Fourteen teams. Plenty of personality. One sweet victory!

Buona Fortuna’s Fall Picnic & Bocce Tournament brought members and friends together at H. K. Matthews Park on Saturday, October 31, for a day of food, fellowship, and friendly competition. The team names alone suggested we were in for a good time—and once the bocce balls started rolling, the chase for bragging rights was on!

Before Saturday’s first toss, our Friday “Line Team” of Ginny Barberi, Rosanna Lorette, George Garner, Mary Kay Lamy, and Diana Mancini had already put in the work, laying out the fields and getting everything ready. Their efforts gave us the boundaries. Keeping the balls inside them was up to the players!

Leading the tournament were Chairs Mark DeNunzio and Andy Fricano, our ultimate rules interpreters. When questions arose about what counted, whose turn it was, or just how close that ball really was, these were the gentlemen to consult. Both also competed, proving that knowing the rules and getting the ball to cooperate are two very different skills!

Gwen George, our Bracket Captain, kept the tournament progression organized, with Peaches Sharpe serving as Bracket Assistant. Dan Kaestle, our emcee, helped keep everyone informed as the competition unfolded. Whether playing, tracking results, or making announcements, this crew had plenty to keep them busy!

And what a tournament it became.

**Caffè e Biscotti—Andy Fricano and Diana Mancini—**opened with an 11–1 victory over Buona Befana, then advanced past Ballasagna, 11–6. Their semifinal against **Average Giuseppi—Robert Catone and Jesse Howell—**was a close one, ending 12–10 and sending Caffè e Biscotti into the championship.

On the other side of the bracket, **Dolce—Ken MacLean and Patricia Russo—**was building a winning run of its own. Dolce defeated Barely Surviving, 13–7, edged Southern Comfort, 13–11, and advanced past Lovely Day for Bocce, 11–3, to earn a place in the final.

Then came the championship: Caffè e Biscotti versus Dolce. Coffee and cookies against something sweet—an appropriately Italian finish!

Dolce claimed the title with a 15–11 victory! Congratulations to our top four teams:

These teams gave us plenty to cheer about, and every player contributed to the fun with enthusiasm, determination, and a healthy sense of humor. Whether a toss landed beside the pallino or somewhere considerably less useful, there was always another teammate ready with encouragement—or commentary!

Of course, no Buona Fortuna gathering would be complete without a good meal. A heartfelt thank-you to Ken and Phyllis Baker for hosting the food and taking care of our picnic appetites, and to every person who contributed a side dish. Your generosity helped make the meal a shared effort and gave players and spectators another reason to gather around the tables.

Our thanks also go to Rosie Gasowski, our 50/50 Captain, and to Rosie and Peaches, who helped sell T-shirts while juggling their other responsibilities. Around this Lodge, wearing several hats seems to be part of the uniform!

The winning continued off the bocce fields, too: Jilian Carlo won $60 in our 50/50 drawing! Congratulations, Jilian, and thank you to everyone who purchased tickets.

Here is the full lineup that brought those memorable team names to life:

Sharing the day with our players were Ken Baker, John Calabro, Ed Castro, Nancy Schibani Castro, Shirley Cotita, Karen Ianniello, Joanne Irvine, Joe Lorette, Kathy Marcolin Andrade, Peaches Sharpe, and Maryann Tana.

To everyone who played, cheered, prepared food, brought a dish, marked a line, tracked a score, sold a ticket or T-shirt, or simply came to enjoy one another’s company: thank you for making this such a fun Buona Fortuna day.

The championship belonged to Dolce. The good memories belong to all of us!

And one final, heartfelt thank-you to everyone who stayed to take down the tents, pack up, and clean up the park. After a full day of fun, you still had helping hands to offer—and we appreciate every one of you!




Ginny Barberi presents to Patricia Russo and Ken MacLean, 1st Place!
 

Ginny presents to Diana Mancini and Andy Fricano, 2nd place.


Ginny presents to Robert Catone and Jesse Howell, 3rd place.

Ginny presents to Gwen and Thomas George, 4th place.

Before we roll up our sleeves for Festa, let’s gather for good food, great friends, and plenty to be thankful for! Bring your family and enjoy traditional Thanksgiving favorites with an Italian flair, a few delicious surprises, and plenty of laughs.

Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 4:30 PM
Gulf Breeze Recreation Center
800 Shoreline, Gulf Breeze

Cost per person:

• Lodge Members: $20

• Adult Guests (19+): $25

• Children ages 13–18: $20

• Children ages 12 and under: $10

Members Register here !

Bring your appetite and your best turkey jokes as we celebrate the friendships that make our Lodge feel like family!

Questions or need help registering? Call Rosie Gasowski at 412-215-5491.

Gobble, gobble!
Rosie Gasowski
Cultural Events Committee/ Dining Out Chair 
Buona Fortuna Lodge #2835