A “bridge” for the community

If you stop by The War Memorial on any given Monday or Tuesday afternoon, you’re likely to see one of two local bridge clubs in action. 

A pair of Bridge clubs regularly meet at The War Memorial – The War Memorial Bridge Club on Mondays at noon, and The Alger Center Bridge Club which convenes on Tuesdays, also at noon.     

Bridge is a trick-taking card game that is played by four players in two competing partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other around a table.   

“There’s not much difference between the two clubs,” Tony Faint, director of The War Memorial Bridge Club, said. “The War Memorial Bridge Club is the original one.”   

Faint has been part of the Club for over a decade.    

A resident group of The War Memorial, Faint said The War Memorial Bridge Club has met at the nonprofit institution for about 20 years. About 30 people weekly attend War Memorial Bridge Club gatherings. 

“People who attend Bridge get comradeship, conversation, and the ability to meet in a friendly atmosphere with others who have common interest,” he said. “It’s not just sitting there and playing cards. Bridge is competitive and every new game is a challenge.”  

Alger Center Bridge Club Director Dave Fletcher explained that the two groups are essentially the same, just happening on different days, with different directors. 

“Originally it was The War Memorial Bridge Club, but it was always the Monday game,” he said. “Then during COVID, most of Bridge shut down so we stopped playing.” 

As more people returned to play, The War Memorial group resumed and demand grew. 

“There was a need for another day, so they needed to find a different director,” Fletcher said. “My club got started in September 2023.” 

He noted that Fred and Veronica Alger, who largely contributed for the newer Fred M. Alger Center, are avid Bridge players. 

“They pushed to bring Bridge back live and facilitated that with War Memorial management,” he said. “They were very instrumental in getting Bridge going again.” 

Speaking to why it makes sense to play at The War Memorial, Fletcher called it a “beautiful facility for that. We need tables and chairs in a big space. Bridge is a social game and for older people, they look forward to these weekly events for a social getaway.” 

Most Bridge Club players at The War Memorial are members of the American Contract Bridge League, or ACBL.  

“They are working toward winning points which can make you a life master Bridge player,” Fletcher explained. “We have sanctioned games, so the national organization recognizes that as a place to earn master points.” 

He said that typical weekly attendance for the Alger Center Bridge Club is 30 members. 

Interested in joining one of the clubs? Contact Fletcher at (586) 206-6556 or email hdfletch@aol.com. Faint can be reached at (760) 415-7313.