Another Bingo “Go-Getter” Event at the Isles of Capri Community Center

One of the things (among other positive things) that the Isles of Capri community is known for is their love of having fun. One of the many opportunities offered is a Wednesday Bingo outing once a month during season for any Caprier that wants to participate or bring a guest. The December 15th Bingo Night was no exception, and the crowd was enthusiastic, purchasing and preparing their cards and counting the minutes to the up-coming games with the hope of being a winner of cash and/or gift cards to local restaurants.

Let the games begin! Bingo cards paid for, seats secured, greetings to neighbors and friends and Bingo caller, President Joyce Beatty, was smiling and ready to start the games with microphone in hand. Bingo sheets were laid out according to color and ink daubers were poised to cover the numbers as they were called. I was a little late due to another meeting in Naples, but my friend Nancy Devolder shared a dauber with me and we chatted between games.

Groans and cheers were abundant as the games progressed, especially the cheers when the final “Bingo” was called at the end of each round. The fun-loving losers commiserated amongst themselves and rallied their new Bingo cards for the next round, ever optimistic about the potential of winning in the next round.

Luckily, there were breaks for food from the kitchen including hot dogs, soft drinks, popcorn, cookies, crackers for $1.00 each and some lovely cupcakes that were donated and passed out at each table near the end of the games. One of the participants who works during the week said, “I love having a game during the week on Wednesday, no cooking and dollar hot dogs and the fun and laughter is a stress release for those of us still working.” The comradery between residents is palpable as they tease back and forth about their wins or losses. No one boos the winners, it’s all in good fun.

As the games progress, the challenges increase until the last and final game. This game involves five separate five-by-five games with all 25 squares covered before Bingo is claimed. Not just this mega-payout, but all Bingo wins are verified before prizes are given. The “winning” card is compared to the Bingo balls that are drawn and waiting for the final scrutiny.

And, because the last mega-game is the biggest and therefore the most lucrative, the usual chatter in the room decreases notably from a boisterous, fun-loving level to a more concentrative level with low murmurs and not the usual talkative chatter.

“Shhhhh,” players remind each other good-naturedly. No one wants to miss a single number, the winnings could be in the hundreds of dollars! The numbers are called and the tension builds. Everyone is concentrating on their Bingo cards, daubing the squares religiously and ignoring side talk. Groans or begging are aimed toward President Beatty to pick their specific numbers to fulfill the completed cards and win BIG money. Alas. Not all can win and that reality is good-natured when there’s finally a B-I-N-G-O and the game ends.

After a certain number of Bingo balls are drawn in the last big game, the money declines to a lesser amount. Okay, so none of us sitting in close proximity to the winner won the big money and we didn’t win the lesser one either. But win or lose, the reality is that this is a fun way to spend an evening with like-minded, Bingo-fun lovers who are good sports and enjoy being with neighbors that they know or want to know better. Here’s to the Capri Community, Inc. for all the positive activities!