THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608280165
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 116 lines
Frances Vick was sharing a relative-filled table.
``I came here to be with my family,'' she said. ``I'm not a gambler.''
Huh? Four times this night, she shouted ``BINGO!''
``I broke two mowers this week,'' she said. ``Something good had to happen.''
After winning more than $100, what did the ``non-gambler'' plan to do with her winnings? ``I'm gonna buy some lottery tickets.''
Not everyone was so lucky. I bought $20 worth of cards and couldn't even win a candy bar. Consolation: It's for a very good cause.
``Every penny raised goes to the rescue squad,'' said Connie Killian, a paramedic who is treasurer of the board of directors, and the individual responsible for the weekly bingo. The games bring in from $34,000 to $37,000 a year, but ``We still have to have other fund-raising activities,'' she said.
The squad has been sponsoring bingo for 23 years.
Luther Alston has been the only caller.
``You can count the number of nights I missed on your fingers,'' he said. ``I'm a charter member of the squad. I feel it's my duty to continue as caller.''
As Alston calls, about 60 people check their cards. If the jackpot is low, the crowds decrease; if high, they increase.
``We usually have the same people. They're so loyal. It's like a family,'' Killian said. ``Often, some of the players bring homemade food for us to sell.''
Tommy Jenkins of Rescue had his food ready. He was chomping on popcorn. On the table were a bag of cookies and candy he brought from home, goodies to add to the food and drink on sale.
``I've been playing about two years. This gets me out of the house once a week,'' Jenkins said. ``You lose more than you win, but I enjoy the atmosphere and the people.''
The players have to be over 18, a July 1 ruling by the State Gaming Commission.
Before that, children were part of the scene, and before you gasp at the thought of little ones playing bingo, listen to the words of Kay Williams of Chesapeake:
``I've been playing for 20 years. My daughter is 24. In other words, I started when she was just beginning school. Bingo taught her hand to eye coordination, and working with numbers. Now, she has an accounting degree.''
You learn something else from bingo - look, listen, respond.
The game's vets have that down pat. This rookie sweated through some of the games, getting by, thanks to the help of two veteran players sitting near me, keeping an eye on my cards.
The roughest games are the two quickies. Alston does not announce the letters, only the numbers, and he rattles them off swiftly.
``Bingo,'' he said, ``was simpler in the old days.''
Those were the days when you had to fill a line or a card. No sweat.
They still play those games, but some of the others seem like the creations of a demented mind. Some begin with the call of two to four numbers, the last number of each being declared as free as the middle square. For instance, if Alston calls ``B 13'' all numbers ending in three are wild.
Then, the game goes into high gear. There are games you win by making an L, H or X; there are the double postage stamps, good on any corner of the card; there is a kite with a tail.
The secret of success is to mark your cards prior to each game. If it's the ``L'' game, for instance, mark the card to make it look like that letter. Then, when the game is called, it is easier to handle.
Some people feel it is easier to get through the night if they are in the right place and have the right gimmicks.
``If we re-arrange the tables, some players get upset,'' Killian said. ``Many players have good luck charms.''
Recently, they included trolls and elephants, cigarette lighters and four-leaf clovers.
Something else the players bring are bingo bags. They are filled with those good luck pieces, daubers to mark the cards, food and wallets.
When the wallets are emptied, the bag is filled with used bingo cards - which brings us to this advice from Williams: ``Don't play if you can't afford it.''
If you can afford to play, here is what you might win. Might.
The jackpot game, last of the evening, could go up to $1,000. Other games are usually about $35. One game can net you $25 and 25 lottery tickets.
Players spend $6 at the start for enough cards for a dozen games, four cards per game. Each special game cost an extra dollar.
The old hands can play 12 or more cards at the same time while chatting about broken marriages, unruly children, television programs and tomorrow's dinner.
I had to use every inch of concentration per game. A fat lot of good it did. I joined the majority of the people who, following each game moaned, groaned, sighed, grunted.
But, there is always that other sound, the one you hear when a card is filled, the Tarzan-like cry of ``BINGO!'' ILLUSTRATION: ON THE COVER
Maxine Ward is the picture of concentration as the lighted board in
the background reflects the bingo numbers called. Staff photo by
Michael Kestner.
A bingo player brought along friendly little trolls for good luck.
Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Jay Matthews, 7, and his mother, Bene Matthews, carefully watch the
bingo board for the numbers to come up making her a winner.
Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Players fill in their cards as the bingo board flashes numbers.
Though the room at the Bennett's Creek Rescue Squad building is
rarely filled, some residents attend faithfully.
Bill Glasglow, who sells tickets and cards, checks for a winning
card.
AT A GLANCE
What: Wednesday Night Bingo
When: Packages on sale, 6 p.m.; game time, 7 p.m., usually until
10 p.m.
Where: Bennett's Creek Area Rescue Squad building, U.S. 17.
Call: 484-7888. by CNB