Now & Then, 7/02/2026

People spend their free time doing a variety of things; including gardening, running, biking, fishing, swimming, skiing, hiking, and so on. My hubby enjoys racing. He regularly attends racing at the Shawano race track on Saturday nights. He also likes watching Nascar.
One of my favorite ways to spend free time is playing bingo. I remember how much I loved it when I would attend a birthday party as a child and bingo was played. It was fun reaching in a large paper bag and pulling out a prize after shouting BINGO. My enjoyment of bingo continued over the years.
Did you know bingo evolved from “II Giuoco del Lotto d ‘Italia”, a game played in Italy in 1530? It transformed across Europe and aided in the delivery of academic lessons with little ones. It is still used for educational purposes today in America to teach children and to teach English as a second language.
In 1778 the French developed Le Lotto with a twenty-seven space card of three rows and nine columns. It is thought that this is the game which led to the modern five by five bingo card.
Bingo in America was originally a carnival game. In the early 1920’s Hugh Ward made it popular while working in Pennsylvania. He copyrighted it and wrote the rule book in 1933. A toy merchandiser named Edwin Lowe ran into the game in Atlanta at a traveling carnival. They were using dried beans and calling the game “Beano” but using the rules Ward wrote.
Lowe mass produced the game and it became a huge success. By the 1940’s, bingo was very popular, with people of all ages enjoying the game. Bingo cards can be made of paper, card stock, plastic with movable number covers, and even electronic.The cards are five by five with numbers 1-75 arranged beneath the letters that spell Bingo. There are dozens of patterns used to keep the game from becoming boring.
I remember taking my mom to play bingo at Keshena’s Crystal Palace. When we first played some of the players used corn to cover the numbers called. Later bingo cards had movable covers to cover the number called. I remember when magnetic chips along with a magnetic wand were used. Daubers with colored ink were available for those who played on paper.
I was always amazed by a player who played with twelve cards. He never put a mark on his cards. He had a photographic memory and didn’t need daubers. I was also inspired by a late brother of Jim LaRock. He didn’t have arms, but he could play bingo with his feet. It was quite incredible. I guess where this is a will, there is a way.
There were several bingo managers at the Crystal Palace over the years to include Gordon Keshena, Pet Martin and Ruthie King. They remodeled the building several times. As a non-smoker, I was happy when they made a non-smoking section. They had a wonderful little snack place. I loved their ground bologna sandwiches.
Jim LaRock, Native American historian, told me before bingo at the Crystal Palace, bingo was played at the Legion Hall and also as a fund-raiser at the Logging Museum.
Once the Crystal Palace was torn down and became a parking lot, bingo was played in a large bingo hall located within the Menominee Casino. At that time, they used bingo balls. It was fun watching the balls come up the chute. If you saw a yellow ball, and you needed an O, you held your breath hoping it was your number.
After several years, the bingo hall was closed and the casino expanded, placing slot machines in the room. Thankfully they expanded again, and made a new bingo hall. Unfortunately bingo balls are no longer used; the numbers are computer generated. I personally liked playing with bingo balls, but I still enjoy the game.
The bingo players are almost like family. Seeing the “regulars” is such a nice form of socialization. The bingo workers are amazing. They help in any way they can, and they know the players and call us by name. It is very welcoming. The current manager is Twila Peters and the supervisor is Penas-see-Witte Komanekin.
I also play at North Star sometimes. I like it that they use bingo balls. Keshena is closer and more convenient for me, but North Star is very fun and welcoming as well.
Bingo can cost as much or as little as you want to spend. One player I know usually spends about $20 after her $5.00 discount. She plays with paper only. I have also seen people spend as much as $300. Machines cost $30.
I have learned, luck runs in streaks. Right now my streak isn’t very good. When I debate going to play, sometimes hubby will say, “Lorna, if you enjoy it, then go while you can.” I guess he’s right. We aren’t getting any younger!
Take it from a player, nothing feels better than yelling B I N G O……..