The odds this year worked perfectly. With a semi-decent car at my disposal and in-between jobs, there was no scheduling conflict this year: I just finished four days of full duty at the church festival calling bingo yesterday.
It's amazing in a church community that people don't forget who you are, even if you're not there in the twelve months between festivals. Why the general community as a whole can't share this friendliness is beyond me, but since there is a huge church vs. state thing as we all know, I won't plunge into an argument.
Training for callers was on Thursday. Everyone who tried did well. Bingo chair Rachelle said I didn't need to go up there to prove my worth, so I didn't even have to try out.
Unfortunately, bingo was not too well attended this year, which has been a problem. Even with the added hour from 1-2 PM, it didn't make much of a difference in the bottom line. Going as a spectator in the early 1980s, when they still allowed kids to sit at the tables and at least play with the chips, I recall $100 first prizes on coveralls by nighttime. This year, the highest amount I remember was $60. Still, it got oooos and ahhhhs from the audience. What's happened to the value of the dollar anyway?
Oh yeah... see "US Economy" on google for more...
Only one real "incident" in the three days I called... someone shouted out "bingo" at the wrong time, and I was quick to catch it. Even Rachelle told me later she would never have caught that. The rule is, when you get bingo, you have to shout it out before the next number is called. Otherwise, it's the "you snooze, you lose" mantra. Maybe because it took place on church grounds, the ruling was accepted without any further problems... nice to see when we look at the lack of tolerance in today's society.
Aunt Lori made it down there and we had lunch in the entertainment tent. She was not happy at all with me losing the airport job, and it took ten minutes of explanation to calm her down. She's just worried about my welfare, but I told her things would take care of themselves.
Over the years, musical bands that play there have received tepid audience reaction. Especially since the Polish bands have become scarce (I'm sorry; when I think "festival" I think of Polish bands), nobody gets a standing ovation anymore. I heard a great ovation for the group today and I said "man, I haven't seen a group get this much support since the Polka Towners of the 1980s." Turns out, under a different banner, these WERE the Polka Towners of old. In the 80s when they played, they were very festive. EVERYONE stopped at that tent at the close of the festival to watch them play "God Bless America", followed by a strobe-light show. And I mean EVERYONE attended. How nice to see them back, with the audience enthused like they used to be. They set a standard for that festival that is still there today. They even have small clips of their playing on YouTube, and they have a website devoted to their history here.
Unfortunately, my troublesome hip took the joy out of my final day there, which I had to cut short. But still, a very good four days. And the car chipped in with cooperation too! Can't ask for much more.
And plans are in the works for me, Jenni and the kids to go to Elizabeth Park in Trenton this coming weekend. I've finally understood the need to convert from "all work and no play", a challenge I am accepting with relish!
