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Hernando Today

Bingo Wars Are Underway

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: August 11, 2008

MASARYKTOWN - Personal differences were what led to the split.

That's all either side would say when asked why Sheila Hart was no longer with the Masaryktown bingo.

She wasted no time joining forces with the local Fraternal Order of Police to start a new bingo - just seven miles away.

"We expect to lose some of our clientele," admitted Masaryktown Community Center President Gene Richards.

He, his wife, Carolyn, and assistant secretary Linda Lovelady would not discuss Hart's departure. They spoke for several minutes without mentioning her name.

Hart also was mostly mum about leaving Masaryktown, where she had volunteered for eight years. She spent the last six of those years serving as bingo director.

The second week of the FOP bingo at the Hernando County Fairgrounds took place Saturday. The room filled with people who have gambled with bingo cards for years - mostly in Masaryktown.

"I'm so much more comfortable here," Hart said. "There's no stress. I'm happy. If you volunteer, you've got to be happy."

Since 2001, the Masaryktown bingo raised more than $90,000 for Hernando-Pasco Hospice and another $16,000 for local scholarships.

Volunteers there will continue to raise money for hospice, as will Hart's bingo group - only they will add St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, FOP Lodge 164 and the Law Enforcement Memorial to their list of charities.

"(Hospice) is my pet charity," said Hart.

Meanwhile, Richards wanted to put an end to rumors that the Masaryktown bingo was coming to a close due to the recent changes. Both he and his wife assured residents they will continue to manage it effectively, they said.

"The bingo here is running strong," said Richards.

As of last month, while Hart was still weeks away from starting her own tournaments, more than 120 people were attending the games each Saturday in Masaryktown.

Both halls are hosting bingos Saturday and Wednesday nights.

Richards admitted many of the players from Masaryktown are loyal to Hart and had plans to follow her to Brooksville.

"We'll have some drop off, but over time, we'll get it all back," hesaid.

Since Hart left, the Masaryktown Community Center has a new phone number and installed a video camera. Richards said the phone number had to be changed because they switched services.

Steve Klapka, who heads the local FOP Lodge, said he contacted Hart two years ago about starting a bingo. He checked online and discovered several FOP chapters were raising money that way.

"If they can do it, why can't we?" he said.

Hart, who lives in Dade City, knew for a while she wanted to leave the Masaryktown bingo. A few months ago, she told Richards and his wife she would depart after 30 days. They didn't want her to wait. She was terminated, she said.

Hart was asked more than once to elaborate on why the relationship soured, but she would not go into detail.

"I would ask questions and wouldn't get answers," she said.

When asked to be more specific, she shrugged.

"I would just say it was personal differences."

Klapka said they chose the Hernando County Fairgrounds because the hall was hardly used during the year and the Hernando County Fair Committee offered them a good deal.

When the lease was signed, Hart was available.

Several of Saturday's cigarette-wielding bingo players walked up to Hart as if they had known her for years. Most of them did.

"They're all my friends," she said as she punched the numbers on the register in front of her. "They're not just players. They're my friends."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5823 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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