June 2023 Membership Update | |
National Bocce Championships Update
Thank you to our Volunteers and Sponsors!
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In just two weeks, the Highwood Bocce Club will be hosting the 2023 National Tournament. We have more than 140 registered individual competitors from 8 states across all the events, and we're excited to welcome them to our Club, city, and community.
The board and I appreciate all the work that has gone into the many aspects of hosting this event, and want to thank all the volunteers who are making it possible. Their accomplishments include: indoor court refresh and cleaning, outdoor court refresh, baseboard install in bar and card room, installation of new TV in card room, hanging new banners in the court area, optimizing our audio system, replacing electrical outlets, refreshing photos and pictures in our bar area, creation of tournament program book, ordering HBC player uniforms, planning and ordering items for player gift bags, helping plan the schedule of events, planning and preparing for our live-streaming, ordering bocce equipment, planning awards banquet menus and entertainment, training to referee, creating communications to club and players, and soliciting sponsorships to fund the event. It's a long list, and I'm sure I have forgotten a number of items. The point is, this is a huge effort and many members have stepped up in a big way to help. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
The courts will be reserved for the preparation and exclusive use of the tournament from Thursday, June 15th through Saturday, June 24th. Here is some information and reminders:
BANQUET REGISTRATION
Members are welcome at the banquet and we hope you will join us Saturday, June 24 at 6:00 p.m. Donna has prepared an excellent menu for the event, and we will have a DJ for entertainment. Cost is $50 per person and you can register on our website.
SPECTATORS WELCOME
Spectators are welcome at all events. Tables and chairs will be removed from the main court area, and the card room and bar will have live streamed broadcasts. Finals for all events will be planned for 8:00 p.m. each day except for the Open B on Monday at 6:00 p.m. and the Open A finals on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
SUBSCRIBE FOR LIVESTREAMING
The Bocce Broadcast Network will be live-streaming one court with commentary all week. Plus the HBC will have a 4-court live stream going at the same time - no commentary, just video footage. Subscribe to both channels from the links below.
DOWNLOAD SCOREHOLIO
We will be using the Scoreholio app throughout the week, and it allows users to track in real-time tournament standings and match scores. Download the app on your phone before the tournament and keep in touch!
Tom Holleman
President Highwood Bocce Club
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Nationals Championships Schedule
The schedule is set for the National Championships, and it includes a full week of events, with open competitions for players at different skill levels, and Punta Raffa Volo (PRV) competitions for advanced players.
Click here for a detailed schedule of events.
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Renew Today! Membership Due by June 30 | |
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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, 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.
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.
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.
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Closures
- The bar will be closed on Mondays through July except for the week of nationals.
- The courts will be closed for recreational play from June 14 - June 24 for the National Championships. They will reopen Sunday, June 25.
Court Policy Reminders
The HBC Board recently voted on two important court policy changes.
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Non-League Play: Non-league play will no longer cost $1 per game and all contributions to the cash box by the courts will be voluntary.
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Court Time: If you have been on the courts for more than two hours and other members are waiting for a court, you must give up your court to these waiting members. If there is no one waiting, you are welcome to keep playing. Please inform a board member if there are members not following this policy.
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Court Refresh Completed
The Court refresh has been completed and they look fantastic. The baseboards throughout the playing area have been replaced, the courts have been relined, and new sand applied. Thanks in particular to Miles Russell and Jack Grandi for taking on this project and doing the lions share of the work. Thank you to Anthony La Barbera, Steve Thornberry, John Corrigan, Maurizio Perrelli, Vanessa Garippo, Danko Dykyj, and Lou Santello for their assistance.
In addition, all of the lighting at the Club was replaced with high efficiency LED fixtures, indoors and outdoors. This was a $13k job that we were able to leverage the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program for making our total one-time cost only $400, with an estimated yearly energy bill savings of $800.
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June
16 | Member dinner and Luau
18 - 24 National Championships
24 | 6 pm Tournament Banquet and Awards, open to members, $50
July
16 | General Membership Meeting
28 | 6:30 p.m. Member Dinner with entertainment by Bonnie Bridges
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August
25 | 6:30 p.m. Member Dinner, BINGO!
27 | HBC Golf Outing
September
29 | 6:30 p.m. Member Dinner, Elvis!
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Luau Dinner
Enjoy the Islands in your own backyard at the June 16 Luau! Prizes for the Best Dressed Island Style -- winner gets two tickets to our July dinner. Dinner menu includes Hawaiian Rice, Pineapple Shrimp Skewers, BBQ Pork Sliders, Grilled Tomato Chicken w/ Mango Salsa, Corn on the Cob, Fresh Fruit, and dessert bar. Pina Coladas and Margaritas served at the bar. Members and guests welcome, $25. RSVP Bruce 847-910-9011 or Buzzybaby246@msn.com.
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The bar will be closed on Mondays through July except for the National Tournament week. | |
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Highwood Bocce Club Cookbook Available
Food Is Life! | Cibo É la Vita! Now Available on Demand at Amazon
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To order your copy for just $25 click https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMT439K8 or go to amazon.com and search on the book title of Food Is Life! | Cibo É la Vita! Limited copies will also be sold at the Club during events and gatherings. Buon appetito! | | |
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Congratulations to Tom Holleman and Gordon Gruenes for winning the May HBC Punta Raffa Volo (PRV) Doubles Tournament, a tune-up before Nationals in June. Tom and Gordon outlasted Lio Giannotti and Miles Russell in a close final. Thanks to Danko Dykyj for organizing another great tournament. Pictured left to right: Miles Russell, Gordon Gruenes, Danko Dykyj, Tom Holleman and Lio Giannotti. | |
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League Updates
The Wednesday spring league continues and will wrap up just before Nationals and the Thursday spring/summer league will take a break and then pick back-up after Nationals for its final weeks. The Wednesday outdoor league started May 17th with some colder weather the first two weeks, but everyone bundled up and enjoyed the outdoor courts anyway.
The Thursday outdoor league starts July 21st and is still looking for handful of players. Please RSVP to Steve Thornberry at stevethornberry@comcast.net or (224) 795-3936 with questions or to express interest in playing. Starting on July 11th the indoor courts will be graced by the summer Women's League. Contact Paula Perrelli at paolaperrelli@gmail.com or (847) 650-7848if you are interested. Both leagues welcome players of all abilities.
Continue to look here and other club communications for updates on other leagues throughout the year.
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Tuesday Night League Winners
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).
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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Click here for our rental flyer.
Contact Donna at 847-946-7838 or dmpieracc@gmail.com.
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The Club recently welcomed the following new members:
Daniel Arnstein
Khris Condon
Tom Condon
Lynda Erf
Steve Erf
Kim Fields
Stephanie Fine
Steve Fine
Kristopher Knabe
Corky Peterson
Regina and Richard Lindstrom
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The Club honors the memories of our members and their loved ones.
Ida Bernardi
Romano Marasti
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.
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Officers
President
Tom Holleman
Vice President
Mary Ann Pedersen
Treasurer
Heidi Peddle
Recording Secretary
Tim Tolari
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Trustees
Frank Bacci
Bruce Bertucci
Lenny Innocenzi
Amy Lazzaretti
Frank Lomoro
Peter Pieracci
Miles Russell
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