2001

In January, the Board met to review our 2000 events, and plan for year No. 2.  We had more than $500 in our treasury, our membership was growing, and we knew The Villages Italian Club would continue to be a very successful operation. These decisions were made:
    • At least one major event will be scheduled every quarter during the year.
    • Non-members will be allowed to attend, but usually at fees higher than those for members.
    • Board elections will be held in June, and officers would serve for two years.
    • Dues were increased to $10 per person.

We had an active year with a series of successful events. Our first Membership Meeting of the new year was held on February 22 at Cribari Conference Center.  After the business meeting, we adjourned to the Men’s lounge for a lasagna dinner and a showing of “Ciao Professore.”  Cost was $5 per person.

A second meeting was held on May 20 at Foothill Center.  This was followed by a lasagna dinner, and the movie “Il Postaio.”  Cost was $7.50 per person.

We had our barbecue at Gazebo Park on June 24.  The Club provided  steaks, salad, beans and garlic bread, and the guests brought antipasti and desserts.  Cost was $10 per person.

The golf tournament was on September 22.  Participants played nine holes, and then had a catered Italian dinner at Foothill Center.  Cost was $14 per person, for dinner and prizes.

Our second annual Christmas Party was on December 7 at Foothill Center.  Club members prepared the entire dinner, which featured Cornish game hens.  The 54 attendees paid $20 per person.  Bill Enders provided the music.

It was during this year that the Club began a major effort to have bocce courts installed at Gazebo Park.  Several Villagers had been trying for several years to have courts installed, with no success.  Italian Club President Nick Lickwar asked Carm Grande, a member of our Club and an avid bocce player, to spearhead a drive to get the courts built.  Carm formed a committee that included Bob Puppo, Carol Olivier and Rosemary Egan to work on the project.  After a lot of effort, the Committee came up with a proposal to have two courts constructed at the eastern edge of Gazebo Park.  The Villages Club Board accepted the proposal, with the provision that Villagers would contribute to the building fund. The courts were finally completed in 2002, and we are very proud of our efforts in seeing this project to completion.  The Italian Club donated $1,000 toward the construction of the courts, and several of our members each gave an additional $100 to help defray the costs.

By the end of 2001, we were on a solid financial footing, and our membership had increased to more than 120.

Click on year to go to Italian Club History for that year.