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Highlands Bingo
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: April 2024
The Rotary Club of Highlands’ monthly bingo games, played at Highlands Rec Park, continue a tradition of fun and fundraising.
Roots of Bingo originated in Italy. Early last century it migrated to North America, where it gathered popularity. By 1929 it evolved into Beano, a country fair game where a dealer would select numbered discs from a cigar box. Players would mark their cards with beans. They yelled “Beano!” if they won. And this was long before gas relief tablets.
The story goes, it was first played in the U.S. at a carnival near Atlanta. New York toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe renamed it “Bingo” after he overheard someone accidentally yell “Bingo” when she meant to say “Beano.”
Beano, Bingo, and an earlier version, Tombola, along with many other versions/names are part of the Bingo Family Tree dating back to the 16th century. That’s a Lotto games.
In more recent times Rotary Club of Highlands, ignoring those who poo-pooed what they considered an old-timey game, launched a weekly Bingo gathering that caught fire. To this day Rotary Club of Highlands Bingo is still a hot night in Highlands.
Each month a charity is featured. Along with winning Bingo players, the feature organization is the recipient of winnings too. This month, the Interact Club of Highlands School is in the spotlight. In case you didn’t know, Interact is part of the Rotary family/foundation, for kids 12-18. Rotarians and all their clubs make lasting change from local community to the whole wide world. All that success often begins with kids of Interact.
Join April’s meeting, scheduled Thursday, April 11, at the Recreation Center, 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Here’s the calendar of upcoming Bingo Nights:
Interact Club of Highlands School: April 11
Counseling Center of Highlands: May 23
Gordon Child Care Center: June 27
Scaly Mountain Women’s Club: Date TBD
Scaly Mountain Historical Society: Date TBD
Highlands School Athletic Booster Club: Date TBD
Wreaths Across America: October 24
November: Alzheimer’s Association: Date TBD
Shop With A Cop: December 12
For more information about upcoming bingo events, contact Bob Baxter at [email protected], or visit highlandsrotary.org and click on “Events.”
