For the fifth straight year, the Painted Desert Kiwanis Club is offering area residents the opportunity to spend a fun winter’s evening in Holbrook, all in support of good causes. It’s called Quiz Nite, and a growing number of participants consider it a “must do” night. Friday, Feb. 10, is the date, with the doors opening at 5 p.m., a delicious dinner served at 5:30 p.m. and the game beginning at 6:15 p.m. The venue is the Hulet School gymnasium. What is Quiz Nite? It’s a fun evening of trivia competition between teams of six with every team going home a winner–and revenue generated to benefit the Holbrook Public Schools, as well as charities. Here’s how it works… There are six categories of questions with six questions per category–but no one knows the categories ahead of time. Teams confer to come up with their team answers to the questions. After each round, score sheets are collected and given to the Tally Takers (educators who’ve volunteered to “grade” the score sheets), while the game moves on to the next round. Throughout the evening, scores are posted so that the constantly changing rankings can be noted–and cheered! When teams arrive that night, the categories will be listed on each table. Teammates can determine what they think their strongest category will be and, for an additional $2 per player, can Double Down in the category. Once play commences, all correct scores in that category will be doubled. For an additional $2 per player, teams can also purchase spelling insurance, called “Spelligans,” since misspelled answers are marked wrong. Most teams find this a worthwhile investment–and remember, it’s all for good causes! Of course, no “landlines” (outside sources) are allowed during the game. The prize for the first place team is $100 per player plus the opportunity to choose which 501c3 charity they would like to receive one-half of the evening’s profit. For all four years of Quiz Nite, the Northland Pioneer College’s administrative team has been the winner and has chosen Bread of Life Mission to receive $3,000-plus in cash. Another $3,000-plus is given to the Holbrook Public Schools for various extra-budgetary classroom projects–and creative teachers have done some amazing projects with these extra resources. The second place team receives $50 per player and the third place team receives $25 per player. While there’s no pressure to do so, oftentimes, the top cash-receiving teams donate their winnings to a charity of their choice. But every team goes home a winner! At the end of the night, prizes are awarded to each team according to their ranking, with choices ranging from six Diamondback tickets to six dinners at local restaurants. The prizes frequently exceed the cost to play. Each team pays $150, or $25 per player, to participate. This includes a fantastic dinner which Mary Koury and her crew will be preparing this year. Teams are seated according to the order in which their payments are received, with early registrants getting the preferred close-to-the-front seating. After four years of playing at the Elks Lodge, Quiz Nite 2017 will be held at a new venue this year: the Hulet School gym. “We’ve outgrown the Elks Lodge,” explained Quiz Nite Coordinator Jeff Johnson. “The Elks have been fantastic partners for our first four years and we’re hoping they’ll still come alongside us this year, but we had to find a larger place to accommodate more than 25 teams. (Holbrook Public Schools Superintendent) Dr. Koerperich, (Hulet) Principal McClellan and the Holbrook Public Schools have been very kind to offer us this new, bigger venue.” “Bill Jeffers is our Master of Ceremonies,” said Johnson, “but it takes all our Kiwanis Club members plus a good many volunteers from outside the club to pull this off. It’s a big deal–but worth it when we see so many people having a good time and knowing that well over $6,000 will be given away to benefit our area.” If you have any questions or would like to register a team from your family, church, school, business or organization, contact Jeff Johnson by phone at 524-2718 (work) or (928) 421-9061 (cell), or email peace.lutheran.holbrook@gmail.com.
