WESTFIELD-How well do you know Westfield?
Your memory will be put to the test when the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center host a unique fundraiser, “Westfield Trivia,” on March 3 at the senior center on Noble Street. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be staged on March 31.
Kathy Millas, who serves as treasurer and clerk for the Friends group, said this is open to all ages and encourages area residents to spend an afternoon at the senior center and join in the fun as “local celebrity hosts” pose questions to teams during the 2 to 4 p.m. event.
“Half of the trivia questions in each round will be related to the Westfield 350th,” said Millas, noting the event is in conjunction with Westfield’s 350th anniversary celebration. “The other questions will touch on music, sports, and general knowledge.”
Millas said the committee members organizing the event plan to keep the “celebrity hosts” secret to add to the fun – with the exception of Harry Rock – who serves as president of the Friends of the Westfield 350th.
Board members joining Millas in drafting questions and handling logistics for the fundraiser include Tom Keenan, Mike Parent, Patrick Berry, Christina Lovelace, Lesley Lambert and Tina Gorman.
“We expect to have a local historian review our questions and answers on Westfield’s history for accuracy,” said Millas.
Teams of seven people will be competing for the top prize – each member of the winning team will receive a $25 gift certificate to the Shortstop Bar & Grill at 99 Springfield Road. The gift certificates have been donated by the restaurant.
“When you purchase your $5 ticket you may form your own team or join a partial team,” said Millas, adding tickets will go on sale Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. at the senior center.
Since seating is limited, Millas noted that tickets must be purchased in advance and there is no limit on the number of tickets one can purchase.
The trivia afternoon will feature five rounds of 10 questions each. Each team will have a slip to fill out their answers to the questions and at the end of each round, a runner will pick up all slips which will then be checked by volunteers for scoring purposes.
“We will have an audio visual system set up with the scores from each team after each round so everyone knows where they stand,” said Millas, adding that if two teams have a tie by the end of the competition, a tiebreaker round is planned.
“Second prize winners will each receive a lunch at the senior center,” said Millas, noting that a “special prize” for another team in the competition is in the works.
To add to the fun, organizers have planned a 50/50 drawing and a Lucky Lottery Leprechaun with $100 worth of lottery tickets. Tickets will be six for $5 and two board members each donated $50 to purchase the lottery tickets, according to Millas.
“Between each round, approximately five to 10 minutes, we will be entertained by members of the New England Dance and Gymnastics Center performance team,” said Millas, noting the group of young people, ages seven to 13, participate in community activities.
At the end of the afternoon, all attendees will leave with an ice cream sundae featuring vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce topped with sprinkles – made by the senior center’s kitchen staff.
“We hope people come out and support our fundraiser,” said Millas, adding that the group has been instrumental over the years in furnishing the entire senior center. The group’s ongoing mission is to support enhancements to the center’s programs and activities.
“If someone hasn’t been here before we’d love to have them look around and meet our extremely friendly staff,” said Millas, adding, “The purpose of Westfield Trivia is to have a good, fun time, learn a little extra about Westfield, and see what a wonderful facility we have.”
