Ranch kicks off summer of events

By Anne Kallas

With lemon and avocado orchards all around and a temperate breeze blowing Sunday, the Limoneira bocce ball courts near Santa Paula evoked the Mediterranean origins of the sport, which was exactly why Joe Romolo of Ventura asked to be taken on Father's Day to the Blues, Bocce and BBQ event sponsored by Jonathan's at Peirano's restaurant in Ventura and by Limoneira.

"This was my choice. Bocce is what my grandfather would do every Sunday," Romolo said of his grandfather, Giuseppe Romolo.

"He came from Italy in 1918 and settled in Cucamonga where he had a vineyard and winery. He would go with his buddies, who were all Italians. There was a bar and a restaurant in the vineyard where they would play."

Romolo, who on Sunday was with his wife, Pat, and son John Romolo, was enjoying a cherrywood smoked tri-tip sandwich prepared by Jonathan's chef and event organizer Jason Collis.

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