No one has to allow the global pandemic to tackle the SUPER LV BOWL fun. Before this historic Super Bowl, you must prepare your goodies spread by getting the chips, your favorite dip, some hot wings, sandwiches, or pizza, and do not forget the beverages. But where’s the party? Come to think of it, where are the people? Speaking of people, take a closer look at these two on top. Can you identify them? If you said Harry Truman and Lauren Bacall performing at the National Press Club in 1945, you would be correct.
Since social distancing guidelines may prevent folks from hosting their own tailgate party, we have a suggestion that brings the party to your computer.
One of my favorite organizations, when I was a Washington DC resident was The National Press Club is having a Zoom Party. But first some history. On March 12, 1908, 30+ newspapermen with $300 in their treasury and promises of support from 200 of their colleagues decided to create a private club for reporters to socialize and talk shop. Meeting just 17 days later in the parlor of the Willard Hotel, they framed a constitution for what they called “The National Press Club.” There were 34 original members. The first NPC president was William P. Spurgeon, a reporter at The Washington Post.
It all began on a cold, blustery February day in 1908 when a one-legged reporter for the old Washington Times by the name of Graham Nichol crossed 14th Street on crutches and met a colleague, James Hay. “I’m getting tired of having to hunt a stuffy, ill-ventilated little hall room in a cheap boarding house every time I want to play a game of poker,” Nichol exclaimed. “Hells bells, why don’t we get up a press club? A place where the fellows can take a drink or turn a card when they feel like it.”
“How? Where?” Hay responded through chattering teeth. “I don’t know and I don’t give a damn where,” Nichol replied. “But all the same, we’re going to have a club.” And he hobbled to the press room at police headquarters on 12th Street and started collecting signatures of reporters willing to plunk down $10 each to get the Club started.
By May, the Club had rented two floors above a jewelry store at 1205 F St. NW and threw a housewarming party that drew not only hundreds of journalists but several members of Congress, diplomats, and Buffalo Bill Cody.
Join in via Zoom on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7, at 5 p.m. for a pre-Big Game tailgate party and for a few short rounds of NPC Pub Quiz hosted by Marc Wojno. The questions will be focused on sports, football, and TV trivia. Zoom details will be mailed to you an hour before the Pub Quiz. Register online.
But that’s not all! We'll do a fundraising square contest for the National Press Club Journalism Institute.
The cost is $5 per square. We’ll award $20 in prizes per quarter during the game and $100 in prizes for the game-winner. You can buy as many squares as you want; players will get randomly assigned squares.
And if that wasn't enough, the Club is also offering a Game Day Appetizer Kit for purchase via the NPC Online Store!
Game Day Appetizer Kit: Tampa Bay vs. Kansas City (serves 4)
- Six-pack of beer
- 6 jerk chicken skewers
- spinach/artichoke/parmesan dip
- pita triangles
- 6 empanadas
- 6 mozzarella sticks
- cucumber rounds
- 6 mac & cheese balls
- 1/2 dozen fresh baked cookies
- 6 jalapeno poppers
- and...NPC beef chili with nacho chips & shredded cheese, diced onions, and sour cream!
Questions? Email Laura Coker at lcoker@press.org