For Erika Luongo, the sweetest part of living in Hershey isn't the chocolate—it’s the tight-knit community. Ten years ago, Erika moved to town with her husband, Paul, and their three children: Maddie, now 17, Eli, 15, and Nolan, 9. That first summer, they arrived knowing only three people. However, Erika quickly discovered just how connected and supportive her new hometown could be. Whether bumping into familiar faces from her kids' sports teams at the local pool or collaborating with colleagues, the collaborative spirit of Hershey’s families, schools, and organizations immediately felt like home. 

     Though she settled into the neighborhood quickly, there was one local tradition Erika spent years admiring from the sidelines: the historic bocce league at the Hershey Italian Lodge. Established in 1920, the Lodge has been a cornerstone of the community for over a century, and its legendary bocce league is said by competitors to have been rolling nearly as long. 

     The spark to finally join the tradition arrived during a milestone family celebration. When Erika's husband achieved a military promotion this past year, the family hosted a celebration in the basement lounge of the Hershey Italian Lodge. During the party, one of Paul’s coworkers threw out a challenge: it was time for Erika to finally assemble her own bocce crew. 

     Erika didn't hesitate. She rallied a dynamic group of 10 other women—bringing the total roster to 11 players. The group is a lively mix of her own coworkers, neighborhood friends, and her husband's colleagues who have become close friends over the years. 

     Playing one night a week from May to September, the team needs four players to step onto the court each week. Balancing the schedule is a team sport in itself. The 11 women are all moms, spouses, workers of many jobs, travelers, and caretakers. Having a large roster is exactly what allows them to successfully balance the demands of work, life, family, and bocce. 

     With so many busy schedules to juggle, the strategy has worked beautifully. They managed to find enough players almost every single week of the season—with the exception of just one tough week where they couldn't field a squad of four and had to forfeit. But for Erika and her teammates, the season is a massive win, proving that with a supportive community, you can always find time for fun, friendship, and a little local tradition.