January 18, 2017

Well, we have certainly started into 2018 on a very somber note. Our community has had to say farewell to an extraordinary number of residents since Christmas. We extend our deepest sympathy to all the family's and friends grieving for loved ones and the ties that bound them together.  I am also sorry to say a great number of people have been laid low and very ill with various forms of serious “flu bugs” since Christmas time. Only twelve came out for our monthly crib tournament on January 9.  All was going well as far as card games go, for some of us. Unfortunately, we had to cut our games short by two, when one player was suddenly overcome by a very upset stomach, and felt she could not continue. I drove her home immediately. Life is like that sometimes, and no one was the least bit upset having to end a little early. My partner, Joyce Kattler and I (Janice Gooding) ended in first place and each received $10. I promptly took my $10 and drove to the Grand Theatre for my weekly “Chase the Ace” tickets. I joked with the ticket seller, Irene Hilts, that it was a lucky $10, telling her of my cribbage win. Apparently my luck ran out with the card win because my ticket was not drawn that evening. Liz Mayer and Claire VanMarion were next in the winners circle. The gals each took home $6. Finishing in third spot that day were Eldeen Boehmer and Jackie Mohr, they each received $5. Our canasta afternoon, Jan. 15, drew sixteen people out of their homes, across icy streets and sidewalks and by the amount of chatter, we all got caught up on our news. Joy Inouye and Lorne Scott enjoyed some very good games  and finished in first place for the afternoon. Joy and Lorne scored an amazing 10,810 points on their last game (meld was 190 points), receiving honours for highest individual game score as well. They managed to get 2 joker canastas, for mega points! A newcomer to our tables, Eleanor Wilson, found a great partnership with Eleanor Gares and together the ladies had a firm grasp on second place. A touch behind, playing to the middle of road all afternoon, Eldeen Boehmer and Pinkie Friesen handled third place rather nicely. As I looked over the score cards from our games this afternoon, I noticed two ladies had a “horrible” last game. Dora Nichols and Kathy Kish had a pretty good score before our fifth game got underway. Then the bottom fell out for them. I'm guessing the ladies came up against the highest scoring team/high point game (Joy Inouye & Lorne Scott, read above again). See you next month ladies! We play again Monday, February 19. Call me around Valentine's Day, to say “Hello darlin'” ... or get your name on my canasta players list.