The Italians are coming...

From the 1979 Oscar winning film, Breaking Away. I haven't seen it in so long that I completely forgot about the Vespa scene, an added bonus to a really terrific film.

The God Squad

Recently, I spotted a calendar at the store called Nuns Having Fun. Its August month features nuns in habits and helmets posing alongside a scooter and moped. Seeing it reminded me of Sister Mary Vespa. Who's Sister Mary Vespa you ask?
Well....a couple years ago, I was at PDX airport waiting on a delayed Christmas flight home to Dee-tway when a fellow traveler and I struck up a conversation. She had noticed a Kickstart sticking out of my bag and wanted to know all about it. When I mentioned it was about scooters, she preceded to share some wonderful stories of her neighbor, "the Vespa-riding ex-nun and Pussy, her cat! The neighbor chuckled recalling Sister Mary Vespa yelling for her Pussy to come in for the night. “Pussssy.....Pussssy. Where’s my Pusssy?,” the Sister would yell for all the neighbors to hear.

Her neighbor was the freaking Singing Nun! Well, I didn’t know if she could sing, but I knew that she loved her Vespa and rode it every day, rain or shine! I wanted to know all about her and why she was an ex-nun now worshiping at the altar of Vespa. I passed on some Kickstarts for her to give to Sister Mary Vespa and in return I got her address.

I wrote to the good Sister, but never heard from her. When I mentioned this to my own sister Sandy, she said the centerfolds might have turned the nun off and that knowing me, I’d try and get Sister Mary Vespa to pose for one. I reminded Sandy that I had more tact than that. But, hey what a good idea! AND Sister Mary Vespa was an EX-nun, it’s not like she’s married to the church anymore. She didn’t need their blessing. I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

People from all walks of life and religions ride scooters and that’s just a small part of what makes our shared hobby so great! I'm bummed that I never got to speak to her, but knowing that she is out there somewhere happily scootin’ along makes me smile. Godspeed Sister Mary Vespa!



From Life Magazine 1957:


Nuns in an auto-rickshaw!

Go Green Vespa Video Challenge

Make a video and win a Vespa!
Check it out.
Karen G




PIAGGIO GROUP SPONSORS USER-GENERATED VIDEO CONTEST; VESPA SCOOTERS TO BE AWARDED

Vespa Scooter Fans Invited to Create Original Videos Touting Vespanomics Message

WHAT: Scooter riders and enthusiasts can show their devotion for the Vespa scooter and brand by creating original video content for the “Go Green Vespa Video Challenge.” Contestants could win one of three Vespa scooters and other branded merchandise!

PRIZES: - Grand Prize winner receives a Vespa GTS

- Second Place winner receives an LX150

- Third Place winner receives an LX50

- Vespa apparel will be provided to multiple runners-up and registered users of the contest site during a weekly, random drawing

WHEN: Submissions will be accepted from August 20 through October 15, 2007.

The contest winner will be announced on October 23, 2007.

WHERE: Details can be found at www.VespaUSA.com/GoGreenChallenge

WHY: Who better to carry the message about Vespanomics than Vespa scooter enthusiasts who already know or want to know the positive benefits that scootering can have on the environment and their personal lives? The contest requires incorporating some principles of Vespanomics and uploading the video to the Vespa USA web site.

Piaggio Group will conduct a two-month contest in which scooter owners and fans of Vespa can develop and submit creative videos that promote the Vespanomics message: how Vespas curb global warming, reduce oil consumption and decrease traffic congestion while making an iconic style statement.

Finalists and the grand prize winner will be determined by a Piaggio Group panel based on user ratings, ability to address key Vespanomics principles, as well as creativity and originality. Following the contest, the winner’s and finalists’ videos will be posted to YouTubeTM for viewing.