Let The Big Wheel Roll (164/365)

 
Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
[a croupier hands Renault a pile of money]
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: [sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much. [aloud] Everybody out at once!

Casablanca (Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Marcel Dalio,
Michael Curtiz-director, 1942)

TIME:  8:29 PM
PLACE:  St. Mary's Parish Picnic
SUBJECT:  The "Big Six" Wheel

According to the calendar, the official astronomical date for the first day of summer doesn't occur until June 21st.  However, I declare that the true start of summer began tonight with the first Catholic parish picnic.  About every 2-3 weeks from now until September, there will be one going on for you to attend if you so wish.  Tonight was our parish's picnic and we walked there to enjoy the beer, bingo and brats.  There was gambling (it's a Catholic picnic for heaven's sake!) with the Big Six wheel, a quilt/cash bingo and raffle tickets.   A cold beer stand is a given.  There were booths where you could take your chances to win a theme-filled baskets or a cake.  For the kids, there were several inflatables (a slide, obstacle course and bounce house) and a kid's game area.  As we were leaving, a band was beginning to play.  The best part this year was that they were selling margaritas on the rocks...very yummy!  

When I was single, before HandsomeHusband and the kids, my cousin Kathleen and I would make the rounds of the majority of the parish picnics.  We went for the cheap beer and the gambling.  We always made sure that we made it to our home parishes to meet and hang out with our friends from grade school.  Good times!