Bingo Night at Union Presbyterian Church

Since the end of the Covid pandemic, the Union Presbyterian Church (44 Balmville Road, Newburgh) has converted its fellowship hall into a Bingo center the last Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.

Complete with a 50-50 raffle and sold refreshments, proceeds benefit the church while providing a fun family-friendly activity for parishioners and other community members.

Run by a small group of church volunteers, Bingo night at the church is “one of only two still held in the Town of Newburgh” said Stephen Williamson, the official game certifier.

The church volunteers begin set-up close to 5 p.m. and players arrive shortly after to buy their game cards and raffle tickets. According to Jeff Bouche, the church’s fundraising chairperson, an average of 25 to 40 people show up to try their hand at the game of chance each month

Paul Hill has been the resident caller since about a year after Bingo Night began. He started as the fill-in caller when the former pastor wasn’t able to do it, but when the pastor left, Hill kept calling the numbers. “I have a voice that reaches the back of the room,” he said. “It’s a fun time and if they win, it’s even better.”

Shortly after the Pledge of Allegiance, Jeff Bouche gives the rundown of the game rules, reminding everyone to wait until the winners have been verified with his “We have a winner!” announcement before removing markers from their cards.

Since the cards are reused for each session, participants use chips instead of liquid ink bottle daubers.

Devon Scalfari (center) waits a Bingo win confirmation as Bouche reads off her card numbers, which are checked by Hill. She was the first winner of the evening and won during the session in April as well.

Powie, who is 14, always comes to Bingo night with Ryan Petrus and Hillary Taymouk (l).

Samantha DeLena reacts when she finds a match on one of her cards. The former Newburgh resident moved to Dutchess County but still comes back for Bingo Night.

Volunteers Merle Hennessey (l) and Gail McKenzieo prepare for the next game by clearing the Bingo board, which helps the players see which numbers have been called.

Originally appeared in the Hudson Valley Times weekly newspaper (May 2026).