Trivial pursuits
Isabella's in Bethany is host every Thursday night for Team Trivia
By Christina Weaver
Special to the Coastal Point
“It’s great fun. We love it,” said Donna Rhine who, with her friends and their husbands, are Team Trivia regulars at Isabella’s on Thursday evenings. Their team, known at the Iggles (that’s Eagles with a Philly accent), was one of 12 teams braving the cold last Thursday to enjoy an evening of warmth and conviviality that is becoming a popular pastime throughout Delmarva.
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Special to the Coastal Point • CHRISTINA WEAVER
The Pimp My Ride team prepares itself for the next line of trivia at Isabella's on Thursday, Jan. 27.
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Get Fuzzy is another team of regulars. Comprised of librarians from South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach, their motivation in coming is different: the challenge! Having been winners for a couple of weeks, they had recently been “knocked off course” and were determined to seek revenge. Sue Keefe, arm in a sling, wouldn’t let the mere fact she was having screws put in her elbow at Beebe the next day interfere with her participation. “It’s the best place to eat before being NPO tomorrow,” she joked. In case you don’t know, the name Get Fuzzy comes from a cartoon character: a dog with a bad attitude. That’s the kind of trivia question that could come up during Thursday action.
“For blood ... and beer,” was the reason librarian victor’s team Pimp My Ride drives up from Fenwick Island each week. Their name could be another trivia answer. It’s from a television makeover show for cars. “Madrid,” they answered the first question, “What world capital was the target of terrorism that left 200 people dead in 2004?” “That was an easy one,” they all agreed.
The questions are posed by event host, Bill Mixon. A retired middle school teacher and part time DJ, Mixon, who lives in Bay Colony, has just the right personality and mix of oldies but goodies music to make the evening work. He begins around 7 p.m. by going from table to table, writing down the names of the teams, informing new people of the rules, and joking with those with whom he is becoming familiar. Isabella’s, on Route 26 in Bethany Beach is his only location for Team Trivia.
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Special to the Coastal Point • CHRISTINA WEAVER
Bill Mixon finds hosting the weekly event at the Bethany restaurant reason to smile.
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“I got back from Florida one day a few months ago,” he explained. “My son called and said, ‘guess what you’re doing tomorrow? Team Trivia at Isabella’s.’ I told him I didn’t know anything about it but he told me I have a gift for the gab and would be a natural. And that’s how it started.”
Team Trivia is in fact catching on throughout the area. The Delmarva franchise for the Atlanta-based firm is held by Mixon’s son, John. There are 10 other locations where the game is played, including the Dewey Beach Club and Jake’s on the Highway in Rehoboth. They are currently looking for more locations and for more hosts. More information and a weekly trivia challenge question are available on their Web site, www.delmarvadj.com.
“We came for the 2/22 a few weeks ago and decided to come back to play,” said Toby Adams from Clarkesville. His wife, Karen, added, “It was coming here or having to grocery shop!”
The two people for $22 promotion is part of the draw that attracts players to Isabella’s on Thursday nights. “It’s a great deal,” said Bethany Beach Entertainment Coordinator Gloria Farrar, who was enjoying one of Isabella’s specialty pizzas. Her team of friends, The Sun Downer’s, has been coming since the first week in December and claim the distinction of never having won. “But we have fun and talk about this question or that all week.”
“What cereal company was the first to include toys in cereal boxes?” was the second question. The answer is Kellogg’s. Then, “What does the French expression, haute couture mean; high fashion, high sewing or high crime?” There was a groan throughout when the answer, high sewing was given.
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Special to the Coastal Point • CHRISTINA WEAVER
The Iggles practices strategy for the trivia challenge at Isabella's.
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“I can’t believe that,” said one of the players from the 10-member team, Out of Space who, like many, had been certain of her high fashion answer. “1890,” said another of her team members who was promptly shhh’d by the rest of the group.
“They’re listening,” a third whispered furtively, referring to the Sun Downer’s at the next table. The answer was right to the question “Within five years, what was the year Jack the Ripper plagued London?” (1888 to be precise)
Even Isabella’s staff gets into the swing of the evening with a team of their own. Server Alin Virvara says Thursday is his favorite night of the week although he is still waiting to hear a question about his home country of Romania. Jeff Morris, who tends bar, confessed he loves to come to work on Thursdays, “it’s so much fun.” He shrugged his shoulders from a look by general manager, Corey Baker about a question on Division IA College football in the ‘70s. Neither knew the answer but as Baker pointed out, “the idea is getting everyone involved and this has really caught on.”
To find out more about Team Trivia night at Isabella’s and the rest of their special menus, call 539-3700.
Oh, and by the way, Get Fuzzy is back on top!
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