NOVEMBER SENIOR BINGO UPDATE

Almost fifty participants were present at the CUYB November Senior Bingo, held at the Community Unlimited building on November 21. Sharon Smith, Janice Vosburg, and Glee Majors celebrated birthdays, and Sally Swartout celebrated her wedding anniversary, with cakes and song. A surprise birthday celebration was held for Bingo Caller Terry Binion, marking his 18^th birthday on November 6^th. Players were treated to his rendition of “The Zippedee Birthday Song” and treated him to a slew of cards, including one depicting a year’s worth of photos of Terry from previous bingos, signed by all the attendees.

A “blind auction” was held, with Hazel Bowerman winning with a bid of $105 Bingo Bucks. Her prize was $110 Bingo Bucks.

A special guest at the lunch break was Cindy Fox, of Jack’s Grocery. She came in to kindly accept a large thank-you card that had been signed by players and CU members, in appreciation of Jack’s donation of monthly food for the games. Cindy also had a November birthday, so was given a birthday cupcake also.

Julie Dibert, Project Director for Community Unlimited, also spoke with the players about current activities and the need for financial assistance. Explaining about the Endowment Fund and the newest project the Backpack Food Program, she encouraged those that are able, to continue their contributions. She also thanked everyone for their faithful support during the previous year, and looked forward to next year’s bingo games being as well-attended.

Thank You Jack's Grocery!

The November Senior Bingo had a special visitor at lunch break.






Cindy Fox, of Jack's Grocery in Union City,
stopped by to accept a thank-you card from everyone for Jacks' generous donation of food for each month's bingo games.




As Cindy had celebrated her birthday earlier that month, she was also treated to a birthday cupcake.















King Junior made sure that Cindy received a royal hug before she left!

August Senior Bingo News from Community Unlimited

Four new players joined the fun this month at Senior Bingo, sponsored by Youth Board of Community Unlimited. August 22 marked the first year anniversary of the games being held monthly, and just fewer than fifty seniors gathered to celebrate.

It was a very busy day, as players not only voted for “Senior Bingo King and Queen” (results to be announced September 19 at the next gathering), but they also donated 126 items of food for the local food pantry in Union City. The August party theme was “Vacations,” and everyone that brought in a souvenir from their vacation received a Bingo Buck. Decorations included two wall-size world maps, souvenir cups and glasses, and placemats made from state maps culled from an atlas. One player serendipitously got the section of the Michigan map that contained the city where his mother used to live. Another player gifted advisor Paula Blue with a picture postcard from Paula’s home state.

Advisor Ginger Palmerton helped YB members Jeremiah King and Tabitha Logan keep players supplied with snacks and drinks, as well as handing out Bingo Bucks to the happy winners. Carolyn Smeltzer assisted in the kitchen, keeping the coffee hot and the ice cream cold (and keeping the workers from indulging in too much of the ice cream!).

YB member Terry Binion, between calling numbers for the games, spoke to the assembly regarding funding for future games. The Youth Board plans to give presentations to local boards and companies in a search for corporate sponsorship. Players Renita Halbieb, Ruth Edwards, Martha Wilcox and Carol Adams were the first to volunteer to attend the presentations as representatives of the players, to share first-hand expressions of their appreciation for the monthly activities.

During the lunch break, seven people celebrated August birthdays with cupcakes, songs and photos. Enjoying the attention (and extra Bingo Bucks!) were Ruth Waite, Renita Halbieb, Mary Perry, Jeanette Stevens, Carol Adams, Donna Lou Lepper, and Don Edwards.

The Youth Board would like to extend a hale and hearty “THANK YOU!” to Pastor Karen Nachtigall for making the fellowship hall available to the seniors while the Wesleyan Church undergoes renovation on their hall. The next monthly game will be on Saturday, September 19 from 1-4 pm at the First Congregational Church in Union City (the one with the cannon). Be sure to join the fun and learn who the new Bingo Queen and Bingo King will be! New players and those with September birthdays will receive extra Bingo Bucks. The themes for September are “Coronation” and “Back to School/Hom

Publish Post

ecoming;” wear your Union City Varsity coat for extra Bingo Bucks!

MAY SENIOR BINGO WITH COMMUNITY UNLIMITED

MAY SENIOR BINGO WITH COMMUNITY UNLIMITED

Saturday, May 30th, found approximately fifty people having the Fiesta of a Lifetime at the Fellowship Hall of Union City’s Wesleyan Church. Community Unlimited’s Youth Board hosted its monthly Senior Bingo with a multiple theme of Mother’s Day (with corsages for the ladies), May Day, and Cinco de Mayo. Calhoun County Office of Senior Services contributed magnifiers for the players, which were very popular with everyone.
After three hours of swinging at the parrot piñata, it looked like the Baseball Hall of Fame wouldn’t be getting new members anytime soon. But after removing the hidden interior brace, a little more damage was done, and many players won candy and Bingo Bucks as they spilled from the cardboard bird. No eggs were laid by the parrot in the process.

Nellie Bennett, Junior Edwards, and George Wrigglesworth, Sr. celebrated May birthdays, enjoying cupcakes, candles, and extra Bingo Bucks, as well as the choral rendition of “Happy Birthday” crooned by their peers.

Due to the renovation of the Wesleyan Fellowship Hall, the next Bingo game will be held on Saturday, June 27 at the First Congregational Church (yes, that’s the one with the cannon). Games begin at one o’clock; be sure to be on time as the theme is Hawaiian Luau. Will Terry wear a grass skirt? Will Drew do the Hula? Join us for Bingo and find out!

SENIOR COURT CHOSEN!

Nearly fifty senior bingo players were treated to a surprise this month at the First Congregational Church, when it was announced that they would be voting for a Bingo King and Bingo Queen.

“Since this group is practically a family, we felt that there should be a family leader,” Terry Binion told the assembly. Sealed envelopes were distributed to players with Bingo Bucks, with eight random envelopes containing a $5 Bingo Buck. Recipients were Junior Edwards, Al Wilcox, Harold Connin, Howard Streeter, Ruth Booth, Ruth Edwards, Fern Jones, and Donna Lou Lepper, comprising the first annual Bingo Court.

Tickets were then handed out to each player to cast their vote for King and Queen. Results were tallied after the games, with the results to be announced at the next monthly bingo meeting on Saturday, September 19 at the Congregational Church. A fun-filled coronation ceremony is planned, so be sure to join the fun beginning at 1pm!

July Senior Bingo

Saturday, July 18th marked another successful Senior Bingo for Community Unlimited. The events (which have been occurring regularly for almost a year now) provide an enjoyable opportunity for the community's seniors to get together and socialize. However, due to the dedication and creativity of CU's Youth Board members, they've grown to be much more than that, with concepts such as "Bingo Bucks" (imitation money printed by the Youth Board and won through the game, then traded for prizes), themes (examples include Hawaiian luau, May Day/Cinco de Mayo, and Easter), and recognition of birthdays and anniversaries for any of the seniors during that month.

This weekend's event was no exception; the room at the hosting Congregational Church was decorated in accordance with the month's theme of Independence Day (there was also a cake assembled to resemble the flag). Aside from the elaborate additions, the activity on its own is a worthwhile event, with the vast personalities emerging and flourishing in the community (as well as playfully competitive) atmosphere. It was led by the regular caller, Youth Board secretary Terrance Binion, with several other Youth Board members helping out by pouring coffee, writing down the numbers, and handing out the Bingo Bucks to the winners.

Terry Binion said, "I love the look on people's faces when they get a bingo. Everyone has their own 'winning face.'" He also added that people have "their own disappointed face...when I tell them to clear their cards." With games running the gamut from straight bingo to “X Marks the Spot,” “T for Terrific,” “I for Independence,” and Cover-all, Terry gets to see plenty examples of both throughout the afternoon. And of course the happy faces when lunch break is announced, and the line forms for the ice cream floats and other delicious snacks!

Next month's bingo will take place Saturday, August 22 at the Congregational Church, from 1 to 4 PM. There is a combined theme of Birthday Party (celebrating the one-year anniversary of the bingo) and Getaway Vacation. Anyone bringing in a relic of one of their previous vacations (pictures, souvenirs, etc.) will automatically receive an extra Bingo Buck. Players may also earn extra Bingo Bucks by bringing in 2 non-perishable food items for the Congregational Church’s food drive (one Bingo Buck for each two items) that day.

Aloha from Youth Board Bingo!

Aloha from Youth Board Bingo!

First Congregational Church was the host for Community Unlimited Youth Board’s June Senior Bingo on Saturday, June 27. Twenty-nine players celebrated with a Hawaiian Luau, complete with music and grass skirts.

Ginger Palmerton returned to help Paula Blue lead the Youth Board kids in setting up the Bingo Bucks store, decorating the fellowship hall, and running the games. Terry Binion was assisted with calling numbers by his best friend and baby brother, Justyn Kalvin Richard Costigan. Devin Snyder and Matt Miller greeted players at the door with festive leis; and Carolyn Smeltzer helped in the kitchen with keeping the Kona coffee, a specialty Hawaiian blend, hot and ready for the players.

Judy Carpenter was the only June birthday, celebrating her twenty-first birthday again. Player Betty Baylis donated a slew of “M&M Candy – Man’s Survival Kit” packets for the edification of stress relief through chocolate. A small net bag of six different color M&M® Candies, accompanied by directions for each color (“at the first sign that your wife is mad, eat the red one”) were given to each player. Many laughs were shared as directions were read and candies eaten.

Lunch Luau included Hawaiian Punch (of course), Hawaiian Fruit and Meat Skewers, Hawaiian Fruit Salad, and cupcakes decorated with festive Hawaiian-colored coconut shreds. Hawaiian music filled the air and Paula entertained with her hula dance in a purple flowered muumuu. The teens, in their imitation grass skirts, to everyone’s disappointment declined to hula dance.

Next month’s bingo is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at the Congregational Church from 1-4 PM. The party theme will be a traditional Independence Day. Be sure to join in for an “explosive” good time! Call Paula Blue at 517-765-2740 to confirm date and time, and be ready to “sparkle” with fun!

SENIOR BINGO APRIL 2009!!!

The doors of the Wesleyan Church Fellowship Hall opened at 9 AM on Saturday, April 25, as over a dozen CUYB members and volunteers began the daunting task of setting up the April Senior Bingo Games.

While adult volunteers began cooking an early lunch for the kids working, the 27 “kid-hours” began. Setting up tables and chairs for fifty players, hauling in huge Rubbermaid totes of decorations and prizes were the first jobs. Sixteen tables later, the real work started. Decorating the tables, setting up the refreshment table and Bingo equipment, organizing the sign-in station, and unpacking and displaying literally hundreds of Bingo Bucks Store prizes gave everyone just enough time to sit down and enjoy chips and “Grandma Blue’s” sloppy joes before the first players began to arrive.

Then the fun really began. Making sure that everyone signed in and got their newsletter and Easter candy bag were Youth Board members Drew Dinsmoor and Allison Jackson. They also made sure that everyone got their pick from the big basket of crocheted Easter baskets, filled with candy and handmade Easter pins, made by members of the Community Unlimited Purls of Wisdom knitting and crocheting club Betty Baylis and Lyn McRae.

After an hour and a half of fast-paced Bingo fun, the snack break was announced and the thirty-nine players quickly lined up to get ice cream and a slice of Bunny Cake. During this time, Glee Majors won an extra Bingo Buck by getting the caller, Terry Binion, to say “the secret word” picked earlier (“shadow”). A rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” was enjoyed by Betty Baylis, Fred Garnsay, Carly Kever, Ginger Palmerton, Joanne Shook and Doreen Wart as they received their birthday cupcakes.

When the games finally ended and the large group of very happy and satisfied players slowly filed out, the work of cleanup began. Tables were taken down and returned to storage, chairs folded, floors swept, trash emptied, kitchen cleaned, decorations packed, and Bingo Bucks Store was packed up to be returned to the Community Center until next month’s festivities. The tentative date for May Bingo is May 23 at the Wesleyan Church in Union City; the multi-theme will be May Day, Mother’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo. Be sure to watch your local paper and for flyers for the confirmed date and place, or call Paula Blue at 517-765-2740 or Ginger Palmerton at 517-741-7972 to reserve a spot ahead of time. New players are always welcome!`

Community Unlimited is a nonprofit organization funded in part by Michigan Department of Education 21^st Century Learning Centers; Community Foundation Alliance of Calhoun County; Branch County United Way; United Way of Greater Battle Creek; and receives in-kind support from Union City Schools and the Village of Union City. Donations are tax-deductible.

Betty Baylis, Fred Garnsay, Carly Kever, Ginger Palmerton, Joanne Shook and Doreen Wart celebrated April birthdays.

Senior Bingo, March 2009

More than 40 seniors filled the Fellowship Hall at the Union City Wesleyan Church for CUYB’s monthly Senior Bingo, on Saturday, March 14. Youth Board members and members of the National Honor Society spent over three hours setting up for the games and the Bingo Bucks Store, plus three hours running the games, and two hours cleaning up afterward.

Charlotte Smith, bingo player, stated “I think all of us agree that these kids do a really nice job, it’s a really nice time, and I just can’t say enough praise for them. You always hear about the bad kids, but never the good kids. I think that because these kids are taking time out of their Saturday, instead of doing the things that normal teenagers do, I’m telling you they are wonderful!” Corky Ackerman added, “I agree with Charlotte. These kids do a great job, and there is really a lot of talent here; they are really personable, and entertaining.” Loretta Hoskins believes, “these kids don’t get enough credit for what they do.” Player Joanne Shook summed it up succinctly: “These are the best kids in town!”

Youth Board Secretary Terry Binion extended thanks to Mary Perry, for printing more Bingo Bucks, and Advisor Paula Blue wishes to give a BIG thank you to everyone who has contributed donations for the Bingo Bucks Store. Many beautiful hand-crafted items have been donated (and very quickly sold!), and each month brings new surprises.

Each player received a crocheted “pot of gold” from Drew the Leprechaun, with a shamrock pin in each one. Loretta Hoskins, Shirley Brand, and Joanne Shook were lucky winners with four-leaf clovers and (crocheted) gold coins. Mae Louise Brimmer was the big winner, as she was not only the single March “Birthday Baby”, but also the finder of a purple shamrock in her “pot of gold”!

The next Senior Bingo will be themed “Easter,” and there will be many more surprises in store for players. So join the fun, and join the Senior Bingo!

January 2009 Senior Bingo

The Wesleyan Church Fellowship Hall was packed with avid Bingo players on Saturday, January 24 as the Community Unlimited Youth Board entertained 40 people with games, snacks, and lots of fun, with help from members of the National Honor Society. Terry Binion, Allison Jackson, Andrew Hedgcock, Paul Vosburg, Tabitha Logan, Randy Taylor and Maria Sebolt joined Paula Blue, Ginger Palmerton and Ronda Fisk in running games and dispensing food.

Youth Board Secretary Terry Binion amused everyone with his usual antics, and even ran a mini-auction that exceeded his expectations. Snacks were served during break, and the Bingo Bucks Store was well-browsed. China dolls that had been brought in during break were purchased within minutes of being set out.

Interest surveys were filled out by players, to help with upcoming monthly themes. Questions included such items as favorite song, favorite color, and favorite brand of automobile.

In the coming months, the answers will be used to win prizes during drawings, et cetera.

A quick survey was taken as to whether the February bingo should be rescheduled, but the consensus was to keep it as scheduled on Valentine’s Day. So if you are interested in playing bingo and having a great time with some real fun-loving people, be sure to call Paula Blue at 517-765-2740 or Ginger Palmerton at 517-741-7972 to reserve a spot ahead of time. Then meet us at the First Congregational Church in Union City (the one with the cannon!) on Saturday, February 14 from 1-4 PM.

February 2009 Senior Bingo

The First Congregational Church in Union City was filled Saturday, February 14, with fifty-four players as Community Unlimited Youth Board held their monthly Senior Bingo. Paula Blue, Ronda Fisk and Terra Logan came in at nine in the morning to supervise CU YB and members of National Honor Society in setting up tables, setting up the Bingo Bucks Store, decorating, running games, serving snacks, handing out prizes and socializing with the Bingo players.
“I wish people could see just how much work these kids put in, to put this event on every month,” commented Blue. “They come in early to set up and decorate, then stay late to take down everything and clean up. When we had the Christmas/New Year Celebration, some of us were here at the church for over twelve hours!” The amount of work increases when the games are held at the Congregational Church, because the prizes, bingo equipment, decorations and extra snacks are stored at the Wesleyan Church. Students made six trips after Bingo was finished, to get everything back where it belonged.
Drew Dinsmoor, Terry Binion, Paul Vosberg and Randy Taylor set up tables with help from Jeremiah King, David Wright, Matthew Miller and Devin Snyder. Working on decorations were Ashley Spottek, Karlie Snyder, Tabby Logan, and Maria Sebolt.



Maddie Spottek helped out at the registration desk.







February birthdays were celebrated by Alan Wilcox, Charlotte Garnsey, Loretta Hoskin and Sally Swarthout. Ruth and Quentin Waite celebrated their February wedding anniversary. Joe Morrison won the mystery auction with a bid of 40 Bingo Bucks. His prize: 40 Bingo Bucks, and a heart centerpiece.

The next Bingo will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 1-4 PM at the Wesleyan Church (by the park). Join the fun and games with CU Youth Board!