Guests arriving at St. Mary’s Home for its inaugural Trivia Contest were warmly greeted at the check-in table by Dan and Theresa Berger. After receiving their pre-printed name badges, they entered the bright and cheery auditorium were tables were decked out with bright red tablecloths, baskets of delicious home-made corn muffins, and colorful alstromeria flower centerpieces thanks to Lay Advisory Board member Linda Ealy.
White-draped tables elegantly lined the back of the room, where folks could easily get their beverages, snacks, salads, chili and “fix’ns,” and desserts. There were three kinds of chili – Residents’ families made the vegan and turkey ones and the Sisters made the traditional one. All were mouthwatering! Mother Patricia and Sr. Michael made sure everyone’s bowls were bottomless. The dessert table was stocked with the Little Sister’s brownies and sugar cookies to aid our “concentration.”
While “triviers” made their way from the food tables back to their own, the crucial decision of picking a team name became paramount. And folks came up with some pretty creative ones. Resident Frances Villa’s family chose “Los Lobos,” and Tom and Linda Ealy’s table reflected the theme of the evening by calling themselves “Trivial Matters.”
Sr. Lucille along with Sr. Mary Ann and Lay Advisory Board members Joe and Sue Castro were hoping to spread some fear in the room with their team’s moniker “The Illuminati;” while Sr. Mildred, Sr. Patricia Gertrude, Sr. Carolyn, Sr. Ann, and Sr. Mary’s, team which included Residents Ralph Doffin and Bob Gantner called themselves “The Holy Rollers” to up the ante.
Things really got going when MC Rex Albright took the stage delivering the warm-up jokes. Then he explained the rules, announced everyone’s table names and themes for each round. As each round concluded, the competition continued to build so by the end of the evening, everyone was animated and loud cheers and laughter were heard throughout the halls.
After scores were tallied and results read, the big winners of the night were Restorative Nurse Ann King’s team with the best score; the best name went to the Sisters’ Holy Rollers team; and the consolation prize went to The Illuminati. Resident Shirley Amft’s family friend Teresa Connelly, who won the 50/50 raffle, generously donated her winnings to the Little Sisters.
The next evening during Sunday dinner in the main dining room, everyone was talking about the event. Some of us wished there had been more rounds because once you start your brain thinking, it is hard to stop! The volunteers, staff, and Resident family members who weren’t able to attend realized they had missed a spectacular evening promising to attend the next one for sure. Some of us are hoping that there will be another one before next year – you never know.
Was it fun? No Question! … St. Mary’s Home first Trivia Night