I was the caller at Monday night Bingo this week. As I was calling off numbers and waiting for a lucky winner to yell out, I thought about the 130+ players in the audience. It's time to write a story about the Bingo game we hold each week.
Palm Creek bingo started back around 1999 when Flo Fillipi started the program. Flo has been the "go to" person ever since. She says she has now retired from the program but we still see her every Monday when we set up for the game and she still actively lines up the working volunteers. Thank you, Flo, from the hundreds of people you have entertained over the years.
P.S. Flo will celebrate her 93rd birthday this coming Monday.
Supervision has now shifted to Barbara Nelson. She does the financial reporting to the state of Arizona and keeps records of winners and jackpots. Bingo is a hidden network of volunteers. Barb is another behind the scenes worker who is there every Monday afternoon to oversee the set up of tables and chairs.
We have over 130 players every Monday. This number will definitely increase in January and full season.
Imagine setting up all these tables and chairs!
Set up starts at 3:00 in the afternoon with a volunteer staff of about 3-4 people. As a little thank you to the set up crew, they receive a small gift certificate from one of the local restaurants...all paid for from bingo funds.
There are three different groups that are "hired" to put away tables and chairs after each game. The duty rotates between softball, tennis, and the woodshop. Their volunteers show up around 9:00 pm to put away the chairs and tables after the game. Activities has now scheduled the Tuesday morning coffee in the ballroom so the teams are lucky and their duties have gotten a lot easier since they don't have to put away the furniture. In turn for their work, their club receives $100 each night they are on duty. (All paid from bingo funds.)
Pat Stone from Michigan won the final black out game this week.
Congratulations! 😀
***********
Speaking of fun events, don't forget the Christmas golf cart parade scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, Dec 17 at 5:00). Parade starts by Palm Park and will probably make a round of Cole Circle. Be outside to cheer as they pass by! Joy and I will be riding our scooters!
Activities is also having a photo session on Friday where you can stop by the ballroom anytime from 10 till 2:00 and have a holiday photo taken to share with your loved ones, friends or neighbors. Bring your cell phone or they will have one available.
Continuing with the holiday spirit, the Palm Creek Chorus will be doing some neighborhood caroling on Sunday, Dec 19.
4:00 at pavilion by the sports pool
4:30 at pavilion at the tennis courts
5:00 at Palm Park
Come and share the gift of song!!
It's a busy couple days as Saturday is another patio sale. Pick up a map of sites at the Activities office after 1:00. It makes it easier to shop if you have a map.
