Couples agree (sometimes) during “Not-So-Newly-Wed Game” at senior center

As Rosalie Holcombe, at left, holds the mic, Jack and Echo Long compare answers during “The Not-So-Newlywed Game.” (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

Louisa Rabideau responds to a question during the game at Madison Senior Center. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

Contestants prepare to answer questions for “The Not-So-Newlywed Game” at Madison Senior Center. .” (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – To celebrate Valentine’s Day, couples at Madison Senior Center became contestants in the “Not-So-Newlywed Game,” a takeoff on the classic television game show.

Four brave couples volunteered for the hot seats. Serving as emcee, activities coordinator Joy Edwards substituted for Bob Eubanks from “The Newlywed Game.”

Center director Vickie Parker tabulated contestants’ answers on placards, while volunteer Rosalie Holcombe handled mic duties. Wives answered questions as husbands waited in the “soundproof room” (the center’s safe room), and vice versa.

Skip and Beryl Graffagnini have lived in Madison for 16 years and have been married 64 years. “We were introduced by our psychiatrist,” Skip joked. Their grandchildren are Joseph, Beryl and Aaron.

Married 33 years, Carroll and Shirley Hale met at a club. They moved to Madison about two years ago to live near their daughter’s family. The Hales have 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Carroll stays tuned to TV sports, while Shirley likes cross-stitch, crafting, shopping and walking.

Jack and Echo Long met at church and married 20 years ago. They both moved to Madison for jobs — 35 years ago for Jack, 21 for Echo. Echo’s hobby is jewelry making. Jack is a music and computer aficionado. They have two grandchildren.

Jerry and Louisa Rabideau met at work and have been married 28 years. Jerry’s favorite hobby is pool, while Louisa enjoys chatting, plays and reading. The Rabideaus have 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren in Huntsville and Connecticut.

The game’s first question was “A meteorite is heading for your house. You have time to save one more item. What would it be?

“My guns,” Skip said. Carroll would save “a baloney sandwich.” Jack and Jerry would save their computer equipment.

More heated answers resulted from completing this sentence: “Our marriage would be perfect if we could just agree on ____.”

Their answers: deciding on a place to go, what to eat and what to watch on TV. Skip and Beryl both answered “Anything!” as the audience bellowed in laughter.