My glass of wine is poured.
My marker is ready.
My palms are sweaty.
OK, that last part may not be true, I’m not actually nervous. Excited is how I’m feeling.
It’s Tuesday night and it’s 6 p.m.
If you live in Haliburton County that can only mean one thing.
It’s time for radio bingo.
I know what you’re thinking. Bingo is for senior citizens.
Well, you’re wrong.
I’m nowhere near being a senior and I play. And I’ve won.
Now that I have your attention, I’m sure you’re asking yourself how many times did I have to play before I won?
The answer, my friends, is that I won on my first try and my second tries.
One line scored me $100, while a full card brought in $500 big ones. Sure, I may have had to split my winnings with other players, but I can still call myself a winner.
So here I am, playing my third game and time will only tell if my score will continue to be perfect.
You may also be wondering how I got lured into this weekly activity?
Well, the answer is simple. It’s fun.
Started this past July, bingo is a fundraiser for Canoe FM, with proceeds going to the volunteer-driven radio station.
“Part of the idea is that some of the money we make will go back into the community. We’ve given out over $10,000 in prize money so far,” said Ron Murphy, production technician for the station.
Radio bingo allows you the comfort to play from your own home. You can drink whatever you want, wear whatever you want and jump up and down if you win.
OK that last part is not a requirement, but I won’t tell on you if that’s how you celebrate your bingo.
The first time I won there may have been some jumping.
But the best part about playing is that the money goes to a local organization. Not the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, but a community radio station based right in Haliburton Village.
Now I’m not knocking gambling because let’s be honest, who hasn’t bought a lottery ticket in the hopes of winning the big one and retiring at the ripe old age of 25?
However, with radio bingo, everyone is a winner.
Yes, that sounds cliché, I admit it. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
The first time I bought a ticket I purchased it with the idea that even if I didn’t win, I would still be supporting something local. And I would have fun doing it.
Game sheets cost $6 and are sold across the county at 12 different locations, including Haliburton Jug City, Haliburton Foodland, Momma G’s Tea Room, Todd’s Independent, Minden Jug City, Dollo’s Foodland, Easton’s Valu-Mart, West Guilford Shopping Centre, Eagle Lake Market, Agnew’s General Store, Molly’s Bistro, Canoe FM and Lucky Dollar.
Every week there are three games played, with prizes valued at $100, $200 and $500.
You must be 18 years of age or older to play.
The full set of rules are written on the back of the game sheets.
Numbers are called on the air by Canoe FM volunteers, while players like myself sit at home anxiously waiting for that next number.
B 7. Darn, not the number I needed!
Come on, call out O 64. I want to hear O 64.
My nerves are on edge as I grip my marker tightly.
Phone in hand, I am ready to place that winning call.
“Wait a minute, our phones are ringing. Please put down your bingo markers while we check in with our callers,” says the friendly sounding voice coming out of my radio.
Booo, I didn’t win this time. Only two numbers off.
Well there’s always next time, or, in this case, there’s always next Tuesday.