Crazy Fun and Games group enjoys learning new things together

By CAROLINE KLAPPER, DAILY SUN

THE VILLAGES — Things might get a little crazy sometimes, but the afternoon is always fun for the members of the Crazy Fun and Games group. The group meets every Monday for a round of some kind of table top game, whether it involves cards, dice or anything else.

Group founder Mary Courtney, of the Village of Calumet Grove, said no matter what they are playing, everyone has a good time.

“The people are the fun. They really are,” she said, as everyone prepared to play the day’s selected game: pokeno. “They love these card games.”

Not only do the group’s members enjoy playing games, they also love to learn new games, too. If a member wants to introduce a new game to the group, that person prints out instructions and gives them to everyone to learn.

Courtney said last week a new member, Bob Pellegrino, taught everyone a game called Mish Mash, and the whole group enjoyed it.

“That’s what I just really love is someone bringing a new game to us,” Courtney said.

Village of Belvedere resident Pellegrino, one of the only men in the group, said he joined Crazy Fun and Games because he loves to play card games. Although he only has been with the group for three weeks, he said he already has learned two new card games and a few card tricks.

“I thought I would entice other men to join the ladies,” he said, trying to encourage more men to join the group. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Claudia Hopper, of the Village of Chatham, has been a member of Crazy Fun and Games since its beginnings four years ago. She said she loves getting together with people to play games, of which her favorite is called Dummy Rummy.

“I always liked to play games,” she said. “I enjoy meeting the people every week and learning new games.”

For most of the members, Courtney said the camaraderie seems to be just as important as the fun of playing games.

“We just enjoy being together,” she said.

The Crazy Fun and Games group meets at 3 p.m. Mondays at Chatham Recreation Center. For information, call Mary Courtney at 751-4240.

Caroline Klapper is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9018, or caroline.klapper@thevillagesmedia.com.