The Belliwood Squares

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 For those who remember the game (and comedy) show Hollywood Squares, there was a treat at Bellisseria for Life yesterday, Thursday March 7. Seven Moles and two Lindens volunteered to take part in a special event: "The Belliwood Squares."

 

Please join us at the Beliisseria Fairgrounds for an hour of great entertainment as our contestants play a game with the help of 9 celebrity Lindens and Moles! There is plenty of room and we will have a great one-of-a-kind piece for your Linden Bear collection to auction at the end! The amazing DJ Steph Lytham will follow the show so plan to stay and dance to some great music too! The show starts at NOON. ... Please join us!

Among the Moles there were the notable Ancient and Abnor Mole, the latter taking the center square. Ancient instead of sitting was standing on the bench, "Someone put a seatbelt on Ancient, I fear he may fall off." Wendi and Sequoia were the two Lindens on the board.  Becca Ordinary was the host of the event, giving Wendi and the Moles various questions as their squares were picked, and after getting the answer asking the contestant up if they agreed or disagreed. A correct answer got the square. Nance Clowes was the cohost, who instead of on stage was on the floor.

There were a number watching, Bellisserians, Relayers, other Lindens and Moles, and others.Throughout the event, numerous people donated. Someone acting anonymous offered a donation of 10,000 Linden dollars, but there was a catch, "We have a 10k anonymous donor ! but they will only donate if YOU GUYS collectively match that 10k in the next 10 minutes. can we do it ??" The amount challenged was raised in just a few minutes and the donation sent.

 

 

I (through an alt) saw two games. The first between was Sandie Slate and Artie McGregor. At one point, Wendi Linden's square was picked by Sandi, "OK Wendi! What type of Linden home has Die Betrunken Maus as its Community Center?" Wendi had a little trouble remembering, "I believe that is the... new theme coming up... The... No, wait!" Some encouraged her, "You can DO IT Wendi!" Kit Linden growled, "YOU CANT TEASE ME LIKE THAT WENDI!" Finally Wendi spoke, "It's the Chalet style!" Sandi agreed, was correct, and got the square.

Then there was when Dreaming Mole was asked, "In British money, how many shillings were to a pound?" Her answer was, "Lets see, it’s 2 tablespoons to an ounce, 16 ounces to a pound, 12 pence to a shilling… 2.4 miles to a kilometer… carry the 8… divide by four servings…. That comes out to…I though..20." Artie agreed, was correct, and got the square.

 

At one point, Sequoia Mole was asked, "What is the only type of bird that can fly backwards?" She grinned and answered, "The only type of bird that can fly backwards is the Reverse Ostrich. Unlike its earthbound relatives, the Reverse Ostrich developed tiny jetpack-like wings that allow it to zip backwards through the air, primarily to confuse predators and make a swift exit from awkward social gatherings in the bird world. Its unique flying technique is also a great party trick at avian get-togethers, making it the life and soul of the bird party scene." That got a lot of chuckles, then Sequoia composed herself, "Just kidding...it's a hummingbird of course!" Artie was laughing, "I think it's Dragons!  Come hunt Dragon Eggs with us at the MadPea Grid-Wide Hunt!  I Will Disagree!  The answer is definitely DRAGONS!" While amusing, unfortunately her disagreeing with hummingbirds cost her the square.

 

Sandie was considered the winner of the first round. But the next had a certain spooky personality she was up against: The Bellisseria Slenderman.

 

 "Slendy" instead of directly saying he agreed or disagreed would hold up cards with his answer, at one point texting "Bellisseria Slenderman (Slenderman Grumpypants) cuts some siding out of some poor home owner's Stilt Home and makes a sign out of it!" Slenderman would end up winning the match, "Congratulations on your win Slenderman, please don't hurt me."

Once the game was over, people were invited to get off the seating area and dance, with Steph Lytham DJng the music. The event had raised well over 40,000 Linden dollars.

Talking to Becca after the event, she would say for the paper, "I am deeply grateful to the Moles and Lindens that came out to play BelliHood Squares. They do a lot for us day in and day out and this was the extra mile, coming out to share their time and humor with us for a good cause. I really loved hearing their humorous answers, especially! This was a really fun event and it was a fantastic experience to be around them!

 

"I also am very grateful for our four contestants who generously gave of their time and made meaningful contributions to RFL to be part of it. They were first class contestants and even better people for doing this!"

Bellisseria For Life goes on to Sunday, March 10. And this is just one of many Relay events over the season.

Bixyl Shuftan