WILKES-BARRE — It’s here — Super Bowl LX — Seahawks versus Patriots.
The game promises to be a battle from start to finish — two great defenses, two solid quarterbacks, two really good head coaches, and no snow or freezing temperatures to worry about.
Let’s just hope for a great game. Now get those Super Snacks ready!
Are you ready for some indigestion?
Super Bowl parties will feature chicken wings, pizza, deviled eggs, kielbasa, Nachos Grande, jalapeno poppers, sliders of all types, guacamole dip, cheese fries, spinach dip, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, Stromboli, mozzarella sticks, salsa, pepperoni, salami cones, quesadillas, chips, pretzels and, of course — the party won’t start until the baked beans come out.
Truthfully, this could be a good game to watch, but I would prefer to play cards and divert my attention to the TV commercials, rather than the game itself.
The Super Bowl is a one-and-done experience. There are other “big games” going on all over NEPA that offer far more fun, energy, thoughtfulness, competitiveness, intelligence, and participativeness.
Are you ready for some trivia?
Trivia nights are happening throughout NEPA, and they all offer a great night out, usually on Mondays through Thursdays. And they can be themed as well. And, there are bingo nights as well, which I’m told are even more popular than the trivia nights.
Full disclosure, I attend trivia night at III Guys in Edwardsville every Tuesday. We have a team, and we do quite well. Sometimes I contribute to our victories — and sometimes I assist greatly in our losses.
But we always have fun.
And this game is competitive.
The host is the affable “Bingo” Joe Culp, who has mastered the art of hosting trivia night — and, well, bingo night as well.
Bingo Joe is 38 years old, a graduate of Crestwood High School, and a resident of Ashley Borough. He is a proud fan of the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Penn State football.
Bingo Joe’s business — Bingo Joe 570 — began in December 2021, at a time when the world was eager to be released from the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic and chomping at the bit to go out and have fun.
Trivia night provided a great outlet for people to enjoy life once again.
“I decided to host trivia and bingo nights to get out of the house and make a couple of bucks,” Joe said. “And people were looking for something to do on nights that they wouldn’t really think about going out. Trivia and Bingo gave them something to do and have fun.”
Bingo Joe’s first gig was at III Guys in Edwardsville on Tuesday nights, and it has become a staple for loyal customers and some darn smart trivia contestants.
Bingo Joe 570’s business has grown in leaps and bounds — he now has three co-hosts and the group hosts about 30 gigs per month at 8 venues in NEPA. The games are trivia, bingo, name that tune, music bingo, and more. Some trivia games are themed, like Seinfeld night, or sports night.
Joe always opens trivia night with a review of the standard rules and also three of his “standing rules:
• No cell phones.
• No shouting out answers — doing so will disqualify the team.
• Identify your Roosevelts or Mannings — which means you better have the correct first name.
Joe also has a day job — he’s a heating oil dispatcher. And you might not know that, in high school, he was outstanding in baseball and golf.
Winners earn prizes, usually gift certificates.
And Joe also hosts fundraising events for charities.
Here are some tips if you plan to attend a trivia or bingo Night:
• Arrive early: Popular venues recommend arriving early to secure a table, especially for themed nights.
• Bring a pen: Some hosts — Bingo Joe included — provide pens, if you don’t bring your own writing utensil.
• Team size: Most local spots recommend teams of four players, with a maximum limit often set at eight to “keep it fair.”
• No phones: The “golden rule” of trivia is strictly enforced — no searching for answers on smartphones during play.
Bingo Joe’s Trivia game has three rounds — the first and second rounds have two parts. The first part consists of five questions; the second part has 10 “bonus” questions. The third round is five difficult questions. When scores are tallied, Joe then asks the final question, where teams can bet one point or go all-in.
Games are usually won or lost on that final question. Our team has won many times by getting it right — and we have also lost all of our points.
The point is that trivia night and bingo night are always fun, no matter where you go, or what the game is.
Now go and enjoy the Super Bowl.
Go Seahawks! Go Patriots!
And go easy on the baked beans.