LIVERPOOL — When the Liverpool Foundation for Education board was brainstorming ideas to raise money, Rick Chapman suggested Bossy Bingo.
Chapman’s suburban colleagues had not heard of the game. But having grown up across the road from the Riehlman family’s dairy farm in Homer, Chapman was very familiar.
“They had Bossy Bingo at the Cortland County fair,” said Chapman, executive director of elementary education for the Liverpool Central School District.
Chapman called up his longtime friend and fourth-generation dairy farmer Joel Riehlman, now a partner in Venture Farms and co-owner of Hillside Dairy in Fabius. Riehlman invited Chapman and a group of cinema students from Liverpool High School to turn one of his pastures into a giant bingo board on Sept. 17. The students mapped out a grid of 750 squares, and Riehlman let one of his cows graze there as the students recorded her movements with a camera on a drone.
As the foundation’s website delicately put it, “eventually nature called and a cowpie dropped.”
Each square has been assigned a number, and people who purchase $10 raffle tickets will be assigned a number via a random generator. The person whose number matches the square where Bossy dropped her cowpie will win 50% of the proceeds, meaning the winner could rake in as much as $3,750.
While the object of Bossy Bingo is to raise money, the students earned something more valuable than cash while visiting Hillside Dairy.
“They were really able to apply some of the skills that they’ve been learning in class,” Chapman said.
The drone cameras allowed the students to see the breathtaking view of the hills of southeastern Onondaga County. They also interviewed Riehlman and co-owners Steve and Julie Van Erden for photo and video projects.
“Regardless if it’s $3,000 or $30 … our kids got a great experience,” Chapman said. “I can’t thank Venture Farms and Hillside Dairy enough. They’re just very gracious.”
The local dairy industry will benefit from the cross-promotion of Bossy Bingo, Chapman added.
“We’re happy to participate in any events that showcase our beautiful farms and animals,” Riehlman said. “It’s important for people to get to know the farmers that make their food.”
Riehlman and other local dairy farmers partnered with the American Dairy Association North East to give away gallons of milk to families in need during the pandemic.
The mission of the Liverpool Foundation for Education, formed during the pandemic, is to provide students and teachers with scholarships and grant funding for STEAM projects, classes and professional development opportunities.
“Dollars for Scholars is an outstanding org but they provide funding for students that are graduating. We wanted to provide opportunities for the students while they’re still with us,” Chapman said.
The winner of Bossy Bingo will be chosen during the Liverpool vs. Cicero-North Syracuse varsity football game, which takes place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at LHS Stadium (4338 Wetzel Road).
To learn more about the Liverpool Foundation for Education and its mission, visit liverpoolfoundationforeducation.org.
