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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Walking into the room where the Council on Aging holds their weekly mahjongg games, you would think you were walking into a room of giggling teenagers. The four women who came together this past week to let loose and play were having so much fun, their laughter and mirth filled the hallway even outside of the room.
Every Thursday, the Council on Aging hosts mahjongg at the Caryl Community Center. Mauren Dilg, the Council on Aging Secretary, said, “We have about eight players every Thursday. And they’re all every level. I’ve been teaching mahjongg for several years now, but we have players at all age levels so it’s not just older. It’s a COA event but it’s open to all ages.”
While three of last week’s players were experienced in the complicated ways of the game, there was one woman who was new. However, this didn’t stop the girls from having fun or from enjoying their game. In fact, they welcomed the newcomer with open arms, alternating between helping her with her hand and answering any questions she might have had. Dilg elaborated: “The type of game we play here is a very relaxed game. Some people play mahjongg very seriously. If somebody makes an error inadvertently, we forgive the errors, because people are learning.”
American mahjongg differs slightly from the traditional Chinese mahjongg. American mahjongg incorporates the use of jokers, which can be used as any tile one might need. Players of the American game also use cards that demonstrate what hands to go after; Chinese mahjongg does not do this.
While it is extremely fun, mahjongg is more than just a game to some. “Everything about mahjongg is extremely good for the mind, especially for myself because I’m older, I’m trying to keep my mind as sharp as I can,” Dilg said. “I have to remember the tiles that are being played, I have to look at my hand and see how it matches new tiles, I have to play defensively. My mind is constantly active so it’s very good to keep the mind sharp. It’s a game that becomes totally addictive!”
