Bingo!
The Cottonwood Falls Masonic Temple resounds with the cry of victory as those gathered await the right number and letter combination to complete their cards. It’s not just about winning money and getting to play the game. It’s about socializing with friends and neighbors and helping restore the temple at the same time.
Bingo nights have been going on for more than a year now. The temple began holding the community nights in January 2006 as a way to raise money to replace the roof on the building in downtown Cottonwood Falls. Participants pay $5 for the pre-bingo dinner and $5 to play bingo.
Now that the roof on the building has been replaced, there are new projects on the horizon: The foyer floor has been pulled up and is next in line to be replaced.
The Friends of the Masonic Temple have adopted that project, said John Ramsey, worthy patron. The lodge brothers are raising money to replace the dining room floor and the Eastern Star sisters are raising money to replace the kitchen floor and modernize the appliances, Ramsey said. Also on the wish list is making the bathroom in the men’s fellowship hall handicap accessible.
Eula Barrett, associate matron of the Eastern Star, said the community night is a great way to make money and so far, it has worked.
Clara Talkington, worthy matron, said all the prizes are donated either by merchants or members of the community.
“We have several people that crochet and knit and make stuff for us to give away,” Talkington said. “It makes us some money.”
Sharon Pietrowski, of Cottonwood Falls, said she’s been crocheting since she was 20 and donates what she makes to the community bingo nights. She chose to start giving away some of her pieces because she enjoys doing it and really has no place to store all her creations.
“I brought them down as gifts,” she said. “I can’t see them just sitting there.”
Pietrowski said she looks forward to community night.
“It’s a night out,” she said. “It’s fun and I don’t have to cook because I come for the dinner.”
Cindy Potter, of Cottonwood Falls, is a regular to the monthly bingo games.
“I like playing,” Potter said. “I’m not good at it, but I like doing it.”