Rear table has the questions while Bill Ellis keeps score. <

"Now we start DOUBLE JEOPARDY!"

June 12, 2012

President Bob Keely took on the role of Alex Trebek today as Putnam Rotarians competed in their own version of the popular TV quiz show JEOPARDY!

By groups of three or four at each table, club members gave questions for answers in such categories as "Our Club," "Our Projects," "Our District," and "Rotary International."

First answer: "The year our club was chartered." "1895," shouted charter member Don Broyles. WRONG! "1995," said George Six. WRONG, again! "What is 1995?" said Tom Midkiff. RIGHT! (In JEOPARDY!, the response must be in the form of a question.)

"City where Rotary was founded," said "Alex" Keely. "Where is Chicago?" asked Glen Gibbs. RIGHT!"

Each table elected a captain and a score keeper for the contest. "Trebek" was assisted by "Vanna White" (Mary Keely) who somehow got a release from "Wheel of Fortune -- Rotary style."

"Our club's first community project." Correct question: "What is Tri-County Y's Camp High Tor?" (1995-96)

"Our Club's most expensive community project." The question: "What is a Habitat for Humanity house?" (The year was 2000-01. Steve Parks was club president. The club's share: $40,000 and much sweat equity.)

"Our club's main fund-raising project." "What is the annual golf tournament?" said Dianna Casto. "For that question, you get to chair the tournament event next year," Don Broyles announced to a round of laughter and applause from the tournament committee. (Broyles presently chairs the golf planners.)

Keely had grilled the club once before with a JEOPARDY! Rotary style competition. That was in 2005. He noted that questions had much improved since the contest seven years ago. "You folks have studied up for this round," he said.

And perhaps Putnam's "Alex" had polished his style somewhat in the interim.

"I learned a lot about the club," said John Young. "We need to do this more often."

"Part of the 'Four-Way' Test," said Keely with a final answer. "Is it the truth?"said Marilyn Pemberton. "You have to make a question," someone protested. "That IS a question," said Chet Marshall.

The round ended with no teams in the negative. "Everybody wins in JEOPARDY! Rotary style," Keely announced as "Vanna White" passed out candy "dollars" to the contestants.

Give questions, not answers.