“Amore e Baci,” our Valentine’s Day party, was held on February 14 at Vineyard Center. A large crowd enjoyed cocktails and a chicken and polenta dinner, along with the music of Reno DeBono. Price was $12 for members and $15 for guests.
Our April 17 dinner wasn’t catered for the first time, but Italian Club members did a great job of preparing a lasagna dinner for about 80 guests at Foothill Center. Dinner was followed by a showing of the Italian version of “Divorce Italian Style.” Price was $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
For The Villages Independence Day Celebration, held on July 3, the Club sold cookies to raise funds for future events. Connie Orlando was chairperson of our booth’s activities, and volunteers baked cookies and manned the booth throughout the day. It was a big success, and we were able to add $350 to our treasury.
Barbecue & Bocce was held on August 14. A sold-out crowd of 180 members and guests enjoyed steaks, pasta, salads and garlic bread provided by the Club, and also contributed a nice selection of antipasti and desserts. There were both high-spirited bocce games and a very successful raffle, for both the winners and the Club, which raised more than $350 for its treasury. Cost was $14 per person.
“A Musical Night in Italy,” chaired by Kathy Pavacich, was our major fall social event, on October 8 in the Clubhouse. It was another big success, due largely in part to the singing of Trio Amore. We also had a nice dinner catered by The Clubhouse, and enjoyed dancing music by Angelo Butera and The Nicolino Trio. Cost was $30 per person.
The Ed Pasquale Memorial Golf Classic was on Sunday, October 17. Despite some drizzly weather, more than 70 golfers played nine holes, and competed for both team and individual prizes. At the dinner that followed at Foothill Center, Chairman Myron Zaccheo made sure that no one went home empty-handed. Cost for the catered dinner was $20 per person.
The Christmas Party was held on December 10 at Foothill Center. Almost 100 members and guests enjoyed an elegant catered dinner of prime rib with all the trimmings, and then danced to the music of Frank Ybarra—all organized under the direction of Kathy Pavacich. Cost was $20 for members and $25 for guests.
On December 1, the 2005 membership applications were sent to all existing members and potential new applicants. We received an enthusiastic response, and our membership totaled more than 160 on December 31.