The "ambassadors of good cuisine" have witnessed events and cooked for princes and kings for 400 years. A recent book by Nicola Tantimonaco, published by Rocco Carabba, Lanciano, have now published these recollections. An example: King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele III, during his escape from Rome in 1943 was hosted in the castle of Crecchio. That evening chef Aquilino Beneduce Monzù served the royals a nine-course meal. Another legendary story says Villa santa Maria was spared by German bombings because the cooks had "corrupted" Kesselring with their meals. Salvatore Paolini, mayor for 20 years, also served Hitler, "a total vegetarian, with someone who always tasted before him".

In the Valignani Palazzo Ducale, Torrevechia Teatina, a book of collected poems by Massimo Pasqualone, "Vijate a te" will be presented this week.

The Transhumance festival this May will have also foreign shepherds on horseback engaged with their livestock in repeating the ancient migrations through the mountains of central Apennines. There is a great project for a "Parco dei tratturi" connecting Abruzzo to Apulia through Molise. The tratturi, green rivers connecting the pastures, are exceptional ecologic corridors through the most ancient and secret parts of Italy. A joint project with Molise.

Antonietta D'Intino from Chieti and Nicola Di Renzo from Ripa Teatina are celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary with 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Nicola Di Renzo is a wood artisan who made farming carts, which his wife decorated, and he worked until he was 90. He does not feel however like missing a party so he's ready with his faithful ddu' bott'.