Discover mahjong, music bingo, euchre, trivia and board game groups that are helping build community across Chatham County
By Rebekah Mann
Mahjong Wednesdays at Chatham Community Library
An inquiry from a library book club member turned into a weekly afternoon staple at the Chatham Community Library. Circulation Manager Mary Mills sent out a survey in the library’s newsletter in 2023 to see if there was any interest in starting a mahjong group, and with an overwhelming response, Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in the Holmes Family Meeting Room were soon booked and busy.
“We purchased two sets of tiles and two of the official scorecards from the National Mah Jongg League so we could provide an opportunity for participants to play for free,” Mary says. “Many players also bring their own tile sets and scorecards.”
The goal of mahjong is simple: to be the player with the most points at the end of the game. Points are scored by sorting different groupings of tiles, so to win, one must declare “mahjong” once tiles are grouped into a winning hand. The game dates back to the mid-1800s in China, but the participants at Chatham Community Library play the American variant. “It’s great exercise for your brain,” Mary says.
She adds that though the group is always warm and inviting to anyone over age 16, players who are new to the game are encouraged to attend on the first Wednesday of the month. During that time, beginners can receive more attention and instruction from the
experienced regulars.
“Events like mahjong at Chatham Community Library let people meet, learn something new and have fun in a welcoming environment without the need to spend money,” Mary says. “The library’s mission is to build those community connections and encourage lifelong learning and personal growth, and mahjong is definitely in line
with that goal.”
Similar gaming events at the library include a chess club that meets on Saturdays from 1–3 p.m., welcoming players of all skill levels, along with Dungeons & Dragons groups for participants of various ages.
Music Bingo Wednesdays At Forgotten Road Ales
Forgotten Road Ales (previously House of Hops) changed ownership in March, but the weekly Wednesday music bingo tradition will carry on.
Kacie Walker, manager, has worked with the bar and bottle shop since 2018 and values the sense of community the event has provided since it began in 2021. “People just kind of let the day fade away,” she says. “By the end, people are singing and dancing and laughing.”
Kyle Gauthier, owner of Evening Tide Event Productions, is the DJ and host for the bingo nights. Much like regular bingo but without the numbers, Kyle plays 10-to 15-second music clips, and if the song selected is on your card, you get to mark the square. The cards have different musical themes each week: some are decade concepts, like ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, while others revolve around varying genres like country, rock and pop.
Each round, players compete to win a gift card to Forgotten Road Ales. There’s occasionally a “jackpot” round, and Kacie says the gift card value has previously been worth more than $100. The event is also family friendly, so if a participant under age 21 wins, they can choose a prize from a toy box.
Kacie recalls fond memories of working music bingo nights, from regulars creating the inside joke of calling out “It’s rigged!” to groups bringing in slow cookers of food to dine together – which is encouraged. “If you’re hungry, you can order at Cafe Root Cellar, Mi Cancun or Marco’s Pizza and bring it into the taproom,” she says. “Just pull up a seat; everyone’s welcome.”
Forgotten Road Ales also hosts Opinionation Trivia on Thursday nights at 6 p.m. Kacie describes it as a Family Feud-style survey game. “Right now [Chatham County is] in such a state of growth,” she says. “It’s nice to have things that bring people together and weekly routines to look forward to.”
Mondays At BMC Brewing
Monday nights at The Plant are home to weekly games of euchre, a fast-paced card game played in pairs. Starting at 6 p.m., tables at BMC Brewing fill up with enthusiasts eager to win their next points.
Euchre is played with a 24-card deck – nines through aces of each suit. Four players split into teams of two and compete to win at least three out of five “tricks” in the hopes of scoring 10 points for their duo. Winning tricks are decided by the game’s unique “trump” system, with jacks serving as the highest cards and changing value depending on the suit chosen for the round.
The game is believed to have been brought to the States by German immigrants who settled in the Midwest, and the American version has origins in jucker, an 18th-century card game from Alsace, France, and southwestern Germany.
John Rice and Carmen Rice, owners of BMC Brewing, say they enjoy watching new participants be embraced by the community and evolve into regular attendees. “Our crowd is diverse and welcoming, ranging from die-hard enthusiasts to new players looking to meet people in a friendly, competitive environment,” John says. “It’s a great way to learn a classic game, meet new or old friends, and enjoy local craft beer.” It doesn’t hurt that the event aligns with BMC Brewing’s $5 pint special on Mondays.
It all began with support from local euchre enthusiast Peggy Dreher in 2023. John says due to its growth in popularity, they now also host larger rancher tournaments twice a year during spring and fall. And if you’re looking for more competitive fun, the brewery also hosts a monthly “Smart Cookie” trivia night.
Third Thursdays At Bynum Front Porch
Every third Thursday of the month, friends and families gather at Bynum Front Porch for a bring-your-own-game night. Local artist and self-proclaimed “game nerd” Jan Burger organizes the event, and he says the monthly get-together gives him an outlet to share his lifelong passion with others.
“Playing games together is an important way to interact and get to know your neighbors,” Jan says. “It’s a great combatant for loneliness and a fun way to play and be silly, to exercise our brains together [and] to use our imaginations.”
Jan says on top of spending quality time with his community, he enjoys the diversity of games that are played: titles including Codenames, Harmonies, Clank, Forest Shuffle and more have all made appearances. “Some folks bring traditional games that you play with cards, and other people bring a whole selection of more contemporary games,” he says. “I’ve actually also brought my own homemade games, since I like to invent games, too, and tested them out on people.”
Jan says attendees normally range from young children who come with their parents to older adults in their 70s. He enjoys learning new games and getting to experience those that have shaped another individual’s life.
“Meeting people [and learning] what they’re excited about is really kind of wonderful,” Jan says. “Jumping in and playing a game that is important for somebody is really sweet to me.”
