Canasta and Mahjong mean socialization and strategy for women's club

On June 5, Mercedes Andrus nervously walked into Town Hall and didn’t know a soul.

It was her first time joining the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club Canasta/Mahjong group and she could tell there were already many solid relationships formed among the players there. She said coming in as a stranger was scary, but that feeling quickly subsided. 

Helene Levin, who founded the Canasta club and who is a “teacher by trade,” took Andrus under her wing to teach her the game of Mahjong. Mahjong is a game of Chinese origin played with tiles that is usually played by four people.

Andrus said Levin was clear and concise in her teaching methods, that came with plenty of encouragement.

“I didn't win any hands at all, but I enjoyed the camaraderie and learned something brand new,” Andrus said. 

Photo by Madison Bierl

Andrus has been a resident of Lakewood Ranch for 12 years and was searching for a new way to connect with other women. She said she appreciates how punctual and organized the players are and she looks forward to making and strengthening her relationships with the other members. 

Although Andrus began her time in the club playing Mahjong, she said Canasta came easier to her as she is a card player. Canasta is played using two decks of cards with the goal of scoring 5,000 points.

Linda McMillan is the founder of the Mahjong portion of the club. They combined the previously separate Canasta and Mahjong groups this year. Like Levin, McMillan was also a teacher. Her teaching career ranges from early childhood to college education. 

“I could just come and play, but I like to play and I like to teach,” McMillan said. “I don't want the headaches of having a regular job, but this way, I get my teaching fix without any commitment.”

McMillan said teaching players a new game can like herding cats. But she said it is also like teaching a kindergarten student, because kindergarteners come with no prior knowledge. 

“In Mahjong, it's the same thing because of the nature of the game,” McMillan said. "It isn't like any other game you've played. As a brand new learner, it’s rewarding.” 

Aside from the teaching, McMillan said it’s a neat way to have social interaction. She appreciates that it is a no risk and low intensity game. 

Photo by Madison Bierl

“Some of the players who were new are good players and they've gone on to be patient with the new players who come in,” Levin said. “Everybody plays and everybody helps each other. It's not cutthroat. We don't play for money.”

Levin said it takes some skill to know when to do certain things and to be defensive in the game of Canasta. 

“The thrill of it is actually making the Canastas and winning the game,” Levin said. “That's what's fun about it. It's a social game and it's a lot of luck. You can get lousy cards and not win, but it's fun to be with the other women.” 

Levin said she created special interest groups within the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club because there were over 300 members and more wanted to get involved. In order to be part of a special interest group, members need to be part of the women’s club which has a $40 dues for the year. 

Along with the Canasta/Mahjong group, they also have a book club, bunco group, cooking club, a movie-goers club, a group that makes blankets for babies, and a group for “sassy singles.” 

“I have several lifelong friends from it, that's how it benefits me,” Levin said. “They say that you need to be social to keep your mind active.”