TSDOI Events
The following events have been scheduled. Please scroll down to the event description for registration instructions.
Mar 8 – Italian Coffee House & St. Joseph’s Dessert Extravaganza
Mar 29 – Italian Citizenship Seminar
Mar 31 – Conversational Italian
April 6 – Opera
April 25 – Italy Liberation Day Dinner
April 28 – Conversational Italian
May 10 – Bocce Tournament
May 17 – European and Auto Show
May 19 – Conversational Italian
June 8 – Family Picnic and Scholarship Awards
June 23 – Conversational Italian
Sep 20 – Festa Italiana
Oct 11 – Italian American Heritage Celebration
ITALY LIBERATION DAY DINNER
Date: April 25th, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Fallon Center, 2718 Overbrook Drive, Raleigh, NC 27608
Cost: $25/Person
Dinner Includes: Bruschetta, Salad, Bread, Rigatoni, Meatballs, Sausage, Dessert
The long-term viability of Italian American organizations is clearly at stake if we do not recruit, develop, and mentor the next generation of leaders.
The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America is investing in talent through the “Future of the Order (FOTO) strategic initiative, and we need the help of all Lodges throughout the country to adopt and support this forward driven approach.
Our current OSDIA FOTO Leaders (Under 40 Target Group) are sponsoring Pasta Fundraising Dinners at Lodges around the USA to raise money to support their attendance and engagement in OSDIA leadership development forums. Our local day to support FOTO has been set for April 25th. We have a fun program and dinner for all to enjoy to do this!
Please come celebrate Festa Della Liberazione (Italy Liberation Day) on April 25th at a Pasta Fundraising Dinner being led by FOTO leaders from both our TSDIA Lodge and the Charlotte Lodge. The dinner is being held on Friday, April 25th at the Fallon Center at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh (2718 Overbrook Drive) at 6:30 pm.
This is a great event to celebrate the historic liberation of Italy, enjoy a tasty meal with good company, and raise funds to invest in the continuity of Italian American leadership.
Please click on the SignUpGenius link below to register to purchase your $25 ticket. We really wish to see you at the dinner table, but we also have a $15 SignUpGenius donation link with no dinner if you cannot attend.
Click on link below for DINNER TICKETS:
https://square.link/u/XRjUm8jL?src=sheet
Click on link below for DONATION (NO DINNER) TICKETS:
https://square.link/u/9i81uxC2?src=sheet
FESTA DELLA LIBERAZIONE PROGRAM
To join with Italians worldwide on Italy’s National Holiday on April 25th to commemorate the end of World War II in Italy and the fall of the Fascist regime, marking the liberation from Nazi occupation and the victory of the Italian resistance movement against Fascism; essentially signifying the country’s regained independence and freedom
Italy Liberation Day Historical Highlights
Dinner (Bruschetta, Salad, Bread, Rigatoni, Meatballs, Sausage, Dessert)
Non-Alcoholic Beverages & Coffee
50-50 Raffle
Wine (Donations Appreciated for a Glass of Wine)
PLEASE CREATE THE TOMORROW FOR ITALIAN AMERICA BY INVESTING IN ITALIAN AMERICANS TODAY!
TSDIA Tia DeMaria Memorial Raleigh Regional Bocce Tournament 2025
We are thrilled to once again announce the date and registration information for our popular TSDIA Bocce Tournament! The TSDIA Tia DeMaria Memorial Raleigh Regional Bocce Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Clayton Community Park located at 1075 Amelia Church Road, Clayton, NC.
The Tia DeMaria Memorial honors a beloved Triangle Sons and Daughters of Italy member who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2023. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will benefit the Duke Cancer Center’s Pancreatic Research Fund in Tia’s honor. Tia was treated at Duke before her passing, and we are thrilled to support them this year so that we are making an impact in our local community.
KEY 2025 UPDATES
Entry Fee
All teams of 4 players will have lunch included in their registration fee.
We are offering three tiers of registration to allow teams the option of providing an additional donation to the cancer center as part of their registration:
Bronze: $100 per team. Digital team photo taken at event.
Silver: $150 per team. Digital team photo plus Gift Bag for each member.
Gold: $200 per team. Digital team photo plus Upgraded Gift Bag for each team member.
Tournament Location
The Town of Clayton has built an entirely new set of bocce courts this year! These courts are all made with turf, so there will also be no need for raking or maintenance on our behalf. The courts are directly adjacent to the Community Center, which also gives much easier access to parking and bathrooms. There are also several shaded areas next to the courts that will provide protection from the elements. See the photo below for a sneak peek.
The team registration process and payments are fully online!
We have included the registration form and payment links directly below. To register your team, click on Team Registration Form. For entry fees click on the appropriate Square Payment Links below! Each team needs to complete the Registration Form and email it to Bocce Chairperson Kristen Zimmer (kris.demaria@gmail.com).
Spectators (Not Playing) Need to Order Lunch in Advance
Lunch is being offered as an option to spectators who are not playing on a team. The spectators need to purchase lunch in advance. The $10 Lunch Only Payment Link is included on the TSDIA Website and in this email. The Spectator Lunch Ticket also includes a raffle ticket entry.
Rulebook
We will be publishing a document highlighting the rules of this tournament. As a quick summary, each team will consist of four players, with each player throwing two balls per frame. Each game will be played to 11 points, and a best-two-out-of-three game format will determine the match winners.
STATE TOURNAMENT DETAILS
This will be the regional semifinals, with the thirteenth annual statewide tournament to follow in the fall. The First, Second, and Third place finalists from the Regional tournaments in both Raleigh and Valdese will be invited to compete at the state tournament. The format for the State Finals may vary from the regional tournament rules. Cash prizes for first, second, and third place at the State Finals will be awarded.
Additional Information
The Tournament will include a maximum of 16 teams. We will accept the first 14 fully staffed teams that are registered and submitted with 4 players each.
If you are an individual who wishes to play, but you are not part of a fully staffed team, then you need to submit your name to Kristen Zimmer (Kris.demaria@gmail.com). We will assign the first 8 individual names to the two remaining teams for the tournament.
Your team registration forms and payments are due by Monday, April 28th at 5:00 pm. You can direct any questions to Kristen Zimmer (Kris.demaria@gmail.com) or me (Donald.cimorelli@gmail.com).
Let’s go play some Bocce!
The Team Registration Form and Payment Links are included at the bottom of this email.
Don Cimorelli
TSDOI 2817 President
TEAM REGISTRATION FORM
PAYMENT LINKS FOR TEAM REGISTRATION:
Bronze Registration: $100 Bocce Team Donation with Lunch – Triangle Sons of Italy Lodge 2817
Silver Registration: $150 Bocce Team Donation with Lunch – Triangle Sons of Italy Lodge 2817
Gold Registration: $200 Bocce Team Donation with Lunch – Triangle Sons of Italy Lodge 2817
PAYMENT LINK FOR $10 SPECTATOR (LUNCH ONLY) TICKET:
Bocce Tournament Spectator Lunch Ticket – Triangle Sons of Italy Lodge 2817
2nd Annual Auto Show
Saturday, May 17th (Rain Date of Sunday, May 18th)
Il Bacio Italian Grill & Pizza (Heritage Station Shopping Center, 3622 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, NC)
New for 2025 we have expanded registration to include Italian, American, European, and Classic Cars! This event is for both spectators who are not displaying a car, and car displayers. Once again our Car Show Event Chairman and Master of Ceremonies is Ruggero Fratarcangeli.
This is how the event works:
It is Free to view the autos, but you will want to purchase a one sitting TSDIA advance buffet lunch ticket at Il Bacio for $20. Please purchase your lunch ticket in advance since the cost will increase to $25 if your purchase on the day of the Car Show.
The car show starts at 10:00 am, and the buffet lunch will begin at 11:30 am. The buffet will include Salad, Penne Pasta with Vodka or Marinara Sauce, Sausage & Peppers, Garlic Knots, Pizza Bits, Cannoli, Coffee/Tea/Soda/Water. Beer and wine are available for purchase at the bar.
Click on the link below to purchase your advance buffet lunch ticket for $20: https://square.link/u/v9BChMym
If you own an Auto that you wish to display, then Click below for a $25 Advance Auto registration for Displayers with a Buffet Lunch Included. If you do not register your car in advance, the price increases to $30 on the day of the show to register your car. https://square.link/u/yNIVMMgr
SPECIAL DEAL! If you email me at donald.cimorelli@gmail.com to be part of our Volunteer Staff at the event, you will receive a FREE $20 BUFFET TICKET!!!!! REPLY TO ME TO SIGN UP TO JOIN THE TEAM. We need members to assist with set-Up/breakdown, day of ticket sales, collect buffet tickets, 50-50, and share TSDIA information with car show attendees.
TSDIA Annual Family Picnic with Scholarship Rewards
ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC WITH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
DATE: Sunday, June 8, 2025
PLACE: Rotary Shelter at Harold Ritter Park, 301 West Lochmere Drive, Cary, NC 27511
TIME: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Dinner Served at 4:00 pm)
Play Hard, Enjoy Summer Foods, and Win Big at the TSDIA Picnic! You just might be the 2025 Left Center Right Winner, or perhaps the 50-50 Winner! This event is a Fan Favorite for you, but it is also a perfect event to register your Adult Children and Grandchildren to attend.
Our TSDIA annual picnic is one of our larger events of the year and our most Family Friendly activity on the calendar for all age groups. This is also the event where we recognize our 2025 Scholarship Winners.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 8th AND PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW. We always have a fun time and we want to see many of our newer members along with longer-term members.
CLICK ON THE PAYMENT LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS EMAL TO SECURE YOUR TICKETS.
PRICE:
- $20 for TSDIA Members
- $25 for Guests without a Paid Membership
- $10.00 for Children Under 10
MENU & PICNIC ACTIVITIES
- Angus Burgers
- Beef Hot Dogs
- Brats
- Mac N’Cheese
- Redskin Potato Salad
- Baked Beans
- Fresh Fruit
- Corn on the Cob
- Water, Tea, & Lemonade
- Side Condiments
- Sheet Cake & Cookies
- Activities:
- Wide Range of Fun Games for Kids & Adults. We have a game for you!
- Loads of Prizes from the Pastabilities Table
- Left Center Right Game (Bring Three One Dollar Bills)
- 50-50 Raffle
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT PROCESS
To register and purchase tickets, click on the links below:
Click on Payment Link Below for Members with Paid TSDIA Membership:
https://square.link/u/6M33x3SD?src=sheet
Click on Payment Link Below for Guests Who Do Not Have a Paid TSDIA Membership:
https://square.link/u/gpOzlPxi?src=sheet
Click on Payment Link Below for Children Under 10 Years of Age:
https://square.link/u/s6XgprFm?src=sheet
CONVERSATIONAL ITALIAN
The TSDOI Conversational Italian generally meets at Keller Williams Legacy, 1483 Beaver Creek Commons Drive, Apex, NC 27502 at 1:00 pm. On the last Monday of the month, we have a group of members who meet for informal conversational Italian. All skill levels are welcome. Some can speak quite well, and others can barely speak the Italian language, but enjoy learning a few words or phrases at a particular meet-up. The session is for approximately 1 hour. See the calendar at the top of the page for dates for these meetings.
If you would like to attend our next session, please RSVP to Don Cimorelli donald.cimorelli@gmail.com . Don can add you to our ongoing Conversational Italian distribution list if you request to be informed of all sessions.
SCOPA Night at Southern Peak Brewery
Monthly on a Thursday Night at 6:00 pm
Southern Peak Brewery, 950 Windy Rd., Suite 100, Apex, NC 27502
Scopa is an Italian card game, and one of the three major national card games in Italy. You do not need to know how to play to join us. The game is quick to learn and you will sit with others at a table who will show you the ropes. It is a very pleasant atmosphere to chat, get to know other members, and purchase a sandwich at the outside Italian Food Truck. Of course you can order your favorite beverage too at the brewery. Click on the Signup Genius link below to register.
PLAY SCOPA AT SOUTHERN PEAK BREWERY IN APEX, NC
Let’s Go To Italy!
Click on links below to Northern Italy and Sicily Trips in 2026 to learn more. Submit the Trip Interest Form on the right side of the page within the link if you have a serious interest in potentially reserving when booking opens up. This is not a final commitment. Trip Interest Forms need to be submitted by March 31, 2025 to determine if there is sufficient interest in the trip.
Guided Tour of Northern Italy with Cinque Terre
