Having three young children at home, quite often my wife and I find ourselves left without much time for just the two of us; but Jenn decided she'd 'treat' me on Sunday night and so I got a taste of a particular culture in Yorkton I haven't experienced in my nine years of living here: the Bingo world. I'm serious. Jenn volunteered to work one night a couple of weeks ago in relation to one of our child's extra curricular activities (a means to reduced registration fees) and she came home with a bright idea that this may make for a pretty good date night.
Well, I can't say I shared the same enthusiasm, but I'm a heck of a husband and so off to the Bingo Hall we go. I was completely clueless to everything 'Bingo', that includes everything from how to play the game right down to Bingo Etiquette.
The evening started with a quick education on how each game was going to be played and from there the Bingo Caller (not even sure if that's the right term to use for the guy who barks out all the numbers) starts into his shtick. The first game was a 25-dollar pot for making any straight line. Guess what? I win. I not only win, but I call out "Bingo" with a great deal of energy and my wife responds with "Shhhh, don't make a fool of yourself." Then she realizes I actually have a Bingo and date night just got a little better. Turns out, because it was the first game of the night, I am declared 'King' for the rest of the evening and the number (N45) that was called resulting in my 'Bingo' is now my own special number. For the rest of the night, every time that number is called, I get an extra $5. By the end of the evening, I was sitting on $85 and one of the ladies working remarks, "That's the most I've ever seen the King get."A few things to keep in mind if you are headed out to try this game: some people take this very seriously. I saw a few who have special bags for the bingo dabber and some bring along good luck charms in hopes that it helps fill up their card a little quicker. Honestly, not a bad night out, especially if you are looking for something to do with your parents or grandparents.
The best news I've heard in quite some time came via Kim Decker on Friday afternoon when she revealed Luke Boechler has received a 10/10 match for a bone marrow transplant. I'm not sure how much else can be said publicly, so I'll leave it at that.
The weekend of June 11th and 12th is approaching fast. The date is circled on my calendar because it marks my first foray into the world of Performing Arts. Free My Muse's mainstage production is called The Garage Sale and I am in two of the six scenes. In one, I play the dumbest bank robber ever. In another, I play a father who has trouble controlling his two girls while he's trolling for rookie sports cards. I have tickets if you want to go to the show.
Email me at [email protected] for more information. Since most of this column is about 'a different type of date night', then I would highly suggest this production if you are part of a couple looking to spice things up with something other than 'the usual'.
Speeding continues to be a target for police in Yorkton. I think it's great to clamp down on offenders, but I wonder why the need to set up on the highway heading south just past King Street? Is it because this is a major problem area, or is it because you are more likely to catch people not paying attention due to the fact the speed limit goes from 100 to 70 to 50 in a relative short distance? The next time 4-5 cruisers are out busting these speeders, may I recommend using my driveway on Circlebrooke Drive instead? There is no speed limit change, but there are plenty of offenders ready to be caught.
This week's nice person list: Lynel Martinuk, Penny Sandercock, Craig Stein (congrats on the new arrival), Brendan McGuire, and Chelsea Wilson.
