What a beautiful drive from NYC to Woodstock! The leaves were changing colors and it was  a peak “leaf-peeper” day. I arrived in Woodstock in plenty of time to have a look around at what turned out to be a very charming town and also to have a chance to meet and spend a few moments with the director of the movie, Joe Muszynski, and one of the producers, Christina Mengert. What wonderful people!

The movie – Mahjong and the West – was terrific with a surprise ending that I really never saw coming. After the movie premier the director, Joe Muszynski, the producer, Christina Mengert, and a number of other cast and crew members – including the beautiful, talented, and amazing star, writer, and producer of the movie, Alyssa Carpenter – came up on the stage for a Q&A session. During the screening I found myself drooling over the incredibly beautiful Mah Jongg sets that were used. There was a phenomenal enrobed set that – of course – I loved to pieces. And then there were a number of gorgeous Chinese sets plus one intricately and magnificently carved box with an amazing carved handle. The box was filled with fabulous old bone and bamboo tiles. After the movie and while I was at the book-selling table (Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game, of course!), Sharon, the woman who owned the sets used in the film, came over to speak with me and buy a couple of the books. What a lovely lady – I am so happy that these beautiful sets are in her loving care – and that she now owns Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game!