23 Years of Bingo and Big Fun at Austell McDonald's

Don’t be surprised to hear a few outbursts of “Bingo!” and “Whoopee!” on a Wednesday morning at the on Austell Road. It’s just a group of old friends who gather and play Bingo, eat breakfast and share laughs.

The group has been meeting at this location for 23 years, and the members say it’s a way to catch up with friends and establish a sense of community for them, many of whom are retired. The members come from all over Cobb and even as far as Villa Rica and Stone Mountain.

Mary and Gerald Peel founded the group by asking the owner at the time if they could begin meeting there to play Bingo. Once they had the go-ahead, they spread the word and raised money to purchase a tumble basket to call out the letters and numbers. Over the years, the group has purchased other items and newer cards.

The Peels still use the original cards donated by the American Legion 15 years ago, and the other Bingo players joke that the old cards are why they win so often.

Thelma Hutchins has been calling out the Bingo numbers for more than 20 years. When she pulls out B-13, the entire restaurant erupts into “whoopee!” in memory of Ruby Burkhauser. Burkhauser, now deceased, was a bingo player and dear friend for many in the group who always got a laugh when she yelled “whoopee” after B-13 was called.

Remembering their friends who have passed away and celebrating the ones still with them is what the group is all about, members said.

“You make friends with so many people. You keep coming back to find out how they’re doing,” said Dewey Shaleen, who has been part of the Bingo group for 13 years.

The group members were having so much fun, they were investigated after someone alleged that they were gambling. No evidence of illegal gambling was found. The most winners get is a free McDonald’s breakfast item and a sense of camaraderie.

For Chalene Richardson, the group gives her a reason to get up on Wednesday mornings.

“It gets you up and going!” she said.

Evelyn Weese, the group’s treasurer, agreed. “It’s a pleasure to know you have some place to go.”