 year stint as an Elks Club. It fell into serious disrepair in the mid 1970s, becoming a flop house and a party site for drunks and junkies and the scene of several small fires. Most recently it has been acquired by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and is undergoing renovations. When complete it will house the BPO’s offices and BPO Women’s Committee.
George Birge is most famous for co-creating the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company. National popularity of the company grew after a win in a cross-country race in 1908. Birge is also known for operating the wallpaper company M.H. Birge & Sons with this father and brother. The company was known for using a 12 color process of wallpaper production. Lastly, Birge was also a director and executive committee member of the 1901 Pan-American Exposition
Roccella Valdemone is found in the province in Messina, exactly to the feet of the point of Castelluzzo and to 810 meters on the level of the sea.
Its other geographical coordinates to be remembered are first of all the proximity with the Regional Park of the Nebrodis and that of the Etna, whose outline dominates the landscape city, and good part of the Stream Roccella. The city understands around 1.000 inhabitants.
From the 1296 Roccella it was initially barony and then marquisate of the noble family of the Spadaforas.
From the cultural point of view the city offers the possibility to admire the Mother Church the Church entitled to the hearing and the ruins of the feudal Castle. From the naturalistic point of view, instead, the excursions can be effected already near her quoted peak of the Point of Castelluzzo, near the End Left-handed Cross and to the strata of the Volcano Etna.
Roccella Valdemone si trova in provincia di Messina, esattamente ai piedi della punta di Castelluzzo e ad 810 metri sul livello del mare.
Le sue altre coordinate geografiche da ricordare sono innanzitutto la vicinanza con il Parco Regionale delle Nebrodi e quello dell'Etna, la cui sagoma domina il paesaggio cittadino, e buona parte del Torrente Roccella. La citta' comprende circa 1.000 abitanti.
Dal 1296 Roccella fu inizialmente baronia e poi marchesato della nobile famiglia dei Spadafora.
Dal punto di vista culturale la citta' offre la possibilita' d'ammirare la Chiesa Madre, la Chiesa intitolata all'Udienza ed i ruderi del Castello feudale. Dal punto di vista naturalistico, invece, si possono effettuare le escursioni presso la gia' citata vetta della Punta di Castelluzzo, presso il Pizzo Croce Mancina ed alle falde del Vulcano Etna.
Da: Sicilyweb.com
Roccella Valdemone (Ruccella Vaddemuni in siciliano) è un comune italiano di 714 abitanti della provincia di Messina in Sicilia.
Anticamente battezzata Auricella e Rocchella (dal latino medievale Roccella, piccola rocca) quindi Roccella-Randazzo e infine Roccella Valdemone.
Il nome "Valdemone" ha origine da una delle tre circoscrizioni amministrative in cui gli Arabi suddivisero la Sicilia, ossia il Vallo di Demena, che a sua volta discende dal latino Valium (vallo).
Il ritrovamento in territori vicini a Roccella, di monete greco-romane fa supporre la presenza di antichi insediamenti umani.
Sorta in età normanna, un castello consolidò nel Medioevo la sua posizione di centro strategico difficilmente espugnabile. Il territorio è suddiviso in quattro contrade risalenti al sistema feudale, offerte ai Baroni come ricompensa. Infatti Roccella fu affidata nel 1296 da Federico II d'Aragona a Damiano Spadafora col titolo di baronia, divenendo in seguito marchesato. Lo stemma Spadafora, composto da un braccio armato che tiene una spada, tutt'oggi è raffigurato nel gonfalone comunale.
Le contrade, in cui tutt'oggi è suddiviso il territorio sono: a nord Cassanita, Masinaro, Nocerazzo, Perino, Pillera e Revocato; a sud Bonvassallo (in cui a differenza delle altre esiste ancora la borgata), Germanà, Pecoraro, S. Giovanni; a est Daniele; a ovest Pietrorizzo, Lanzarite.
Gli Spadafora (anticamente Spatafora) ne mantennero il possesso (con la denominazione alterna dei Lauria) fino al 1812 quando, mentre il paese era sotto la giurisdizione del marchese Domenico Spadafora Colonna ultimo feudatario della famiglia, il parlamento del Regno delle due Sicile abolì il feudalesimo.
Nel 1812 anche il paese attiguo di Santa Domenica Vittoria fu unito, come sotto-comune a Roccella. Soltanto nel 1856 Santa Domenica riuscì a diventare autonomo.
Roccella Valdemone
Roccella Valdemone (Ruccella Vaddemuni in Sicilian) is an Italian town of 714 inhabitants of the province of Messina in Sicily.
Formerly named Auricella and Rocchella (from Medieval Latin Roccella, a small fortress) then Roccella-Randazzo and finally Roccella Valdemone.
The name "Valdemone" originates from one of the three administrative districts in which divided the Arab Sicily, or the Valley of Demena, which in turn derives from the Latin Valium (range).
The discovery in neighboring areas in Roccella, coins greek-roman suggests the presence of ancient human settlements.
Founded by the Normans, a castle in the Middle Ages consolidated its position as a strategic center hardly impregnable. The territory is divided into four quarters dating back to the feudal system, offers to the Barons as a reward. In fact Roccella was given in 1296 by Frederick II of Aragon Damiano Spadafora with the title of barony, later becoming Marquis. The coat of arms Spadafora, consisting of an arm holding a sword, is still represented in the municipal banner.
The districts, which today is divided the territory to the north Cassanita, Masinaro, Nocerazzo, Perino, and Pillera revoked; south Bonvassallo (which unlike the other there is still a village), Germanà, Pecoraro, S. John, Daniel east, to the west Pietrorizzo, Lanzarite.
The Spadafora (formerly Spatafora) held the possession (under the name of alternates Lauria) until 1812 when, while the country was under the jurisdiction of the Marquis Domenico Spadafora column last feudal family, the parliament of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies abolished feudalism .
In 1812, the country adjacent to Santa Domenica Vittoria was joined as a sub-municipality in Roccella. Only in 1856 Santa Domenica was able to become independent.
This is sitting in the front yard of the auto parts shop. The city does have regulations on signage here, but this is just a vehicle parked on the lawn...
Maletto is on the western side of the Etna to 960 M of altitude. Human settlings, around the actual Maletto, they were had until from the first millennium before Christ. There lived the Siculs, then arrived Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, Normans and Swabians. To one of these last, the Manfredi Maletta count, is owed the origin of Maletto. In the 1263, this one did raise on the fortress a strengthened tower, said Castle, about which s picked up a first nucleus of inhabitants. The construction of the actual historical centre was started at the end of XV century, when the districts that are today around the Castle were built. The construction then continued in the first years of the following century with the realization of the baronial palace of the Spatafora and the attached Saint Michael Archangel church, l et alone of stores and of an open gallery, of an inn and of a warehouse. It was however starting from the 1619, when Maletto the king of Spain recognized the title of principality, that the area is developed mostly, assuming the definitive aspect kept to our days. Maletto is the most elevated town of the Etna and of the province of Catania and it reverts nearly for whole in the park of the Etna.The production of the strawberries has made famous Maletto in the world.
Maletto è un comune italiano di 4.029 abitanti della provincia di Catania in Sicilia.Le origini del piccolo comune etneo risalgono al 1263. Esso nacque per interesse di Manfredi di Maletta, parente dell'imperatore Federico I, che edificò su uno sperone roccioso un castello, di cui ancora si conservano i ruderi. Il piccolo borgo fu abbandonato e decadde. L'attuale agglomerato urbano, è frutto della ricostruzione avviata nel 1440, ad opera del principe Spadafora.Ogni anno, nel mese di giugno, Maletto diventa la città delle fragole, richiamando centinaia di turisti e di visitatori. Nel corso della Sagra, le maestranze locali realizzano una gigantesca torta alla fragola di oltre mille chili, che viene offerta a tutti i partecipanti. Durante la manifestazione vengono esposti in appositi stand le fragole in piantine e in cassette e sono offerte come assaggio gratuito ai visitatori. Il frutto matura tra i primi di maggio e la fine di giugno e nell'ambito della sagra sono esposti diversi tipi di fragole: la fragolina di pasticceria, la fragola "rifiorente", che matura da gennaio a dicembre, e la fragola tradizionale, dal sapore più dolce e dall'odore più profumato. La sagra dura tre giorni e si svolge di solito dal venerdì alla domenica.
Mount Etna (Aetna in Latin, also known as Muncibeddu in Sicilian and Mongibello in Italian, a combination of Latin mons and Arabic gibel, both meaning mountain) is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. Its Arabic name was Jebel Utlamat (the Mountain of Fire).Volcanic activity at Etna began about half a million years ago, with eruptions occurring beneath the sea off the coastline of Sicily. 300,000 years ago, volcanism began occurring to the southwest of the present-day summit, before activity moved towards the present centre 170,000 years ago. Eruptions at this time built up the first major volcanic edifice, forming a strato-volcano in alternating explosive and effusive eruptions. The growth of the mountain was occasionally interrupted by major eruptions leading to the collapse of the summit to form calderas.From about 35,000 to 15,000 years ago, Etna experienced some highly explosive eruptions, generating large pyroclastic flows which left extensive ignimbrite deposits. Ash from these eruptions has been found as far away as Rome, 800 km to the north.Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain: Mount Etna, at 10,924 feet, is the most active volcano in Europe and the oldest recorded active volcano in the world.Mount Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It is the largest active volcano in Europe, currently standing about 3329.6 m (10,924 feet)high, though it should be noted that this varies with summit eruptions; the mountain is 21.6 m (71 ft) lower now than it was in 1865. It is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km² (460 square miles) with a basal circumference of 140 km.The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.Etna lava stone is a material with unique characteristics: durable, indestructible, resistant to changes in the temperature (it’s a heat conductor), it offers infinite possibilities of uses: flooring, urban furniture, interior design.After the glazing process the product doesn’t get stained, resists to acids and doesn’t require particular maintenance: that’s why lava stone is the ideal material even to make kitchens and bathrooms countertops. The natural stone tends to grey, with the glazing process we can obtain any desired colour. Shapes, sizes and decorations can be customized . The lava stone it is formed by the solidification of cooled magma on the surface of the Etna volcano, in Sicily
L'Etna è un vulcano attivo che si trova sulla costa orientale della Sicilia (Italia), tra Catania e Messina. È il vulcano attivo più alto del continente europeo e uno dei maggiori al mondo. La sua altezza varia nel tempo a causa delle sue eruzioni, ma si aggira attualmente sui 3329.6 m (10,924 feet) s.l.m. Il suo diametro è di circa 45 chilometri.Un tempo era noto anche come Mongibello.In genere le eruzioni dell'Etna pur fortemente distruttive delle cose, non lo sono per le persone se si eccettuano i casi fortuiti o di palese imprudenza come quello dell'improvvisa esplosione di massi del 1979 che uccise nove turisti e ne ferì una decina di altri avventuratisi fino al cratere appena spento. L'Etna è un tipico strato-vulcano che iniziò la sua attività, tra 500 e 700 mila anni fa. La sua lava di tipo basaltico è povera in silice, è molto calda, densa e fluida. Per queste ragioni le eruzioni sono tranquille ed il percorso delle lave prevedibile. La velocità di scorrimento è superiore a quella delle lave acide, più ricche in silice e più viscose e leggere.La lavorazione della pietra lavica, derivante dall’industria estrattiva delle vicine cave dell'Etna, per scopi ornamentali o per materiali da costruzione, diede da vivere a molte famiglie siciliane.I "pirriaturi", anticamente, estraevano lungo i costoni dell'Etna solo strati superficiali di lava perché più porosi e più facilmente lavorabili con arnesi quali la subbia, lo scalpello, la mazzola e il martello. Sul materiale estratto interveniva lo spaccapietre che ricavava lastre di pietra, infine lo scalpellino rifiniva il materiale. Uno degli usi prevalenti cui era destinata la pietra lavica era la pavimentazione delle strade urbane
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno (Spanish: February 11, 1934 – May 29, 2017) was a Panamanian dictator and military officer who was the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989. He never officially served as president of Panama, instead ruling as an unelected military dictator through puppet presidents. Amassing a personal fortune through drug trafficking operations by the Panamanian military, Noriega had longstanding ties with American intelligence agencies before the U.S. invasion of Panama removed him from power.
Born in Panama City to a poor pardo family, Noriega studied at the Chorrillos Military School in Lima and at the School of the Americas. He became an officer in the Panamanian army, and rose through the ranks in alliance with Omar Torrijos. In 1968, Torrijos overthrew President Arnulfo Arias in a coup. Noriega became chief of military intelligence in Torrijos's government and, after Torrijos's death in 1981, consolidated power to become Panama's de facto ruler in 1983. Beginning in the 1950s, Noriega worked with U.S. intelligence agencies, and became one of the Central Intelligence Agency's most valued intelligence sources. He also served as a conduit for illicit weapons, military equipment, and cash destined for U.S.-backed forces throughout Latin America.
Noriega's relationship with the U.S. deteriorated in the late 1980s after the murder of Hugo Spadafora and the forced resignation of President Nicolás Ardito Barletta. Eventually, his relationship with intelligence agencies in other countries came to light, and his involvement in drug trafficking was investigated further. In 1988, Noriega was indicted by federal grand juries in Miami and Tampa on charges of racketeering, drug smuggling, and money laundering. The U.S. launched an invasion of Panama following failed negotiations seeking his resignation, and Noriega's annulment of the 1989 Panamanian general election. Noriega was captured and flown to the U.S., where he was tried on the Miami indictment, convicted on most of the charges, and sentenced to 40 years in prison, ultimately serving 17 years after a reduction in his sentence for good behavior. Noriega was extradited to France in 2010, where he was convicted and sentenced to seven years of imprisonment for money laundering. In 2011 France extradited him to Panama, where he was incarcerated for crimes committed during his rule, for which he had been tried and convicted in absentia in the 1990s. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2017, Noriega suffered complications during surgery, and died two months later.
Noriega's dictatorship was marked by repression of the media, an expansion of the military, and the persecution of political opponents, effectively controlling the outcomes of any elections. He relied upon military nationalism to maintain his support, and did not espouse a specific social or economic ideology. Noriega was known for his complicated relationship with the U.S., and was described as being its ally and nemesis simultaneously.
LINK to video - Tyrants and Dictators - Manuel Noriega (MILITARY HISTORY DOCUMENTARY) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2opo34UFKo
LINK to video - Drugs - General Noriega - Panama - Documentary - 1988 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0KHjjjXTCs
BARBIE VOGUE CHRISTIE'S CHARITY AUCTION CATALOGUE.
The auction was organized by Mattel Italia, Vogue Italia and Christie's to raise funds for Europe Donna Association which work on the goal of awakening public opinion to breast cancer and was held with the presence of many important designers at Spazio Krizia in Milan on 27.Nov.'97.
50 OOAK designer Barbies and 30 Collectible Barbies were auctioned and this catalogue features all these beautiful barbies.
Barbies were dressed by:
Azzedine Alaia, Victor Alfaro, Giorgio Armani, Luisa Beccaria, Antonio Berardi, Laura Biagiotti, Alberto Biani, Manolo Blahnik, Blumarine, Enrico Coveri, Coveri You Young, Raffella Curiel, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Dolce&Gabbana, Fendi, Gianfranco Ferrè, Alberta Ferretti, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Genny, Gucci, Iceberg, Marc Jacobs, Stephen Janson, Calvin Klein, Krizia, Christian Lacroix, Levi's, Max Mara, Alexander McQueen, Missoni, Moschino, Rifat Ozbek, Prada, Lorenzo Riva, Jil Sander, Mila Schon, Marina Spadafora, Lawrence Steele, Strenesse, Anna Sui, Philip Treacy, Trussardi, Gianni Versace, Vivienne Westwood
Size : 14cm(5.5")x19cm(7.48")
Pages : 140 pages
If you're interested, please contact me privately.
On June 29, 2018, a funeral was held for FDNY Chief of Fire Prevention Ronald R. Spadafora, a 40-year veteran of the Department who succumbed to World Trade Center-related cancer. Chief Spadafora is the highest ranking active member of the FDNY to die from a World Trade Center illness.
Double exposure shot on kodak porta 160 (converted to bw)
Nikon FE - 50mm 1.8D
@ Giulia Spadafora 2014
On June 29, 2018, a funeral was held for FDNY Chief of Fire Prevention Ronald R. Spadafora, a 40-year veteran of the Department who succumbed to World Trade Center-related cancer. Chief Spadafora is the highest ranking active member of the FDNY to die from a World Trade Center illness.
Betty Bird in Buffet knickers. Back image used to promote 'Athena tennis girl' themed disco. 2009. Photo by Maria Spadafora (Bloody Nora DJ).
Maletto is on the western side of the Etna to 960 M of altitude. Human settlings, around the actual Maletto, they were had until from the first millennium before Christ. There lived the Siculs, then arrived Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, Normans and Swabians. To one of these last, the Manfredi Maletta count, is owed the origin of Maletto. In the 1263, this one did raise on the fortress a strengthened tower, said Castle, about which s picked up a first nucleus of inhabitants. The construction of the actual historical centre was started at the end of XV century, when the districts that are today around the Castle were built. The construction then continued in the first years of the following century with the realization of the baronial palace of the Spatafora and the attached Saint Michael Archangel church, l et alone of stores and of an open gallery, of an inn and of a warehouse. It was however starting from the 1619, when Maletto the king of Spain recognized the title of principality, that the area is developed mostly, assuming the definitive aspect kept to our days. Maletto is the most elevated town of the Etna and of the province of Catania and it reverts nearly for whole in the park of the Etna.The production of the strawberries has made famous Maletto in the world.
Maletto è un comune italiano di 4.029 abitanti della provincia di Catania in Sicilia.Le origini del piccolo comune etneo risalgono al 1263. Esso nacque per interesse di Manfredi di Maletta, parente dell'imperatore Federico I, che edificò su uno sperone roccioso un castello, di cui ancora si conservano i ruderi. Il piccolo borgo fu abbandonato e decadde. L'attuale agglomerato urbano, è frutto della ricostruzione avviata nel 1440, ad opera del principe Spadafora.Ogni anno, nel mese di giugno, Maletto diventa la città delle fragole, richiamando centinaia di turisti e di visitatori. Nel corso della Sagra, le maestranze locali realizzano una gigantesca torta alla fragola di oltre mille chili, che viene offerta a tutti i partecipanti. Durante la manifestazione vengono esposti in appositi stand le fragole in piantine e in cassette e sono offerte come assaggio gratuito ai visitatori. Il frutto matura tra i primi di maggio e la fine di giugno e nell'ambito della sagra sono esposti diversi tipi di fragole: la fragolina di pasticceria, la fragola "rifiorente", che matura da gennaio a dicembre, e la fragola tradizionale, dal sapore più dolce e dall'odore più profumato. La sagra dura tre giorni e si svolge di solito dal venerdì alla domenica.
Mount Etna (Aetna in Latin, also known as Muncibeddu in Sicilian and Mongibello in Italian, a combination of Latin mons and Arabic gibel, both meaning mountain) is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. Its Arabic name was Jebel Utlamat (the Mountain of Fire).Volcanic activity at Etna began about half a million years ago, with eruptions occurring beneath the sea off the coastline of Sicily. 300,000 years ago, volcanism began occurring to the southwest of the present-day summit, before activity moved towards the present centre 170,000 years ago. Eruptions at this time built up the first major volcanic edifice, forming a strato-volcano in alternating explosive and effusive eruptions. The growth of the mountain was occasionally interrupted by major eruptions leading to the collapse of the summit to form calderas.From about 35,000 to 15,000 years ago, Etna experienced some highly explosive eruptions, generating large pyroclastic flows which left extensive ignimbrite deposits. Ash from these eruptions has been found as far away as Rome, 800 km to the north.Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain: Mount Etna, at 10,924 feet, is the most active volcano in Europe and the oldest recorded active volcano in the world.Mount Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It is the largest active volcano in Europe, currently standing about 3329.6 m (10,924 feet)high, though it should be noted that this varies with summit eruptions; the mountain is 21.6 m (71 ft) lower now than it was in 1865. It is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km² (460 square miles) with a basal circumference of 140 km.The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.Etna lava stone is a material with unique characteristics: durable, indestructible, resistant to changes in the temperature (it’s a heat conductor), it offers infinite possibilities of uses: flooring, urban furniture, interior design.After the glazing process the product doesn’t get stained, resists to acids and doesn’t require particular maintenance: that’s why lava stone is the ideal material even to make kitchens and bathrooms countertops. The natural stone tends to grey, with the glazing process we can obtain any desired colour. Shapes, sizes and decorations can be customized . The lava stone it is formed by the solidification of cooled magma on the surface of the Etna volcano, in Sicily
L'Etna è un vulcano attivo che si trova sulla costa orientale della Sicilia (Italia), tra Catania e Messina. È il vulcano attivo più alto del continente europeo e uno dei maggiori al mondo. La sua altezza varia nel tempo a causa delle sue eruzioni, ma si aggira attualmente sui 3329.6 m (10,924 feet) s.l.m. Il suo diametro è di circa 45 chilometri.Un tempo era noto anche come Mongibello.In genere le eruzioni dell'Etna pur fortemente distruttive delle cose, non lo sono per le persone se si eccettuano i casi fortuiti o di palese imprudenza come quello dell'improvvisa esplosione di massi del 1979 che uccise nove turisti e ne ferì una decina di altri avventuratisi fino al cratere appena spento. L'Etna è un tipico strato-vulcano che iniziò la sua attività, tra 500 e 700 mila anni fa. La sua lava di tipo basaltico è povera in silice, è molto calda, densa e fluida. Per queste ragioni le eruzioni sono tranquille ed il percorso delle lave prevedibile. La velocità di scorrimento è superiore a quella delle lave acide, più ricche in silice e più viscose e leggere.La lavorazione della pietra lavica, derivante dall’industria estrattiva delle vicine cave dell'Etna, per scopi ornamentali o per materiali da costruzione, diede da vivere a molte famiglie siciliane.I "pirriaturi", anticamente, estraevano lungo i costoni dell'Etna solo strati superficiali di lava perché più porosi e più facilmente lavorabili con arnesi quali la subbia, lo scalpello, la mazzola e il martello. Sul materiale estratto interveniva lo spaccapietre che ricavava lastre di pietra, infine lo scalpellino rifiniva il materiale. Uno degli usi prevalenti cui era destinata la pietra lavica era la pavimentazione delle strade urbane
On June 29, 2018, a funeral was held for FDNY Chief of Fire Prevention Ronald R. Spadafora, a 40-year veteran of the Department who succumbed to World Trade Center-related cancer. Chief Spadafora is the highest ranking active member of the FDNY to die from a World Trade Center illness.
Jeanine Trauger. Stay-at-home Mom, CEO of the Trauger household, volunteer, chauffeur!
Jeanine is a stay-at-home Mom to her three children, Colby, Madison and Reese. She loves her job and wouldn’t trade it in for the world. She is paid back in so many ways by taking care of her family and volunteering. Her kids’ schedules have gotten a lot busier over the years and it can be difficult as the only parent home during the week, but she still loves it. She has a 16 year old with a learner’s permit, so running around takes a little more extra time!
Jeanine has been at home raising their family since her son was born almost 19 years ago. She and her husband Chris, both felt it was important for her to stay at home with the kids. She put her math degree on the side a long time ago. After her son was born, she went on to have two daughters and slowly began to get more involved in school and volunteering as they all got older. And volunteer she has, holding nearly every position there is at Seylar Elementary school for the 12 years her kids were there. That included: classroom parent, lunchroom volunteer, read-at-home parent, Race for Education coordinator, Home and School Association vice-president and president, Iron Pigs outing coordinator, dance chaperone, Mystery Reader, Cookbook Committee and various other event coordinator positions. She also served as the vice-president of CCN, Penn Central Middle School’s parent/teacher group and also as the spirit wear coordinator for a few years. Jeanine attended as many Parent/Superintendent meetings and high school principal meetings as possible to stay informed. She tried to be present in the elementary, middle and high school as well as in the various sports and clubs her kids have been involved in. She also volunteered in the church nursery for 10 years as well.
Personally, Jeanine really enjoys watching and supporting her kids at all of their activities. Whether it’s a concert, swim meet, water polo match, track meet or even just a practice, she is there. Since Jeanine’s husband, Chris, travels for work during the week, the chauffeuring falls on her. When he is home, they are there together watching, timing, scoring or volunteering in some way. That is their social life. With their oldest now in college, attending every one of his track meets has become impossible and that was a very hard adjustment for Jeanine. But in her spare time, she enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, yoga and traveling. She loves seeing her kids turn into ‘big people.’ They are all teenagers now and she loves them!
Jeanine is very impressed by the women who came before her. She has had such great role models in her mother, aunt, grandmother and mother-in-law. They all raised great families and worked outside of the house. Jeanine has a great quote: “To all of those full-time working mothers out there, you amaze me!”
Influence:
Jeanine. Cousin. Mom. Big Sister.
Jeanine is the only girl of the Spadafora cousins and the second of that bunch to enter the project. Jeanine has basically been my older sister my entire life. As long as I can remember I was with her. Sadly, I was with her so long ago that she used to put makeup on me. And put my long, curly, Italian hair in a small rat-tail ponytail. Don’t laugh, this stuff isn’t funny! But joking aside, she really did all of that. When hanging out over at her parents’ house (my grandparents used to live there as well) I specifically remember when Jeanine would put makeup on me. She had this big makeup mirror thing. It folded out, with a big mirror on the inside and tons of blue and green makeup on the inside of the doors. I thought it was cool to have her paint me in the latest 80’s green and blue makeup. She also used to take my way-too-long, Italian mop and put a rubber band on the curls in the back. Leaving me with a rat-tail for everyone to see. I didn’t think anything of it, because you know, I was like six or something. I don’t know if there are any pictures of me from those days with her, but lets just hope they don’t make the internet rounds…
Jeanine also used to hang out at our house a lot. She would babysit my sister and I often and would be over the house hanging out and swimming in the summer. Another great memory was the summer our pool was getting put in. I think I was maybe seven or eight years old and Jeanine was over watching us. The pool was all finished and the water tanker was putting the water into the pool. I don’t know how many tankers it took but it was a bunch. Well in between trips, Jeanine went sliding down the pool. It was awesome because only the deep end was filling up and it was like half full. But the liner was all wet, so she went sliding down the ramp into the deep end. I don’t know if she knew beforehand but the water was freezing! I remember her running back into the garage (where I was throwing back about three A-Treat orange sodas - in the glass bottles mind you) with a towel wrapped around her, her lips all blue and shivering like crazy! Haha.
Another great story was from Christmas, I was just about 12 years old and we were over at my Aunt and Uncle’s house. I remember being in the living room when Jean and Chris showed up and everyone was saying hi. She started talking to my mom, saying something along the lines of, “hey guess what,” or “you’ll never guess.” And I burst out saying, “what, you’re pregnant?!” She looked right at me and went “yeah how did you know?!” Needless to say, my mom lost it, started freaking out and chaos ensued. I honestly had no idea and I have no clue where that came from but I did say it. Call it intuition or something! That was when she was pregnant with her first, Colby, who just finished his first year at Penn State. Feels like yesterday!
Jeanine has always been around, and my Mom and sister just adore her to death. She has also been like an older sister to my sister and they are very close. Same with my mom, but I think my mom thinks of Jeanine as an older daughter (or maybe younger sister?!). Jeanine was a huge help and supporter when my sister got sick. I know my sister appreciated it and I know my mom did for sure. Jeanine has really turned her family into the perfect family. I know that doesn’t really exist, but she has done a fantastic job of getting as close to perfect as you can get! As you can see from her rap sheet above, she is very involved in her kids’ lives. She is very supportive of what they do and has built a great structure for them. As a new(er) parent, it’s awesome to watch her in action and hear about what she does day in and day out.
Thanks for being more than a cousin and a great role model. Love ya!
Maletto is on the western side of the Etna to 960 M of altitude. Human settlings, around the actual Maletto, they were had until from the first millennium before Christ. There lived the Siculs, then arrived Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, Normans and Swabians. To one of these last, the Manfredi Maletta count, is owed the origin of Maletto. In the 1263, this one did raise on the fortress a strengthened tower, said Castle, about which s picked up a first nucleus of inhabitants. The construction of the actual historical centre was started at the end of XV century, when the districts that are today around the Castle were built. The construction then continued in the first years of the following century with the realization of the baronial palace of the Spatafora and the attached Saint Michael Archangel church, l et alone of stores and of an open gallery, of an inn and of a warehouse. It was however starting from the 1619, when Maletto the king of Spain recognized the title of principality, that the area is developed mostly, assuming the definitive aspect kept to our days. Maletto is the most elevated town of the Etna and of the province of Catania and it reverts nearly for whole in the park of the Etna.The production of the strawberries has made famous Maletto in the world.
Maletto è un comune italiano di 4.029 abitanti della provincia di Catania in Sicilia.Le origini del piccolo comune etneo risalgono al 1263. Esso nacque per interesse di Manfredi di Maletta, parente dell'imperatore Federico I, che edificò su uno sperone roccioso un castello, di cui ancora si conservano i ruderi. Il piccolo borgo fu abbandonato e decadde. L'attuale agglomerato urbano, è frutto della ricostruzione avviata nel 1440, ad opera del principe Spadafora.Ogni anno, nel mese di giugno, Maletto diventa la città delle fragole, richiamando centinaia di turisti e di visitatori. Nel corso della Sagra, le maestranze locali realizzano una gigantesca torta alla fragola di oltre mille chili, che viene offerta a tutti i partecipanti. Durante la manifestazione vengono esposti in appositi stand le fragole in piantine e in cassette e sono offerte come assaggio gratuito ai visitatori. Il frutto matura tra i primi di maggio e la fine di giugno e nell'ambito della sagra sono esposti diversi tipi di fragole: la fragolina di pasticceria, la fragola "rifiorente", che matura da gennaio a dicembre, e la fragola tradizionale, dal sapore più dolce e dall'odore più profumato. La sagra dura tre giorni e si svolge di solito dal venerdì alla domenica.
Mount Etna (Aetna in Latin, also known as Muncibeddu in Sicilian and Mongibello in Italian, a combination of Latin mons and Arabic gibel, both meaning mountain) is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. Its Arabic name was Jebel Utlamat (the Mountain of Fire).Volcanic activity at Etna began about half a million years ago, with eruptions occurring beneath the sea off the coastline of Sicily. 300,000 years ago, volcanism began occurring to the southwest of the present-day summit, before activity moved towards the present centre 170,000 years ago. Eruptions at this time built up the first major volcanic edifice, forming a strato-volcano in alternating explosive and effusive eruptions. The growth of the mountain was occasionally interrupted by major eruptions leading to the collapse of the summit to form calderas.From about 35,000 to 15,000 years ago, Etna experienced some highly explosive eruptions, generating large pyroclastic flows which left extensive ignimbrite deposits. Ash from these eruptions has been found as far away as Rome, 800 km to the north.Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain: Mount Etna, at 10,924 feet, is the most active volcano in Europe and the oldest recorded active volcano in the world.Mount Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It is the largest active volcano in Europe, currently standing about 3329.6 m (10,924 feet)high, though it should be noted that this varies with summit eruptions; the mountain is 21.6 m (71 ft) lower now than it was in 1865. It is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km² (460 square miles) with a basal circumference of 140 km.The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.Etna lava stone is a material with unique characteristics: durable, indestructible, resistant to changes in the temperature (it’s a heat conductor), it offers infinite possibilities of uses: flooring, urban furniture, interior design.After the glazing process the product doesn’t get stained, resists to acids and doesn’t require particular maintenance: that’s why lava stone is the ideal material even to make kitchens and bathrooms countertops. The natural stone tends to grey, with the glazing process we can obtain any desired colour. Shapes, sizes and decorations can be customized . The lava stone it is formed by the solidification of cooled magma on the surface of the Etna volcano, in Sicily
L'Etna è un vulcano attivo che si trova sulla costa orientale della Sicilia (Italia), tra Catania e Messina. È il vulcano attivo più alto del continente europeo e uno dei maggiori al mondo. La sua altezza varia nel tempo a causa delle sue eruzioni, ma si aggira attualmente sui 3329.6 m (10,924 feet) s.l.m. Il suo diametro è di circa 45 chilometri.Un tempo era noto anche come Mongibello.In genere le eruzioni dell'Etna pur fortemente distruttive delle cose, non lo sono per le persone se si eccettuano i casi fortuiti o di palese imprudenza come quello dell'improvvisa esplosione di massi del 1979 che uccise nove turisti e ne ferì una decina di altri avventuratisi fino al cratere appena spento. L'Etna è un tipico strato-vulcano che iniziò la sua attività, tra 500 e 700 mila anni fa. La sua lava di tipo basaltico è povera in silice, è molto calda, densa e fluida. Per queste ragioni le eruzioni sono tranquille ed il percorso delle lave prevedibile. La velocità di scorrimento è superiore a quella delle lave acide, più ricche in silice e più viscose e leggere.La lavorazione della pietra lavica, derivante dall’industria estrattiva delle vicine cave dell'Etna, per scopi ornamentali o per materiali da costruzione, diede da vivere a molte famiglie siciliane.I "pirriaturi", anticamente, estraevano lungo i costoni dell'Etna solo strati superficiali di lava perché più porosi e più facilmente lavorabili con arnesi quali la subbia, lo scalpello, la mazzola e il martello. Sul materiale estratto interveniva lo spaccapietre che ricavava lastre di pietra, infine lo scalpellino rifiniva il materiale. Uno degli usi prevalenti cui era destinata la pietra lavica era la pavimentazione delle strade urbane
About 90 km. from Messina, on the Eastern Mounts Nebrodi, into luxuriant valley crossed by the torrent Roccella, rises Roccella Valdemone. It is probable that the seat was already populated in Norman period: in 1296 it became feud of the Spataforas. Of the ancient and glorious history of Roccella are proofs some ruins of a Medieval castle which was one of the most important fortress in Sicily and has been considered for a long time to be elusive. Walking along the village it gets to the precious Cathedral Church which among furnishings of best workmanship, precious canvases and elegant sculptures, keeps a marble work of 1540 with a delicate taste made by Giacomo Gagini (1517-1598). Splendid is also the Church of Santa Maria dell’Udienza (Our Lady of Udience), with a simple architecture, characterized by a beautiful and decorated portal, by ornaments on the front, by the original insides rich of friezes. The temple also shows a beautiful sculpture made by Giacomo Gagini (1517-1598) representing an intense, in the outlines, Our Lady with Christ Child.. Inhabitants of Roccella (Roccellesi) find into popular manifestations a moment of cultural identity besides an occasion of joy and making feast: in May the festival of buttermilk curd, is special. It attracts into village visitors of the near villages and they also expet the tasting of good local food along the streets of Roccella; suggestive is also the feast in honour of Madonna dell’Udienza (Our Lady of Udience) kept on 15 August.Roccella’s territory, full of wheat, vine, legume, and fruit growings, shows insuperable sceneries included in reserves of the Valley of Alcantara and of the Wood of Malabotta. The Church Mother S. Nicolò of Bari constructed around to the 1400, the Church Mother, rises in the public square of the country dominated from the high bell tower. The inside is of Romanesque style, to three navate with transept, three rectangular apses, twelve monolitiche columns in sandstone stone with capital of corinthian style and the ligneo ceiling, rifared in 1935. The church came entire restored in the 1525 as it is deduced from two written in Latin language still today visible on sides of the greater altar. On the left side of the altar can be admired the marmoreo picture representing the Nativity ; of Jesus, commissioned in the 1526 to the Antonello Gagini from the baron Giovanni Michele Spadafora, but nearly totally executed from the son Giacomo.
Roccella Valdemone è un comune italiano di 714 abitanti della provincia di Messina in Sicilia.Anticamente battezzata Auricella e Rocchella (dal latino medievale Roccella, piccola rocca) quindi Roccella-Randazzo e infine Roccella Valdemone.Il nome "Valdemone" ha origine da una delle tre circoscrizioni amministrative in cui gli Arabi suddivisero la Sicilia, ossia il Vallo di Demena, che a sua volta discende dal latino Valium (vallo).Il ritrovamento in territori vicini a Roccella, di monete greco-romane fa supporre la presenza di antichi insediamenti umani.Sorta in età normanna, un castello consolidò nel Medioevo la sua posizione di centro strategico difficilmente espugnabile. Il territorio è suddiviso in quattro contrade risalenti al sistema feudale, offerte ai Baroni come ricompensa. Infatti Roccella fu affidata nel 1296 da Federico II d'Aragona a Damiano Spadafora col titolo di baronia, divenendo in seguito marchesato. Lo stemma Spadafora, composto da un braccio armato che tiene una spada, tutt'oggi è raffigurato nel gonfalone comunale.Le contrade, in cui tutt'oggi è suddiviso il territorio sono: a nord Cassanita, Masinaro, Nocerazzo, Perino, Pillera e Revocato; a sud Bonvassallo (in cui a differenza delle altre esiste ancora la borgata), Germanà, Pecoraro, S. Giovanni; a est Daniele; a ovest Pietrorizzo, Lanzarite.Gli Spadafora (anticamente Spatafora) ne mantennero il possesso (con la denominazione alterna dei Lauria) fino al 1812 quando, mentre il paese era sotto la giurisdizione del marchese Domenico Spadafora Colonna ultimo feudatario della famiglia, il parlamento del Regno delle due Sicile abolì il feudalesimo.
On June 29, 2018, a funeral was held for FDNY Chief of Fire Prevention Ronald R. Spadafora, a 40-year veteran of the Department who succumbed to World Trade Center-related cancer. Chief Spadafora is the highest ranking active member of the FDNY to die from a World Trade Center illness.
Maletto is on the western side of the Etna to 960 M of altitude. Human settlings, around the actual Maletto, they were had until from the first millennium before Christ. There lived the Siculs, then arrived Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, Normans and Swabians. To one of these last, the Manfredi Maletta count, is owed the origin of Maletto. In the 1263, this one did raise on the fortress a strengthened tower, said Castle, about which s picked up a first nucleus of inhabitants. The construction of the actual historical centre was started at the end of XV century, when the districts that are today around the Castle were built. The construction then continued in the first years of the following century with the realization of the baronial palace of the Spatafora and the attached Saint Michael Archangel church, l et alone of stores and of an open gallery, of an inn and of a warehouse. It was however starting from the 1619, when Maletto the king of Spain recognized the title of principality, that the area is developed mostly, assuming the definitive aspect kept to our days. Maletto is the most elevated town of the Etna and of the province of Catania and it reverts nearly for whole in the park of the Etna.The production of the strawberries has made famous Maletto in the world.
Maletto è un comune italiano di 4.029 abitanti della provincia di Catania in Sicilia.Le origini del piccolo comune etneo risalgono al 1263. Esso nacque per interesse di Manfredi di Maletta, parente dell'imperatore Federico I, che edificò su uno sperone roccioso un castello, di cui ancora si conservano i ruderi. Il piccolo borgo fu abbandonato e decadde. L'attuale agglomerato urbano, è frutto della ricostruzione avviata nel 1440, ad opera del principe Spadafora.Ogni anno, nel mese di giugno, Maletto diventa la città delle fragole, richiamando centinaia di turisti e di visitatori. Nel corso della Sagra, le maestranze locali realizzano una gigantesca torta alla fragola di oltre mille chili, che viene offerta a tutti i partecipanti. Durante la manifestazione vengono esposti in appositi stand le fragole in piantine e in cassette e sono offerte come assaggio gratuito ai visitatori. Il frutto matura tra i primi di maggio e la fine di giugno e nell'ambito della sagra sono esposti diversi tipi di fragole: la fragolina di pasticceria, la fragola "rifiorente", che matura da gennaio a dicembre, e la fragola tradizionale, dal sapore più dolce e dall'odore più profumato. La sagra dura tre giorni e si svolge di solito dal venerdì alla domenica.
Elio Spadafora 43/52
Meet The Person:
Elio Spadafora. Cousin and Modern Day Medieval Archer…
Elio is passionate about his work and his play! He said there really is no way to separate the two. He is equally passionate personally and professionally about archery and hunting. As a child he was always outside running and getting into one thing or another. But once he was introduced to hunting and archery, he was hooked forever! Poppop (our grandfather - Mommom’s husband) got him his first two bows. One was a suction cup bow and arrow set that he used to shoot and stick arrows on the front door of the family room. The second was a fiberglass recurve. Elio is pretty sure Poppop gave him those bows to keep him out of his own archery stuff when he was at work. Elio’s most memorable time was the day he shot a pheasant out of the air with a bow he made with a stick, one of Poppop’s bowstrings and one of his tournament arrows!
Elio has spent his entire life working to earn money. Now his work is to teach and learn more about archery. He is able to take what he loves the most and help guide others who also enjoy the sport to achieve their goals. His job allows allows him to find out about the newest products, different techniques and exchange ideas and tips with others every day. Elio is currently working on his level 3 USA Instructor class that will allow him to coach archers at the Olympic level. He is really intrigued to get into the Olympic arena of archery because he is less knowledgable in that sector but wants to learn more about it.
Coaching has become Elio’s latest passion. It makes him wonder how many people have entered the archery arena from Poppop getting him into it. Some people think he may get burned out by being around archery all week at work. But that’s not the case at all for Elio. The weekend allows him to hone his skills and continue to work toward his goal of a World Championship win in the Pro Division.
Elio continues his love for archery into the hunting season as well. He loves chasing big mature animals at the top of their game. At the end of the day, everything he does in archery all year is for that first day of hunting when he can climb up into a tree in the dark and watch the world wake up. He lives for that day every year. As the years go by they come more and more rapidly, but the stories of good times with friends and family in the hunting camp never seem to end.
Elio has many local, state and tri-state trophies. But his stand out is second place in the Mens Open at IBO World Championship with 900 plus shooters. In the hunting world, he has 4 150” Whitetails in the Pope and Young book and the biggest black bear ever killed in New Brunswick, Canada which was just entered into the New Brunswick Big Game Club record book, ranked number 1 (I saw a picture of this bear - this is one of the biggest bears you will ever see and I am guessing ranks as the biggest bear ever killed!)
Influence:
Elio is the third of four Spadafora cousins in this project (Mike, Jeanine) and the oldest of the bunch. Elio is one of those guys who knows pretty much everything. Need something on your car fixed? Elio could do it and give you a trick for the next time as well. Need help with putting up drywall or some other household construction? No problem, he knows exactly what he’s doing there too. Oh, you are drilling for natural gas? He did that for a few years too. And if you ever want to watch someone put an arrow through a ping pong ball at 30+ yards, he can point in the direction of someone who can. As in, he would be pointing his own finger at himself. Right before I took Elio’s picture last week, he put his arrow through a ping pong ball on a bet. I saw the arrow and ball for proof. Yeah, he’s that good!
Elio is one of those cousins who you just enjoy being around. As I said above, he really does know everything. So it’s fun being with him to learn all kinds of things. For a few years when I was working nearly full time with my Dad while I was going to Bucks Community College, Elio was working with my Dad as well. Even though we were in a hostile construction environment, Elio was one of those guys on a construction site who you actually enjoyed being around. He never really seemed to get mad and talked to you like a normal human being. Refreshing and juxtaposed to a screaming, angry guy who you would normally encounter out in the field.
This past May marked the 26th year since the massive Perkasie fire that nearly took out the entire town. It was massive and extremely destructive. What makes that day so memorable for me was that I was there. And I was only five years old at the time. It’s one of those memories that you have as a kid that you never forget; it is ingrained into my memory. I was at my Aunt Linda’s house (Elio’s Mom) where Mommom lived as well. I was outside playing with Mommom when out of the fields comes Elio and a few of his friends on their four and three-wheelers (the Spadafora’s love them some big kid toys!) He was yelling out “Perkasie’s on fire! Let’s go, jump on Nicky.” Off through the fields we went (they lived about two miles outside of town, in the woods.) What’s funny is I don’t remember getting into town on the quad, but I do remember getting there. I was chaos. Fire fighters were scrambling, sirens screaming and people standing in shock. We were able to get close enough to the fire that I felt the heat of the blaze. It was an experience you never forget because it hit you from three different senses: feel, sight and sound. The heat was nearly unbearable and we were standing about a block from the fire. Not long after that did a firefighter come pushing down the street yelling for us to get back. It was surreal and I was right there.
One last story about Elio was when I was around 8 years old or so. I was the ring bearer in his first marriage and he made a bet with me. He bet me that if I scored three touchdowns in my football game before his wedding, he would buy me a new Nintendo game. I’m not sure if he was being nice knowing I was more than likely going to score that many touchdowns or if he had no idea that I was a touchdown machine in my early days of Pop Warner football. But either way, I scored three touchdowns that game and Elio delivered on the bet. He got me John Elway’s Quarterback game for Nintendo. And I remember he gave it to me at their rehearsal dinner before the wedding.
Elio and his son Nico were also regulars at Mommom’s dinner on Wednesday nights. Having them living so close along with his brother Mike and his kids was great. Being able to see my ‘big’ cousins and ‘little’ cousins regularly was fantastic. Eating at Mommom’s with everyone was something I looked forward to every week. Nico is now overseas serving this great country in the Air Force. Thanks Nico!
It’s funny how you can vividly remember some things when you were so young. I think a lot of that has to do with the people you were around. And no doubt, being around Elio was something I enjoyed a lot. Hell, I still do! Thanks Elio,
Following intensive workshops with Seeta Patel and Seetal Kaur Gahir, Bharatanatyam students Tonicka and Gursimran explored issues around friendship, trust and betrayal. They used a unique blend of traditional Bharatanatyam and more contemporary dance influences to develop their own Urban-Natyam style.
These images are from Breeze on Briggate 2014.
Music: Tarana by Shri.
Photos by Maria Spadafora www.flickr.com/photos/bloodynora
Portrait of former welterweight world champion Paul "The Pittsburgh Kid" Spadafora.
Strobist info: gridded beauty dish overhead, strip softbox camera left, strip softbox camera right, 20 degree gridded spot left behind subject, 20 degree gridded spot right behind subject, ring flash front for fill
About 90 km. from Messina, on the Eastern Mounts Nebrodi, into luxuriant valley crossed by the torrent Roccella, rises Roccella Valdemone. It is probable that the seat was already populated in Norman period: in 1296 it became feud of the Spataforas. Of the ancient and glorious history of Roccella are proofs some ruins of a Medieval castle which was one of the most important fortress in Sicily and has been considered for a long time to be elusive. Walking along the village it gets to the precious Cathedral Church which among furnishings of best workmanship, precious canvases and elegant sculptures, keeps a marble work of 1540 with a delicate taste made by Giacomo Gagini (1517-1598). Splendid is also the Church of Santa Maria dell’Udienza (Our Lady of Udience), with a simple architecture, characterized by a beautiful and decorated portal, by ornaments on the front, by the original insides rich of friezes. The temple also shows a beautiful sculpture made by Giacomo Gagini (1517-1598) representing an intense, in the outlines, Our Lady with Christ Child.. Inhabitants of Roccella (Roccellesi) find into popular manifestations a moment of cultural identity besides an occasion of joy and making feast: in May the festival of buttermilk curd, is special. It attracts into village visitors of the near villages and they also expet the tasting of good local food along the streets of Roccella; suggestive is also the feast in honour of Madonna dell’Udienza (Our Lady of Udience) kept on 15 August.Roccella’s territory, full of wheat, vine, legume, and fruit growings, shows insuperable sceneries included in reserves of the Valley of Alcantara and of the Wood of Malabotta. The Church Mother S. Nicolò of Bari constructed around to the 1400, the Church Mother, rises in the public square of the country dominated from the high bell tower. The inside is of Romanesque style, to three navate with transept, three rectangular apses, twelve monolitiche columns in sandstone stone with capital of corinthian style and the ligneo ceiling, rifared in 1935. The church came entire restored in the 1525 as it is deduced from two written in Latin language still today visible on sides of the greater altar. On the left side of the altar can be admired the marmoreo picture representing the Nativity ; of Jesus, commissioned in the 1526 to the Antonello Gagini from the baron Giovanni Michele Spadafora, but nearly totally executed from the son Giacomo.
Roccella Valdemone è un comune italiano di 714 abitanti della provincia di Messina in Sicilia.Anticamente battezzata Auricella e Rocchella (dal latino medievale Roccella, piccola rocca) quindi Roccella-Randazzo e infine Roccella Valdemone.Il nome "Valdemone" ha origine da una delle tre circoscrizioni amministrative in cui gli Arabi suddivisero la Sicilia, ossia il Vallo di Demena, che a sua volta discende dal latino Valium (vallo).Il ritrovamento in territori vicini a Roccella, di monete greco-romane fa supporre la presenza di antichi insediamenti umani.Sorta in età normanna, un castello consolidò nel Medioevo la sua posizione di centro strategico difficilmente espugnabile. Il territorio è suddiviso in quattro contrade risalenti al sistema feudale, offerte ai Baroni come ricompensa. Infatti Roccella fu affidata nel 1296 da Federico II d'Aragona a Damiano Spadafora col titolo di baronia, divenendo in seguito marchesato. Lo stemma Spadafora, composto da un braccio armato che tiene una spada, tutt'oggi è raffigurato nel gonfalone comunale.Le contrade, in cui tutt'oggi è suddiviso il territorio sono: a nord Cassanita, Masinaro, Nocerazzo, Perino, Pillera e Revocato; a sud Bonvassallo (in cui a differenza delle altre esiste ancora la borgata), Germanà, Pecoraro, S. Giovanni; a est Daniele; a ovest Pietrorizzo, Lanzarite.Gli Spadafora (anticamente Spatafora) ne mantennero il possesso (con la denominazione alterna dei Lauria) fino al 1812 quando, mentre il paese era sotto la giurisdizione del marchese Domenico Spadafora Colonna ultimo feudatario della famiglia, il parlamento del Regno delle due Sicile abolì il feudalesimo.