Archive for the ‘People’ Category

San Giorgio man arrested

Monday, February 15th, 2010

balducci

 The Head of Public Works in Italy, Angelo Balducci has been arrested following enquiries into corruption in the awarding of building contracts for the G8 meeting which was to take place in Sardegna last year but subsequently moved to Aquila following the earthquake.

Mr Balducci was born in San Giorgio in 1948. His family later moved to Rome. He became a civil engineer and has worked in many parts of Italy. He has maintained family connections in the area. He has recently bought and is restoring a large farm house, perhaps his birthplace, near San Giorgio.

His father Elio, a self taught artist, created a sculpture of George and the Dragon and it is now at the entrance to the main street.

That’s it for another year!

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

mike monique and luke

Mike, Monique and Luke began their journey back to New York this moring. Hard to believe the had arrived 6 weeks ago for their annual visit. In that time they have installed a new kitchen (despite 35 degree heat), learnt how to bottle tomatoes, tried to learn a few more words in Italian, and survived meals with dialect speaking relatives. 

Although in the photo they are looking happy to go we are sure they were just trying to put on a brave face.

They fly back to New York tomorrow and we wait to see if Dante, their slightly overweight dog, will be allowed on the flight. If not, we are ready to act as foster parents.

Luke the 35 stroke wonder.

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
luke on beach Luke, who comes to San Giorgio every year from New York, is learning to swim. Here he is looking calm and relaxed before the “35 Stroke Challenge”.
luke swimming Despite a rough sea and reports of jelly fish lurking nearby Luke showed no fear as he swam his 35 strokes with ease.
luke eating ice cream As a reward Luke chose an appropriate ice cream – an “affogato” i.e. ice cream “drowned” in a sweet sauce. Luke went for white chocolate ice cream drowning in chocolate sauce.

Chinese whispers – Berlusconi style

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

Often criticised for his comments about women, Berlusconi has again come in for critcism for comments made during a press converence with the French President Sarkozy. According to some reports, during the press conference he turned to the French President and said “I have given you your woman”. This was a reference to the French Presdient’s Italian wife. Berlusconi’s office denied that he had said this. He had in fact said: “You know that I studied at the Sorbonne”.

Artists in San Giorgio: Giuseppe Polverari

Friday, January 16th, 2009
Polverari picture Anna, from my English class asked if her great nephew Giuseppe, an artist by training, could meet us occasionally to give him a chance to speak English. He came round last Wednesday and chatted with Bill for a couple of hours. As he has spent some time in New York his English is good. Art is his first love but he has to work to keep body and soul together.

To see his web site Click here