MANTI—The Manti Bridge Club meets twice a month for a day of playing cards, rotating between members’ homes. Recently they decided to dress up in Easter dresses and bonnets, just like Victorian ladies would do years ago.
Their finest china would be set out, tea served (water and lemonade now), or a quick dessert before the bridge game began, says Darlene Blackham, one of the members.
“Bridge is one of the world’s most popular partnership card games,” says Blackham. “It originated in Britain in the 16th century and was first called Whist and was played by four players forming two partnerships; the partners sat opposite each other and took turns taking ‘tricks.’”
Harold S. Vanderbilt invented contract bridge in 1925 during his leisure time on a steamship cruise, and that is the variation the Manti club plays today. “We want to keep our brains sharp, and our social skills intact,” Blackham said, “Ha, ha!”
A few of the ladies have been playing for 20 to 60 years. The club goes back many years and is probably one of the longest playing clubs in Sanpete County.
