2013 Trivia Night successful, ‘Big Kids’ win first prize

Editor’s Note: This report on the Jan. 19 Trivia Night was provided by Renate Warner, director of the Perry County Community Foundation. Photos of winners were in last Thursday’s edition. Those images and others are posted in a slideshow at www.perrycountynews.com.

You saw beads being thrown, a “kick me” sign placed on the emcee by a table of “Big Kids” and history come to life during Perry County Community Foundation’s third annual Trivia Night held Jan. 19.

Teams competed for the spirit award and showed off enthusiasm with the above examples. You were likely to hear a big yell with the whole team standing when Lock & Co. had a right answer, or a jolly “Hoe, hoe, hoe!” from the Gardeners team. And who could forget the gong that ATTC’s Tuff Brakes team struck? The event was a success for the foundation since it serves as a fundraiser for the organization.

The annual event was held at Tell City’s Schergens Center with 10 enthusiastic trivia teams competing for first- , second- and third-place prizes, a “Best Team Spirit” award and for the grand prize of $500 donated to the winning team’s favorite nonprofit charity.

Trivia Night activities included dinner, drinks, snacks, desserts and, of course, the game. Reservations were taken in advance for spectators and teams alike. Each team could have up to eight players dressed in costume and creatively decorate their team table depending on how badly they wanted the infamous “Best Team Spirit” award.

Teams had an equal playing field with seven categories offering mind-blowing, ego-bruising questions.

Taking first place was the team, “The Big Kids.” They were awarded $500 for Table of Blessings. Taking second place was the Tell City Historical Society and third place was the Perry County News team. Team spirit was awarded to the Islanders, who reminded the whole group of warmer, tropical days as they were dressed in Hawaiian shirts and shorts, and would throw a beach ball around when the mood struck.

Every team player received their own Trivia Night glass and a stress “brick.” Prizes were sponsored from various local businesses and included medals provided by R&A Sports; eight one-month memberships to EverBody’s Fun & Fitness Center; eight free pizzas at Papa John's Pizza; eight free games at the Tell City Bowling Center; eight free lunch buffets at Patio Steak House; eight free Subway sandwiches and cookies and a Trivial Pursuit card games were given to each player on the team coming in last place, as this was the “Please-Try-Again-Next-Year” award.

New this year was a silent auction, in which the following Perry County businesses donated items: The Water Front Restaurant, The Post, Fiesta Grande, Blue Heron Vineyards and Winery, Perry County Chamber of Commerce, Bower Construction, Heather Altman as a Pampered Chef consultant, William Tell Antiques, Winzerwald Winery, French Ridge Candles, Mickey McMahon Free Spirit Silver Jewelry, The Green House, Celebrations and two anonymous baskets that were donated.

Throughout the evening, Coca-Cola provided free soft drinks and guests helped themselves to snacks and free coffee as well. New Boston Tavern prepared their famous pork-chop dinners with a cash bar, and a variety of home-made desserts provided by the board of trustees.

Our special thanks go to our wonderfully supportive sponsors who help to make this event, not only possible, but a success. All of us appreciate the hard work of the foundation’s board of trustees who planned the event.

Gold Event sponsors included St. Mary's, Waupaca, German American, Fifth Third Bank, and ATTC. Silver Event sponsors included Carriage Inn, Mulzer Crushed Stone Inc., New Directions Health and Fitness Club and Perry County Memorial Hospital. Prizes were mentioned above.

Proceeds from the Trivia Night strengthen the foundation's ability to meet needs in our community and assist our efforts in keeping philanthropy an integral part of our community.

The 2014 Trivia Night is being planned, and if you would like to participate as a sponsor, a team or a spectator, the foundation welcomes your call at 547-3176 or e-mail at renate@perrycommunityfoundation.org.