Who knew what fun an old world game could be? Bocce is on an upswing in North Brooklyn. Domino Park, the 5-acre public park jewel on the East River — that just celebrated its first birthday — made sure to include two bocce courts in its design. These courts hosted the 3rd Annual Bocce for Bus Tournament playoffs.
Eleven teams from local businesses and community organizations faced off on the sunny banks backed by the majesty of the Williamsburg Bridge. Each team paid $500 in addition there were an additional ten local businesses who supported the tournament with a $250 sponsorship. These bocce playoffs would whittle this roster: Crest Hardware, The Meat Hook, Two Trees, Bitesize Pediatric Dentistry, Pete’s Candy Store,Variety Coffee Roasters, St. Nicks Alliance, People’s Firehouse Inc., Southside United HDFC – Los Sures, ditto, and FREEHOLD, down to two teams. Two Trees and Crest Hardware would go to the Finals at Swinging Sixties Senior Center’s bocce courts that Monday, with Crest winning the first place trophy.
But the real winners are the seniors of the community. This tournament is a fundraiser that raises funds to keep the Swinging Sixties Senior Bus operating. In January 2018 the bus started its route to pick up seniors at local senior housing and shuttle them to 211 Ainslie St. (Swinging Sixties Senior Center) in addition to special outings like to the Metropolitan Pool. The bus was paid for by an anonymous donor, and St. Nicks Alliance and Conselyea Street Block Association are providing for its upkeep through their own donations and fundraising.
Swinging Sixties Senior Center would also like to thank the bocce tournament’s sponsors: C-Town- 330 Graham Avenue, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, Broadway Stages, Carmine’s Pizzeria, DA FRANCESCO, Daughter & Sons of Italian Heritage in America 2428, Giovani Silvagni & Ida Como, Joe Robles, Law office of Carmine E. Esposito, and Sal’s Pizzeria.
