DATE: Thursday, October 16, 1997            TAG: 9710150116

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: MR. ROBERTS' NEIGHBORHOOD 

SOURCE: Frank Roberts 

                                            LENGTH:   63 lines

ITALIAN VISITORS HAVE PRIZE-WINNING, `FANTASTIC' FUN AT FEST

One of the favorite words of the visiting Italians, who arrived Oct. 8 and will leave today, seems to be ``fantastic.''

Alessandro Vignandel, one of the students, described Peanut Fest that way; Mauro Portello, a teacher, used that word to describe Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital was the first stop for the 17 students and two instructors visiting from Suffolk's sister city, Oderzo, birthplace of Planters Peanuts founder Amadeo Obici.

They spent two days at Peanut Fest. ``There's nothing like it back home,'' Alessandro said.

There is nothing like peanut butter back home, too.

That concept was something new for the visitors, but that did not stop one of the students from winning first prize in the Fest's annual Peanut Butter Sculpture contest.

And, Portello, who has movie star good looks, took third place.

He teaches Italian literature and history. On the side, he is into filming documentaries.

``I like the United States,'' Portello said. ``You can see every type of people in the same town - black, white, Asian.''

I chatted with him for a few moments during the Fest visit.

We talked about schools, of course. ``Our system is changing for the better - from the ancient system born in 1924,'' he said.

They visited some of our high schools, and one thing proved a shocker to Portello.

``We've seen policemen there,'' he said. ``For us, that's absurd.''

For them, crime in schools is evidently not a problem.

What they did like was that education is a public function.

``We all attend commercial schools,'' said Francesca deZotti, who looks like a young Gina Lollobrigida. ``I like the U.S. better, where students have a choice. In Italy, every school has the same lessons till you finish school.''

Once they finish school, she and Vignandel hope to attend a university.

Vignandel's noble interest has a familiar ring.

``My dream,'' he said, ``is to work as a journalist.''

Many people dreamed of attending last Saturday's Elton John concert at the GTE Amphitheater.

One of my friends had bragging rights to a seat on the lawn, but no one I know did better than Suffolk's Ramona Baker.

Her husband, Doug, is The Polish Sausage King. His stand is a familiar Peanut Fest site, as is Ramona, who is usually at his side.

But Saturday, while Doug was slaving over a hot sausage, Ramona was at the concert - front row and center, yet.

Sunday, she was back with Doug and the sausages - sounds like the name of a rock `n' roll band - with a big smile on her face.

``The concert was unbelievable - great,'' Ramona said. ``It lasted three hours and I loved every minute of it.''

Front row center for Elton John. For fans, it doesn't get much better.

Peanut Fest number 21 will be coming up in October '98 - but - before that happens, the second annual Suffolk balloon festival will make its appearance at Suffolk Municipal Airport.

Hopefully, the balloons will be able to head skyward at the event, April 16-19.

This year the weather kept all, but one, on the ground.

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