Team trivia kicks off at Johnson County Senior Center

The Johnson County Senior Center kicked off its new Team Trivia series on Jan. 23 with an afternoon of laughter, music, and friendly competition, thanks to sponsorship from Modern Woodmen of America. The event builds on the success of last fall's popular Senior Brain Games, which culminated in the Annual Senior Brain Olympics in October. At that regional event, a team from Johnson County proudly competed against 11 other senior centers and earned an impressive fifth-place finish. Friday's kickoff event welcomed Senior Center members for a lively gathering that blended entertainment and mental exercise. Before trivia began, attendees enjoyed a lunchtime musical performance by Randy Dandurand, setting an upbeat tone for the afternoon. As teams formed and score sheets were handed out, the room buzzed with conversation, good-natured teasing, and anticipation. Team Trivia is designed to be both engaging and accessible, encouraging participants to work together in small groups to answer questions spanning history, music, movies, and everyday knowledge. Questions are read aloud, sparking discussion and teamwork before answers are submitted. Points are awarded for correct responses, and the winning team at the kickoff event received gift cards provided by Modern Woodmen of America. The game was hosted by Senior Center volunteer and 'quizmaster' Rose Rasmussen, whose energetic delivery and clever questions kept the pace lively. Participants demonstrated their trivia chops by correctly answering questions such as identifying the "hallux" as the big toe, recalling how many U.S. states begin with the letter "O", and learning that ketchup was once used as medicine in the 1830s. Beyond the fun, Team Trivia offers meaningful cognitive benefits. Activities like trivia stimulate memory, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, providing a mental workout that supports brain health and social connection. Programs like this reflect the Senior Center's ongoing commitment to offering enriching, enjoyable opportunities for older adults. "I am hoping this will spark more participation for our Senior Brain Olympics competition this year. We try to keep our members brain healthy and it's wonderful to meet other members at different senior centers across East TN and compete," said Kathy Motsinger-Eller, Senior Center Director. Team Trivia will be held monthly, with the next event scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27. Community members interested in participating can find more information in the Senior Center's monthly newsletter, on Facebook, or by calling (423) 727-8883 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.