Tag Archives: old chatham

WHAT HAVE I WROUGHT?!!!

Up until recently I had a weekend home up in Columbia County in the small town of Old Chatham. This is a particularly beautiful area in upstate New York, nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires. Although I have given some Mah Jongg lessons in the area, I recently learned that some of my dear friends up there have been playing Mah Jongg for many years – who knew?!

I have had several speaking engagements in Chatham and Hudson, talking about the the art and history of the game along with selling my book, but had no idea that Mah Jongg was becoming the thing to do up there. Last week I received the following email from my dear friend Maynard – I must say that I am thrilled to see the sweet little town of Chatham has caught on to our addiction!

Maynard wrote, “See what you have inspired in Chatham? Mah Jongg at the Chatham Public Library!” 

Tiffany Window Chatham Public Library        
Chatham Public Library
Week of June 1st–June 7th  
Programs for Adults
Memoir Writing   
Tuesday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.;
Thursday, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Peer led writing groups gather to provide comment and review one another’s memoir writing. New writers are welcome!  If interested, contact Al Stumph at 392-2618, or astumph@fairpoint.net 
   
MAH JONGG!!! 

Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Mah Jongg players meet downstairs in the Teen Room. Beginners are welcome. Join the Mah Jongg renaissance! 

 

First Sunday Book Group
Sunday, June 7th, 2:00 pm
The Group will be reading Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival, by Velma Wallis. The selection for this meeting is “Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival” by Velma Wallis. Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska, this is the suspenseful, shocking, ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine. Books are available for loan at the library. Meetings will be held at the Middle School Library, adjacent to the Chatham Public Library.  

FUN!!!

A few months ago my friend Dee Dee gave me these absolutely fabulous round dice! You wouldn’t think that they would work but there is a little weight inside of each one that allows them to fall perfectly on the table and not roll around. Here you can see that they are approximately the same size as traditional dice.

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Then just the other day I received an email from Dee Dee’s darling daughter (how’s that for alliteration?!) sending me a photo of a huge container of these babies along with a note from Dee Dee letting me know that she had purchased quite a few. Such fun! Hmmm…I wonder if I can convince her to sell a few to me…

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Just a reminder…if you like our book, Mah Jongg The Art of the Game, then please write a review on Amazon!

AND SPEAKING OF VANITY FAIR…

You might remember that I was so excited to have our book listed in Vanity Fair’s hot list in this month’s issue. Well, shortly after putting up that post, I received a message from my friend Katie with some fabulous photos – I know you will all enjoy this.

Ann, your recent post reminded me of a booklet I recently received that was published by Vanity Fair. I thought I’d share:

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And I am saving the best one for last:

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Oh, and if you happen to be anywhere near Old Chatham, NY today – please stop by the Old Chatham Country Store where I will be doing a Black Friday book signing from 10 AM to 1 PM – I I hope to see you there!

MAH JONG MAHJ-A-THON UPSTATE!

Every three or four months our Mahj group – made up of six very good friends (alternatively known as “The OMs” for original Mahjettes…or “Mahj Chicks” by Jim) – take off for parts unknown. Well, not really unknown…we have gone to S’s home in Sag Harbor, K’s home in Buck Hill, a home in Old Chatham and most recently, a home belonging to X’s relative in upstate New York.We spend three days and two nights really never leaving the host’s home, just playing Mahj from early, early morning to late, late night and cooking up a storm.

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We arrive! All the OM’s but me – I’m taking the picture! Continue reading →