Among many attractive aspects of the West Suburban Irish Quiz Night held monthly at 7PM on the first Tuesday at Quigley’s Irish Pub is creativity.

Creativity begins with whimsical quiz categories and clever trivia. It’s followed by the creativity of original team names, authentic team spirit, imaginative themed prizes as well as the loyal partnership between an Irish service organization and a popular Irish pub.

For example, to kick off 2013, 24 lively teams assembled at tables throughout the pub for the first WSI Quiz Night that included a timely category about the 35 post-season college football bowl games.  And guess what? The teams with the highest scores of  each round, won fun prizes packaged in—you guessed it— a variety of large bowls.

Teams typically are comprised of two to eight fun-loving players who take winning for bragging rights seriously. No Irish Sweepstakes offered here. Furthermore, electronic devices are not allowed during quiz play, so team brain power is essential and usually impressive.

Team captains think nothing of challenging the judges’ calls, trying to eek out a half-point here and there, usually without any luck. Judges are strict and often set in their ways of fairness.

Plus, there’s always a bonus question available and free online. It’s a no-brainer. During the Jan. 8 Quiz Night, when the Quiz Master Chuck Corrigan announced a category with a series of “Opening Lines,” players could win a bonus point if they had visited the West Suburban Irish website just before the big game.

Here’s a sample from January…

Web Bonus Question: For what movie is this the opening line: “The key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands. It’s a good non-specific symptom; I’m a big believer in it.”?

 Answer: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Judges, all members of the West Suburban Irish, were tough. During the always popular category “Dead or Alive,” featured annually, players simply determine if famous people on a long list of notables are living or dead—there’s no question of right or wrong. Yes. Margaret Thatcher is still living. On the other hand, Andy Griffith, featured in the category for a number of years, died recently.

By the end of four rounds, two teams were tied.  During the play-off round, Derik Kelly of the “Brett Musburger Creepy?” team broke the tie between “When Irish Eyes Are Crying.” Cheers erupted from the Cottage Room where his teammates celebrated the outcome. And bragging rights reigned for the team, pictured here, that chose a creative name to recognize the comments of a 73-year-old ESPN sportscaster regarding the beauty of 23-year-old during the previous night’s national championship college football game between Alabama and Notre Dame.  See. WSI Quiz Night players are on top of the news!

WSI Special Events in February & March when everybody’s Irish

During Tuesday’s festivities, WSI President Chuck Corrigan said now is the time for service organizations, politicians and other community groups to sign up their entries to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sat., March 16. This year celebrates the 20th year of the parade in downtown Naperville. Kevin Dolan, who led the group of individuals who founded the West Suburban Irish, will serve as Grand Marshall. The deadline to enter the parade is Feb. 25.

It’s also time to select the 2013 WSI St. Patrick’s Day Queen and her Court. The Queen will be crowned at the Emerald Dinner at White Eagle Club on Feb. 23 so she can participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle in Naperville, on Wed., March 13, as well as reign over the parade on Sat., March 16.

Proceeds from West Suburban Irish special events go toward St. Baldrick’s Foundation and research for childhood cancers.

Information and applications for all upcoming events are available at www.wsirish.org.

West Suburban Irish Quiz Night is Feb. 5 at Quigley’s Irish Pub

WSI Quiz Nights are held at 7PM on the second Tuesday of most months, October through August. No quiz night is held in July or September because of special community events tied to Independence Day (Exchange Club’s Ribfest) and Labor Day (Jaycee’s Last Fling).

Scoring is tallied after every round and tabs are kept on a computer from one Quiz Night to the next. Individual team make-up often remains the same, but team names change every Quiz Night to add to the creativity.

The next WSI Quiz Night begins at 7PM Tues., Feb. 5, at Quigley’s Irish Pub at 43 E. Jefferson, in the Jefferson Hill Shops.  Quiz play is free of charge and usually over by 9PM.