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Felice Anna Nuovo!

I wish you all a healthy, safe and happy 2024. We have much to look forward to this year including renovations to our Club, the re-instatement of the Mario Massa Tournament, more leagues than ever before, and the continued enjoyment of our fellow members through our many events and gatherings.

Unfortunately, with the passing of time, we experience loss as well. Reminding us of this is the recent loss of two legends of our Club - Leo Ori and Alberto "Bossa" Ugolini. As we remember their lives and contributions to the HBC and the community, we also celebrate the achievements of the late Mario Massa, the first bocce player ever inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. This is an incredible honor for Mario, our Club, and for the sport of bocce.

These individuals and many, many others built the Club we all enjoy today, and we are grateful for their dedication to our mission and membership. As we look forward to 2024 we honor them best by enjoying what they have built, continuing the traditions they fought to maintain, and planning for the future of this great Club.

Thank you for your continued support and membership. It is a special place we all enjoy, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to be your President. I look forward to seeing you at the Club in 2024!

Tom Holleman, President



Jack Grandi, former HBC Vice President and friend of Mario Massa gave the induction speech and accepted the award from National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame President Ron Onesti.

There to celebrate Mario's achievement were HBC President Tom Holleman, Michelle Holleman (not pictured), Violet Corsini, Mario's nephew Rudy Corsini, and Mario's friends Paolo Giannetti, Lena and Gene Greco, Jack Grandi, and Tony Biondi.

Tom Holleman and Rudy Corsini show off the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Award, which will soon be displayed permanently at the Highwood Bocce Club.

Jingle All the Way Tourney Champs

HBC's Jingle All the Way 4 Person Tournament was a great success. Congrats to Lio Giannotti, Miles Russell, Maurizio Perrelli, and Tim Tolari for taking home the championship over Anthony La Barbera, Mario La Barbera, Frank DeLuca, and Julian Batula. A total of 15 teams participated. Thanks to tournament director Danko Dykyj for another successful tournament with assists from Lio Giannotti, Tom Holleman, and Heidi Peddle.

Tortellacci Traditions

Our amazing tortellacci volunteers were back at it, this time with a newly purchased pasta machine. We are grateful for their skill and time and of course, the delicious tortellacci we all enjoy as a result!

January

12 | Member Dinner - Pizza and Karaoke with the Band

14 | Sip, Paint and Create with Barb Benstein

27 | Members Dinner with Tony Ocean

28 | General Membership Meeting, 3:30 p.m.

February

23 | Members Dinner and Bingo

March

8-10 | Mario Massa 4-Person Tournament

22 | Members Dinner and Comedy Show

Come to the January Membership Meeting

Our next general membership meeting will be Sunday January 28th at 3:30 p.m., and we will have a number of important topics and votes to present.

• The board has proposed we place a cap on our membership numbers as demand for our leagues and member dinners are higher than ever. If approved by the membership this will have a huge impact on our club, requiring implementation of a waiting list and greater importance to on-time membership renewals.
• The board has proposed we lower our senior membership age from 85 to 80.
• Presentation of the board's proposal to renovate our entryway, bar, bathroom, and card room areas. Over the last three months, your board has been working with CVG Architects to discuss options and come up with a final concept plan. This will be a transformational and expensive endeavor. Membership input will be critical.
• We will also review full 2023 financials as well as swear in our returning officers.

League Updates

Our end of year mixed leagues wrapped up in December and are ready to kick-off again the second week of January. As a reminder, due to the continually increasing demand for our leagues, the board has approved some changes for 2024 in order to better enable access to our leagues by all of our members.

• Members will be limited to participate in no more than 2 leagues at any one time. Exceptions will be made when there are no other members to fill a league spot.
• When there is more demand than spots for a league, those with less current and/or recent league participation will generally be given priority.
• We will create and publish a full-year league calendar so members can better understand when leagues are scheduled throughout the year.
• League-related announcements will be made more holistically so members can better understand their choices when determining which league they'd prefer to participate in.
• Schedules for mixed leagues (e.g. Tuesdays and Sundays) will be synchronized, making it easier to manage the member participation between them.

Green Text = Open to Membership, Fills shortly before league

Red Text = Full, limited spots by team invite only

Thursday Afternoon Pick-Up League Rolling

Our afternoon pick-up bocce games are up and running on Thursdays. No need to sign-up in advance, just show up and play! Schedule: Check in and warm up at noon and games start at 12:30 PM. The league is open to players of all skill levels. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Code of Conduct

A reminder to all of our members, we have a code of conduct that we enforce. 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:

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

Also a reminder no drinks are allowed on the courts at any time. Members are also forbidden from bringing their own liquor due to liability risks. Lastly, players must wear flat, clean, rubber-soled shoes other than the ones they came in with.

The Club recently welcomed the following new members:

Paul Barrett

Sue Barrett

Matthew Bernardi

Valerie Carani

Mike Cozzi

David Graubart

Sheila Hunt

William Hunt

Heather Lagattuta

James Lagattuta

Amanda Martinelli

Andy McLaughlin

Kevin McLaughlin

Dorothy Nagelbach

Fred Nagelbach

Mike Ori

Robert Pasquesi

Steve Pasquesi

Dave Poterek

Michael Skarzynski

Alex Ugolini

Nico Ugolini

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.

John McCraren

Leo Ori

Alberto Ugolini

Officers

President

Tom Holleman

Vice President

Mary Ann Pedersen

Treasurer

Heidi Peddle

Recording Secretary

DeeDee Niebling

Trustees

Frank Bacci

Bruce Bertucci

Lenny Innocenzi

Frank Lomoro

Peter Pieracci

Miles Russell

Steve Thornberry