Sunday, September 18th, 2022, San Diego, CA-
The Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) Fratellanza Garibaldina Lodge #1627 in San Diego held an unofficial bocce tournament. The tournament was held at the bocce courts of Amici Park in Little Italy and there were four teams of two. In all about 15 society members were there. This was a test run for a larger tournament between clubs Lodge #1627 plans on putting on and was their third event of the year. Fratellanza Garibaldina Lodge #1627 is based out of the City of San Diego and is the fifth oldest in the State of California. The Covid pandemic hit it hard and now it is trying to regain its former momentum and attract new, active members. Being held in Little Italy right next to its popular dog park, to Our Lady of the Rosary church, an Italian National Parish and just a block away from the popular and busy neighborhood piazza, Piazza della Famiglia, the game attracted a good amount of attention.
The Convivio Society, which "celebrates all things Italian" and "...strives toward the perpetuation of Italianità, the Italian experience, and the Italian American narrative while emphasizing a broader purpose of fostering unity and collaboration" allowed the Lodge to use its Event, Heritage and Visitor Center, called "Amici House," as a base, as a place to gather and eat lunch.
The Lodge had one other bocce game before this played in the northern part of San Diego County and had a wine tour and tasting event at Cordiano Winery. The Lodge will celebrate its 90th Year Anniversary on November 5th and information for that can be found here.
Why join an Italian American club like OSDIA? Each person probably has their own answer, but for this writer I joined it, and indeed as many as I can simultaneously, to help keep our Italian American history and traditions alive, while at the same time raising funds for various charitable causes. Some join for the social benefits, for the events and comradery, which I too appreciate. To learn more about OSDIA, please click here. And if you are in the San Diego, CA area, you can learn more about Lodge #1627 by clicking here.
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