Staunton —
Two tables full of poker chips and hands full of memories surrounded a television tuned to the Super Bowl.
Sunday evening’s Super Bowl featured the San Francisco 49ers versus the Baltimore Ravens, led by the brothers Harbaugh. In the basement of a house outside Staunton, another band of brothers was shuffling cards in wait for the kick-off.
Dennis Campbell, 58, said the dozen or so friends gathered represented an unbroken chain of 31 annual Super Bowl parties, stemming from childhood friendships dating back more than half a century.
The group traditionally starts its party at 1 p.m. with tables full of food near tables full of poker chips and cards. “The faces have changed over the years. We usually get about a dozen people,” Campbell said.
This year’s party was hosted by Wally Kozubal, 72, a Ford Motor Co. retiree and relative newcomer to the gang. After retirement, he and his wife purchased their lakeside property outside Staunton and built a home there in 1996.
“My son-in-law brought me to one of their poker games and I was hooked. I’ve been coming ever since,” he said of his 17-year involvement.
“It’s the camaraderie. We all get along good, and we can all take the abuse,” he laughed.
Outside the poker room, the basement’s kitchen contained counters full of chicken wings, Italian beef sandwiches, chili, shrimp cocktail and St. Elmo’s horseradish sauce. Baked spaghetti, cupcakes and beer were also in copious supply as the guys broke from one round of poker for food before heading back for more.
Campbell recalled one year Larry Deal brought “hot dog gravy,” a questionable concoction which was neither rejected nor brought back.
“Actually, it wasn’t too bad,” he said. “We have all kinds of food.”
John McAleese drove down from Indianapolis to meet the guys with whom he first started playing cards at the Elks Country Club pool as a 7-year-old. Playing then for pennies by the swimming pool, he said he grew up on Terre Haute’s north side, down the street from Jim Stanfill, Tom Peter and Bob Poynter, all of whom knew each other as 5-year-olds.
“Now we’re in our 60s and still playing cards together,” he remarked. “Those games have been going on now for over 50 years.”
Campbell said some members of the clique have driven from as far as Cincinnati for the reunion. Over the course of three decades, the winter ritual has been hosted amid blizzards, sunshine and rain.
“We look forward to it. It really is like a holiday,” he said, pointing out the guys begin planning for it in November.
Years when the Indianapolis Colts played were obviously big years for the guys, he said, noting this Super Bowl was more of a toss-up.
Kozubal said he too was relatively indifferent to Sunday’s teams.
“I’m a region boy,” the Schererville native said, explaining his allegiance to the Bears, Colts and Big 10 college teams. “Probably the 49ers, but I don’t have any skin in the game. Those are about as far away from me as I can get.”
Upstairs, his wife of 52 years, Mary Lou, spent the afternoon watching television with Eve Fears.
“We’ve been watching ‘Say Yes to the Dress.’ It’s a bridal show,” she said, pointing out that while many wives might object to their husbands bringing a dozen friends over for the Super Bowl, she finds it a good chance to escape. “That’s a good group of guys.”
Moving to a new town after retirement raises some concerns about establishing new friendships, she said. But in their case, the couple fell into luck with the tight-knit and eclectic bunch of locals.
“They would do it every weekend if they could,” she said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Waiting game: Poker is the name of the game while waiting for the Super Bowl to start. Here long-time friends Jim Stanfill, Bob Poynter, Tom Peter, Darwin Bookout and R.C. Fears match wits.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Traditions: For over thirty years a group of friends has used the Super Bowl as a reason to get together, play cards and recall good times. Clockwise from lower left are: John McAleese, Randy Jenkins, Mike Aird, host Wally Kozubal and Dennis Campbell.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Spice of life: The food brought tot eh Super Bowl party ranges the spectrum. St. Elmo's shrimp, buffalo wings, Italian beef sandwiches and baked spaghetti are assisted by chips and salsa, potato salad and crackers with spread. Watching over the eats are Tom Peter, R.C. Fears and Darwin Bookout.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Downtime: Mary Lou Kozubal and Eve Fears relax upstairs while poker chips change hands in the basement before the kick off. The men bring most of the food for the party.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Founder: Dennis Campbell is one of the original members of the long-running Super Bowl gathering.
Discussion
Longtime pals use Super Bowl as catalyst for annual gathering
- News
-
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
-
Beware of scams everywhere
Ever get a phone call in the middle of the night from a person claiming to be your grandchild, who unfortunately has been jailed in Canada and needs bail money?
-
INDOT to start work on Indiana 163 in Vermillion County
Maintenance crews will begin a pavement preservation project Monday on Indiana 163, between Indiana 63 and the Illinois state line west of Clinton.
-
Union Hospital community garden spots now available
Community gardening spots are now available at the Union Hospital Community Garden for Wabash Valley residents interested in planting and maintaining a garden but may not have the space. The garden is located west of the intersection of North Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute at 1430 N. Sixth St.
-
Correctional officer remembered at memorial
Greene County native and Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Officer Timothy Betts was honored during a memorial ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Money donated for Dresser sculpture
100+ Women Who Care of Vigo County on Thursday awarded a $20,200 grant to Art Spaces that will help make the Paul Dresser sculpture, “A Song for Indiana,” a reality.
-
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday — the third largest lottery in history — as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn’t played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street.
-
About 200 channel catfish find new home in Dobbs Park pond
About 200 channel catfish transferred into a new home at the Dobbs Park pond on Wednesday, but it’s unclear how long they’ll remain there. That depends upon the people fishing.
-
GED grads turn the tassels
Michelle McClendon’s first child was born when she was 15.
She tried to stay in school, but it was just too much, so she dropped out to take care of her daughter. -
MARK BENNETT: Local summer music series idea remains a good one
One-of-a-kind ideas happen rarely.
As the biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. We humans succeed occasionally, inventing electricity, automobiles, telephones and the Internet. Invariably, though, someone else insists, “Hey, my grandpa thought of that years before Edison.” -
State to spend $2M to clean up voter rolls
Indiana’s bloated voter registration rolls, which officials say make elections more susceptible to fraud, will soon come under more scrutiny by the state.
-
Community tips lead to arrest on methamphetamine charges
Acting on community tips and other information, Indiana State Police troopers from the Putnamville District Meth Lab Enforcement Team were led to a rural Vigo County residence where they arrested the homeowner on meth-related charges and a female companion on a Clay County warrant for driving while suspended.
-
Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29
Bargains galore are expected along a 824-mile stretch of U.S. 40 as the annual The Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29 and continues through June 2
-
Woman arrested after selling relatives truck without permission
A Terre Haute woman faces a charge of auto theft after being arrested for selling a relative’s vehicle without permission.
-
Redevelopment Commission hears TIF districts in good shape
Terre Haute’s special economic development taxing districts, known as TIF districts, are in good financial shape, according to a report given Wednesday to the city’s five-member Redevelopment Commission.
-
Tribune-Star staff wins awards from IAPME
The Tribune-Star was well represented once again at the annual Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards in Indianapolis Saturday.
-
Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket effort begins Friday
As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Vigo County Traffic Safety Partnership is urging everyone to buckle up as Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort begins Friday.
-
Giving back to the community: Day of Energy
Flowers and fresh paint. A new platform for handicapped seating. Spotlight replacement. And even a new utility pole and electrical service. About 10 different projects made positive improvements at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds on Thursday through a volunteer work day called “Duke Energy in Action.”
- More News Headlines
-
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
