By Tom Fontana
Correspondent

“I’m a Bingo dummy!”

With that humble clarification, semi-professional Bingo caller Rick Ainey of New Milford opened the ‘Super Bingo’ competition at Blue Ridge School on Saturday, April 26.

But as Ainey proceeded, he succeeded in making ‘Super Bingo’ a Bingo bonanza for the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging,’ for which Ainey serves on the board of directors. He also made the afternoon lots of fun for about 50 devoted daubers who attended the fundraiser.

“Not after, but…B-4!” he playfully called out, as Bingo numbers were flashed on a wall screen, controlled by a computerized Bingo program.

The Area Agency on Aging that sponsored the event serves the needs of senior citizens in four counties – Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga – providing centers where friends can gather for a lunch meal, socializing, field trips, and informative speakers. The Agency also supplies home delivered meals to those who are unable to come to one of the centers. Assistance with a variety of other needs is also available.

To pay for these services, the Agency relies on some government aid, but also holds fundraisers throughout the year. This ‘Super Bingo’ was a first for the Agency.

The day began around 11 a.m., when Bingo players arrived in the school cafeteria to enjoy a lunch of hot dogs, wimpies, snacks and drinks at a minimal cost, prepared and served by Agency volunteers, many who also work as managers of senior centers during the week.

Bingo players purchased blank Bingo cards during that time as well, found their seats, displayed their good luck tokens, and lined up their daubers.

Daubers (for true Bingo dummies) are small bottles each containing a different color ink. Tipping the bottle, Bingo players touch the sponge top to the square on their Bingo card where a number exists corresponding with the Bingo caller’s call. The dauber leaves a colored mark in the square.

When a row of squares – vertical, horizontal, diagonal, L-shaped, or other configurations – is accomplished, the player earns the privilege of waving their hand in the air and yelling, “BINGO!!” (This can often elicit annoyed glances from other players…so you better have thick skin to be a Bingo player.)

Ainey called the first number at 1 p.m., and for the next three hours, daubers vigorously daubed; wimpies were tastily consumed; and cash prizes were seriously pursued.

‘Super Bingo’ players came in a variety of ages, genders, relations – woman and men, youngsters and grandmothers, wives, husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends.

Scarlett Vatalfamo, 12, a 7th-grade student at Mountain View Jr. Sr. High School, brought her grandmother, Claire Guyer of New Milford – both expert daubers.

When Ainey announced that for the next Bingo game daubed spaces on a card would have to form an “L” to win, Don Ritner of New Milford huffed.
“That’s just so we use more ink so they can sell more daubers,” Don chuckled.

A real big winner – and real long game – was getting a full card: every square on one Bingo card marked with a colored daub (talk about using a lot of ink!)

BINGO!! The prize went to Juanita Luce of New Milford. She held her full card high in the air, with a big proud Bingo smile on her face; then she collected her prize money.

There were a number of cash prizes in various amounts, depending on the level of challenge of the game being played. Many of the prizes were donated by area businesses or individuals, and by the members of several senior centers.

“Super Bingo was a huge success,” stated B/S/S/T director William Farley. “Everybody seemed to have a great time, and for a great cause. The Area Agency on Aging wants to thank all the Bingo players, Rick Ainey, the many volunteers who made the day possible, and all of those who made generous donations.”