December 23, 2011Vol. 28 No. 48

Learn HowAcireale HonorsSaint SebastianRead about the

tradition.

Find Out WhatMWR Has

Planned

The New Year isjust around the

corner, and MWRhas plenty of

activities to helpyou ring in 2012!

Page 11

Start a HolidayTradition

Learn how tomake these super

easy cookies!

Page 14

http://www.cnic.navy.mil/sigonella

Scan for direct linksto NAS Sigonella

Page 6

U F C Fi g h te r s V i s i t N A S S i go n e l l a

Clay “The Carpenter”Guida, Xtreme KageKombat lightweight cham-

pion, Urijah “The California Kid”Faber, former world extreme cage-fighting featherweight championand Brittney Palmer, UltimateFighting Championship (UFC)octagon girl visited servicemembers stationed at Naval AirStation (NAS) Sigonella, Dec. 14,as part of a European tour spon-sored by the United Service

Organizations (USO) and ArmedForces Entertainment.

According to the USO website,USO is a non-profit, non-politicalorganization that was establishedfor more than 70 years and is nowestablished at 160 locations in 27states and 14 countries.

“The USO tour is something thatI’ve always wanted to do. “This issuch a beautiful place,” said Palmer.“Just being here with all the militarymembers is a really cool experience.

Thank you for doing what you doand being who you are, we allappreciate it.”

During the visit, UFC memberssigned autographs, took photos andinstructed a grappling and trainingseminar with the service membersand their families.

The UFC fighters will stop atvarious USO centers in Italy duringthe nine-day USO tour, NASSigonella being their first stop.

“This is a really cool opportunity

to meet the guys that stick up forour country,” said Faber. “I’m fromAmerica. I get to live my dream andwe really owe a lot to the folks thatare fighting for that.”

“It means the world to us thatNAS Sigonella has invited us outhere,” said Guida. “The pleasure isall ours to be here. We know it’stough to be away from homearound the holidays. It’s the seasonfor giving and this is the least wecan do.”

By MCSA Brian GluntNPASE East Detachment Europe

Urijah "The California Kid" Faber (left), former World Extreme Cage-fighting Featherweight champion, instructs an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) training seminar to service membersand their families stationed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Dec. 14, in the base's gymnasium. The visit to NAS Sigonella was the first stop on a nine-day European tour, sponsored by theUnited Service Organizations/Armed Forces Entertainment.

(U.S. Navy Photo By MCSA Brian Glunt)

support demon-strated throughoutthe year ensured thatour service memberswere focused at workwhich meant that thefleet, and the fighter,got the criticalsupplies and servicesefficiently and effec-tively. My personalthanks to all of you foryour selfless supportof our fighters.

In closing, I hopethat all of you willhave a chance toenjoy the holidayswith your friends and fami-lies. You deserve it! I praythat you will all come backafter the New Year rechargedand ready to meet whatevermission awaits head on.Thank you for all of your

Page 2 December 23, 2011

NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Scott Butler

The

Sig

natu

re Commander

U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella

Capt. Scott Butler

Executive Officer

Cmdr. Eric Vosler

Command Master Chief

CMDCM David Graham

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. Tim Page

timothy.page@eu.navy.mil

Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Dott. Alberto Lunetta

alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil

Writer/Editor

Jackie Trembath

jackie.trembath@eu.navy.mil

Staff Writers/ Photographers

MC1 Christopher Delano

MC2 Gary Prill

GM2 Kris Carmody

MCSN Cameron Bramham

MCSA Brian Glunt

This civilian enterprise (CE) 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. The appearance of advertisingin this newspaper,

including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l.,

of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available

for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,

physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal

to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Signature is published weekly by

Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy -

Tel. 081-568-7884, Fax 081-568-7887. E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it.

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,

guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no later than the close of business on the Friday proceeding

the expected publication date. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.

The Signature will not publish any anonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are

the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l. Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is

unauthorized without the written consent of the publisher.

The Signature editorial office is located at: Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily PSC 812 Box 3020, FPO, AE 09627 Telephone: 095-86-5440 • DSN 624-5440

Email thesig@eu.navy.mil to place your classified advertisement or community announcement.

Before I begin, I'd liketo let you know thatmy regularly sched-

uled Feedback Live willmove from January 5th toJanuary 12th to accommo-date our personnelenjoying the second leaveperiod. The show will stillrun from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.on AFN Decoder Channel20. To call in live on theshow, please dial 624-4265or 095-56-4265, or send itlive via Facebook.

No matter how youchoose to do so, pleasekeep sending your ques-tions!

As this year ends, I feel itimportant to take amoment to reflect withgreat awe about what wehave accomplishedtogether.

In February, Sigonella was afairly quiet base supporting afew Atlantiques on the ITAFside, a P-3 or two and a GlobalHawk on our side, as well as asmall assortment of otheraircraft and rotational passen-gers. With the commencementof OPERATIONS ODYSSEYDAWN and UNIFIEDPROTECTOR, that changed,literally, overnight.

By the end of March, ourbase was host to more than 70additional aircraft and 1500personnel from seven differentnations -- and we supportedthem flawlessly for their entiremission.

During the year, I had theopportunity to meet with thehighest levels of political andmilitary leadership from theU.S. and other Coalitionnations, and each of them

expressed their profound grat-itude to the base and itspersonnel for all that we did tosupport their efforts. Simplyput, they could not havesucceeded without each andevery Sigonellan, regardless ofjob, going above and beyond.That we, as a team, were able tohandle this near-vertical rampup in operations as smoothly aswe did is no small feat. It was,simply, an inspiring perform-ance across the board, and itserves as a testament to thededication and commitment ofall those who call Sigonellahome.

Of course, I would be remissin not recognizing the supportthat a family provides to his orher service member is thesingle most critical elementthat ensures his or her successon the job. The strong family

DIRECT LINE

efforts this year - it is myhonor to serve alongsideyou. I wish you all a MerryChristmas and a HealthyNew Year!

Showing appreciation for the best customers in the world and celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Navy Exchange (NEX), theNEX held a world-wide sweepstakes for sixty-five $1,000 shoppingsprees awarded in the form of an NEX Gift Card. The sweepstakes ranfrom Oct. 3 through Nov. 7, 2011. Entries were submitted in thestores and online. The slips were collected from all NEX locationsand were sent to NEXCOM where the winners were selected. Onelucky winner was Naval Air Station Sigonella ENS Shawn Reese (left),from Security, pictured above with NEX Sigonella General ManagerRon Dahl (right). Congratulations, ENS Shawn Reese!

Local Service Member Wins$ 1 , 0 0 0 N E X G i f t Ca r d

(U.S. Navy Photo By MC1 Christopher Delano)

(U.S. Navy Photo By MCSN Cameron Bramham)

Former Naval Air Station (NAS)Sigonella Installation BusinessFinancial Manager GiuseppeSortino received a challenge coinfrom NAS Sigonella commandingofficer, Capt. Scott Butler duringhis retirement luncheon held atRestorante Bella Etna. The chal-lenge coin was personally sentfrom Rear Adm. Anthony E.Gaiani, Commander, Navy RegionEurope, Africa, Southwest Asia(EURAFSWA). Giuseppe Sortinoretired after 36 years working atNAS Sigonella.

Sortino Retires After 36 Years: Celebration held in his honor

Page 3December 23, 2011

Picciolo Dott. Stella

Tis the season of bowling!With the 2011 year andseason coming to a close,

we gave our panelists 15 differentbowl games for the chance tomake or break their overall scores.They were also only allowed tocomment on one game this week:the BCS National ChampionshipGame between LSU andAlambama. Let’s see what theyhad to say.....

SQUALLHere we go again! I will start off

by saying what the commentator’ssaid, "If you think this team is good -wait until next year. They are full ofjuniors and sophomores". Our gameis unstoppable! I mean, with runningbacks like Michael Ford, SpencerWare, Terrence McGee, KennyHilliard, and Alfred Blue ... pick oneand they will all go long. We haveunlimited wide outs with speed likeRussell Shepard, Odell Beckham(freshman), Reuben Randle (SEC allAmerican) and Deangelo Peterson.The defense ... I should not even haveto speak about. Especially since thedefensive back field with the likes ofMorris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu,Eric Reid, and Brandon Taylor will allplay NFL ball one day. All of them canleave right now and will be first round

Overall Record: 55-28NFL: 30-11NCAA: 25-17

Overall Record: 51-32NFL: 23-18NCAA: 28-14

Lt. Tim PageNAS Sigonella PAO

LSSN Nathaniel SquallLSC Sigonella

GM2 Bryan SilveriCMAA Office

Ashley DembinskiWIC office admin. assistant

Lt. Chris McHenryNAS SigonellaAdmin Officer

Rose Bowl : Wisconsin vs. Oregon

Fiesta Bowl : Oklahoma St. vs. Stanford

Sugar Bowl : Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

Cotton Bowl : Kansas St. vs. Arkansas

Overall Record: 54-29NFL: 28-13NCAA: 26-16

Oregon

Oklaoma St.

Virginia Tech

West Virginia

Arkansas

Overall Record: 45-38NFL: 24-17NCAA: 21-21

picks, and in that group only one is asenior. Linebackers and our D-Line arefast, strong, awesome, and will lay theWOOD. Stop disrespecting us please,our kicker and punter are SEC AllAmericans and made the All AmericanFreshman team. Stop playing with us! Imean with our dual All Americans:Mathieu, Brad Wing, Claiborne, SamMontgomery and Will Blackwell. Wecannot be beat. LSU Will Take This OneOnce Again. We Are The Champs!GEAUX TIGERS!

PAGEI have been in discussions with

friends and fans in the last week or soregarding the BCS Championship gameand how they were upset becauseAlabama made it and didn't win theirconference championship. For once, theBCS got it right. Is it not the intention toget the best two teams together for thechampionship? There is no denying that

LSU and Alabama are those two bestteams. Why? Because LSU went unde-feated playing the likes of Oregon,Alabama, and Arkansas. All of theseteams were in the top five. Alabamaplayed a very similar schedule onlylosing to LSU by three and may havebeen different if the kicker could havekicked between the uprights!! SorryOklahoma State, you can't lose to IowaState and give up an average of 25 pointsa game in that conference and expect toplay for a National Championship.

LSU is the premier team this yearfrom the premier football conferenceand will be left undefeated after thegame. The difference maker on the LSUteam that ALWAYS comes to play isTyrann Mathieu. This guy is a beast andis the only defensive player in recentyears that can win the game for his team.That, along with LSU's ability to putthree or four RBs on the field just makesit impossible for opposing defenses tostop the fresh legs. This will remain closeuntil the 2nd half when LSU will make

their usual run and beat the Tide likethey should have the first time. LSUwins 31-10.

DEMBINSKIBCS National Championship

Game: #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama. Alabamahas been dying for a rematch since theirOT loss to LSU on Nov. 5. This gamewill prove once and for all who reignsthe SEC and whose defense reignssupreme. It will, no doubt, be a close oneagain and I think Alabama is going togive LSU their only loss for the 2011season. The Crimson Tide will roll andfinally tame "theauxs" Tigers!

SILVERILSU can't be stopped. This team

looks like one of the best ever. GEAUXTIGERS! LSU by 17.

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Virginia TechClemson

Arkansas

Orange Bowl : West Virginia vs. Clemson

Oregon

Oklahoma St.Michigan

Clemson

Arkansas

Oklahoma St.

Clemson

Arkansas Arkansas

Wisconsin

National Championship : LSU vs. Alabama AlabamaLSULSU LSU

TRAFFICNUMBERS

Jan. 11 Jan. 10

Oct. 11 Oct. 10

Accidents 267 286

Injuries 36 49

DUIs 10 9

Traffic

Deaths 0 0

Please,

don’t become

a statistic!

Overall Record: 53-30NFL: 24-17NCAA: 29-13

Alabama

Michigan

Wisconsin

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

Clemson

Liberty Bowl : Cincinnatti vs. Vanderbilt

Chick-fil-A Bowl : Virginia vs. Auburn

TicketCity Bowl : Houston vs. Penn State

Champ Sports Bowl : Florida St. vs. Notre Dame

Pinstripe Bowl : Rutgers vs. Iowa St.

Outback Bowl : Michigan St. vs. Georgia

Capital One Bowl : Nebraska vs. South Carolina

Gator Bowl : Ohio St. vs. Florida

Belk Bowl : Louisville vs. North Carolina St.

Notre Dame

Rutgers

Vanderbilt

Auburn

Houston

Notre Dame

Iowa St.

Cincinnati

Auburn

Houston

Florida St.

Iowa St.

Vanderbilt

Auburn

Houston

Iowa St.

Auburn

Houston Houston

Florida St.

GeorgiaGeorgiaGeorgia Michigan St.Georgia

Vanderbilt

Florida St.

Iowa St.

Vanderbilt

Auburn

LouisvilleLouisville Louisville LouisvilleNC State

South Carolina

Ohio St.Florida

South Carolina

Florida Ohio St.

NebraskaSouth Carolina South Carolina

Florida

Jungle Book Is Coming

Naval Air Station SigonellaElementary, Middle andHigh School students rehe-arse for their night in thespotlight. Don’t miss theirperformance of the JungleBook! Performance Day isFriday, Dec. 23rd at 7 p.m. atKnights Hall.

(U.S. Navy Photo By MCSA Brian Glunt)

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics

Anonymous

meetings are back

in Sigonella.

For information on

Alcoholics

Anonymous

meetings, please

call 340-608-2140.

FeedbackLive airs at 6:30

p.m. Thursday,

January 12th on

AFN Prime Atlantic

or satellite decoder

channel 20 for those

who live on the

economy. If you

have any questions,

visit our webpage at

sigonella.afneu-

rope.net and click

the feedback live

link. You can also

comment on the

NAS Sigonella

Facebook page or

call in live during the

show at 624-4265.

Page 4 December 23, 2011

Pantellaro

FFSC can be reached at x4291American Red Cross at x4900

Does your command or organization have an event you’d like to see on the Community Calendar? Email us at thesig@eu.navy.mil and let us know!

Christmas DayChristmas Eve

Ice Skating inCatania

10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

New Years Day

Kwanza ends

New Years EveKwanza begins

ComedySquadron at Jox

Pub8:30 p.m.

Resolution 6-Mile Base 2 Base

Series Run onNAS II

Registration: 7:30a.m.

Run: 8 a.m. atFlightline Fitness

Center

Jungle Book7 p.m. at

Knights Hall

Page 5December 23, 2011

PENTAGON

Fleet and FamilySupport CenterAdministrationBuilding Bldg. 319 (NAS I)

Monday–Friday7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. DSN 624-4291 Commercial095-56-4291

Command Financial Specialist -E4 Program!

CANTINE RUSSO

MOTTA

STAMPA FESTEA

The Fleet & Family Support Center offers a series of workshops to help ease your transition:Intercultural Relations (ICR)

Survive & ThriveHistory of Sicily Seminar

Customs and Traditions Seminar

By Fleet & Family Support Center

PALERMO Marchi

Fleet & Family Support Center(FFSC) Personal FinancialManager (PFM) is excited to bringonline the Command FinancialSpecialist -E4 Program (CFS). TheMillion Dollar Sailor curriculumwill be used to meet the require-ments of the CFS abbreviatedtraining. Upcoming training isscheduled for Jan. 9-10, 2012;please watch for our FFSC Jan.flyer. Interested commands areencouraged to review CNOmessage 241223ZOCT11 orNAVADMIN 218/11. CNICPFM Program Manager (Mr. FredDavis) is the approving authorityand provides the following ampli-fying information regardingprocedures for submittingrequests.

Service Member: Contact CFSfor program information, Ensure

qualifications met: PQS; Body fat;Minimum 4.0 evaluation; CompleteRequest Chit (NAVPERS 1336/3);Submit to CFS.

CFS: Review completed requestchit; Complete electronic FinancialPlanning Worksheet (eFPW);requires 70/20/10 criteria (+/- 2%)Debt to income ratio <30%; Forwardrequest chit through chain ofcommand; Forward completedrequest chit to FFSC-PFM.

PFM: Conduct interview ofcommand-endorsed candidates withCFS present.

Determine suitability for publicspeaking and general enthusiasm forprogram.

Schedule approved candidates forMillion Dollar Sailor (MDS)program.

Forward email requesting waiver

of suitable individual(s) to CNICHQ.

SPECIAL NOTES: Application tothe program will be accepted untilMarch 1, 2012. Pilot program willrun until Sept. 30, 2012. FFSC hasreceived numerous inquiriesrequesting additional informationon this pilot program. Due to thenumber of calls we anticipate ahigh demand for this course. Classsize is limited to twenty studentsper class. We will continue tomonitor the rate of course enrol-lment and will make every attemptto meet the scheduling needs ofthe NASSIG community. Pleasecontact us at 624-4291 for moreinformation, “we are here for you”.

Page 6 December 23, 2011

Alberto LunettaThe Signature Staff

Mojito

“ Divoti, dicemulu cu tuttu u cori:Viva Sam Mastianu! Vàddatilu ch’èbeddu u rizzareddu, Semu tutti e Vostripedi, Amamulu cu tuttu u cori,” (trans-lated: “Devotees, let’s say it with allour hearts: Long live Saint Sebastian,the curly-headed! Look at him, isn’the beautiful! We all are at your feet,let’s love him with all our hearts”). Astream shuffling of devotees shoutsits spontaneous devotion to SanSebastiano (Saint Sebastian) through

these passionate phrases during along and exhausting procession thatis held yearly on Jan. 20 in honor ofSaint Sebastian throughout Acireale.

San Sebastiano is a popularChristian martyr. He was also afavorite subject of Renaissancepainters who depicted him as a beau-tiful young man. Born in northernFrance around 300 AD, he served asan officer in the Roman army underDiocletian, the Emperor who issued

an edict in which he prohibitedChristianity. Sebastiano was discov-ered to be a Christian and wasmartyred in 288 AD. He was tied,pierced with arrows and left fordeath; but tradition holds that hesurvived the arrows, which miracu-lously failed to pierce any vital organs.Thus, the arrow, a symbol of theplague, became his identifyingattribute as well as his wounds thatresemble plague boils. Eventually, he

was beaten to death.Even though San Sebastiano is the

Acireale co-patron saint, local resi-dents celebrate him with the samedevotion they have toward SantaVenera, the other town’s patron,whose festival falls on July 26.

San Sebastiano is also worshippedthroughout Sicily, especially in theprovince of Siracusa and in Maniace. In Acireale, San Sebastiano is consid-ered a protector against the plague asthe city’s community prayed for hisintercession many times throughoutthe centuries to drive away thatterrible disease. As the city wasspared by the plague in 1466, devo-tees built a church to thank him.Unfortunately, the church wasdestroyed later by a catastrophicearthquake that struck the Cataniaprovince in 1693.

The Acireale devotees erected anew magnificent basilica dedicated toSan Sebastiano. Gian Battista Marino,a sculptor from Catania, decorated itsfacade in Baroque style in the secondhalf of the 17th century. The inside ofthe church was frescoed with paint-ings depicting scenes from the life ofthe saint.

Today, people still invoke SanSebastiano to heal from sicknesses. Ifa miracle occurs, they offer tall waxes,money and small golden objects.Sometimes, devotees also tape theseobjects on red ribbons tied on thebranches of a stump against whichthe statue depicting San Sebastiano isplaced.

Tradition also holds that those whomiraculously survived the plagueepidemics offered white linens to thesaint. At that time, an infected personwas required to wear white linen

around their necks to show that theycarried the disease. Once theepidemic ended, these linens weretaped on pillars that support thecarriage on which the statue of thesaint is carried in procession. Today,devotees still wear symbolic linenaround their chest and head.

San Sebastiano is also believed tohave spared the Acireale from theWW2 bombing.

On Jan. 20, the festival starts at7:30 a.m. with the opening of thelittle chapel located inside the SaintSebastian church where the statue ofthe Christian martyr is preserved.Holy mass is performed at 9:30 a.m.Later at 11 a.m., the statue of SanSebastian starts its parade throughthe streets of Acireale.

The “baiardu,” which is a woodencart that holds the statue depictingthe saint, is carried on the shouldersof over 40 “divoti.” While holding andpulling such a heavy weight, theyperform spectacular maneuversincluding running and climbing steephills. The divoti who carry the cartaround the city belong to an exclusiveguild which boasts an ancient tradi-tion handed down from father to sonfor centuries. The procession lasts allday long and ends at midnight whenthe statue is brought back into theSan Sebastiano church. Fireworkshows and pealing of bells will beperformed all day long andthroughout the city.

The San Sebastiano church islocated in piazza Leonardo Vigo nextto the Acireale Cathedral.

For more information and festivalschedules visit http://www.sansebas-tianoacireale.com.

Every year, on Jan. 20, thousands of devotees crowd the streets of the Acireale historic center to pay respect to the town’sco-patron saint and attend a festival featuring religious processions, fireworks and arts and crafts.

(Photo By http://www.basinet.it)

Acireale Honors Saint Sebastian

Page 7December 23, 2011

GAMBINO

Page 8 December 23, 2011

CHIECHIO

DAO

Celebrate the new year with a special concert. On Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 at 7p.m., Austrian conductor Manfred Mayrhofer will lead the Bellini Operaorchestra in a New Year’s Day celebratory concert including music by JohannStrauss junior, Jacques Offenbach and Franz Lehár. Ticket range from €15.00to €35.00. For more information visit www.teatromassimobellini.it

Bellini Opera Hosts New Year’s Day Concert(Photo By Bellini Opera Press Office)

Custonaci Living Nativity Scene: BlendingChristmas Spirit and Sicilian Rural Traditions

The Custonaci Living Nativity Scene is a must-see Christmas event, drawing asmany as 400,000 visitors from all over Italy over the past 30 years.

(Photo By Sergiobutta)

had been staged at a Sanctuarylocated nearby since 1971.

Traditionally, on the night of Dec.24, a torch light procession from theSanctuary to the cave and a brief reli-gious drama is staged. The VirginMary riding a donkey will knock atthe door of an inn asking for hospi-tality. She will be told that there is noroom available, therefore she willhave to stay at the cave. Every daythere will be four consecutive SicilianPuppet Shows telling the story.

Custonaci is fairly easy to reachfrom the Castellammare del Golfoexit on the Palermo-Trapani highway(A29). Follow directions toward SanVito Lo Capo and drive for about tenmiles along the Trapani coast untilyou get to the Custonaci exit.

This amazing Nativity Scene canbe admired from Dec. 25 through 27and on Jan. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, 2012.Tickets prices range from € 6.00 to € 7.50.

Admittance hours are from 4 to 9p.m. There is also a shuttle busservice that will take you from thevillage of Cornino to the caves in afew minutes, as well as a 1,500-carparking lot. For more informationand to purchase tickets on line visithttp://www.presepeviventedicus-tonaci.it/

Borgo Scurati is a little Sicilianvillage where time seems to havestopped. It is located a mile fromCustonaci, a town near Trapaninestled on the slopes of MonteCòfano. Every year, this picturesquespot houses one of the most beautifulliving Nativity Scenes in Italy. Onehundred thirty-six active quarriesfrom which the valuable “Perlato diSicilia marble is extracted, surroundthis enchanting “villaggio.” The“Mangiapane Cave,” a majestic rockyquarry from the Paleolithic period isthe actual backdrop for the PresepeVivente (Living Nativity Scene) itself.

The cave is named after the house-hold that lived in it from the 19thcentury to the end of World War II.Through the years, small houses,stables and an oven to bake breadwere built around the cave making itsimilar to the Bethlehem scenery.The surrounding quarries host theother Nativity scenes’ charactersfeaturing about 300 local re-enactorsperforming 65 different craftsmanand vendor activities. Most of themactually demonstrate their workingskills, since they are professionalcraftsmen.

The living Nativity scene tradition,which dates back to 1983, derivesfrom the celebrations in honor of theVirgin Mary of Custonaci. Duringthese celebrations, religious dramas

ETNAPOLI

Page 9December 23, 2011

Page 10 December 23, 2011

Friday, 23 DEC 11 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Sausage Patties, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, RoastedPotatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Cinnamon Rolls.*Lunch: Chicken Corn Chowder, Baked Fish, Meat Loaf, Paprika Buttered Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, FriedOkra, Spiced Cake w/ Frosting, Crisp Drop Cookies.Speed line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes.*Dinner: Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Fish W. Cherry Tomato Sauce, Tossed Green Rice, Corn O’Brien, LimaBeans, Spiced Cake w/ Frosting, Crisp Drop Cookies.

Saturday, 24 DEC 11 *Breakfast: Farina, Grilled Ham Slices, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes,Buttermilk Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Crumb Cake.*Brunch: Breakfast Items, Creole Soup, Teriyaki Chicken, Fried Rice, Asparagus, Calico Corn, Cherry Pie,Abracadabra Bars.*Dinner: Vegetable Soup, Baked Lasagna, Steamed Rice, Seasoned Asparagus, Steamed Cauliflower, GarlicBread, Cherry Pie, and Abracadabra Bars.

Sunday, 25 DEC 11 Christmas Meal*Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Minute Steak, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, RoastedPotatoes, French Toast Puff, Asstd Doughnuts, Italian Croissant.*Brunch: French Onion Soup, Shrimp Cocktail, Ribeye au jus, Roast Turkey w/Gravy, Baked Ham, GarlicCheese Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Sweet Potato Casserole, Fruit Sauce w/Raisin, Cranberry Sauce, Steamed Broccoli,Whole Kernel Corn, Corn Bread Dressing, Sweet Corn Bread, Deviled Potato Salad, Waldorf salad, RoastedNuts Selection, Cheese Cakes, Eggnog, Holiday Candies, Assorted Pies.*Dinner: Chicken Vegetable Soup, Sauerbraten, Spring Garden Rice, Mashed Potatoes, Natural Pan Gravy,Steamed Cut Green Beans, Seasoned Carrots, Almond Cake, Crisp Toffee Bars.

Monday, 26 DEC 11 *Breakfast: Hot Hominy Grits, Minced Beef on Toast, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order,Roasted Potatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Streusel Coffee Cake.*Lunch: Creamed of Broccoli Soup, Roast Beef, Steamed Rice, Mixed Vegetables, Squash, Brownies, YellowCake w/ Icing, Fruit Ambrosia.*Speed Line: Turkey /Ham & Cheese Sandwich.*Dinner: Vegetable Supreme Soup, Cajun Meatloaf, Rice Pilaf, Brown Gravy, Peas & Onions, Corn on theCob, Brownies, Yellow Cake w/ Icing, Fruit Ambrosia.

Tuesday, 27 DEC 11 *Breakfast: Hot Farina, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Grilled Sausage Patties, Eggs to Order, RoastedPotatoes, Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Asstd Doughnuts, Blueberry Muffins. * Lunch: Chicken Vegetable Soup, Roast Turkey, Pasta al Forno, Steamed Rice, Mashed Potatoes, TurkeyGravy, Carrots and Orange Amandine, Club Spinach, Fruit Cocktail Upside Down Cake, Oatmeal Cookies.*Speed Line: Roast Beef Sandwich, French Fried Potatoes.Dinner: Zesty Bean Soup, Chicken Quartered, Orange Rice, Southern Greens, Seasoned Mixed Vegetables,Fruit Cocktail Upside Down Cake, Oatmeal Cookies.

Wednesday, 28 DEC 11 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Creamed Ground Beef, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, RoastedPotatoes, Blueberry Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Bear Claws.*Lunch: Beef Rice Soup, Baked Chicken, Garlic Cheese Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Cauliflower, Brussels SproutsPolonaise, Cheese Cake, Chocolate Pudding.*Speed Line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes.*Dinner: Cream of Chicken Soup, St. Louis BBQ Pork Ribs, Steamed Rice, Greens Beans Nicoise, SteamedPeas, Cheese Cake, Chocolate Pudding.

Thursday, 29 DEC 11 *Breakfast: Hominy Grits, Corned Beef Hash, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, RoastedPotatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Raisin Muffins.*Lunch: Corn Chowder Soup, Roast Pork, Chinese Five Spice Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy,Steamed Rice, Seasoned Carrots, Asparagus, Peanut Butter Cookies, Cherry Pie.*Speed Line: Assorted Pizza.*Dinner: Minestrone Soup, Baked Fish, Ginger Rice, Mexican Corn, Steamed Broccoli, Cherry Pie, PeanutButter Cookies.

Friday, 30 DEC 11 *Breakfast: Hot Oatmeal, Grilled Sausage Links, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, RoastedPotatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Cinnamon Rolls.*Lunch: Cream of Potato Soup, Breaded Pork Chop, Oven Glo Potatoes, Tossed Green Rice, Seasoned MixVegetables, Summer Squash, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Pudding.Speed Line: Grilled Hamburger/ Cheeseburger, French Fried Potatoes, Baked Beans.*Dinner: French Onion Soup, Chicken Cacciatore, Steamed Rice, Spinach, Cauliflower Polonaise, OatmealRaisin Cookies, Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Pudding..

VECCHIA DOGANA

Be prepared to be on your own for at least three days.Seven is better!

The BASIC FIVE: � Water� Food� Heat� Cash� Radio

Family Communications Plan: Phone Numbers & RallyPoints; Public Protection Strategies: Evacuation andShelter-in-Place; Web info: Ready.gov; Emergency info:AFN 106.0 FM; Questions? Call the EM Office at 624-2630,8265 or 2621.

emergency management

office

Page 11December 23, 2011

miDtowN moVie theaterSScheDule & DeScriPtioNS

Tuesday, December 20th 5:00 PM The Muppets PG5:30 PM The Big Year PG7:30 PM The Thing R8:00 PM Paranormal Activity 3 R

Wednesday, December 21st 5:00 PM Happy Feet 2 PG5:30 PM Johnny English Reborn PG7:30 PM Twilight: BD PG-138:00 PM Ides of March R

Thursday, December 22nd 2:00 PM Elf PG- FREE5:00 PM Hugo PG5:30 PM Dream House PG-13 7:30 PM Real Steel PG-138:00 PM 50/50 R

Friday, December 23rd 2:00 PM Polar Express G -FREE5:00 PM Puss in Boots PG 5:30 PM The Big Year PG7:30 PM In Time PG-13 8:00 PM Paranormal Activity 3 R

Saturday, December 24th 2:00 PM The Santa Clause PG -FREE2:30 PM Arthur Christmas PG4:30 PM Alvin & Chipmunks 3 G 5:00 PM Three Musketeers PG-137:30 PM New Year’s Eve R

Sunday, December 25th 12:00 PM Jingle All The Way PG -REE12:30 PM Johnny English Reborn PG 2:30 PM Sherlock Holmes 2 PG-13 3:00 PM In Time PG-13

HAPPY FEET 2 – Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore,Sofia Vergara

Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven – apenguin who can fly! Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble bringstogether the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures to put things right(100 m.)

Movie schedule is subject to change.

Please call to confirm.

Movie Hotline: 624-4248

REAL STEEL – Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Kevin Durand, AnthonyMackie, Evangeline Lily

In the near-future, where the sport of boxing has gone hi-tech, Charlie Kenton is awashed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steelrobots took over the ring. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams upwith his estranged son Max to build and train a championship contender (127 m.)

THE THING -- Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Ulrich Thomsen,Eric Christian Olsen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

A remake of the 1951 and 1982 version of The Thing. Paleontologist Kate Lloyd joins aNorwegian scientific team to a desolate region that has stumbled across an extraterrestrial shipburied in the ice. She discovers an organism that seems to have died in the crash eons ago. Butit is about to wake up. When a simple experiment frees the alien from its frozen prison, Katemust join the crew's pilot, Carter, to keep it from killing them off one at a time. And in this vast,intense land, a parasite that can mimic anything it touches will pit human against human as ittries to survive and flourish (103 m.)

IN TIME – Amanda Seyfried, Justin Timberlake, Cillian Murphy, VincentKartheiser, Olivia Wilde

In a future where time is literally money and aging stops at 25, the only way to stayalive is to earn, steal, or inherit more time. Will Salas lives minute-to-minute, until awindfall of time gives him access to the world of the wealthy, where he teams upwith a beautiful young heiress to destroy the corrupt system (109 m.)

The New Year is just around the corner,and MWR has plenty of activities to helpyou ring in 2012!

Dec. 31st say “Ciao” to 2011 in Cataniawith ITT! The trip will include a tour ofCatania with the story of its history. Thenwitness “San Silvestro a Mare,” or “NewYear’s Eve at Sea,” a yearly tradition inCatania where competitors swim in theGulf of Ognina. This trip goes from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.

There will be plenty of New Year’s Eveparties to go around! Connections ishaving their New Year’s Eve Bash from 8

p.m. until 1:30 a.m. with a cash bar,dancing and more. Jox Pub will celebratefrom 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. with dancing, freemunchies, Party favors, door prizes and achampagne toast at midnight.

Teens and tweens will be go-kart racingat Kartodromo on the 31st from 2:30p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Later, the teens willhave a New York City themed New Year’sEve at the Youth Complex in Marinai.Black and white dress is required. Tweenswill have their own party at the sametime. Both parties will include dancing,prizes and games, including a scavenger

hunt, X-Box kinect on a big screen,billiards and Ping-Pong. They’ll toast theNew Year with sparkling cider atmidnight. The parties start at 9:30 p.m.and wrap up at 12:30 a.m.

Take 5 will have recovery food anddrinks from 2:30 p.m. – 8 p.m, andConnections will be open the same hourson New Year’s Day. Midtown 2 Theaterswill celebrate on Jan. 1st with a freeshowing of the movie “2012” at 5 p.m.

Enjoy the holiday festivities and have asafe, happy and prosperous New Year!

DELIZIAPage 12 December 23, 2011

NEW PLACE

“L‘Epifania, tutte le feste porta via!” (orthe Epiphany) marks the “official end” ofthe Christmas season. Italian children arevery excited because they know that oldlady Befana will visit their home leavingsomething for them under the Christmastree. But who is this mysterious old ladywho is often associated with the lastholiday of the Christmas season?

Befana is the “Italian version” of SantaClaus, a good witch with a hooked nose.Kids imagine her riding a broom andsecretly sneaking into their homescarrying over her shoulders a sack full ofpresents. The day before the Epiphany,they prepare the stockings and try tobehave so that they can get candies.

The name Befana comes from“Epiphany,” the holiday celebrated on Jan6. Christians commemorate the visit ofthe three Wise Men to infant Jesus, withtheir gifts of gold, frankincense, andmyrrh. The word Epiphany comes fromancient Greek and means “manifestation(or “appearance”) of a supernatural beingor of a divinity.” For the Christian traditionit is “a moment of revelation” of newbornJesus to the world.

Although Befana is basically a populartradition, it is somehow tied to Christianheritage. According to legend, on theirjourney to Bethlehem, the Tre Re Magi orThree Wise Men stopped an old womanand asked her for directions to visit theChrist child. They also invited her to gowith them to see Him. Since she didn’tknow about the new baby, she grumpilysent the men away telling them she had

Befana is the beloved “good witch” who,according to tradition, delivers gifts toItalian children on Epiphany’s eve. Thekids who behaved get candies or sweets,the “bad” ones: “coal candy.” (Photo Byhttp://www.studentessamatta.com)

Epiphany and

the Legend of

La Befana

too much housework to do. Later, as sherealized who was the baby, she felt guiltyfor sending the men away and wentlooking for them but was unsuccessful.Tradition holds that every year during thenight between Jan 5th and the 6th shewonders around flying on her broomcarrying a bag full of all the gifts for thegood children, those presents that shecouldn’t deliver to infant Jesus..

The tradition also says that La Befanaknows how the kids behave so they haveto watch their manners as the festivalnears otherwise instead of finding toysand candy they will only get “coal” orcarbone, this actually consist of black rockcandies resembling pieces of coal.Sometimes parents to make a joke to theirmisbehaving kids, fill up the stocking with“coal” and right after give them the gifts.

Turrisi Colonna High School Teachers Visit Sigonella

VP-47 aviators and maintainers hosted teachers from the Turrisi Colonna High School inCatania. The Italian visitors were given an in-depth look at the P-3 Orion aircraft.

On Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, a groupof teachers from the Catania “LiceoTurrisi Colonna” High School andtheir families toured Naval AirStation (NAS) Sigonella. The group,led by Principal Anna Maria Di Falcoand Administrative DirectorFrancesca Cucchiara, got a chance tolearn about the important work andresponsibilities of military and civi-lian personnel employed by both theAmerican and Italian Bases.

During their visit, which was faci-litated by Dott. Alberto Lunetta, theNASSIG Community RelationsOfficer, the teachers toured NAS 1and had the opportunity to meet

some young service members and seetheir military lifestyle at the base logi-stics’ facilities.

After lunch, the Italian guests wentto NAS 2 where they received a warmwelcome by the VP-47 staff whooffered a static display of a P-3 Orionaircraft and its maintenance facilities. The group also visited the Italian AirForce Weather and Radar Stations.

“This was an unforgettable expe-rience! For this beautiful day we allwould like to thank the U.S. Navy, theItalian Air Force, Dott. Lunetta andAnnette Pulvirenti, the teacher ofEnglish conversation,” said PrincipalDi Falco. .

Page 13December 23, 2011

NEX

Page 14 December 23, 2011

MAGNOLIA

There are many ideas as towhere the tradition of leavingcookies for Santa started.

Some were said to be lefts as lastminute bribes for Santa from thenaughty kids. Some were left by goodkids thanking Santa andrefueling him for his longvoyage around the world.Others are from the1930’s when trees wereadorned with cookies andthe mice would eat atthem, confusing kids intobelieving Santa washungry and snacked onthem.

One history has alwaysbeen the same, throu-ghout the changing yearsfamilies and children havespent time together preparingChristmas cookies and leaving milk.Over the last few years the traditionhas begun to slide downhill, as Oreocookies have become the mostcommon cookie left behind. Manypeople have tied this to the simplicity,no more mixing of cookie dough, andfrosting just so Santa has a little snack.

This year I have a treat for you, away to grasp the tradition andpossibly pass it down to your childrenas something they can do with their

kids. We have included a recipe for 15minute No Bake Cookies. With just15 minutes of your time and less than$20 in ingredients you can make atradition that will last for a lifetime.

I started this tradition with my 4-year-old. Shea b s o l u t e l yloved it, andboth me andmy wifeenjoyed thechance to seeher so proud ofs o m e t h i n g ,that with verylittle help fromus, she wasable to makeherself. Therecipe is as

simple as you can get, and with a littlesupervision can become a lastingtradition for years to come.

No Bake Cookie RecipeNo Bake Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:- 2 Cups SUGAR- 1/3Cup COCOA- 2/3Cup EVAPORATED MILK- 1 Cube BUTTER- 1 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT

Directions:- Gather all ingredients together. Keep oatmeal set aside.- Boil remaining ingredients in saucepan for 5 minutes. Stir constantly. - Let mixture cool slightly then add it into the oatmeal and stir. - Spoon onto foil or wax paper. - Let cookies cool.

By MC2 Gary PrillNPASE East Detachment Europe

Page 15December 23, 2011

Step 1: Gather all ingredients together. Keep oatmeal set aside. Step 2: Boil remaining ingredients in saucepan for 5 minutes.

In goes the cocoa. This recipe is so easy! Don’t forget to stir constantly!

Step 3: Let mixture cool slightly then add it to the oatmeal and stir. Step 4: Spoon onto foil or wax paper.

Step 5: Let cookies cool. Enjoy! (U.S. Navy Photos by MC2 Gary Prill)

DAYS INN

HAPPY WOK

PIETRO

Navy NewsUSS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea

(NNS) -- John C. Stennis CarrierStrike Group ( JCS CSG) andembarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW)9 launched the Navy's final air sortieover Iraq Dec. 18, effectively endingnaval support for Operation NewDawn.

The final command and controlmission for U.S. forces over Iraq wasflown by an E-2C Hawkeye from the"Golden Hawks" of Airborne EarlyWarning Squadron (VAW) 112.

The crew of five launched fromStennis at 7:32 a.m. and returned at11:04 a.m.

"I think all of us went up to theflight deck focused on executing ourassigned mission," said Lt. Cmdr. JeffReynolds, a pilot aboard the lastflight. "We knew that we might be thecrew to fly the last mission over Iraq.As always, we stayed focused oncompleting the mission we were assi-gned. After confirmation that wewere the last, I realized I was part ofsomething pretty special."

According to Rear Adm. CraigFaller, commander, JCS CSG, themission came after two decades ofcombat missions flown in support ofoperations Desert Storm, SouthernWatch, Iraqi Freedom and finally,New Dawn.

"Navy air presence has been abso-lutely essential to Operation NewDawn, and the overall militarymission in Iraq," said Faller.

Although the Navy's air supportmission in Iraqi airspace has drawn toa close, Navy airpower continuessupporting Operation Enduring

Freedom in Afghanistan as well asmaritime security operations in theregion.

Carrier strike groups will continueto maintain a forward presence in theU.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, tofoster and sustain cooperative rela-tionships with regional partnerswhile deterring aggressors, ensuringfreedom of the seas and regionalsecurity and stability.

"I believe that John C. Stennis andNimitz class carriers are the world'spre-eminent arbitrators of peace andstability," said Capt. Ronald Reis,commanding officer of John C.Stennis.

Stennis departed from its home-port of Bremerton, Wash. July 25, andhas been conducting maritime secu-rity operations in the 5th and 7thFleet areas of operation, and directlysupported operations New Dawn andEnduring Freedom.

In addition to Stennis and CVW 9,JCS CSG is comprised of guidedmissile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG53), and Destroyer Squadron 21which consists of guided missiledestroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100),USS Dewey (DDG 105), USSWayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) andUSS Pinckney (DDG 91).

U.S. 5th Fleet encompasses 2.5million square miles of water andincludes the Arabian Gulf, ArabianSea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf ofOman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

For more news from Commander,U.S. Naval Forces CentralCommand/5th Fleet, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

USS John C. Stennis LaunchesNavy's Final Air Mission over IraqFrom USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

Page 16 December 23, 2011

GELSO BIANCO

VOLVO

DECO

On Dec. 7th the Pelicans of VP-45departed Naval Air Station (NAS)Sigonella to return home toJacksonville, Florida. Their depar-ture marks the end of successfultri-site deployment to Sigonella, ElSalvador, and Djibouti. During thesix month deployment, the Pelicansparticipated in a wide variety ofmissions including counter-drug operations, surveillance insupport of Operation UNIFIEDPROTECTOR, and counter-piracyoperations in the Horn of Africa.While conducting these operations,the Pelicans flew 568 sorties and logged 5,435 mishap-free flighthours.

In addition to their regularmissions, the Pelicans had the oppor-tunity to participate in multipleexercises from various locations insupport of theater security coopera-tion and engagement. In June, VP-45crews flew in ASW missions insupport of Exercise SEA BREEZEfrom Odessa, Ukraine and ExerciseBREEZE from Burgess, Bulgaria. InAugust, crews participated in

airshows to Moscow, Russia andMalta. VP-45’s participation inthe Russian airshow made NavalAviation history as this was thefirst ever presence of the“Mighty” P-3 Orion withinRussian borders. Crews andsupport personnel also partici-pated in several joint exercisesincluding JOINT WARRIOR 11-2 in Scotland, TEAMWORKSOUTH in Chile, GRAMPUS inFrance and Portugal, andNORTHERN COASTS inGermany. These exercises gavethe Pelicans opportunities towork with foreign militaries anddemonstrate the immense capa-bilities of the U.S. Maritime Patroland Reconnaissance community.

When not flying missionflights, the Pelicans of VP-45spent time embracing theSigonella community and thesurrounding areas. During the sixmonth deployment, the pelicansparticipated in the September11th memorial 5k run, the “Walkthe Pink Out of It” event to

promote breast cancer awareness,and hosted the “Pelican PumpkinDash” 5k/10k fun run whichattracted participants from all walksof life.

In addition to participating inthese events, VP-45 began interac-tion with the PIO Institute duringthe first few months of its six monthdeployment and has created happylong lasting memories which willhave a lasting effect on the childrenand staff.

During the command’s deploy-ment to Sigonella, the Pelicans hadthe opportunity to meet an amazinggroup of children. Members of thecommand participated in multipleCOMREL events ranging fromfacility renovations, repair, painting,and even playing soccer versus thechildren who displayed quiteimpressive skills. Needless to say,the experience and collaborationwith the children also had a lastingeffect on squadron members.

On Nov. 29, VP-45 Sailorspresented the PIO Institute with anearly Christmas by delivering more

Pelicans Depart the PatternBy LTJG John Allen

the Sigonella community, the menand women of VP-45 sincerelyenjoyed their time here and weremost grateful for the hospitalityshowed by all members of the NASSigonella community. CIAO andPELICAN PRIDE!

than 50 gifts to the children includinga special gift to the entire Institute. Theday was a resounding success. As SisterStella stated, “It was a heartfelt experi-ence!” Our time in Sicily has come toan end but the memories we have willlast a lifetime. Whether flying missionsin support of operation UNIFIEDPROTECTOR or becoming a part of

The Pelicans of VP-43 departed Naval Air Station Sigonella.

Page 17December 23, 2011