By Susie Heller
Last week I sat in on the bingo games, which are on the first Monday and third Thursday of each month after lunch. It was fun and intense.
Each person is given two free bingo cards. We roll the vintage bingo cage and out pop little marked balls. The numbers are called, and the lucky card-holders cover the spots until someone yells “bingo.” Tension mounts, all are silent, concentration is fierce and that is just for the cage roller/caller.
Ann and I were in tutelage to learn this fascinating trade. After players left, we endured a grueling three-hour lecture and exam on the proper spelling of “bingo” and how to turn the handle on the cage without shooting frantic little balls across the room. After much gnashing of teeth and fingernail-biting, we passed the test! We now can be bingo callers. But back to the game.
The Senior Center provides the cards and each winner of the nine games receives $5. The 10th game winner received a whopping $10. Thirteen players concentrated on their cards in hopes of winning all or part of the purse. We had three players go home with $10 each. What fun. I tried to make a few jokes, like calling “B nice,” only to find that this is a fierce, no-nonsense game.
Saturday (May 24) is the culmination of all the hard work on the Western Sale. Festivities start at 7 a.m. with the Cowboy Breakfast gastronomical extravaganza: $8 for adults and $5 for those under 12. We’re talkin’ about a serious amount of food here.
At 8 a.m. the doors open for shoppers in the Western Boutique rooms. The silent auction also begins at that time, closing at noon. So you best mark your calendar for some fun, food and great sale items. See you there!
Senior menu
Thursday, May 22: Sloppy Joes, mixed vegetables, garden salad, apple crisp.
Friday, May 23: Lemon-baked fish, oven-browned potatoes, glazed carrots, coleslaw, peaches, cornbread, Jell-O with topping.
Monday, May 26: Closed for Memorial Day.
Thursday, May 29: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli, garden salad, Waldorf salad, whole wheat roll, frosted cake.
Friday, May 30: Yankee pot roast, baby red potatoes, green beans, cucumber and tomato salad, blueberries, whole wheat roll or bread, ice cream.
Meals are at noon in the Methow Valley Senior Center on Highway 20 in Twisp. The suggested donation is $3.25 for seniors over age 60; cost is $8 for those under 60. For more information, call 997-7722.
