EASTON – Admit it. You’ve spent your whole life storing up random bits of information that’s of no practical value whatsoever. Even though you’ve always known that knowing all the words to the Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” would never benefit you in any way, you memorized them. You just know you’re the only person in the world who remembers – let alone cares – who was Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second vice president.
Congratulations! Your knowledge of such obscure facts is about to pay off. The Mental Health Association in Talbot County will host a trivia contest at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Elks Lodge #1622, on Dutchman’s Lane. At last, you’ll be rewarded for collecting all that junk in your mental attic.
Your triviamaster will be former Star-Democrat arts & entertainment editor and man-about-town Pete Howell, squadron leader of the Jesting Pilots, a perennially competitive trivia team at Easton’s Washington Street Pub and the Blackthorn Irish Pub in St. Michaels.
“You may think you know trivia,” says Pete, “but we’ll see about that! Bring your ‘A’ game.”
Sunday’s trivia contest will consist of 10 rounds of 10 questions each, in the following categories: Presidents; Crime Novels; History & Landmarks; the Silver Screen; Popular Culture; Phobias; Sports; Religion; Science, Technology, Medicine & Nature; and Nicknames. The highest possible score will be 135 points, since some questions will be worth more than one point. The player or team with the most points will win. Prizes will awarded for first, second and third places.
Pete says he doesn’t mind tipping his hand to let contestants know what the categories will be. “You can study all the books and websites you want,” he says, “but trivia, by its very nature, defies cataloging. You’ve either picked it up and stored it away, or you haven’t.”
Even if you’ve stored it away, retrieving it can still be a challenge. Some answers, even if they’re in there, won’t come out.
“Brace yourself for the head-smackers,” warns Pete. “Those are the questions you miss, then smack yourself on the forehead when you hear the answers and say, ‘Rats! I knew that!’”
Sunday’s trivia contest will be the most legal fun you can have for just $5per person. Contestants can compete individually or in teams. Team size will be limited to six players. To reserve a seat at the table, call the Mental Health Association at 410-822-0444. Registration will also be available at the door.
The Mental Health Association in Talbot County has served the community for more than 55 years. Its mission is to promote mental health through resource and referral information and support groups for family members; by increasing awareness through articles, presentations, educational events and its Mental Health Matters television show; programs, like the Kids on the Block puppeteer program and its flagship Mental Health First Aid program; and an annual Legislative Forum that addresses the mental health system in the mid-shore region and the impact of decisions made at the state level.
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