Marathon: Trivia Night isn’t trivial

Marathon: Trivia Night isn’t trivial - A person holding a sign posing for the camera - Blond

Winning contestants walk away with gift cards, bragging rights

Are you smarter than the next guy?  Answer these without the help of Google:

A. What is the largest bone in the human body?

B. Name the popular rapper who was born in 1986 in Canada as Aubrey Graham?

C. In what year was the bikini invented?

D. How many presidents have been named James?

With creative team names, mostly all unmentionable in this family newspaper, teams from one to many wager points during six, three-question rounds on Wednesdays from at 6 to 8 p.m. at Keys Fisheries, and from 9 to 11 p.m. at Marathon Grill and Ale House. Locally, it’s known as “Trivia Night” in Marathon.

“It’s good to have someone on your team with a wealth of useless knowledge in their head,” said Ale House reigning champ Robert Hunt from team Netflix and Chill – made up of Kacey Mearns, Rodney Altman and a rotating fourth member. Hunt is that person whose head is packed with random facts; he used to play trivia in college.

Conferring with his teammate, he came to the conclusion that his team has been in the tops for the past six months, give or take, if they were present. Last week gave them a run for their money when an attorney from Ft. Myers almost took home first place by a couple of points. “That was a close call,” said Hunt.

Anagrams are his team’s favorite question, played at half time. The teams are handed words to de-scramble into a famous person’s name. Last week the words were RAD MEN SALAD. It took team Netflix and Chill less than a minute to figure it out (Adam Sandler). Other categories include things like sports and geography.

Jeanine Christiansen and Chelsey Stewart started playing months ago, but acquired directorial duties when the position was suddenly vacated. “We learn all sorts of random trivia,” said Jeanine.

The hosting restaurants offer gift cards to the top three teams at the end of the night as well as happy hour and drink specials during play. “Plus, teams get a five point bonus for buying a round of drinks for their team,” said Jeanine.

Hunt says he will gladly take on any challengers next week at the Ale House. Marty Dailey has been holding onto the top spot at Keys Fisheries. Both are Marathon High School graduates.

Answers: A. Femur, B. Drake, C. 1946, D. 6.

Kristen Livengood is a Marathon High School and University of South Florida grad, mom of two beautiful little girls, and wife to some cute guy she met in a bar. She enjoys red wine, Tito's, Jameson, running (very, very slowly), and spearfishing.