Abruzzo News: 14 September 1999

Unusual rescue, a Caretta-Caretta tortoise was found one mile off Montesilvano. The fishermen were going to put it back into the sea when they saw the parasites so they decided to take it to the capitaneria. To kill the parasites, she was put in a special water.

No Naomi Campbell or Cindy Crawford, but Santo Stefano di Sessaniowas chosen as testimonial for a new professional cellphone campaign. Until 26 september images of the «casa del capitano» will appear on major Italian newspapers. Romolo Continenza, professor of the Aquilan University, says it is one of the best preserved XIII- century villages in Italy. The message: a cellphone to work even in the most remote places.

Roberto Gatta, 50 years old, crossed the lake walking on the waters, a new martial art technique called "pattling". The lake of Scanno is 2 km long, 40 mt deep and the waters below 20 degrees centigrade. The tecnique requires keeping the arms raised above the waters and simulating "walking" with the legs.

In the splendid Fenaroli theatre, Lanciano, prof. Marcello De Cecco, famous economist, historian and journalist, received the prize for his achievements.

Once a year on the 14th September Lancianese wake up at 4 a.m. to watch a firework show. This marked the beginning of the 3-day festival. Today horse-race, band concert and another concert with the "Il canzoniere della ritta e della manca" group and more fireworks by night.

Enrico Marinelli, 84 years old, wished the money usually spent on flowers should go to the «Manoppello soccorso» association. After the funeral his sons gave 2,550,000 lire to Pietro Rapposelli, president of the association founded in 1994 which last year was called 395 times, and already 200 this year.