Bunco for Books

Sometime ago in this space I considered the consequences of state budget cuts on the local libraries.

I wondered what would a community be without books and apparently we could soon find out as the Port St. Joe Library no longer has funds for books.

It must lease 40 books per month on a rotating basis with the option of keeping one of every five books.

So the Reid Avenue Bunco Babes hatched an idea – a tournament to benefit the library and boost that number of books owned by the library.

“We have a great group of women that are community minded,” said Dana Boyer, one of the Bunco Babes.

They got support for the idea from Carol and Eric Spilde-Dow, owners of The Fish House restaurant in Mexico Beach and two of those folks who quietly provide the glue to keep the community fabric from fraying. The Fish House has hosted a slew of fund-raisers in recent months, assisting a family dealing with cancer, the Tauntons in their attempt to rebuild the Children’s Family Home and the library.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on March 1 a Bunco tournament will be held, the goal being to attract 144 players.

Now, for men out there, this Bunco thing is likely somewhat of a mysterious world.

Around since the 1800’s, according to one website, the game of dice and four to a table has pretty much been the domain of women and is more social than it is competitive.

In very, very short strokes, the goal is to roll a three of a kind of numbers in progression from low to high, earning points along the way. One wants to avoid three ones as those will wipe out all points.

 “It’s basically friendship, talking to the group,” said Elaine Lerch, another Reid Avenue Bunco Babe. “It’s an opportunity to meet new people. You learn about things in town.”

Boyer added, “It’s not a new thing, it’s been revived.”

But, the Reid Avenue Bunco Babes emphasize, men are certainly welcome when it comes to helping out the library.

There is already a commitment from a Bunco group in Chattahoochee to take part and another group from Americus, GA has also explored the idea.

The entry fee is $30, $20 to play and $10 for dinner (BYOB).

“Donations are accepted for those that can not play,” Boyer emphasized, adding that Dow has also indicated she will donate receipts for dinner above the cost of the food and service to the cause.

Prizes will be awarded for the winners and there will be drawings on donated door prizes, which include a signed edition of one of Maya Angelou’s novels.

And all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Port St. Joe Library for its efforts in supporting, through volunteering and monetary assistance, the library.

The library, despite a cut in hours due to shortfalls in funding, continues to thrive.

The number of registered patrons was 650 last year alone and circulation, computer usage and patron visits are up despite no Saturday hours and shortened evening hours during the week, the library now closing at 6 p.m.

The third-grade reading program held each year for three weeks had 55 students participating this year, the students earning a library card and pizza party upon completion.

 “We’ve done pretty well despite the shortened hours,” said Mary Kay Carpenter of the Friends group, adding that the Genealogy Room is also very popular with locals and visitors. “There is a tremendous amount of volunteerism. It’s very helpful. It’s great. The people of Port St. Joe, they give like crazy.”

The monthly used book sales – which raised over $2,500 in 2009 – now take place during normal operating hours instead of Saturday and books that are donated either go into the system or are sold for library funding.

“But there is nothing for new books anymore,” Carpenter said, detailing the lease agreement by which the library secures new books.

So fundraisers such as Bunco for the Library are essential to maintain the mission.

Every dime of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Friends, the idea being that the money will be used primarily for books and periodicals. It can not be used for salaries or benefits, just to further the library’s mission of a community resource.

The Reid Avenue Bunco Babes urge people to purchase their tickets early.

“We play in groups of four and it would help to be sold out before the day of the tournament,” Boyer said.

For reservations and tickets contact Boyer at 227-3777, Barbara Radcliff at 340-0256, Nancy Swider at 227-3600, the Fish House Restaurant or the Port St. Joe Public Library.

“My goal is this becomes big enough that it becomes a yearly event and we will have to move to an even larger venue,” Boyer said. “I would like to see this grow and grow.”

The staff and patrons of the library second that emotion.