The Fourth Annual Wine Tasting, on January 12 at Foothill Center, was free to all members who paid their 2008 dues by December 31, 2007, and drew a record crowd. More than 140 members crowded into Foothill Center to enjoy a wide selection of Italian wines, eat antipasti provided by the Villages Clubhouse and cookies baked by Judy Frey, and sing to the music of Ed Knott. Plastic buffet plates with The Villages Italian Club logo were distributed free of charge as a renewal gift for members. Hours were expanded to 4 to 7 p.m. this year. Expenses included $1,000 to the Clubhouse and about $600 for wines. 2008 Membership packets were distributed to those members in attendance; the rest were mailed by January 20.
At its first meeting of the year, on January 23, the Board voted to retain its same Officers and to continue its schedule of monthly meetings. The Wine Tasting was reviewed, and the decision was made to continue the event, free of charge to members, but to alter the format to make it easier on the organizers to control the crowd, and to make food service work more smoothly. Expenses were approved for Carnevale, and details finalized for the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. Virginia Gavin was named Chairperson of The Fourth of July cookie sale, and Don DeVincenzi volunteered to chair the Christmas Party. President Bob Iacopi reported that he had written a letter to The Villages Activities Office, asking permission to erect a storage shed in 2009. It was at this meeting that Don DeVincenzi suggested that we publish an Italian Club cookbook; he and Bob Iacopi will pursue the idea.
Our very first Carnevale on February at Foothill Center turned out to be very popular. This was intended as a “dress rehearsal” for a Villages-wide event to be held in 2009 at The Clubhouse. We tried out several ideas to see what worked the best, which resulted in a net loss for the event, but provided considerable guidance for next year. Attendance was limited to 80 members-no guests–to make room for the music (by The Casuals), a dance floor, and two games-a bean bag toss, and ducks in a pond. Free tickets for the games were given to all guests, and prizes were awarded to all the winners; Bill Durante and Bob Puppo dressed in elaborate costumes and supervised the games. The Club purchased colorful masks and distributed them to everyone, as part of the $40 reservation fee. Foothill Center was lavishly decorated by Virginia Gavin and her helpers. The Clubhouse provided a full buffet, including individual antipasti plates for each table, and also provided full table settings, including wine glasses. A magician performed throughout the evening. Most guests wore costumes or formal wear, and it was decided to make such evening dress mandatory in 2009.
At its February 25 meeting, the Board accepted the resignations of Bill Durante and Connie Barretta, and voted in Sue Bacigalupi and Joe Civello as their replacements. After a review of our banking procedures, it was decided to continue with our two-signature policy on all checks.
The St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 15 at Foothill Center followed the same successful format of previous years and sold out very early, with 104 reservations. Chairperson Kathy Pavacich had Norma’s Catering provide a corned beef and cabbage dinner, and dancers from the Golden Greene School of lrish Dancing again entertained the crowd. Ed Knott provided the music. Reservation fees of $20 for members and $25 for guests more than covered the expenses. Despite some minor problems with the food service, a good time was had by all.
Membership was a major topic of discussion at the April 17 Board meeting. As of this date, we had more than 260 members, which is resulting in some disappointments because we are selling out events at a very early date, particularly those at Foothill Center. After considerable discussion, the Board voted not to limit membership at this time, but to stop accepted new 2008 members on June 30, and to look at a possible dues increase or membership limit for 2009. It was also decided at this meeting that because of new IRS regulations, the best course of action for the Club is to close out our Downey Savings Certificate of Deposit on June 30, and transfer the funds into our checking account.
The annual bocce outing on May 15 at Campo di Bocce, chaired by Bob Puppo, again went smoothly and successfully. For the first time, increased costs requred us to include lunch only in the $32 price; alcoholic beverages were optionalDespite the heat, more than 30 players enjoyed bocce games on the indoor courts, and a fine lunch of pizza, pasta and salads afterward. This continues to be our only “off campus” event, and the sellout crowd attests to its popularity.
At its May 22 meeting, the Board voted to purchase blinking Italian lapel pins, and either sell them or give them away at the rest of the 2008 events. Event reservation fees were set at $25 for golfers and $20 for non-golfers at the August 1 7 Pasquale Golf Tournament, $35 for members and $40 for non-members at Opera Night on October 4, and $45 for members and $50 for non-members at the Christmas Party. As in 2007, the Board instructed Chairman Don DeVincenzi to emphasize fun and good food at the Christmas Party, and not be overly concerned if there is a minor financial loss. It was at this meeting that Sue Bacigalupi first introduced the idea of a Villages Italian Club calendar. A letter from Community Activities regarding liability insurance for outside vendors was reviewed, and everyone was reminded to check for insurance when engaging caterers and performers.
At the June 26 meeting, the Board voted to donate $500 to the VMA Fire Relief Fund. A committee of four–Sue Bacigalupi, Joe Civello, Don DeVincenzi, and Bob Iacopi–was appointed to come with ideas for a cookbook and calendar, and come back to the board with recommendations. It also decided that because we are a non-profit organization with no tax liability, we would retain financial records for only two years. Membership for 2008 was officially closed, with 258 members at 187 addresses. The 2009 application was revised to include requests for recipes for the cookbook.
BBQ and Bocce on June 29 featured a few changes from previous years. Myron Zaccheo remained Chairmanbut Dick Frey became a very active Assistant Chairman, and did yeoman duties in organization and administration. Bob and Liz Giarratana assumed responsibility for the bocce matches and prizes. Fees of $15 for members and $20 for guests covered the expenses. The raffle, under the direction of Carol Zaccheo, generated about $400 for the Club treasury. Prizes included gift baskets assembled by Sue Bacigalupi, along with the usual assortment of picnic items, gift certificates, and electronic items. As in past years, the Club provided sausages, steaks, green salad, and dessert. Instead of a hot pasta dish from a caterer, home-made pasta salad was provided by Maria Civello, Lois DeVincenzi, Bob Iacopi and Judy Wooley. Because of a flurry of last-minute reservations, we had record attendance of more than 170, which strained our capacity to cook the steaks, and provide seating for everyone. But we made it, the weather cooperated, Ed Knott serenaded the big crowd with his usual great selection of music, and the event was a major success.
The Fourth of July cookie sale at Cribari Center was chaired by Virginia Gavin, supported by Chief Financial Officer Nick Lickwar and a bevy of enthusiastic helpers. About two dozen bakers delivered cookies on July 2 and 3, in time for the committee to bag and pre-price everything before the sale started. Recorded music attracted buyers ” both before and after the parade. The sale went very smoothly, and the Club added more than $350 to its Treasury.
At the July 24 Board meeting, Joe Civello was appointed Chairman of the 2009 BBQ and Bocce. After considerable discussion, it was decided not to raise the annual dues for 2009 and not to limit the membership, even though we have 258 members as of this date. However, event Chairpersons were asked to limit guests whenever possible and consider increasing the prices. The Board also voted to reduce the scope of the 2009 Wine Tasting, and advertise the event as only a Wine & Cheese Tasting. Nick Lickwar and Bob Iacopi were appointed co-chairs of our first Cooking Class, to be held in April, 2009. For the proposed Italian Club Cookbook, a letter will be sent to all Club members asking for the submission of original recipes in time for the November membership meeting.
The Ed Pasquale Golf Tournament on August 17, chaired by Myron Zaccheo, was bigger than ever — 68 golfers and 110 at dinner at Foothill Center. Norma’s Catering provided a dinner of antipasti, pasta, tri tip steaks, chicken, salad and dessert; prices were $20 nonparticipants and $25 for golfers. There was the usual session of storytelling, plus presentation of awards. And as in the past, everyone went home with a prize.
Opera Night on October 4 again was chaired by Kathy Pavacich, and turned out to be one of the biggest Villages events of the fall season. More than 140 members and guests attended the dressy affair. Emphasis was on opera, with Trio Amore giving another wonderful performance. But for the first time, there was no music for dancing, due to very limited interest in previous years. Registration fees of$35 for members and $40 for guests more than covered all expenses, including a sit-down dinner with three entrees
The Membership Meeting on November 15 drew the biggest attendance of any general meeting in the history of the Club- 110 total. Because our original caterer had to withdraw due to health reasons, we engaged Tony & Alba Catering to provide the antipasto, pasta with three sauces, green salad and coffee, and the Club cooked the tri-tip roasts and biscotti, with Sue Bacigalupi, Dick Frey and Bob Iacopi doing most of the cooking. Following dinner, there was a short business meeting, and then a viewing of the movie, “Bread and Tulips,” in Italian with English subtitles, as we have done in past years. A nominal registration fee of $20 was enough to cover all the expenses.
At its December 4 meeting, the Board voted to contribute $200 to the Villages Employees Christmas Party. It was also decided to go ahead with the Club cookbook, with publication slated for late 2009. The Villages Board had not yet granted permission for the Club to erect a storage shed, but it is hoped that storage space will be available in the new golf cart barn, if it is approved.
On Sunday, December 14, Chairman Don DeVincenzi and a large group of helpers put together the largest Christmas Party in the history of the Club. About 100 members and 50 guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner at The Clubhouse, with a choice of four entrees, along with complimentary antipasti and wines. Jerry Saucedo and his group provided the music for listening and dancing, including a Christmas sing-along. Four large prizes and the table centerpieces were raffled off. Everyone had their photos taken with Santa Claus, this year played graciously by Frank Clyne. Prices of $45 for members and $50 for guests covered most of the expenses, but the pleasures of the evening more than made up for a financial loss.
Club dues of $12 per person for 2009 were assessed on the December Villages billing statements. At year-end, there were about 280 members, including about a dozen new people who had already signed up for 2009.
Click on year to go to Italian Club History for that year.