Above, left to right, Farmingdale residents Tony Ragno and Ray Colucci get ready to throw their balls toward the pallini at the Annual Columbus Lodge #2143 Bocci Tournament held last month at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa. The pair placed fourth among over the 60 teams that entered the event.

Each year, the Columbus Lodge #2143, a member of the Sons of Italy, hold a Bocci Tournament during their annual picnic. Picnic chairman Keith Wilson estimated that this year's picnic attracted over 400 members, local residents and family. Rides for the kids, a cotton candy machine, and pony rides were available for the children and everyone feasted on a delightful barbeque lunch.

The centerpiece to the picnic was the bocci tournament, which was won by the team of Farmingdale's Jim D'Accordo and Neil Ferrara. Wantagh couple Brian and Nancy Morrissey placed second. According to bocci connoisseur Ed Bader, the rules are to throw your color balls until it is the closest to the pallini. As soon as a team is closer than their opponent's ball, the other team throws. The object of the game is to get as many of the same color balls as close to the pallini as possible.

The Columbus Lodge #2143, a not for profit fraternal organization, is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Order Sons of Italy in America. The Lodge offers its members various social and recreational activities, as well as community and charity involvement. For more information on becoming part of this organization one may telephone Stephen LaScala at 735-2535

Other OSIA News: NY Juggernauts Jaclyn Pasquarella, Alicia Smith and Carri Leto, who will join the Columbus Lodge softball team for the McDonald's Sports Festival on Sept. 10, will play their NPF playoff game on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. on ESPN2... Columbus Lodge's Annual Italian Feast and Festival will be on Sunday, Oct. 2. Proceeds from the festival benefit local charities.