By Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Nov 06, 2008 at 11:34 AM

Steve Daily, Kevin Abing and Laura Abing are geeks, and proud of it.

Known officially as the 3 History Geeks, the team harnessed its passion for the past and the city it calls home to create a board game that pays tribute to Milwaukee's near two-century-old story.

"All About Town: Milwaukee" tests hometown knowledge via Milwaukee-made trivia ranging from the early 19th century land battle of Juneau, Kilbourn and Walker to Discovery World's move to Pier Wisconsin in 2007 -- and just about everything in between.

While a fair amount of familiarity is definitely required to win, you certainly don't have to be a local history buff to play. The 1,500 questions touch on plenty of pop culture references, from movie stars to big sports moments, to architecture, literature, and, of course, beer.

One question challenges you to name all five of the sausages that race at Miller Park.

"It's for anyone who's ever had an association with Milwaukee," says Laura Abing, who, along with her husband Kevin, earned a PhD in history from Marquette University. "Even if you've lived in Milwaukee only a year, you're going to have fun playing this game. You'll be able to answer the questions and learn a lot in the process, especially if you're a newcomer."

The board is a stylized map of Milwaukee and up to six players travel "about town" along the freeway system, stopping at local landmarks and eventually ending at General Mitchell International Airport. Aesthetically designed by Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design graduate Jonathan Warobik, the game comes creatively packaged in an old-fashioned valise suitcase with travel stickers from suburbs within Milwaukee County.

Although the game hits shelves Nov. 10, the idea was hatched more than four years ago while Steve and Kevin were co-workers at the Milwaukee County Historical Society.

"My passion for Milwaukee's history started for me while working (there)," says Kevin. "It's got a really rich history -- the good, the bad, the ugly."

And the game touches on it all of it, from the infamous Jeffrey Dahmer case to the riots in the '60s. The "geeks" used several sources for their question research, including History Society publications, published histories, newspaper clippings and historian John Gurda's "The Making of Milwaukee," which Laura describes as "like a bible to us."

"We had some native Milwaukeeans test the game," says Laura. "It was fun to watch them because they would argue over (the answers). It was friendly banter, nostalgic reminiscing. I see the game as cutting across all levels of people who have a tie, a connection, a bond with Milwaukee."

Both the Abings were born and raised elsewhere -- Kevin near Platteville and Laura in a Chicago suburb -- but have since adopted Milwaukee as home after moving here for graduate school at Marquette in 1986.

"I've lived here longer than I've lived anywhere else in my life," says Laura. It's great -- it's a big little town. It's got everything that I want to do with out the hassle of the huge city -- and I can say that, being from the Chicago area. I like the mentality of the people here; it's just down to earth. We're about having fun, but we're also hard working."

The 3 History Geeks host a kickoff party for All About Town: Milwaukee Friday, Nov. 14 at Perpendicular, 5000 W. Vliet St. Guests are encouraged to sample wines while testing the trivia. You never know; you just might learn something.

Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.

As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”