From the Stevens Point Journal April 7, 2006:

Trivia madness starts today

By Brandi Pettit
For the Journal

Clint Eastwood would be proud.

Famous for his "Dirty Harry" movies, Eastwood is the official honorary captain of the Thought Police -- We Paid With FEMA Dollars trivia team.

"We invited him (to participate) several years ago," said Carole Clure, who is employed with Sentry Insurance and County Market.

David Jankovich, right, and Joe Anderson put a sign at 3100 Ellis St. to show where their team, Got Monkey, will be headquartered for Trivia this weekend. THOMAS KUJAWSKI/STEVENS POINT JOURNAL

"He never showed up, but he sent us an autographed photo wishing us luck."

The 63 year-old Stevens Point resident expects nearly 20 people, nearly all family members, to visit her home for this year's trivia contest, and spent Thursday in preparation.

The 37th annual trivia competition begins today in Stevens Point and runs for 54 consecutive hours. The theme for this year's contest -- "Trivia 37: The Odd Contest" -- was chosen in part because the contest indeed is odd, said Jim Oliva, one of the contest's organizers.

"Well, (Thursday) I'm cleaning," Clure said. "I'll do the shopping and cooking (Friday.)"

Clure's Thought Police team was formed 27 years ago. The last part of their name often changes from year to year -- this year's team name is a reference to Hurricane Katrina.

Thought Police members have their own little superstitions that keep morale in check.

"We always have Texas (chocolate) cake," said Clure, a grandmother of three. "And we have baked chop suey -- we have to have that."

The team's mascot is a pink flamingo. Members also rely on a plastic wavy snake to coax answers from team players.

Joe Anderson and his team, Got Monkey, will be running their show on the east end of town.

Anderson says the inspiration behind the team's name came from a 2002 World Series game.

"I saw a sign in the crowd that read 'Got monkey?,'" Anderson said. "I liked it, so that's what we use."

Anderson's team has been around for 15 years and this year has just as many members. Team members keep their spirits high by participating in the running questions and trivia stone between barbecue and buckets of chicken.

Got Monkey, like most teams, uses a variety of sources to answer trivia questions.

"We use books, and we have two computers," said Anderson. "We're hooking that up (Thursday night.)"

Clure and her team members also do their best to keep up on current events throughout the year.

"One member goes to the movies all during the year," Clure said. "We're hooking up our computers (Thursday night.)"

Clure's team came in at 71st place in last year's contest, but they aren't looking to break the top 10.

Trivia team members aren't the only people setting up shop for the contest. Nearly 13,000 contestants descend upon the city every April, and local businesses are ready for their annual windfall.

"Deliveries are just crazy," said Michael Leonard, manager of Bill's Pizza.

Deliveries will run until midnight all weekend, and Leonard has accounted for the extra business by increasing kitchen staff and having two additional delivery drivers ready.

Erbert and Gerbert's Sub & Clubs will be offering specials during the weekend.

"For everyone who orders a party platter, we'll throw in a dozen cookies," said General Manager Ron Tibbetts.

"Anything we can give back to the community," said Tibbetts, 26. "The community has given us so much."

Erbert and Gerbert's delivery hours are 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 a.m.

Anderson says he has been stocking up on soda pop and other goodies for the weekend and keeps the cooler in the living room.

"We drink a lot of pop," said Anderson.