Togas and trivia lend hand to literacy in Fox Valley

What patron goddess of the Roman Empire shares her name with the 2008 Academy Award winner for best original screenplay?

The answer is "Juno," and the question was one of 50 posed to 29 competing teams Saturday during the Literacy Volunteers of the Fox Valley's trivia bee fundraiser.

The theme was the Ides of March and all things Roman, and organizers like Peg Coker, executive director of Literacy Volunteers, wore togas. The event included a silent auction and was held at the Q Center in St. Charles.

No final tally was available Saturday, but the trivia bee is the organization's main fundraiser. It generally raises about $18,000.

Three-member teams answered three rounds of increasingly difficult questions, with 25 in the first round, 15 in the second and a final round of 10 questions. Teams had 30 seconds to respond and write down the answer.

Teams represented local businesses, organizations, churches, schools, libraries and clubs.

The Spartans of Elgin Community College was the winning team with 38 correct answers.

The Mac Attack team, which included members of the MacNeille family which owns Charlestowne Kitchen and Bath in St. Charles, failed to capture the top spot. But they could have won a prize if one had been awarded to the contestant who traveled the greatest distance.

Rich MacNeille, who lives near Boston, came to be on a team with his brother Rod of St. Charles and cousin Matt Doughtie of Chicago.

"I was able to tie in a visit with the trivia bee," Rich MacNeille said. "We love to support the Literacy Volunteers. It's a great organization."

"We always have a great time," Doughtie said. "Every year we come in with confidence, and this year was no different. After the first round we were in second place, but we struggled during the second and third rounds."

The Literacy Volunteers of the Fox Valley was established in 1986. Volunteers provide tutoring to help local residents learn or improve their English. In 2007, 273 adults were enrolled in the program.

For information, visit www.lvfv.org or call Peg Coker at (630) 584-4428.