Meadowbrook Bingo Night goes Hawaiian
By Karie Angell Luc Contributor February 7, 2012 4:56PM
Vivienne Potter, 8, a Northbrook Meadowbrook School third grader, competes in the hula hoop challenge at Bingo Night Friday. | Karie Angell Luc~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 11, 2012 8:18AM
It was Bingo Night at Meadowbrook School on February’s first Friday.
And while the school was abuzz with a luau-themed evening ahead, as families arrived, they walked down a long, quiet hallway to the back of the school by the North Gym.
“It’s the big gym, it’s not the little gym, honey,” said one mom, holding the hand of her toddler daughter.
“I smell popcorn,” said the youngster.
“Yes, it smells good,” her mom said.
And then the chitter chatter of Bingo Night could be heard. Now down to the right but in a shorter hallway was the north gym entrance where Bryson Rome, 4, his dad, Adam Rome, Maria Giliane and her son Trevor, 10, a Meadowbrook School fourth-grader — offered bingo cards with neat sliders over the numbers.
“It’s a buck a card, a dollar a card,” announced one parent volunteer.
Dollar bills were happily handed out by those seeking an affordable night of family fun.
J.D. Mathein, who’s lived in Northbrook his whole life, ran after his son Liam, 2, who kept leaving the gym.
Was Mathein, in his Hawaiian shirt, a luau event volunteer?
“Oh no, I’m just a dad who decided to dress up and follow his 2-year-old around,” said Mathein.
Liam, in his Hawaiian shirt, kept sipping from the cool water fountain, also trying out that newfangled surf yellow thing called a hula hoop.
“He’s a water boy,” laughed Liam’s dad.
Meanwhile, South Pacific-inspired tunes began wafting through the gym.
Only the young bested the hula hoops. Fans watched in amazement while parents snapped photos with cell phones.
You could hula hoop sock-hop style — even wearing Ugg boots. Hula hoopers hooped it on one foot. Now kneel, please.
Hawaiian music reminds Vivienne Potter, 8, a Northbrook Meadowbrook School third-grader, of the 2002 Disney movie “Lilo & Stitch.”
“I like how they’re best friends (Lilo & Stitch) even though they are different,” said Vivienne, who stood next to Mia Del Genio, 9, also a third-grader.
“I gave her the grass skirt,” said Vivienne, glancing at Mia.
The two best friends were joined by Erin Nibeck, 9, also a third-grader.
“We talked about it and planned it,” Erin said of their Hawaiian wardrobes.
“We planned on the bus,” said Vivienne, “except for Mia, she was on a different bus.”
Three’s a crowd didn’t apply to this Lilo & Stitch circle of friends.
“I moved this year from Washington (state) and they were there for me,” said Vivienne, appreciatively patting both besties on the shoulder.
The friend in Mia and Erin were there to support Vivienne, who hooped it up in the first round.
“Come on, you can do it!”
To the sounds of the “Hawaii Five-0” theme and Beach Boys “Surfin’ USA,” Vivienne challenged four other hoopsters.
While Vivienne didn’t win — it was a tie for Caroline Cotler, 9, a fourth-grader and Greta Crook, 8, a third-grader.
Anne Hoffman, a five-year Northbrook resident and mom of two, Sarah, 7, a second-grader, and Tracy, 3, volunteered for the prize table. She approved of the Silly Putty, a classic prize offered.
“I used to press it on cement or the sole of my shoe,” Hoffman said. “And that (Silly Putty) from our childhood was very special.
Now there are so many things (toys) to pick from, it (Silly Putty) gets lost in the shuffle,” Hoffman said.
Of Bingo Night: “It’s just a fun family event, not intended as a fundraiser,” said new Meadowbrook Principal Pat Thome. “It’s just so families can get together.”
The event over — the custodian in Juan Soliz wiped down tables.
“I’d rather clean up popcorn than glitter because glitter is hard to pick up,” Soliz said.
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