PORT TOWNSEND — A localized version of the popular board game Monopoly is on sale for the holiday season as a benefit for scholastic programs at Grant Street Elementary School.
The school’s Parent Teacher Association, or PTA, has commissioned 500 copies of Port Townsendopoly, which is being sold for $25 each at the school at 1637 Grant St. and at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., as well as at eight retailers.
The money will go toward art instruction, books, computers, transportation and scholarships, among other school necessities.
“When I was young, the PTA would support fun things in the school,” said Kristy Asbell, PTA president and school volunteer.
“Now, we are buying things that the school can’t afford because the state can’t afford to pay.”
The familiar Monopoly locations are replaced by Port Townsend businesses and attractions.
The businesses’ addresses and phone numbers are on the game board, so it doubles as a directory of local stores and services.
The placement was sold as advertising, with each business paying $300 to $500 to be included.
With game sales and advertising costs, the school hopes to raise about $23,000, Asbell said.
The Monopoly-based game was used as a fundraiser in 2005, and enough time had elapsed that it could be done again, she added.
Last year, the PTA raised $22,747 with an auction, but the event had a high overhead and was complicated to produce, she said.
The PTA contracted with Pride Distributors of Farmington Hills, Mich., which has permission to use the Monopoly copyright for fundraising purposes.
Locations were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with advertisers choosing their position on the board from available space.
Boardwalk, the most prestigious position on the “real” Monopoly board, was snatched up by Carlson and Bothell, a subset of the local Windermere agency co-owned by Port Townsend School Board member Holley Carlson.
“Fate” and “PTA Cards” replace the original game’s “Chance” and “Community Chest,” giving players a leg up or a setback in the game, while “Go to Jail” is represented by a “Caught Speeding, Go to Court” square sponsored by East Jefferson Fire-Rescue.
One of the sponsors of the “In Court” square is attorney Noah Harrison.
When beginning the project, Asbell approached merchants who had participated in the 2005 version, but many could not afford it this year, she said.
To compensate for the lack of a full slate of advertisers, the PTA approached the Jefferson County Historical Society, which provided historical graphics and facts to fill up the board.
As a result, players can learn that President Rutherford B. Hayes visited Port Townsend during his term in 1880 and that the town’s 1850 population consisted of three families and 15 bachelors.
Retailers carrying the game are Henery’s Garden Center, Completely Puzzled, Whistle Stop Toys, Sea Grass, Tickled Pink, the Sand Castle, Mt. Townsend Creamery, Kinetic Coffee and the Northwest Maritime Center.
Each location was given 10 games, and many already have requested additional allotments, Asbell said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
