Stony Brook Family To Revive Virtual Bingo For Thanksgiving Eve

STONY BROOK, NY — The Mastriano family of Stony Brook hit the news when it hosted socially-distant Bingo during the height of the coronavirus outbreak for 70 days in a row. Virtual Bingo will be returning for one night only: Thanksgiving Eve.

The free game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on Facebook. The word list and blank game boards will be shared Tuesday.

The reunion game theme pays tribute to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Participants are encouraged to decorate their game boards, dress for the theme and send pictures of both.

The family consists of Poppa Joe, the trivia guru; Momma Laura, the "game hostess with the monsters;" daughter Maddie, also known as Sharkie; son Joseph "the organizer" and Phoebe, the English bulldog mascot. They originally launched the games when everyone was forced to quarantine due to COVID-19.

"Why bring it back?," Laura wrote in an email. "The family has been getting several requests from friends and family to host another game. They also want to take the opportunity to thank everyone too. Playing the game for 70 days in a row was also an opportunity for all us to have a sense of normalcy during the pandemic."