Greetings from La Maddalena Italy!!

[dougb]

Jack,

Great news! Glad to see you found a little corner of paradise to settle down in.

Best wishes,

Doug

[snate]

You got some giant size balls pulling that one on your family. But we knew that already.

I tell you, your decision is inspiring. It is something that I would love to do someday.

I was doing some research on La Maddelana and it looks like it has a big US military base there. So it looks like you will have some buddies nearby. I am guessing that the town must be pretty americanized with all those yankees running around.

Best of luck my friend. I am sure you will all be very happy with the decision.

[snate]

Here is some history on La Maddalena:

As a permanently inhabited island, La Maddalena is very young. It was known to the Romans as "Isola Ilva", while the entire archipelago was known as "Isole Cunicularie" or "Island of the Rabbits", possibly because at that time it had a large rabbit population.

In the middle ages, the island was controlled by pirates who used it as a base. In the mid-1600's a group of Corsican shepherds established flocks of sheep on La Maddalena. However, these early "residents" remained here for only part of the year, returning often to Corsica. This began a long history of contact between La Maddalena and Corsica. When the Sardinians gained control of the island in 1767, they established a small Navy base here making the island a safe place to live. A significant number of the Corsican shepherds remained to become the first permanent residents of La Maddalena.

With the establishment of the naval base, La Maddalena became a safe place to settle. By 1780, there were about 400 people living on the island, most of whom were from either Corsica or Pisa.

Located in the Straits of Bonifacio, the island has served as a strategic military point for many centuries. There are some 50 forts on the island, most of which have been abandoned.

However, the Guardia Vecchia at the summit of La Maddalena Island is still used by the Italian Navy as a communications and weather observation station.

In 1789, the French fleet under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte, then a young artillery commander, sailed from Corsica to attack La Maddalena. Landing on Santo Stefano Island, the French force fired on La Maddalena into the night. A local force led by D. Millelire sailed from Palau to the backside of Santo Stefano and surprised Napoleon from the rear. The French retreated, and the "Battle of La Maddalena" was won by the
Sardinians.

In 1803 Lord Nelson, commander of the English fleet in the Mediterranean, received authorization from the local Admiralty to port his fleet in La Maddalena. Nelson was waiting for the French fleet to leave the port of Toulon, so he could engage them in battle. Prior to his departure, he gave some silver candle holders and a crucifix to the people of La Maddalena in thanks for their kindness and generous hospitality. These items are highly valued by the local people and are held in the church, where they can be seen by special appointment.

In 1822, the United States sought to obtain La Maddalena as a base to protect its shipping from active pirates in the Mediterranean. The Sardinians refused the request as they were building a full-sized naval base here with naval stores, forts, batteries, an armory, a shipyard, artillery, fleet and command facilities.

In 1855 Garibaldi, a national hero in the struggle to unify Italy, exiled himself to the Island of Caprera. Buying one half of the island and building a large family farm, he lived on Caprera until his death in June 1882. His house was occupied by his descendants until the 1960's and is now a national museum.

In August 1943, the Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini was held captive for 20 days in the Villa Weber, adjacent to the Paradiso Navy complex.

In 1972, the Italian government granted the United States Navy its "homeport" in La Maddalena.

And here is a picture:

[sfz_T-car]

JD: Good luck to you and the family. Hope you're livin la dolce vita.

[Spooky]

JD,

Congrats on the mew digs! Impressive. Enjoy and don't be a stranger!!!

[bkrich83]

JD, that sounds F'n SWEET. If anyone deserves it, it's you and your family. CONGRATS, I Couldn't be happier for you.

How bout posting a few pics of the new crib?

I'll drop you a PM, my wife and I are thinking of making an Italy trip this year for our anniversary.

Again, congrats, you truly deserve it.

[Jackdog]

bkrich83. This is from the real estate ad for the home when it was a rental. I will send some current photos when I get my digital camera back from repair. I dropped it into the Med.

It's a small but very cool house(I am sorry I can't call my house a villa). We get some killer sunsets. Much better than in Motown.

We would love to share a toast with you and yours if you head this way.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Villa in magnificent position, on the sea-side, private beach and buoy. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining-room and patio in front of the sea.

The villa is in a very quiet area. It has a west facing garden, a east facing patio area, a east facing balcony, sea views, a barbeque. If you are driving there is private parking with the outside areas of the house having external lighting.














[/quote]

[Jackdog]

You got some giant size balls pulling that one on your family. But we knew that already.

I tell you, your decision is inspiring. It is something that I would love to do someday.

I was doing some research on La Maddelana and it looks like it has a big US military base there. So it looks like you will have some buddies nearby. I am guessing that the town must be pretty americanized with all those yankees running around.

Best of luck my friend. I am sure you will all be very happy with the decision.

Thanks snate! Yep a lot of squids running around here,but it's all good.

[Jackdog]

Sh!t, I knew I should have married you when I had the chance JD.

Words can't express how happy I am for your family. You're truly living the American Dream (in Italy no less). I can't think of a more deserving family and Carol is one lucky woman. I've seen a picture of your wife and I'm finally beginning to understand how you reeled her in.

My lifelong dream is to visit Italy and see where my Grandpa Bruno grew up and where my Grandma Antoinette's family came from. Now, when I finally make that dream come true, I'll have a chance to visit with you and your family as well.

This is truly great news and I couldn't be happier.

(P.S - I'm glad my wife doesn't read the board because this makes all the things I do for her look like a booger. )

Thanks Todd. I hope you can make it over some day man. It is an awsome country. I don't have the words to describe it. I hope to see you and your wonderful family on my patio someday soon.

[Jackdog]

Wow, brother. I'm stunned, floored. Really happy that you've found a place in the sun for Carol, Dom and you.

I'll PM you or e-mail you when I return from Indy.

P.S.: Better change that location in your profile. You're a long way from Canal Winchester now. Plus you need to get a microphone so we can continue our altered Sunday Night Conversations via Yahoo! Messenger.

P.S.S.: Any moonshots in Italy?

All the best, brother,
PK

Yep, great moonshots!!! I will call you in a couple of weeks brother.

[Jackdog]

Thanks to all you guys for the support and well wishes. Peace.

[James_E]

jack, this blows me away. I'm so happy for you and your family. Makes me see that people can get what they need for true happiness if they just seek it out and work for it.

Too bad I won't see you passing through Toronto anytime soon, now I have to somehow swing a trip where I pass through your new neck of the woods.

Congrats

[fsquid]

bkrich83. This is from the real estate ad for the home when it was a rental. I will send some current photos when I get my digital camera back from repair. I dropped it into the Med.

It's a small but very cool house(I am sorry I can't call my house a villa). We get some killer sunsets. Much better than in Motown.

We would love to share a toast with you and yours if you head this way.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Villa in magnificent position, on the sea-side, private beach and buoy. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining-room and patio in front of the sea.

The villa is in a very quiet area. It has a west facing garden, a east facing patio area, a east facing balcony, sea views, a barbeque. If you are driving there is private parking with the outside areas of the house having external lighting.

[/quote]

that's just perfect. Congrats again.

[sfz_T-car]

Yeah, I can picture myself sitting there.

[10spro]

Piano, Piano, Va Lontano....Arrideverci!