NORTHFIELD — Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dickinson Memorial Library’s tent to host outdoor gatherings in the parking lot became “so well used that we used it for the next four years,” in the words of Library Director Misha Storm.
Now, the library is “looking to do something more permanent,” Storm said.
That’s where the Friends of the Dickinson Memorial Library’s second annual bingo fundraiser comes in. The event, to be held at The Brewery at Four Star Farms on Friday, Aug. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., will raise money for an outdoor patio space.
The outdoor gathering space would be located behind the library, where there are already trees and a picnic table.
“We want a patio and then native plantings around it,” Storm said of the vision for the new space. “And maybe a couple hammocks and chairs for people for informal gatherings, and then also a flat, hard surface for us to have more formal meetings and programs.”
Friday night’s 10 bingo games are free to play, though donations are recommended to support the construction of the new patio space. Bingo cards and daubers can be picked up by 5:30 p.m. and the games will begin at 6:15 p.m. Four Northfield locals will be calling the games: library neighbor Pam Eldridge, Northfield Police Department Sgt. Oleg Cobileanschi, former Neighbors at Home President Shirley Keech and former Northfield Elementary School Principal Tom King.
The winners of the night’s games will be able to choose from a collection of themed prize baskets, including a puzzle basket, a reading basket, an arts and crafts basket, and a knitting basket. Extra prizes will be awarded via a raffle at the end of the event. Attendees will be entered into the raffle upon getting their bingo cards.
Players can get drinks at the brewery, with Four Star Farms pledging a $1-per-pour donation toward the fundraiser. In addition, an on-site food truck, Rough Chop, will serve New England-style barbecue to hungry patrons.
The Friends of the Dickinson Memorial Library will also donate baked goods that can be purchased throughout the night. Friends merchandise, including tote bags and T-shirts, will also be sold at the event.
More than 200 people turned out for last year’s bingo night, which raised $3,000 for new furniture in the library’s Children’s Room. Storm is hoping for a similar attendance this year. The costs that are not covered by the fundraiser will be covered by the Friends of the Dickinson Memorial Library.
“Last year was a great event,” Storm recounted. “It’s a really nice event to meet new people. There were lots of library fans, but we also got to see a lot of new people that are just into bingo. It’s a good community event. … We hope people come out.”
For more information on the bingo fundraiser, the library can be reached at 413-498-2455. The Facebook event page can be found at tinyurl.com/DickinsonLibraryBingo. No advance registration is needed. The rain date for the fundraiser is Friday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m.