MISSOURI SNOWBIRDS 2012 TRIVIA NIGHT WAS ANOTHER HUGE SUCCESS

Judy Collier, Co-chair of Trivia Night, presenting the checks for $5,000.00 each to 
Wendy Congiardo, Thomas B. Norton Public Library,Gulf Shores and 
Bonnie Lee, Orange beach Public Library.

An overflow crowd of more than 400 attended the sixth annual Trivia Night held at Phoenix West to benefit the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Libraries.  A total of $10,000 was raised for the libraries bringing the six year total to $41,500.

Co-Chairs Judy and Dale Collier said they were concerned about the amount they would raise this year because the silent auction was dropped in favor of a raffle.  “The local businesses are so generous and we are so grateful,” Mrs. Collier said “But the silent auction was just too much work for too few people.” “We are really grateful that the people bought so many raffle tickets and made it possible  for us to raise as much as we did last year.” said Nick Barr Club President.  “Support was just tremendous from the snowbirds and the local people as well,”  said Dale Collier.

This event has become one of the winter highlights on Pleasure Island.  There is always a theme and the  theme is books.  Participants are encouraged to decorate their tables and wear costumes depicting their favorite novels and fictional characters.  They bring their own food and beverages which range from snacks to gourmet meals, the Colliers said.

The event encompasses eight rounds of trivia.  Each round has 10 questions.

A moderator reads each question twice, allowing each table to jot down their answers.  After all ten questions are answered, the answer sheets are collected and scores are tallied and posted,   Prizes are awarded for the most spirited table decorations / costumes and the heads and tails winners. The first, second and third place winners of the trivia competition will receive a special recognition and be placed in the Book of Champions. 
 
Dr. Steven Gravely who has attended every one of the six Trivia nights said, “ this event gets better and better every  year.  It is so much fun and it makes me feel good to help raise money for such worthy institutions.  Our team didn’t do as well as we usually do but we had a great time anyway and I will certainly buy a table again next year.”

Wendy Congiardo of the Thomas B. Norton Public Library of Gulf Shores and Bonnie Lee of the Orange Beach Public Library attended the recent meeting  of the Missouri Snowbird Club and each was presented with a check for $5,000. Both expressed their gratitude and explained that the money from Trivia Night has helped them to make up for some of the lost revenue due to budget cuts over the past three years. 

The Colliers announced that the seventh annual event will be held on February 16, 2013 at the new Orange Beach Event Center located on the West end of the Wharf property.  “We have simply run out of room at Phoenix West and the new Event Center will allow us to grow and accommodate all who wish to attend in one large room,” said the Colliers. 

Tickets will go on sale in November and will again cost $15 per person or $120 per table of eight.  Organizers plan to also offer a variety of fabulous raffle items in place of a silent auction. 

Submitted by Club Vice President Robert W. Moore