Thursday, January 18, 2018

A Stroll Through Venegono Inferiore and My First Skorpions Practice


Thursday, 18 January, 2018

Since the sun ALWAYS shines in Skorpion country, it came as no surprise that I awakened to a relatively warm (53°F) day.

As usual in Europe, my morning started with a walk foraging for sustenance.

Next to the Venegono Inferiore
train station

It is only about a ten minute walk from the Villa Skorpion and the coffee and brioche were perfect!

Since it is advertised as a Sardinian and Sicilian bar we should call it a cornetto not a brioche as they call it in northern Italy.

Fully nourished, it was time to do a little more exploration in Venegono Inferiore.

City Hall

Interesting Chimneys

Venegono Inferiore's
big church

Cinema Paradiso?

The big church is named for two
Saint Jacob and Saint Philip

It was nice inside

Its altar was nice as well

As was this candle holder

Pope John Paul II

Totus Tuus is Latin for All Yours

The church's bell/clock tower

The BVM ever vigilant

Gnarly old trees

restaurant at the far end
of this serene courtyard

The BVM stepping on
a hideous snake

How old is this structure?

Airing out the shoes after a workout

Always a good idea.

Interesting Street Name

This was the first time I've ever seen a street named after blood donators. 

Two cannons just outside of
the Venegono Inferiore Cemetery

Honoring the War Dead
from the village

Two mourned from World War I

Both died in 1918, one was a Sergeant who fell Albania, the other a Private who was slain in Germany.

A Private who died in World War II
in Germany in 1944

And a Sergeant who died fighting
in Russia

These two Venegono Inferiore natives died just 15 days apart in 1944 and have the same last name, Cremona.

In a village this small they were more than likely related in some way.

There were 43 of these name plates from WWI and WWII casualties in this mini-plaza in front of the cemetery.

Sad.

As for the cemetery itself . . .

. . . it was definitely upscale

Two big family crypts

All three of these Abatini family
members died at the age of 75

Hmm . . .

Nice Mosaic

Well, it was Thursday and after an afternoon doing odds and ends at the Villa, it was time for my first . . .

. . . Skorpions Practice!

We have an actual 100 yard field
where to practice and play games

The facility includes locker rooms too.

The local Art School for kids did
these murals

Good looking football

I don't like the look in those eyes

Originally, I had a practice planned but I went to Plan B at the last minute opting to observe how the Skorpions were used to practicing first.

After watching tonight, we will definitely be making a few changes at next Tuesday's practice. 

With Defensive Line Coach
Luca Pinto

Skorpion Team President
Aristide Mangano

Skorpion GM Enzo Petrillo
and his bride Nency

Posing at practice with the
Skorpions U15 and U13 Flag Teams

The Seniors practice Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 8:30 pm-10:30 pm

Stance and Starts with the
Offensive Line

We only had five tonight, the bare minimum.

One had to leave and missed the last 20 minute of practice while another one hurt his shoulder about ten minutes later.

Adapt, overcome and advance.

Offensive Coordinator Gigi Bravin
at work

Team Time

Surveying the Defense

The Offense had its moments
but the Defense was clearly ahead
at this early point of the campaign

That is normal at the start of any season.

Skorpion Field

When we left tonight, the outside temperature according to Pietro Carpioli's car thermometer was a balmy -2°C/28°F.

Only two words came to mind, SKORPION WEATHER!

All in all,
It was a GREAT night for American Football!

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