Sunday, April 17, 2022, became a homecoming celebration as hundreds of members gathered at the Club for the Easter Coccetto for the first time since the pandemic. Hosted by the Highwood Bocce Club and the Modenese Society, the event was a magnificent celebration of life, tradition, family and community. Kids received chocolate eggs, met the Easter Bunny, and adults enjoyed raffle prizes, mimosas and bloody marys and the chance to reunite after the pandemic interruption. Ninety dozen hardboiled eggs were used in the multigenerational coccetto games.
Everyone enjoyed their time together and the bartenders donated their tips to Ukraine relief and raised $1K for the cause. Thank you to all of our volunteers who made this event possible and supported the event.
Find more photos on Facebook.
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A Rockin' Evening with Bonnie Bridges
The well-known local singer Bonnie Bridges will entertain members and guests with a program of rock and roll favorites on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25, and includes an assortment of hors d'oeuvres. Contact Bruce Bertucci at 847.910.9011 or buzzybaby246@msn.com to sign up.
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New Member Night
Members who have joined the club within the past year are invited to a New Member Night, Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. Courts will be open for play, and the Club will provide Buffo's pizza, snacks, and dessert and the bar will be open. RSVP via email to Mary Ann Pedersen at mpede99@gmail.com or text (847) 721-5494. Individual members are free to bring a guest. Don't miss this great opportunity to come to the club, play bocce, meet some new people Eat, Drink and have Fun!
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Friday Night Member dinner
Friday, April 29, 6:30 PM the Club will host a Members' Dinner featuring BBQ chicken & ribs served with risotto w/ porcini mushrooms, sweet buttered corn, garden salad, and a dessert table. The event has sold out and is no longer accepting reservations.
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Club News and Announcements |
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General Membership Meeting |
April 24, 2022, the Club hosted its 2nd quarter General Membership Meeting, followed by fellowship and pasta fritta.
Financial Report
- 1Q net income was -$1,152. However, there was approximately $11,500 in 2021 carry-over invoices and expense. Additionally, we invested ~$4k in kitchen and bar equipment to make the jobs of our staff and volunteers easier. Excluding those carryover expenses and investments, net income was +$15,000.
Membership Update
- Our strong membership trends continued as we reached a new record of 707 total members.
Operations Update
- Renewed focus has been placed on facility maintenance and improvements, with regular schedules established to maintain our equipment and repairs made to the custodian sink, bar window, sump pumps, and other equipment critical to our operations.
- Thank you to all our volunteers who have made this possible.
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2022-2023 Membership Renewal |
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The Club's membership year runs from July 1 to June 30 each year (this changed during COVID when we extended memberships by 6 months). Your current membership expires on June 30, 2022. If you haven’t already, please make your renewal payment now, good through June 30, 2023. You have several options to renew. Please renew online if possible, this is the best way for our volunteer staff to process memberships.
1. ONLINE – Go to www.highwoodbocce.com and select the Membership menu item. Follow the link for membership renewal and select the correct membership type.
2. CREDIT CARD - Pay using your credit card (MasterCard or Visa) at the bar.
3. CHECK - Make a check out to Highwood Bocce Club. Mail it to the Club (440 Bank Lane Highwood, IL 60040), give directly to the bartender, or give it personally to Tom Holleman or Mary Ann Pedersen. This is the least preferred method of renewal, so if you can pay by another method, it's appreciated.
Non-Renewals
If you choose not to renew, please let us know so we can take you off the list.
Initiation Fee
If you do not renew for this membership year, but choose to renew in the future, you will be treated as a new member. New members must pay a one-time initiation fee ($125 for singles, $200 for couples). All new members pay this fee beginning January 2022. You must maintain continuous membership to avoid paying the initiation fee.
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Walter Parenti and Core Advisors Donate New Digital Signage |
Walter Parenti and his company, Core Advisors, a financial, investment, and insurance provider donated two new digital signage systems that offer many features designed to increase club communications. |
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The first was installed the week of April 4 and an additional screen will be installed in the bar area.
"We really appreciate this donation from Walter and Core Advisors," said Club President Tom Holleman. "Our club is run by volunteers who support us in many ways, and this was a great example of a member who saw a need, and stepped up to make it a reality. We're grateful to have this enhanced communication vehicle that will help us serve all our members."
The new digital signage now features a running list of members, an up-to-date calendar, and other timely announcements. Check it out in the court area. A special thank you to Dave Beresid, Vic Picchietti and Henry Pieracci who volunteered their skills to purchase and install the screen for the club.
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2022 USBF National Tournament |
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2022 US Bocce Federation National Championships will be held at the Methuen Sons of Italy, June 20-26, 2022. Some participants will qualify for the World Championships in November 2022 in Turkey. The Club is sponsoring many players to participate and represent the Highwood Bocce Club. |
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During the Special Membership Meeting, Sunday, March 6, 2022, the membership approved a $33K investment for new windows. The new windows are expected to arrive the last week on April 29th and will be installed the following week. John Harty and Scott Bertucci Carpentry are the contractors for this project.
The installation will take about a week. The courts will likely be closed during the day and open in the evenings during installation.
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Congratulations to the Monday Men's Winter League champions, Team Mordini: Marzio Piagentini, Gordon Gruenes, Mike Puccio, Paolo Giannetti, and Tony Biondi.
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Congratulations to the Wednesday Men's Winter League champions, Team Fontana Di Trevi: Julian Batula, Danko Dykyj, Maurizio Gianpaolo Perrelli, Mario Dato and Alex Gara (not pictured).
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Congratulations to the Thursday Men's Winter League Champions, The Gladiators: Paolo Giannetti, Anthony LaBarbera, Dave Massello, Gordon Gruenes, Pino Bernardi, and Mike Ronzio.
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Thank you to everyone who assists with league play.
A special thank you to our League Committee Chair Steve Thornberry, League President for Tuesday Night Mixed Leagues, Paula Perrelli, League President of the Wednesday Night League Ozzie Pasquesi, and League President for the Monday and Thursday Night Leagues Bruce Bertucci.
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Club Events Calendar Online
A comprehensive club calendar showing all member events and league dates is now available on the website. The calendar also shows when private events are scheduled so members can understand court and club availability.
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Operating Hours
All members have access to the
Club via their key fob from
6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week.
The bar welcomes members from 6:30 p.m. to closing (usually between 10-12 p.m.) Monday - Friday and from 12-6 p.m. Sundays.
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Stay Up-to-Date
The bulletin board in the cardroom and the digital display in the court area are updated regularly with membership, financial, memorial, and business information.
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Plan Your Event
The Club is a great place to host a party with excellent food, reasonable rates, and attentive service. The Banquet Room has recently been repainted and is ready to welcome your group.
Donna Pieracci is the primary point of contact for booking parties. She and her staff handle all aspects of party planning, menu selection,
set-up, etc.
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Contact Donna at 847-946-7838 or dmpieracci16@gmail.com.
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HBC Member-Owned Business Spotlight |
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A core priority for the Club is to support Member-Owned/Operated businesses. Each issue of Le Notizie will highlight a business owned/operated by a club member. |
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Claudio DiVagno Vice President and co-owner of Classic Tile, has been serving the NorthShore since 1986. A fixture among NorthShore for homeowners and businesses looking for high-quality products and excellent service, Classic Tile offers porcelain, wood, stone, and glass products. Their team offers professional installation, expert repair, maintenance, and innovative solutions to heat and plumbing problems including Kerdi waterproofing drain systems and Nu-heat heated floors. Classic Tile also fabricates & Installs stone (Quartz, Granite, Marble) countertops.
Claudio is a long-time HBC member, an active league player, and frequently donates his time to the Club.
In his free time, Claudio enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, cycling, and belly dancing (pictured at his 50th birthday celebration at the HBC)!
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Above: Claudio in the studio at Classic Tile. Below: with his family in the Italian Dolomites. |
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The Club recently welcomed the following new members:
Karen Curley
Ryan Kiefer
Dave Kordik
Nick Kroll
Haley La Barbera
Jessie Morris
Joseph Nebolsky De Ochoa
Paige Niebling
Joe Rourke
Aaron Schuenemann
Maddie Smith
John Tolari
Peter Upfold
Jeff Wyke
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The Club honors the memories of our members and their loved ones. The bulletin board in the card room has space to place memorial cards, and news of a loss can be shared with Peter Pieracci who will share the information with our members. Marvin Baker
Assunta Bernardi
Mauro “Tasso” Bartolai
Geremia “Jerry” Brugioni
Joseph Falzone
Bill Lawler
Yones Lawler
Linda Louise (Piacenza) Tolari
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Officers
President
Tom Holleman
Vice President
Peter Pieracci
Treasurer
Heidi Peddle
Recording Secretary
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Trustees
Frank Bacci
Tony Biondi
Bruce Bertucci
Paolo Giannetti
Lenny Innocenzi
Mary Ann Pedersen
Miles Russell
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