Monte Suello Alpine Troops Award for Community Service and Mountain Conservation
The Alpine troops of Monte Suello, which includes 59 groups from Garda Brescia (from Sirmione to Limone) and Valsabbia (from Prevalle to Bagolino), held their annual assembly at the Casa della Giovane in Salò. The association has 5,000 members. The Italo Maroni award was given to those from Treviso Bresciano.
Despite being only 32 years old, they demonstrated “the industriousness characteristic of mountain people, actively participating in the life of their community,” says the motivation statement. – Evidence of this includes the renovation of Malga Ruf, ongoing maintenance of the building and surrounding fields, events and educational, cultural, and promotional activities for elementary school children, active support for Monte Suello initiatives defending traditional values, contributions to work at Campei de Sima, and participation in the national Civil Protection Day.
Another recognition, awarded to about fifty alpine troops, included a commendation diploma from the Ministry of the Interior and a medal acknowledging their work in Umbria and Marche after the September-October 1997 earthquake. President Fabio Pasini elaborated on the work done by the groups, from the smaller ones (Navono with 17 members, Anfo 19, Turano Valvestino 22) to the larger ones (Gavardo 227, Toscolano Maderno 217, Vobarno 210, Sirmione 208).
Interventions in the Territory
In Basso Lago, councilor Romano Micoli mentioned interventions such as the remediation of the historical monuments of San Martino della Battaglia, damaged by a tornado, in collaboration with the Penne Nere of Pozzolengo; maintenance of the area around the municipal clinic (Sirmione); or the rooms adjacent to the church of S. Pietro in Polpenazze.
In Alto Garda, responsible Sergio Bentivoglio recalled the construction of the portico used during festivals and local celebrations in S. Michele (Gardone Riviera), maintenance of the Briano refuge (Gargnano), organization of excursions for tourists (Limone), upkeep of Cima Piemp and the road leading to Montecastello sanctuary (Tignale), completion of the refuge at Passo Nota, and roof repairs at the S. Michele hermitage (Vesio di Tremosine), along with organizing the solidarity festival (Toscolano Maderno).
In Zone C, led by Giacomo Moschini, noteworthy projects included the construction and inauguration of the monument to the alpine troop (Pompegnino), the S. Fermo pedestrian path, improvements at the municipal gym, summer performances at the castle (Portese and S. Felice), management of the refuge in Bagnolo (Serniga S. Bartolomeo), the Bisagoga, and the S. Lucia parade, among others (Salò). In Upper Valsabbia, overseen by Dino Mafessoli, work involved the cemetery in Bagolino and Lavenone, but troops from the first town also repaired trails in S. Gervasio and Adamino.
Clearing the Rocca area and restoring the ossuary (Nozza); recovering timber from Malga Nasso on behalf of the municipal administration and transporting a dialyzed patient three days a week, year-round, to Salò hospital (Pertica Alta); reroofing a parish building (Ponte Caffaro); and interventions at the Passerini retirement home (Vestone). In the Middle Valley, head Vaifro Cavagnini reported on restoring a small shrine in Funtanì (Agnosine), maintaining the river embankments (Casto), caring for the pine forest (Mura), the Cugni refuge (Odolo), and the church of Monte Desume (Provaglio Sopra).
In Vassa Valsabbia, overseen by Gigi Bendotti, activities included cleaning the Rossino stream and Monticello (Gavardo), adopting the playground of the nursery school (Calvagese), continuing the construction of the new headquarters (Muscoline), renovating and paint the rectory of S. Michele, collaborating with the municipality on waste disposal at the ecological island (Prevalle), and reconstructing the square on Monte Magno (Sopraponte). After listing some of the projects carried out, it was also noted that groups focused on mountain conservation efforts, with slide shows in elementary and middle schools, tree festivals, ecological days, cleaning streets, trails, and parks, hiking, and sports. They also engaged in charity work for the Anffas association, parishes, nursing homes, the Nikolajewka school, the Italian Red Cross, and others.