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Bingo! Senior Center offers Tuesday night fun

By Staff | Jun 10, 2015

David Jones

“BINGO I got it, BINGO.” Such are the sounds of shouts when those playing Bingo at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Center, win a card with dots on number called out by Ed Bishop Jr., who’s the “caller” or one of the callers on Tuesday nights when the auditorium at the center is open for Bingo.

“I encourage the winners of Bingo to shout it out loud so we can hear them,” laughed David Jones, the chief financial officer, who oversees the Bingo games that take place every Tuesday night at the senior center at 219 Plaza Drive.

Bingo’s been played at the senior center for as long as anyone alive can remember and that’s going back a lot of years probably to the start of the senior center several decades ago.

It’s not the only place in Lehigh Acres where one can play Bingo, but it is probably the largest group of players competing with Bingo at St. Raphael’s Church Hall.

The proceeds from Bingo go a long way at the center, according to Jones, who says the proceeds pay the utility costs at the center.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Tuesday night Bingo crowd at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Senior Center on Plaza Drive.

And while the number of Bingo players has decreased somewhat because Season has ended, Jones wants the public to know “we’ve got Bingo at the senior center and we have lots of fun.”

He stressed that Bingo is open to members and also to the public.

“I’m not sure people who not members know we want them to come and play, too. It has always been open to the public. But when Season ends, we see less people coming to play Bingo and we want to change that,” he said.

Last week, Jones said the crowd had dropped to perhaps around 80 people. Just a few weeks ago as Season was coming to an end and visitors here were preparing to go back up north, there had been 100 or more players.

“We usually had an average of around 120 players during Season. And in addition to Bingo, we serve some really great meals just prior to Bingo beginning. We want to get the word out that our volunteers in our own kitchen at the center cook some of the best meals in town and for a few bucks, you can come and eat and if you want to stay and play Bingo – well that would be great,” he said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Ed Bishop Jr. calls out winning number for Bingo players.

Bingo is played every Tuesday night at the senior center at 219 Plaza Drive, just behind the Lee County’s East Zone Sheriff’s Office. There’s plenty of parking and the games are often over before or just after dark so those who don’t want to travel at night can come, eat, and play and leave when they want.

Tasty meals start being served at 5 p.m. Early Bingo begins at 6 and regular Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. and can run to 10 for some, Jones said.

“The cost of cards hasn’t go up for a long time. They’re still a dollar a card and those who love to play buy several. We’ve seen some purchased more than 20 Bingo cards and they are able to keep up with the calls,” Jones said. One woman often buys 27 cards to play on. And if you buy six cards, it’s $10, so the more you buy, the more you save.

While the auditorium is the place where Bingo is played, those who smoke can sit outside in a screen-in porch that joins the auditorium.

There are three “callers” who shout out the numbers of the balls that fall into slots. They include Chet Olson and Ed Bishop Jr., who have been doing it for years and Ellie Kalecius, who is the newest caller for the past couple of years. They’re members of the senior center and do this as volunteers.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Jeannie Smith enjoys dinner before Bingo begins.

Jones was asked who plays Bingo the most and he said it is usually the women who keep coming back.

“I would give my best guess that about 20 percent of the players are men … don’t ask me why … because the men enjoy it just as much as the women,” he said.

“And people get real excited and we encourage that,” Jones said. “We tell them to shout it out if they are winners. Those far away from the callers can’t hear someone who doesn’t speak loudly enough.”

“Don’t forget to tell the people that we serve free popcorn and coffee and or tea during the games.

One woman who is 92 is an avid player, he said. And we have lots of women in their 80s who love to play the game,” Jones said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Peggie Halverson plays Bingo at the senior center.

Connie Holck enjoys her volunteer job after the Bingo games. She is the treasurer at the center and is responsible for adding up the cash and getting it to the bank.

“I enter it in the computer and it is earmarked for paying our utilities,” Holck said.

It’s important, both Holck and Jones said, to bring as many Bingo players to the center this time of the year, so the proceeds come in to help support the center.

While the local hospital’s medical staff was a major sponsor of the operations of the center, it has had to pull back. The county owns the building but the center must support itself and that takes up the attention of the board of about a dozen people who meet every month.

In addition to the Lehigh Regional Medical Center staff, other sponsors include the Kiwanis Club, the Florida Community Bank, the Disabled American Veterans organization, Jack’s Market on Joel Blvd., and different individuals.

Hoping not to forget any of the sponsors, Holck said “also the Jaycees help us out.”

Members also help out by paying small membership fees. One member gave the senior center $7,500 in stocks,” Holck said.

She also noted that the center operates on a $164,000 budget so the Bingo revenues are a big help.

She also noted that the boutique help out financially and that it is also open during Tuesday nights when Bingo is being played.

Currently the membership of the senior center is at around 1,400 members, according to Jones. It cost $20 for a person to join and $35 for a couple. For another $10, you can splash around in the Lehigh Pool anytime you want to be in the water during the hot summer days in Lehigh.

“Some people join just so they can get the pool privileges,” Holck said.

There are two paid staffers at the center. They include Melissa Barry, its director and Carol Sands, who handles janitorial duties.

The executive board includes Tom Smith, president; Ed Bishop Sr. as vice president, Sharon Howen as secretary, and Connie Holck as treasurer.

Holck noted that Nancy Bartlett is the assistant treasurer and has been very active in many positions for years. “She’s is one of the most devoted people I have known here,” Holck said.

“We want to get the word out that you can enjoy yourself on a Tuesday night and win some good money playing Bingo here at the senior center. You will find it a friendly place where we have lots of fun … remember, it’s Tuesday nights,” Holck said.

Bingo! Senior Center offers Tuesday night fun

By Staff | Jun 10, 2015

David Jones

“BINGO I got it, BINGO.” Such are the sounds of shouts when those playing Bingo at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Center, win a card with dots on number called out by Ed Bishop Jr., who’s the “caller” or one of the callers on Tuesday nights when the auditorium at the center is open for Bingo.

“I encourage the winners of Bingo to shout it out loud so we can hear them,” laughed David Jones, the chief financial officer, who oversees the Bingo games that take place every Tuesday night at the senior center at 219 Plaza Drive.

Bingo’s been played at the senior center for as long as anyone alive can remember and that’s going back a lot of years probably to the start of the senior center several decades ago.

It’s not the only place in Lehigh Acres where one can play Bingo, but it is probably the largest group of players competing with Bingo at St. Raphael’s Church Hall.

The proceeds from Bingo go a long way at the center, according to Jones, who says the proceeds pay the utility costs at the center.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Tuesday night Bingo crowd at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Senior Center on Plaza Drive.

And while the number of Bingo players has decreased somewhat because Season has ended, Jones wants the public to know “we’ve got Bingo at the senior center and we have lots of fun.”

He stressed that Bingo is open to members and also to the public.

“I’m not sure people who not members know we want them to come and play, too. It has always been open to the public. But when Season ends, we see less people coming to play Bingo and we want to change that,” he said.

Last week, Jones said the crowd had dropped to perhaps around 80 people. Just a few weeks ago as Season was coming to an end and visitors here were preparing to go back up north, there had been 100 or more players.

“We usually had an average of around 120 players during Season. And in addition to Bingo, we serve some really great meals just prior to Bingo beginning. We want to get the word out that our volunteers in our own kitchen at the center cook some of the best meals in town and for a few bucks, you can come and eat and if you want to stay and play Bingo – well that would be great,” he said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Ed Bishop Jr. calls out winning number for Bingo players.

Bingo is played every Tuesday night at the senior center at 219 Plaza Drive, just behind the Lee County’s East Zone Sheriff’s Office. There’s plenty of parking and the games are often over before or just after dark so those who don’t want to travel at night can come, eat, and play and leave when they want.

Tasty meals start being served at 5 p.m. Early Bingo begins at 6 and regular Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. and can run to 10 for some, Jones said.

“The cost of cards hasn’t go up for a long time. They’re still a dollar a card and those who love to play buy several. We’ve seen some purchased more than 20 Bingo cards and they are able to keep up with the calls,” Jones said. One woman often buys 27 cards to play on. And if you buy six cards, it’s $10, so the more you buy, the more you save.

While the auditorium is the place where Bingo is played, those who smoke can sit outside in a screen-in porch that joins the auditorium.

There are three “callers” who shout out the numbers of the balls that fall into slots. They include Chet Olson and Ed Bishop Jr., who have been doing it for years and Ellie Kalecius, who is the newest caller for the past couple of years. They’re members of the senior center and do this as volunteers.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Jeannie Smith enjoys dinner before Bingo begins.

Jones was asked who plays Bingo the most and he said it is usually the women who keep coming back.

“I would give my best guess that about 20 percent of the players are men … don’t ask me why … because the men enjoy it just as much as the women,” he said.

“And people get real excited and we encourage that,” Jones said. “We tell them to shout it out if they are winners. Those far away from the callers can’t hear someone who doesn’t speak loudly enough.”

“Don’t forget to tell the people that we serve free popcorn and coffee and or tea during the games.

One woman who is 92 is an avid player, he said. And we have lots of women in their 80s who love to play the game,” Jones said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Peggie Halverson plays Bingo at the senior center.

Connie Holck enjoys her volunteer job after the Bingo games. She is the treasurer at the center and is responsible for adding up the cash and getting it to the bank.

“I enter it in the computer and it is earmarked for paying our utilities,” Holck said.

It’s important, both Holck and Jones said, to bring as many Bingo players to the center this time of the year, so the proceeds come in to help support the center.

While the local hospital’s medical staff was a major sponsor of the operations of the center, it has had to pull back. The county owns the building but the center must support itself and that takes up the attention of the board of about a dozen people who meet every month.

In addition to the Lehigh Regional Medical Center staff, other sponsors include the Kiwanis Club, the Florida Community Bank, the Disabled American Veterans organization, Jack’s Market on Joel Blvd., and different individuals.

Hoping not to forget any of the sponsors, Holck said “also the Jaycees help us out.”

Members also help out by paying small membership fees. One member gave the senior center $7,500 in stocks,” Holck said.

She also noted that the center operates on a $164,000 budget so the Bingo revenues are a big help.

She also noted that the boutique help out financially and that it is also open during Tuesday nights when Bingo is being played.

Currently the membership of the senior center is at around 1,400 members, according to Jones. It cost $20 for a person to join and $35 for a couple. For another $10, you can splash around in the Lehigh Pool anytime you want to be in the water during the hot summer days in Lehigh.

“Some people join just so they can get the pool privileges,” Holck said.

There are two paid staffers at the center. They include Melissa Barry, its director and Carol Sands, who handles janitorial duties.

The executive board includes Tom Smith, president; Ed Bishop Sr. as vice president, Sharon Howen as secretary, and Connie Holck as treasurer.

Holck noted that Nancy Bartlett is the assistant treasurer and has been very active in many positions for years. “She’s is one of the most devoted people I have known here,” Holck said.

“We want to get the word out that you can enjoy yourself on a Tuesday night and win some good money playing Bingo here at the senior center. You will find it a friendly place where we have lots of fun … remember, it’s Tuesday nights,” Holck said.

Bingo! Senior Center offers Tuesday night fun

By Staff | Jun 10, 2015

David Jones

“BINGO I got it, BINGO.” Such are the sounds of shouts when those playing Bingo at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Center, win a card with dots on number called out by Ed Bishop Jr., who’s the “caller” or one of the callers on Tuesday nights when the auditorium at the center is open for Bingo.

“I encourage the winners of Bingo to shout it out loud so we can hear them,” laughed David Jones, the chief financial officer, who oversees the Bingo games that take place every Tuesday night at the senior center at 219 Plaza Drive.

Bingo’s been played at the senior center for as long as anyone alive can remember and that’s going back a lot of years probably to the start of the senior center several decades ago.

It’s not the only place in Lehigh Acres where one can play Bingo, but it is probably the largest group of players competing with Bingo at St. Raphael’s Church Hall.

The proceeds from Bingo go a long way at the center, according to Jones, who says the proceeds pay the utility costs at the center.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Tuesday night Bingo crowd at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Senior Center on Plaza Drive.

And while the number of Bingo players has decreased somewhat because Season has ended, Jones wants the public to know “we’ve got Bingo at the senior center and we have lots of fun.”

He stressed that Bingo is open to members and also to the public.

“I’m not sure people who not members know we want them to come and play, too. It has always been open to the public. But when Season ends, we see less people coming to play Bingo and we want to change that,” he said.

Last week, Jones said the crowd had dropped to perhaps around 80 people. Just a few weeks ago as Season was coming to an end and visitors here were preparing to go back up north, there had been 100 or more players.

“We usually had an average of around 120 players during Season. And in addition to Bingo, we serve some really great meals just prior to Bingo beginning. We want to get the word out that our volunteers in our own kitchen at the center cook some of the best meals in town and for a few bucks, you can come and eat and if you want to stay and play Bingo – well that would be great,” he said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Ed Bishop Jr. calls out winning number for Bingo players.

Bingo is played every Tuesday night at the senior center at 219 Plaza Drive, just behind the Lee County’s East Zone Sheriff’s Office. There’s plenty of parking and the games are often over before or just after dark so those who don’t want to travel at night can come, eat, and play and leave when they want.

Tasty meals start being served at 5 p.m. Early Bingo begins at 6 and regular Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. and can run to 10 for some, Jones said.

“The cost of cards hasn’t go up for a long time. They’re still a dollar a card and those who love to play buy several. We’ve seen some purchased more than 20 Bingo cards and they are able to keep up with the calls,” Jones said. One woman often buys 27 cards to play on. And if you buy six cards, it’s $10, so the more you buy, the more you save.

While the auditorium is the place where Bingo is played, those who smoke can sit outside in a screen-in porch that joins the auditorium.

There are three “callers” who shout out the numbers of the balls that fall into slots. They include Chet Olson and Ed Bishop Jr., who have been doing it for years and Ellie Kalecius, who is the newest caller for the past couple of years. They’re members of the senior center and do this as volunteers.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Jeannie Smith enjoys dinner before Bingo begins.

Jones was asked who plays Bingo the most and he said it is usually the women who keep coming back.

“I would give my best guess that about 20 percent of the players are men … don’t ask me why … because the men enjoy it just as much as the women,” he said.

“And people get real excited and we encourage that,” Jones said. “We tell them to shout it out if they are winners. Those far away from the callers can’t hear someone who doesn’t speak loudly enough.”

“Don’t forget to tell the people that we serve free popcorn and coffee and or tea during the games.

One woman who is 92 is an avid player, he said. And we have lots of women in their 80s who love to play the game,” Jones said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Peggie Halverson plays Bingo at the senior center.

Connie Holck enjoys her volunteer job after the Bingo games. She is the treasurer at the center and is responsible for adding up the cash and getting it to the bank.

“I enter it in the computer and it is earmarked for paying our utilities,” Holck said.

It’s important, both Holck and Jones said, to bring as many Bingo players to the center this time of the year, so the proceeds come in to help support the center.

While the local hospital’s medical staff was a major sponsor of the operations of the center, it has had to pull back. The county owns the building but the center must support itself and that takes up the attention of the board of about a dozen people who meet every month.

In addition to the Lehigh Regional Medical Center staff, other sponsors include the Kiwanis Club, the Florida Community Bank, the Disabled American Veterans organization, Jack’s Market on Joel Blvd., and different individuals.

Hoping not to forget any of the sponsors, Holck said “also the Jaycees help us out.”

Members also help out by paying small membership fees. One member gave the senior center $7,500 in stocks,” Holck said.

She also noted that the center operates on a $164,000 budget so the Bingo revenues are a big help.

She also noted that the boutique help out financially and that it is also open during Tuesday nights when Bingo is being played.

Currently the membership of the senior center is at around 1,400 members, according to Jones. It cost $20 for a person to join and $35 for a couple. For another $10, you can splash around in the Lehigh Pool anytime you want to be in the water during the hot summer days in Lehigh.

“Some people join just so they can get the pool privileges,” Holck said.

There are two paid staffers at the center. They include Melissa Barry, its director and Carol Sands, who handles janitorial duties.

The executive board includes Tom Smith, president; Ed Bishop Sr. as vice president, Sharon Howen as secretary, and Connie Holck as treasurer.

Holck noted that Nancy Bartlett is the assistant treasurer and has been very active in many positions for years. “She’s is one of the most devoted people I have known here,” Holck said.

“We want to get the word out that you can enjoy yourself on a Tuesday night and win some good money playing Bingo here at the senior center. You will find it a friendly place where we have lots of fun … remember, it’s Tuesday nights,” Holck said.