“We started a couples’ bridge group and played monthly on the seventh floor of Miriam Hall during the school year. In between, we played two tables at various houses of participants.
“We next played on the lower floor of what was then called the Women’s University Apartments. Then, we played in the basement of what used to be the NCR Credit Union.”
Eventually, the bridge group dwindled and started to play at the UD McGinnis Center, Ryan said.
In addition to the regular game nights, the group had several potluck dinners a year, a Christmas dinner and played bridge around the meals.
Kenneth Rosenzweig, 72, joined the group when he retired as a professor of accounting, about 15 years ago. “I started playing bridge in high school, played in college, and then it faded out,” he said.
“When I retired, I got interested again, and this group is so convenient — McGinnis is just a block from my house in Oakwood. We have a good turnout, usually three or four tables of four, all retirees or their survivors. There are no younger players.
“It keeps us socially involved, competitive, and makes us use our mental resources,” says Rosenzweig. “Someone always brings snacks, and, although we don’t have the potluck meals anymore, we still have the annual holiday dinner and bridge playing party.”
Elke and Ed Hatch came to the Dayton area, in nearby Kettering, in the mid 1970s, when Ed started teaching languages at UD. “Later, I started teaching in the department of languages, too, and we played bridge with a colleague in our department,” said Elke.
“The original bridge group played on campus and in people’s homes then; I remember playing at two different places on campus, and Mary Jane and her husband hosted the group at their home many times.
“A lot of members have died over the years, but we can still fill four bridge tables with 16 people. This year, we got four new members, and are expecting more next year.”
Ed, 76, retired in 2006, Elke, 68, in 2010. They’re this year’s organizers of the bridge club. “It’s a rotating position, and we’ll probably volunteer again next year,” Elke said.
Ryan said, “Ed’s famous for his raisin cream pie at the Christmas dinner, with crusts made of Crisco.”
In addition to bridge playing and food, Ryan notes that conversations often get interesting and lively. “Early on, I remember being in a discussion on the existence of God with the dean of the law school and the chair of the philosophy department; you can imagine this one was left up in the air.
“I have always considered this group as special friends.”
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