Roger Melaas recounts that several years ago, the St. Cloud Bridge Club was known to be a bit too serious and intimidating. But for the last many years, and especially after Kory Solarz became the manager, the Club’s atmosphere has turned more playful and welcoming. Roger has dubbed our culture now as - “we are family.”
We certainly have fun together. Often, we carry that fun over into get-togethers outside the official Club games. Halloween is one such time. Club members Eileen and David Johnsen have hosted a bridge party at their home for seven years. Eileen says of the party’s origin: “I have always loved entertaining. We used to hold an outdoor pool party in the summer. One year, Dennis Dufner said, ‘What? No bridge!’ So, we switched to Halloween in order to combine partying and playing.”
“Incredible” Eileen and David Johnsen
Each October we dress in hair-raising costumes, eat a pot luck meal together, and then play bridge – for points, but mostly for cackling rights! If you dare, following are the spooky pictures of us from the last three years.
Halloween 2017
Seated in front: Hosts David and Eileen Johnsen, and leaning in, Roger Melaas. Seated, second row: Jenee Nederloe, Barbara Johnson, Jane Curtis, Marlene Schroeder, Ginger Hinkenmeyer, Mary Labernik, Judy Knutson, and Kory Solarz. Standing, back row: Ruth Sundby, David Boushek, Sue Knauss, Joan Pickard, Judy Reynolds, Char Thul, Wayne Reynolds, Greg Nastrom, Connie Nelson, Roger Knauss, Jim Schnepf and Amy Roske.
Halloween 2018
In 2018, many from the Club attended the Omaha regional tournament held in October that year.
“Haunted” because we were missing the Johnsen Halloween party: Jim Schnepf, Jane Curtis, Greg Nastrom, Darlene Nastrom, Sue Knauss, Judy Knutson, Paul Sitz, Connie Nelson, Wayne Reynolds and Roger Knauss.
Back in St. Cloud, these devilish players had a good time anyway.
Front row: Hosts Eileen and David Johnsen. Second row, seated: Judy Reynolds, Barbara Johnson, Roger Melaas and Char Thul. Third row, standing: Wayne Reynolds, Jim Mustain, Joan Pickard, David Boushek, David Warne, Sandra Hatch, Jon Hatch and Saundy Fedor.
Halloween 2019
This year, the party was held on Sunday October 27th. Not as many were able to attend … it was just a “skeleton” crew.
Front row: Eileen Johnsen and Connie Nelson. Second row, seated: Kory Solarz, Joe Lisbon, Jane Curtis, Jim Mustain, Barbara Johnson and Char Thul. Third row, standing: Jim Schnepf, Bobbi Eich, Judy Knutson, Shannon Quinlivan, Sandra Hatch, Roger Melaas and David Boushek.
Care to join us for Halloween 2020?
BIG thanks to St. Cloud intrepid reporter Connie Nelson for the spooktacular Halloween report and photos!
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