LUDLOW, Vt. – A special Singo Bingo Night held to raise funds for the United Church of Ludlow’s “Ring Out Love” Capital Campaign packed the church hall with enthusiastic members of the Ludlow community on Monday, June 24, and raised $1,120 to rehabilitate the church’s historic church bell.
“We were thrilled to see so many people in the community come out and support our efforts to restore the old church bell,” said Pastor Michelle Fountain. “We are planning more opportunities to open up our church for fun and fellowship and to support community organizations as well. Stay tuned.”
Jane McGarry, who runs the popular Singo games at Off the Rails, Black Line Tavern (Magic Mountain), and other New England venues, hosted the special event. Ludlow musician Sammy Blanchette, aka Sammy B, performed the songs live, adding a unique twist to a fun event that usually offers recorded music.
The evening produced three rollicking hours of guitar licks, loud sing-alongs to classic rock tunes, and the screeches of happy winners. Two people took home 15-punch cards for the Spring House at Okemo, and the grand prize winner received a Lamere Square Gift Basket that included pizza, bedsheets, wine, hot sauce, and more, donated by the merchants of that downtown shopping center.
The night would not have happened without the generosity of many people and businesses in the community. McGarry and Blanchette donated their time and talent; Off the Rails donated pizza; Johnny’s Kitchen donated a tray of sandwiches; The Spring House at Okemo Mountain Resort provided punch-cards and granola bars; Goodman’s American Pie gave a pizza gift certificate; Tygart Trading Post provided a gift certificate for bedsheets; Yeah! Wine Shop provided a bottle of red wine; Tacos Tacos Mexican Restaurant gave a T-shirt, bottle opener, and a hot sauce sampler; and members of the United Church of Ludlow provided desserts, beverages, coffee, and more.
Singo is a musical variation of bingo that uses songs instead of numbers to fill playing cards. It’s fun for all ages, everybody sings along, and winners get prizes for each of three Singo rounds. Normally the host uses recorded music, but at the United Church, Blanchette played live a combination of classic rock tunes and original songs.
Learn more about Singo at www.playsingo.com. Sammy Blanchette is online at www.sammyblanchette.net.