Bingo Bombshell

Week after week, at 4:30 p.m. sharp, Rhonda Cronier leads a pack of grumbling gamblers through the swinging double doors of the Liverpool American Legion Bingo Hall. She is always among the first to arrive for Friday night bingo and the last to leave.

The 72-year-old bingo bombshell has been attending the weekly game night for the past eight years and she has yet to miss a day — except when the Legion is forced to reschedule, she admits begrudgingly. 

But a recent Thursday was particularly emotional for Cronier. For the first time in eight years she doubted whether she would make it to her beloved game night after her mother passed away. 

In the end Cronier refused to let her misfortunes bring down her spirits. She donned her characteristically vibrant vest and lucky bolo tie and marched into the American Legion determined to come out a winner. She left the hall at 10:15 p.m. with empty pockets, but turned to give a giant smile and a quick thumbs up.

“I consider myself a winner, regardless of how much money I may have lost.”

Produced by Samantha Okazaki