An intriguing ‘Jeopardy’ answer: A Millerton resident who was on ‘Jeopardy’

MILLERTON — The correct question would be: “Who is retired classics teacher, fencing coach and library volunteer Rowena Fenstermacher?” 

For weeks, millions of viewers have been glued to the tube watching current “Jeopardy” episodes following the quest of a multi-million dollar winner who, until a loss Monday night, methodically knocked out all comers, rapidly supplying questions for the given answers. The surprising loss proves the game is challenging — but getting there can be even tougher, something Fenstermacher well understands. 

Currently, would-be contestants begin their journey with an online registration and test, but Fenstermacher began hers when she followed the program’s suggestion and sent a postcard, “actually five of them,” as the first step in becoming a contestant. 

A part time Millerton resident in 1981, she was teaching a Latin class at the Hackley School in Tarrytown when the school secretary “raced down the hall” to tell her that “Jeopardy” people had called and invited her to take the all important initial test. 

To prepare, Fenstermacher consulted a few “Jeopardy” prep books and an Atlas to brush up on mountains, lakes and rivers, “and of course I watched Jeopardy every night.” Coincidentally, the night before her initial test, she saw a program about the world’s deepest lake, Baikal in southern Russia, information that fortuitously appeared on the test. 

Well armed, Fenstermacher found herself in a sea of eager test takers who filled a New York City hotel ballroom. Most were sent packing following a 50 question elimination round that involved “Jeopardy” like answers requiring written questions, a procedure still followed today. 

As one of the few remaining, she went on to the next step: a simulated contest with two other hopefuls, followed by a short interview, which in turn led to a victorious self-funded flight to California following a day long snow delay. 

A week’s worth of five episodes were taped in one day, with all the contestants nervously watching others try and die, before being randomly called to the stage for their own competition. There, Fenstermacher found signaling to be particularly challenging as no one was allowed to buzz in before the host, Alex Trebek, finished reading the question and a red light appeared. 

As bad luck would have it, Fenstermacher was taken out by a five-time winner, the longest streak allowed at the time. But the experience provided a lasting memento, a refrigerator — given in those days in lieu of a cash prize — that still hums in her kitchen, serving as a daily reminder of a journey few have taken. 

Game rules prohibit a return of an eliminated contestant, but Fenstermacher said of the “fun opportunity. I would love to do it again, although it could be much more challenging because one is older.” 

She further encouraged others to put themselves in jeopardy, hoping that in future days, a new answer: “Millerton residents who competed on ‘Jeopardy’” would elicit a question that would include a growing list of names.