Imperial Trivia Night’s return a big hit

By Jan Schultz
Imperial Republican Correspondent
After a year’s absence, Trivia Night in Imperial returned this year when a record-breaking 18 teams filled the Nutrien Event Center Nov. 14.
The evening event was coordinated by Bill and Marianne Sullivan and a committee of volunteers. They had worked several months in preparation for the competition sponsored by Catholic Social Services, which operates St. Isidore Gift & Thrift in Imperial..
At times, it became lively and loud in the building as teams cheered after a right answer or moaned when it was wrong.
Bill Sullivan, who coordinates the thrift store operation, said they couldn’t have been happier with the turnout and the unexpected profit after all expenses were paid.
Trivia Night was mainly planned as an outreach to let the community know what CCS does in the area, he said. But, thanks to several anonymous donors and higher-than-expected proceeds from a 50/50 raffle, the event raised nearly $5,000 to help needy individuals and families here.
“We really didn’t expect to make any money on it, so that was a big added benefit,” he said.
It helped that funds were donated for the building rental, while others donated team sponsorships, seed money for the 50/50 raffle and for other expenses. Beverage Barn donated all of its tips to CCS, he added.
Sullivan emphasized all funds raised will stay here to help families in the area.
Teams of six people faced nine rounds with 10 questions in each on the following areas - Y2K to Today, It’s About Time, Fiddle and a Band, Steel, Soil and Sweat, Road Trip (license plate ID), The Sky is the Limit, South of the Border, Fab Foursome and SF Finale.
A new twist this year featured mulligans. Each team had five of them, which could be used throughout all nine rounds. By placing a mulligan sticker on an answer line they believe was wrong, the team got credit for it.
 A fun game in between rounds asked teams to list as many Nebraska counties as they could in five minutes.
First place team, garnering 74 out of 90  points, was Brain Buds composed of Emmy Bomba, Sydney Lee, Jayden Widener, Carl Zuege, Jennifer Colton and Linda Nelson. They received $200 and donated it back to CSS.
Second place went to The Factoids, which received $100. Team members were Barry Marshall, Charley Colton, Diane Stamm, Karen Hayes, Carolyn Lee and Jan Schultz. They tallied 73 points, one behind the winners.
Factoids donated half of their winnings back to CSS and the other half to the community diaper drive being conducted by the Chase County Ministerial Association.
Winners of the 50/50 raffle also donated all of their $850 prize money back to CSS.
Nichole Spady of Imperial and John Soukup of Lincoln, CSS Development Officer, returned as emcees this year.
Sullivan said he didn’t know what to expect for participation this year, after the competition took a year off in 2024 after contests in 2022 and 2023.
Admitting the committee did “beat the bushes” getting teams to sign up, it helped that several other individuals recruited teams. A later corn harvest this fall affected some participation but registrations flowed in the final week before the deadline, he said.
Hors d’oeuvres and snacks throughout the evening were provided by the Altar Society at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
When an individual or family comes in for help at CSS, Sullivan said they go through an interview process. Funds to help their situation are never given to them directly, he said. Rather, CCS will help by paying utility, rent or medical bills. Food assistance is also provided, he said.
St. Isidore’s Gift & Thrift is open at 527 Broadway on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.