The new hope is called Federica, the newborn citizen of the tiny mountain hamlet between Anversa and Scanno, inhabited in winter by 23 people, filled in summer with tourists. Parents Maria Federico and Mario Nanni own an agritour center, a choice they made 12 years ago, tired of life in Rome.

Rumour of two more fast food centers opening in a town with about 40,000 residents would mean killing all the small restaurants and "trattorie", whose owners in the early mornings still go to market in search of original products.

Last Sunday 500 people from Loreto Aprutino, Farindola e Montebello di Bertona at Hotel dei Vestini for dances, songs and tasty dishes prepared by the mothers. Cheers for Enrico & Serafina Vecchiotti and Giuseppe & Gabriella Rossi, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

The "Sodalizio dei cultori di Ercole", an association formed around the most ancient church in Abruzzo, Santa Maria a Vico, Sant'Omero, will be holding tomorrow the third historical re-enactment of the pagan banquet of Hercules' followers, an event recorded in a Roman stone inside the church.