Bird's Eye Brainiacs win Susan Bee Trivia Challenge

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), May 27, 2004 by Jill Miller

What year did Clara Barton establish the Red Cross? (1881) Which first lady founded the National Wildlife Research Center? (Lady Bird Johnson) Who is the first woman depicted on a U.S. postage stamp? (Queen Isabella)

These were just a few of the questions posed to teams during the second annual Susan Bee Challenge held on Wednesday, May 19 at St. John Fisher College. Sponsored by Women United, a special fundraising group associated with the United Way of Greater Rochester, the trivia contest involved nine teams squaring off in a single elimination format.

This event creates an awareness of women's accomplishments in a fun environment, explained event co-chairs, Linda Miller and Marilynn Reif.

Participating teams and players included Underberg & Kessler - Liz Boehm, Duncan Farney, Craig Conte, Erin Conte and Stephanie Watts; Bird's Eye Brainiacs (Bird's Eye Foods, Inc.) - Karen Babey, Mary Turcotte, Tami Bacon, Bea Slizewski and Kathleen Pringle; Dixon Schwabl Divas - Lauren Dixon, Kellie Adami, Liz Corcoran, Barbara Pierce and Karen Sims; The Dream Team - Louise Dupre, Dan Dupre, Jackie Mertens and Shirley Jones; Rochester Business Alliance - Kathy Novak, Kathleen Raniewicz, Anna Vulaj and Ellen Baniak; Thomson West - Rhonda Nohava, John Williams, Sara White, Jane Kress, Russ Davis and Karen Ellmore; ESL Federal Credit Union - Judy Katafiaz, Louise Walsh, Lena Wilkins, Barb Ruffino, Bonnie McManus and Mary Beth Stalter; Nixon Peabody - Kimberly Boneham, Ann Marie Luciano, David Mowry and Anita Pelletier; and The Daily Record - Nora Jones, Dana Abramson, Peter Mio and Kevin Momot.

Carol Ritter, retired columnist for the Democrat & Chronicle served as the emcee of the event while Sandra Parker, president and chief operating office of the Rochester Business Alliance was the judge of the event.

Each team answered women-themed multiple choice questions from the following categories: arts and literature; history and government; famous women; Susan B(ee) Anthony, sports and ms.cellaneous. Teams had the opportunity to purchase one of two life lines. The 50/50 removed two of the incorrect choices while ask the audience allowed teams to solicit answers from audience members.

Teams were awarded 100 points for each correct answer and the team with the most points at the end of the 20 minute round advanced to the finals.

The Competition

Underberg & Kessler won the opening round of competition by defeating Nixon Peabody and Thomson West.

Bird's Eye Brainiacs was the victor in the second round by defeating Rochester Business Alliance and The Dream Team.

ESL Federal Credit Union faced off against The Daily Record and Dixon Schwabl Divas in the third round competition. The round ended with a tie between the Divas and The Daily Record. Initially the Divas missed their final question of the round.

However, they challenged the question and Parker ruled in their favor. They then answered another question correctly forcing a tie breaker.

The two teams were given a series of tie breaker questions. The questions presented even more of a challenge because the teams were not given multiple choice answers. Ultimately The Daily Record defeated the Divas and advanced to the final round.

The Bird's Eye Brainiacs, Underberg & Kessler and The Daily Record answered another round of trivia questions before two teams reached another tie.

This time, Bird's Eye Brainiacs and Underberg & Kessler squared off in the tie breaker round. Ultimately, Bird's Eye Brainiacs won the round by naming the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands - Queen Liliuokalani. With this correct answer they were crowned champions of women's trivia.

The Susan Bee Challenge raised approximately $15,000 for the United Way and is was one of a series of fundraising events organized by Women United. Remaining events include Tablescapes, a designer/ florist exhibition on June 12 and a golf clinic and tournament on Sept. 21.