Scene & Heard - Bridge City: Salemtowne card games benefit Red Cross

Salemtowne Continuing Care Retirement Community held its fifth annual bridge benefit Tuesday afternoon, raising more than $3,000 for the American Red Cross.

More than 100 people enjoyed a buffet luncheon and several hours of cards in the Smith Saal Community Center. Richelle Hansen, Salemtowne's coordinator of community relations, said that this year's fundraiser drew its largest crowd and almost doubled last year's proceeds. "You've outdone yourself this year," she told the crowd.

The money donated to the Red Cross will go for emergency and disaster relief for older adults in the Winston-Salem area. Past recipients of the benefit include Senior Services, Inc., the Alzheimer's Association, Family Services and the Mental Health Association in Forsyth County.

Joe Lydon, Salemtowne's president, confessed that he is not a bridge player. "About all I play is War and Go Fish," he joked. But Lydon stayed busy refilling water glasses and clearing dishes so the games could begin.

Lydon talked about the importance of supporting the Red Cross with money and by raising awareness. "There are so many natural disasters recently, and they have such an impact on older people," he said.

Mary Alspaugh organized the bridge benefit for the fifth year. "This is a bridge city," she said. She must be right because organizers were forced to turn away more than 10 players because of space limitations.

But the benefit means more to Alspaugh than just a chance to play cards. She has been a Red Cross volunteer for more about 50 years and recently donated her 14th gallon of blood.

Hugh Quinn, the executive director of the Northwest North Carolina chapter of the American Red Cross, was on hand to explain more about the organization. He said that in addition to providing relief to victims of disaster, it helps people prevent and prepare for emergencies, collects blood, and offers life-saving skills training.

Quinn said that each year the local chapter helps 200 families whose homes have burned. He told the story of local Red Cross volunteers assisting a Walkertown family after a fire just hours before we all sat down to lunch.

"When you look in people's eyes and there's no hope there, the comfort brought from the Red Cross really means a lot," he said.

He thanked Salemtowne for its help, singling out Hansen for her coordination at a time when she is expecting an important event in her personal life. "Thanks for not having your baby on Sept. 23," Quinn joked.

On another light note, Quinn introduced Ken Roberson, a Salemtowne resident who hired him in 1982. Roberson worked for the Red Cross for 37 years. The two men were joined at luncheon by Suzanne Rodgers, the director of development for the local chapter.

The rest of the room was filled with folks focused on playing bridge for a good cause. Margaret Harrison, Julia Gilliam and Virginia Edelson, all Salemtowne residents, said they enjoy a bridge game every Monday. And "according to the cards," they're good.

Herb Mayberry has played the game for the past 50 years. On Tuesday, he was "drafted" to play with Carolyn Fox, Anne Saum and Betsey Willard, members of Home Moravian Church who enjoy a regular game. Willard made her first smart move by making sure that everyone at her table had their tiramisu before it disappeared.

Mayberry and his wife, Nancy, have lived at Salemtowne for eight years. She sat at a table with Gertrude Maynard, Anne Nicholson and Janet Amos. Amos, a resident of Salemtowne for 17 years, talked about the importance of raising money for the nonprofit. "We are very fortunate here, but we need to help others," Amos said. "The Red Cross certainly needs our help at this time." She worked with Alspaugh to organize the fundraiser.

When I asked Phyllis Dunning, Josie Phillips, Peggy Curlee and Bobbi Caldwell what prompted them to attend the benefit, Dunning said, "You don't say ‘no' to Mary Alspaugh." To which Caldwell chimed in, "And you don't say ‘no' to Phyllis Dunning." Phillips agreed with both and added that she attended the benefit last year. She had so much fun that she wanted to come back.

Wayne Shugart enjoyed the afternoon with Jim Pryor, Lewis Brumfield and Bill Hutchins. Hutchins said he has played bridge for 40 years. He remembers working for McLean Trucking Co.and playing bridge during his lunch hour.

Jean Hole, a resident of Arbor Acres, joined Norma Calloway of Clemmons, and Gladys Crane and Dot Hamilton, both of Winston-Salem. They have played bridge together for more than 35 years. They all agreed that the relationship they've developed has many benefits. "It's nice to know you have someone you can call on for help," Hole said.

All four women are N.C. State football fans and were delighted to share news of their team's recent win. But one thing they all agree on: They don't talk about politics. "I imagine our politics might be different," Calloway said.

And then the games started.

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