Playing cards is more than just fun

A group of ladies meet each Tuesday to have lunch and play cards. Recently they met at Santi’s in Newman. Pictured clockwise from bottom left are Charlene DiGiorno, Lydia Contreras, Marlene Terry, Regina Martin and Carla DeOliveira.

Sharing a meal, playing some cards and getting out of the house for a bit was the basic reasoning why a group of ladies were randomly found playing Rummy one day in a restaurant in Newman. Come to find out, these women meet every Tuesday and have been for about five years.

“You have to get out of the house at times. Don’t just sit at home and watch TV. Live life. Life is short,” Charlene DiGiorno advises. She enjoys playing many types of card games and gets together periodically with others to play Pinochle, Pedro and Canasta. The Tuesday group however, keeps their game focused on Rummy.

Playing cards keeps your mind working which is important even moreso as you get older. “I go to have fun but also to keep my brain active,” DiGiorno emphasized.

The Rummy ladies have been friends for many years. They are members of Gustine Seniors. Their Tuesday luncheons sprang from being at a Seniors meeting and talking about getting together to play cards. There was a time when there were eight players in the group, DiGiorno explained, but over time players dropped and changed that now there are five.

They have lunch together and play cards. They mostly play in restaurants but sometimes they play at their homes. Each player takes a turn at choosing a restaurant or hosting at their home. Recently they had a hotdog and beans lunch with everyone pitching in. “You know, it can get old to always eat out,” DiGiorno expressed. Although, they do enjoy their restaurants, too.

The ladies patronize various locations in Newman, Gustine, Turlock, and surrounding towns, making sure management approves their extended stay before setting up the gathering. “We don’t go during peak hours,” DiGiorno pointed out.

The group is respectful of the establishment they are at and haven’t had any problems finding places to play. Anderson Pea Soup, for example, has been kind enough to give them a room to play in when available. A typical lunch with games takes about 2-3 hours. The ladies make sure to tip well before they leave.

“We have fun together. We are not into gossip. We joke with each other, and kid with each other,” DiGiorno shared. They have the typical card playing banter between them like “When are you going to discard that ace I need?” and teasing like that. It’s part of a friendly game among card players.

Even though the purpose of the weekly luncheons is not about the title, returning home the winner is admittedly nice. However, the real prize is the friendship these ladies share and the joy they bring to one another through a simple meal and a card game. “People often stop by our table and ask us what we’re playing,” DiGiorno said. “We show them the game and answer their questions. And they tell us it looks like we’re having so much fun.”

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