Mistretta, Capital of Popular Memory: Folklore Becomes National Heritage

One year ago, on August 9th, we lost Mario Portera, a well-known and respected doctor from Mistretta. For over twenty years, he served as a director at              the  SS. Salvatore Hospital, deeply devoted to his family, but also to his passions. Mario always had a great focus on social causes, which he expressed in                various ways: unforgettable was the first edition of the "Dama Vivente" (Living Checkers), strongly desired and organized by him and other friends, stemming          from his passion for checkers that led him to establish, along with other enthusiasts, the "Tommaso Aversa" Checkers Club of Mistretta.

1. Another great passion that Mario pursued and "cultivated" was good food (he was also a passionate cook) and, especially, olive oil, which he cultivated on his family's farm. In one of our last meetings, Mario enthusiastically told me that he was close to obtaining an important certification: that of a European Olive Oil Taster, which he achieved a few weeks later in Imperia, at ONAOO.

   I saw that same excited look in what turned out to be our last encounter: we met in the Mother Church, he was with his wife Gabriella, and as we left the church, he told me that together they were completing a significant project very dear to them, related to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli where we were. I was happy and we agreed that, once everything was completed, I would gladly welcome and promote it on the Halaesa-Nebrodi website.

   Unfortunately, a few weeks later, Mario passed away, but his hard work didn't. I'll let Gabriella Dongarrà tell the rest, as she kindly sent a letter to the editorial staff.

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   "The Sanctuary of Maria SS. Dei Miracoli is now online with a website ready to be explored (you'll find information about the Sanctuary's artworks and a constantly updated news section).

   Visit the website: https://santuariomistretta.altervista.org/

   The website originated from an idea by the Archpriest, Monsignor Michele Giordano, who has worked tirelessly in our community for over 30 years and was the main architect of the Church's elevation to a Sanctuary. The Archpriest decided to involve my husband and me in this project, leveraging our IT, website creation, and management skills. For several years, we've created and managed a website focused on nutrition, with a particular emphasis on infant nutrition: https://www.pappablog.it/

   Both my husband and I enthusiastically embraced the idea. Unfortunately, life's circumstances forced me to carry this project forward alone. I'm trying my best.

   Today, the website is online. Its mission is to make the Sanctuary known to the faithful living far from Mistretta, but also to art lovers, because the Sanctuary is a treasure trove of invaluable and beautiful artworks. After an online visit, the next step is an in-person visit to the Church and our charming town.

   I wanted to point out that our Sanctuary is a place of Pious visit to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence. You can find all the relevant information on the website.

   Next Step: we're working on creating QR codes to be placed along the Sanctuary's visitor route. By scanning them with a mobile phone, visitors will connect to sections of the website and can discover the artworks in front of them. It's a kind of completely free guided tour that everyone can manage according to their own time and preferences.

   Feedback is welcome as it can help us improve and make the site lively and engaging, a beating heart of the community of Mistretta and beyond."

On Sunday 17 November, “Mielerie Aperte – Open Honey Houses”, a nationwide project promoted by UNAAPI, returns to the Il Melograno agricultural and social farm in Motta d’Affermo, an active partner of GMT Halaesa-Nebrodi.

During the event, Elisa and Riccardo guide visitors through the fascinating world of bees and beekeeping, together with social organisations that work with the farm to provide inclusion services across the area.

Visitors can learn about bees and beekeeping, discover the treasures of the hive and taste a selection of Sicilian honeys.

Two visiting sessions are available, from 10:00 a.m. to noon and from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Open Honey House workshop, Via Belvedere 3, Motta d’Affermo.

For information and bookings, call +39 347 648 1284.

The prestigious recognition was awarded during the "Millefiori Siciliani" Competition, held in Sortino (SR) on September 26, 2025, and organized by A.R.A.S. – the Regional Association of Sicilian Beekeepers.
The judging panel evaluated 86 honey samples from across Sicily, the result of the passionate work of numerous beekeepers who submitted the finest products of their production to a rigorous selection process.

At the end of the tasting sessions, 35 honeys were selected, of which 14 received the distinction of “excellent” and 21 were awarded “very good.”

The results concerning our territory, represented by Il Melograno Farm of Elisa Cerrito, were particularly gratifying: the farm was awarded first and fourth place in the Sicilian Spring Wildflower Honey category.

This is a great source of pride—not only a personal one for Elisa Cerrito and Riccardo Presti, who for years have pursued a virtuous path rooted in respect for local traditions and the production of high-quality honey made possible by the great variety of plants they cultivate—but also because of the strong social value of the project they have long been committed to, through their collaboration with Don Mazzi’s Exodus Foundation and the many educational sessions dedicated to students, where they passionately share the "wonderful world of bees."

“Such a prestigious evaluation not only highlights our dedication as beekeepers, but once again confirms the richness and value of the land where our precious bee friends grow and feed: the territory of Motta d’Affermo and its surroundings,” says Elisa, dynamic Operator of GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi, further emphasizing how biodiversity, respect for nature, and the authenticity of our land naturally manifest themselves in the production of honey and its derivatives.