Ham bingo night in Geneva

The Geneva Fire Department, which was first officially organized back in 1904, held their annual Ham Bingo night on Saturday, March 23, 2024 this year. As people arrived at the Geneva Community Center on Saturday night, Brenna Ingvaldson welcomed the many wonderful supporters, and encouraged everyone to register for the evening door prizes. Brenna later helped with the pie bingo event.

 

The Geneva Community Center was filled with tables and chairs in preparation for this annual event. The firemen were pleased to see that about 60-70 people came to support their annual ham bingo night in hopes of winning an Easter Ham. The Geneva firemen purchased the evening prizes, 40 hams from Geneva Meats and Deans’ Smoke Shack.

 

Marty Johnson, who was asked to be the “bingo caller,” welcomed everyone to the Geneva Fire Departments’ annual Ham Bingo Night. Marty kept things moving and called 40 games of bing in about 2 hours.

 

Marty reminded those in attendance that they could call out “BINGO” if they were able to cover five numbers in a row, either up and down, side to side, or from one corner to the opposite corner of their bingo card, or in the “four corners.” The lucky bingo winner would take home a ham to enjoy for Easter.

 

The Geneva Fire Department still uses the older type bingo cards, so they were very pleased that Larry Klocek donated a large pail of corn kernels which people could use to cover the numbers on their bingo cards.

 

It was announced that the Geneva firemen would be making fresh, hot popcorn for everyone to enjoy, as well as provide fresh, hot coffee, free of charge. The firemen also had cans of soda pop and bottled water available for purchase.

 

It was also announced that, if more than one person called out bingo at the same time, a deck of cards would be used to determine who would win their Easter ham.

 

Victor Mrotz helped provide pounds of his great Hope Butter as consolation prizes for those who lost the “draw of the card” when multiple bingos were called.

 

Many of the Geneva firemen generously donated a great assortment of pies and other goodies, which were used for the mini auctions that were held over the course of the night.

 

Marty then got busy and called out the first number of the night. Some of the bingo games went fast, while at other times a large number of calls had to be made before people were successful in getting bingo.

 

After the first five games of bingo, former Fire Chief Greg Bartsch auctioned off a variety of donated pies.  There was blueberry, apple and cherry pies, “Snicker Cream,” Strawberry-Rhubarb, Heath Toffee, Cookies and Cream, as well as batches of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

 

Greg continued to auction the pies several different times on Saturday night until all the pies had been auctioned.

 

A total of $500 was raised from the mini auction and it was decided this year to donate the money that was raised to the local family who had recently lost a young member of their family.

 

At the halfway mark in the night's activities, the firemen awarded the first of two $50 gift certificates which they had purchased at Geneva Meats & Deans’ Smoke Shack. Faye Bartsch, who is the daughter of Chris and Lacey Bartsch, and in 2nd grade at NRHEG, was the lucky winner of the first door prize. Later, Kathy Lee's name was drawn for the second door prize.

 

Before the evening came to a close, Marty Johnson asked everyone to offer a big THANK YOU to the local firemen, and thanked all the great supporters who turned out for Ham Bingo this year.

 

The Geneva Fire Department, which currently includes 18 members also expressed thanks to everyone for their continued support.

 

Currently the Geneva Fire Department includes Fire Chief Curt Boswell, and his Assistant Chief Jon Bartsch, and Alex Beenken serves as Secretary/Treasurer and Alex, along with Chris Stengl serve as Training Officers/Captains.

 

The remainder of the Geneva Fire Department includes: Steve Bailey, Greg Bartsch, Lonnie Bartsch, Jim Beenken, Travis Broskoff, Garry Gordinier, Wyatt Gross, Mike Johnson, Tyler Peterson, Chris Stangl Justin Stieglbauer, David Thompson, Jon Warnke, Taff Worrell and Shannon Wobschall.

 

Curt Boswell, Garry Gordinier and Chris Stangel also serve as EMT's and nine members of the Geneva Fire Department, including Greg Bartsch, Jon Bartsch, Lonnie Bartsch, Alex Beenken, Travis Broskoff, Wyatt Gross, Mike Johnson, Tyler Peterson, and Justin Stieglbauer, are trained as First Responders.

 

The Geneva Fire Department, which is one of 15 fire departments in Freeborn County, is pleased to have s pumper, a tanker, a grass rig, a utility pickup and an ambulance in their fire barn ready to be used when they are called.

 

A big THANK YOU is extended to the Geneva Fire Department for the many things they do for the residents of Geneva and surrounding area. It is such a relief to know that we have a fire department as well as first responders on call to help in times of need. It was estimated that the Geneva Fire Department has been called out for Emergency Medical Assistance about 20 times already this year.

 

Curt Boswell wished everyone a blessed Easter. The Geneva Fire Department also plans on holding their annual Pancake Breakfast the 2nd weekend of September this year, as well as their annual turkey Bingo in November. It is hoped that many will attend and continue to support our local fire department.