We were treated to four dishes:

• Bruschetta
• Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
• Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
• Almond Torte

Fortunately, the power came on shortly before the scheduled start time, allowing Gisele to still conduct the cooking demonstration while also providing a tasting menu for attendees. Recipes were distributed to everyone, and we were told one group is already planning a dinner featuring all four menu items!

It was a wonderful evening, and Gisele, Laura, and their incredible team of servers and wine pourers did a terrific job!

Our next event will be held on Saturday, June 27^th, and will feature an after-dinner music & dance event with J.B. Webb performing classic “Rat Pack” favorites. This event is expected to sell out quickly, so be sure to register early once invitations are sent!

Club members feasted on salad, garlic bread, pasta and as much Dungeness crab as they could eat. Dessert was lemon meringue pie for those who still had room. Guests were seated at long, paper covered tables and enjoyed the camaraderie sharing the experience of digging as much succulent crabmeat as they could find.  Music was provided by David Johnson.  Once dinner was

over the dancing began, and the dance floor was never empty. A good time was had by all in attendance.

Special thanks to Barbara Spencer and Peggy James, who co-chaired the event, as well as Italian Club volunteers who assisted in setting up, guiding members to their tables and cleaning up.

Special thanks as well to Alex Saguindel who assisted with the menu, Chef John for his delicious food and all of the servers who brought out the food. Served family style, the trays of crab kept coming until everyone had their fill.

It’s safe to say that a good time was had by all.

Guests were welcomed with a flute of champagne, and gentlemen in tuxedos escorted the women to their tables. Each place setting featured candy favors and red, heart-shaped napkins, setting a romantic tone from the start. Dinner was outstanding: a flavorful salad, perfectly prepared steak, and a delicious wine sauce served over steak and mashed potatoes. Chef John impressed everyone with a stunning panna cotta, complete with a chocolate heart and raspberry drizzle.

Four couples celebrating wedding anniversaries were recognized and warmly applauded during the evening. Music by David Martin’s House Party Band kept the energy high, with guests dancing all night long.

The décor was breathtaking, highlighted by elegant draping, heart-shaped lights, and red-and-white floral centerpieces accented with fairy lights. Gifting the centerpieces to the women servers was a deeply touching gesture.

This unforgettable evening truly brought our community together in celebration of love and friendship. Photos are posted, but we are looking for more! Send them to villagesitalianclub@gmail.com, and don’t forget to sign up for the Crab Feed – our next event!

We’ll feast on Dungeness crab, French bread, green salad, and pasta, all while enjoying music by Dave Johnson. This is a casual affair—yacht wear encouraged!

Member price is $100 inclusive, non-members are $110.

Want to join us for the Crab Feed?

Enjoy a magical evening of Hearts and Flowers, celebrating amore with your loved ones and friends. The night features a wonderful dinner menu and live music by David Martin’s House Party—a high-energy, nationally known band with an incredible variety of music that keeps the dance floor full all night long.

 Details at a Glance:
 February 14, 5:00 @the Clubhouse
 Dinner & Dancing
 Live Music: David Martin’s House Party

This is a members-only event, and each member may invite one guest.
Not a member yet? Join today and sign up for this special evening!

Don’t wait—this beloved event fills quickly. Join us for a night of great food, music, dancing, and romance!  Sign up by clicking the flier below:

The Italian Club has a full and festive calendar planned, with ten events scheduled for the New Year. Our events tend to fill quickly, and some have limited capacity, so we encourage you to mark your calendar now and plan to register early.

Invitations are sent one month prior to each event.

!Click to view the full 2026 event schedule!

Bob Iacopi was a long-time member of The Villages Italian Club, which began with fewer than 100 members in 2000 and has now grown to over 500 members. He became President of the Club in 2006 and served in that role until 2014, when he stepped down to care for his ailing wife. He remained on the Board until his recent passing. Bob’s vision of providing quality, affordable events that celebrated Italian culture helped shape the club into one of The Villages’ most popular and successful organizations.

Bob had the unique ability to recognize talent in others and give them the opportunity to shine. He mentored many board members, guiding us through events with patience and confidence, and at other times placing us in challenging roles to help us grow. He was always the extra hand at events and mastered the art of timing and pacing, ensuring everything was ready for each guest’s experience. Bob was the chef behind our July 4th Cannoli Booth, preparing all the filling himself. The cannoli were so popular that they sold out within hours.

Creative and fearless in his ideas, Bob looked forward to presenting new and different events—believing that nothing was ever too big. He chaired three large Italian Club Festas, ranging in size from 350 to 700 guests, all while cheering us on and reassuring us that the task was not overwhelming. The last Festa, held this past October, was what Bob called his “swan song”—his final major event as chairman. He had planned to step away from the Board at the end of December, while continuing to stay involved as the Club’s editor.  Bob gave his heart and soul to The Villages Italian Club, and we are forever grateful for his dedication, vision, and generosity.

As much as Bob did for the Italian Club, he touched The Villages in many other ways. In line with his love of all things Italian, he was an avid bocce player. After many active years in the Tennis Club, he transitioned to Pickleball when it was introduced in 2015 and became known for his precise, impressive shots. Even in his late 70s, he was regarded as an advanced player, competing in tournaments until 2022 and serving as the Pickleball Board Historian. He was also the primary organizer of the Pickleball/Bocce Tournament.

He also participated in Golf, and was a past member of the Villages Ironmen’s Club, which focused on 9-Hole Golf. While he enjoyed playing golf, for many years he could be found at the putting green on the weekend mornings, “Putting for Dimes”. Another of his loves was his Thursday night Poker Game. They will miss his quick banter and his deadpan Poker face, as will his many Cribbage partners!

Bob loved to cook and often welcomed friends into his home for elaborate and delicious dinners. This passion, along with his love of wine, led to the creation of the OWLs — the “Old Wine Lovers” Club. He had a special talent for pairing food and wine and took great joy in sharing both with others. Bob was well known and deeply cherished throughout The Villages, and he will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The three-hour celebration brought together more than 300 members and guests for an afternoon of food, fun, and festivities. Designed as a member appreciation event, it was our way of saying “thank you” for your support over the years. The Cribari Plaza and Center were beautifully transformed with Italian décor, making guests feel as though they’d stepped into a lively festival in Italy.

There was something for everyone –

• Gift bags filled with items celebrating our history – 25th anniversary napkins and coasters, imported Italian candies, and biscotti.
• Music by J.B. Webb, whose Sinatra tribute had people wondering if “Ol’ Blue Eyes” himself had returned.
• A performance in the Auditorium by Bill Likens and friends, where members could sit and relax inside.
• Spencer Grey, our roaming magician, amazed guests with tricks that left everyone asking, “How did he do that?”
• A cooking demonstration by Joe Civello that had everyone’s mouths watering.
• A fortune teller who stayed busy the entire afternoon — perhaps inspiring a few lottery ticket purchases later!
• A photo booth for lasting memories (we can’t wait to post the pictures online).
• Games galore – a cornhole challenge, a golf pitching battle royale, and a “guess the corks in the jar” contest – where the number guessed exactly!
• And, of course, incredible food by Chef John: fresh pizza, meatballs, two kinds of pasta, Caesar and Caprese salads, garlic bread, and a tricolor Italian cake — all perfectly paired with wine. No one left hungry!

If you couldn’t join us, stay tuned for our Christmas Party on December 13 and a full slate of events for 2026, to be announced at our January 10 Members Meeting.

Click here to see event photos!