Let’s Talk Cheese: Part 2

On sheep farms that are serious about producing Slow Food designated, Certified Organic, or DOP (Denominazione d’Origine Protetta or Protected Designation of Origin) certified cheeses, they not only graze their sheep in regional fields that they know are safe for their animals, but they also serve their ladies grains and legumes that they grow on…

Salemi Welcomes Home Tony Scott

This weekend, the town of Salemi, the rooftops of which are pictured here, is hosting “Welcome Back Tony Scott,” a festival recognizing one of the town’s famous grandsons, clarinetist Tony Scott (1921-2007). You may or may not know that I’m a clarinet player, so when a documentary film about this Sicilian-American jazz great was shown…

Corpus Christi in Salemi 

Corpus Christi is on June 15, 2017. Last year, we were in Salemi for the feast, where local women set up altars outside their homes. Most of the altars featured hanging a beautifully decorated, white table cloth from their front terrace, accentuated by roses and other greenery. The women then sat with friends and relatives…