PHOTOS — Mahjong takes library by storm
Published 12:14 am Thursday, January 9, 2020
- Sarah Hawes, from left, Bonnie Bevard and Tasha Smith set up a round of Mahjong Wednesday at the Groves Public Library. Hawes, who has been playing for many years, is set to go on an Alaskan cruise in July to participate in a Mahjong tournament. (Cassandra Jenkins/The News)
GROVES — The Port Neches Public Library hosts Mahjong, a tile based game developed in China, every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
However, after the TPC explosion caused damage to the library, all activities at the Effie and Wilton Hebert Public Library have been temporarily moved to the Groves Public Library.
A group of ladies from Mid- and South County, as well as Beaumont, gather every Wednesday to play Mahjong.
Mahjong is a tile-based game that was developed in China during the Qing dynasty. It has spread through the world and was picked up by the Jewish community, resulting in the Star of David on the back of tiles in some sets. The game is often played with four people.
Julie Choate, from Groves, started playing Mahjong six years ago.
Frances Simpson, a Nederland native, started playing Mahjong a couple years ago after a friend goaded her into trying the Chinese game. She explained Wednesday during a monthly game that the cards used are changed every year, resulting in new patterns and matches.
