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UNICO DMV

A growing chapter of UNICO National and the UNICO Foundation

Deanna DeSante, Vice President
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Tony Andreoli, President
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December 8, 2025

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Upcoming Events

Looking for ways to celebrate your Italian heritage and meet like-minded DC-area Italophiles? Join our next event:

Our next event (to be announced) will be in September. Enjoy your August, and keep your eye on this space!

Ferragosto is a major Italian national holiday celebrated on August 15th, marking the peak of summer. Its name comes from the Latin phrase Feriae Augusti (“Augustus Holiday”), honoring the first Roman Emperor, who established the month as a designated period of rest and celebration, and to give agricultural workers a much-needed break from the grueling summer fields after the harvest. Across Italy, families and friends gather for festive meals, picnics, beach outings, music, and community celebrations. August is traditionally Italy’s primary vacation month, and many people take several weeks off during this period—especially around Ferragosto.

JULY RECAP: BOCCE BALL FOR BEGINNERS WAS A SUCCESS!!!

Check out our slide show… Click here to join our interest list for regular bocce outings!

We had a great turnout for our first-ever low-stakes Bocce Ball Outing on Sunday, July 12, with 10 participants enjoying friendly competition on two courts at Randolph & Glebe Park in Ballston. Tony and Deanna D. introduced the basic rules and techniques of the game to those new to the game on Court #1, while on Court #2, Joe D. taught “New Jersey-style” bocce to players with some prior experience. Everyone enjoyed about an hour of play before a passing rain shower brought the games to an early close. Afterward, we reconvened at a nearby pub for beverages, snacks, and a lively discussion with Chapter President Tony A. about future UNICO DMV activities. By all accounts, the outing was a success, and we’re considering making bocce a regular UNICO DMV event.

If you’d be interested in joining us for future bocce outings—weekly? biweekly? monthly?—please sign up for our no-obligation interest list and share your preferences. No experience is necessary, and all skill levels are welcome!

UNICO DMV Bocce Outing, July 2026
Deanna & Tony D. explain the game to newcomers.
Deanna & Tony D. explain the game to newcomers.
Deanna & Tony D. explain the game to newcomers.
The game commences!
Participants quickly get the hang of it.
Participants quickly get the hang of it.
Participants quickly get the hang of it.
The PALLINA & PALLE in play.
The PALLINA & PALLE in play.
Joe D. is teaching “New Jersey” style bocce on court 2.
Joe D. is teaching “New Jersey” style bocce on court 2.
Joe D. is teaching “New Jersey” style bocce on court 2.
Joe D. is teaching “New Jersey” style bocce on court 2.
Deanna is measuring to determine points earned.
Rain cut our play short.
JOIN US NEXT TIME!!!

See Our Past Events

July 2026: Our inagural bocce outing was a success!
JUNE 2026: BYOB of Wine Tasting: We had 15 participants who enjoyed a fun afternoon of Italian antipasti and wine.
April 2026: Dinner at A Modo Mio, Arlington, VA
March 2026 Lunch at Stellina’s in Tysons, VA
February 2026: Italian Culinary Class Fundraiser
January 2026 dinner at A Modo Mio. Half of the attendees (because we forgot to take photos earlier!!!)
December 2025: Italian Brunch and Chat at Ama Restaurant DC
Fundraiser on behalf of the Italian American One Voice Coalition, Portofino Restaurant, Arlington, VA,October 2025
March Meeting at Ristorante Bonaroti, Vienna, VA, March 2025
UNICO DMV Bocce Outing, July 2026

News & Updates

UNICO National Confirms “Honorary Membership” Eligibility for Individuals of ANY Ethnicity

March 29, 2026

UNICO’s DMV Chapter President, Tony Andreoli, attended UNICO National’s Mid-Year Board Meeting in Atlantic City, March 22-23^rd. During the meeting, he confirmed with national leadership that individuals that wish to join UNICO–but are NOT of Italian Heritage–are eligible for “HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS”. Honorary Members enjoy all the benefits of regular UNICO members, except that they cannot vote for National officers. However, Honorary Members can assume Chapter leadership/officer positions and roles such as committee heads, etc. Key benefits of UNICO membership are to:

Experience, celebrate and preserve Italian culture by attending UNICO DMV-sponsored events. MEMBERS PAY DISCOUNTED PRICES ON ASSOCIATED TICKETS & FEES
Support national charitable causes, including Alzheimer’s research, mental health, and cancer prevention.
Connect and network other UNICO members.
Receive Member Resources, such as a subscription to the ComUNICO magazine and exclusive member materials;
Access the UNICO Foundation scholarship program for high school seniors and college students; and
Attend UNICO national meetings such as the annual national convention.

UNICO DMV CULINARY CLASS RAISES $1K FOR ST. JUDES

February 22, 2026

A group of ten participants in the February UNICO DMV-sponsored Italian Culinary Class and Lunch “Cucina e Mangia con Cuore” raised $1,000 for our chosen charity for this event, St. Judes Research Hospital. The participants learned to make several toppings for crostini and bruschette antipasti, hand-made gnocchi, two delicous sauces, and home-made Sicilian blood orange sorbetto. After the teaching session, the group sat down and ate lunch Italian family-style. It was a wonderful morning and afternoon of celebrating our Italian culture while contributing to a good cause. UNICO DMV will be offering future cooking classes, including making hand-made ravioli, home-made foccaccia, brick oven pizza, and home-made gelato. Check back for future announcements!

Get to Know Our Local Sponsors & Partners

Want to become a supporting Sponsor or Partner of UNICO DMV? E-Mail us for the details at dmvfundraising@unicodmv.org.

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