July 2023 Membership Update

National Bocce Championships Success

You nailed it Highwood Bocce Club! Hosting the 2023 USBF National Bocce Championships was a huge undertaking and undeniable success. Thank you to the USBF for your partnership and allowing us to host. Thank you to our sponsors – your amazing support allowed us to do things we otherwise could not have. Thank you to our volunteers – you were friendly, helpful, and made sure everything ran smoothly. Thank you to our partners at BBN, ABC, and Media Designers - your collaboration helped us raise the bar of the Nationals experience. Thank you to the players – you held home court advantage, set records, and dominated the medal ceremony. Be proud of what we accomplished!

Major Accomplishments

First Nationals with online registration with payment
First Nationals with all events live streamed and with commentators
First Nationals with ability to follow in real-time match scores, standings and brackets remotely as well as onsite
Six days of events all held within 1-2 hours of scheduled time
Large spectator audiences throughout and in particular for all semi-finals and final events

Feedback

The accolades have been flowing from across the country, here's some of the feedback:

“The smoothest and most organized national tournament that I have ever participated in. A breath of fresh air.” ̶ ̶̶ Dan Drago, President St. Louis Italia America Bocce Club, St. Louis, Mo.

“It was a great time and so well put together.” ̶ ̶̶ Michelle Vitale, Kansas City, Mo.

“Was absolute amazed at the facility and all the players that participated. It was the perfect atmosphere.” ̶ ̶̶ James Selvaggio, Cleveland, Ohio

"Your volunteers were very energetic and always eager to help. Your members were very congenial to all of the traveling contestants and we all felt very at home in your club. The courts were amazing.” ̶ ̶̶ Joe Cardello, Kansas City, Mo.

“This was the best, most organized Nationals I have ever attended.” ̶ ̶̶ Ken Gorny, Felton, Calif.

“I think the entire event was a huge success. All the effort that you guys put into organizing the different elements really raised the bar for the future of USBF Nationals.” ̶ ̶̶ Michael Scialdone, Founder Bocce Broadcast Network

“Congrats and Bravo to all the Champions, the participants, volunteers and especially the Highwood Bocce Club Team for taking on the Herculean task of hosting the USBF National Bocce Championships, you made it look easy! Your team ROCKED the Bocce world in 2023!” – United States Bocce Federation

Photo Gallery

Find more photos at our online gallery at highwoodbocce.com. Thank you to Dana Holt Photography for the photos.

Final Match Results

Names in green are Highwood Bocce Club members.

Sponsors Make a Difference

The Club gratefully acknowledges the individuals and businesses supporting the National Tournament. Click here for a the Program Book.

Club News and Updates

Club History Board Installed

Important Milestones Highlighted

The Highwood Bocce Club has a rich history in our community and in the sport of bocce, and our new history board captures many important milestones. The new board offers an opportunity to celebrate achievements and events made possible by our founding members and so many who followed in their footsteps. Stop by and have a read when you have time!

Membership Fee Due Now

A final reminder that your membership expires on June 30, 2023. If you haven’t already, please make your renewal payment now, good through June 30, 2024. You have several options to renew. Please renew online if possible, this is the best way for our volunteer staff to process memberships.

ONLINE – Go to www.highwoodbocce.com and select the Membership menu item. Follow the link for membership renewal.
CREDIT CARD - Pay using your credit card (MasterCard or Visa) at the bar.
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.

Non-Renewals

If you choose not to renew, please let us know so we can take you off the list. Key fobs will be turned off for members that do not make a timely payment.

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 an initiation fee ($125 for singles, $200 for couples). You must maintain continuous membership to avoid paying the initiation fee.

Security System Upgraded

The fob system which allows access to the club failed unexpectedly the week of Nationals and needed replacement. The Board authorized the upgrade and update of the system, and it was installed on Friday, June 30th. The new system will allow us to manage the access online and offers additional security features. Members will either need their fob re-registered or in many cases replaced. More information to follow in separate communications. Thank you for your patience as we work through this transition.

Code of Conduct

A reminder to all of our members we do have a code of conduct and we do enforce it. Please show respect for the Club, fellow members and our guests.

All members and their guests will abide by the Club rules and the Bylaws of the Highwood Bocce Club. Members are responsible for the behavior and actions of their guests. The conduct of all members and their guests shall be in the best interest and welfare of all members, administration, guests, and staff while on the Highwood Bocce Club’s property.

Misconduct shall include but not be limited to:

Any action causing physical damage to the Club and its property.
Inappropriate or abusive language or physical actions which directly attack a person and/or group.
Default in payment of dues, initiation fees, or any other money owed to the Club.

Upcoming Member Events

July

16 | 3:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting

28 | 6:30 p.m. Member Dinner with entertainment by Bonnie Bridges

August

25 | 6:30 p.m. Member Dinner, BINGO!

27 | HBC Golf Outing

September

29 | 6:30 p.m. Member Dinner, Elvis!

October

22 | 3:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting

The bar will be closed on Mondays through July.

Event Recap

Thank you to the Terrific Tortellacci Volunteers!

The art of tortellacci making is alive and well, and is an important way the Highwood Bocce Club works to preserve Italian heritage and culture. Tonight we had a full house of volunteers from three generations of Club members, led by Liz Hawari, who came to prepare the club's famous tortellacci for future dinners. Thank you to all the volunteers who help to carry on the tradition.

League Updates

With the 2023 Nationals in the books we have many leagues that will be beginning over the next 2 months. Please see below for league and contact information. These leagues fill quickly so best to reply soon if you are interested.

Sunday Mixed League

Schedule: July 9th through August 27th (8 weeks)

This league is already full.

Tuesday Women's League

Schedule: July 11th through August 29th (8 weeks)

Open To: Women of all playing levels

Contact: Paola Perrelli 847-650-7848 phone or text or

Heidi Peddle 224-381-3946 text or email at hpeddle0811@gmail.com

Cost: $30 per player (includes 2 pizza dinners)

Thursday Afternoon Pick-Up League

Our afternoon pick-up bocce games are resuming on Thursday afternoons. No need to sign-up in advance, just show up and play! Schedule: Check in and warm up 12:00 PM, games start at 12:30 PM

Open To: Players of all skill levels

Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members

Thursday Mixed League

Schedule: August 10th through September 28th (8 weeks)

Open To: Members of all playing levels

Contact: Tom Holleman (847) 867-3470 or email at tom@highwoodbocce.com

Cost: $30 per player (includes 2 pizza dinners)

Thursday Outdoor League

Schedule: July 20th through September 28th

This league is closed

Only members are allowed to participate in our leagues. Please renew your 2023/2024 membership if you have not already. If you are interested in hosting a league please contact Tom Holleman or Steve Thornberry, we have openings on Mondays through August and Wednesday's through October.

Tuesday Mixed League Champions

Team Bad Mama Jama's won the most recent session of the Tuesday Mixed League. Congratulations to Mary Ann Pedersen, Jerry Pedersen, Mary Gruenes, Sam (Settimio) Milani, Lena Greco, Jim Gregory, and Mike Ronzio (not pictured).

Wednesday Spring League Champions

Congrats to Team Tolari for taking the championship of our Wednesday Spring League! In a grueling 3 game, 3.5 hour match they bested Team Diversity in an extremely well played series. Team Tolari pictured right included: Tommy Tolari, Tim Tolari, John Tolari, Chuck Dushman, and Walter Bernardi (not pictured Larry Shulruff and George Rosch).

Click here for the Calendar

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.

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.

Bar Hours

The bar welcomes members from 6:30 p.m. to closing (usually between 10-12 p.m.) Monday - Saturday, Sunday hours 12-6 p.m.

The bar will be closed on Mondays through July.

Club Rule Reminder

As a reminder to members bringing your own liquor to the Club is not allowed due to liability risks. This is true regardless if the bar is open or closed. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

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.

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.

Click here for our rental flyer.

Contact Donna at 847-946-7838 or dmpieracci@gmail.com.

New Members Welcomed

The Club recently welcomed the following new members:

Daniel Arnstein

Aaron Berndt

Khris Condon & Tom Condon

Michael Duchin

Lynda Erf & Steve Erf

Steve and Stephanie Fine

Anton Finelli

Sid Firstman

Dustin Holsinger

Juliann and Thomas Larimer

Dino Pagliai

Luciano Parenti

Tricia & Tim Schulte

Michael Sommesi

Erica Wiczer

In Memoriam

The Club honors the memories of our members and their loved ones.

Cristiano Bimbi

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.

Officers

President

Tom Holleman

Vice President

Mary Ann Pedersen

Treasurer

Heidi Peddle

Recording Secretary

Tim Tolari

Trustees

Frank Bacci

Bruce Bertucci

Lenny Innocenzi

Amy Lazzaretti

Frank Lomoro

Peter Pieracci

Miles Russell

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