Bingo games are returning to the Ripon American Legion Hall on Tuesday, April 3, to again serve as the main fundraiser for the operation of Post 190.
Games will take place on the first and second Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at the Legion Hall in the 100 block of South Stockton Avenue in Ripon’s downtown.
Nearly a year ago the state legislature put an end to remote caller bingo that affected the games conducted by the Ripon American Legion. The Legion post ended up losing the one regular fund-raising activity it had to keep the hall and the Bugbee Veterans Center doors open.
Faced with a big hole on their budget, the post leadership went to work a solution with the city. It is allowing the non-profit to once again hold the bingo nights under the City of Ripon’s local bingo permit process. 
Doors  open at 5:30 p.m. with play scheduled from 7 until 9 p.m.  Prices are $25 for the first packet and $5 for each additional packet.  Players must be at least 18.  The Post 190 Auxiliary Unit provides a snack bar. Pull tabs are also being made available for players.
The initial game was held on March 13. The bingo managers were presented with the challenge of calling numbers manually from an old tumbler used by the Post years ago.  The night was well attended with winners taking home over $650 in cash and prizes.
The new automated system, using software and a laptop, has now been installed enabling the use of the large TV monitors in the hall for the display of winning numbers.  And for those with bingo fever, the Ripon Senior Center also holds its bingo nights on the third Tuesdays of each month.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.