ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The Island House Hotel has been home to two snowbird bridge groups for several years.

The Monday Bridge Group celebrated its twentieth anniversary recently.  The group was originated by Dick Kell, a retired band teacher from Grand Ledge, Mich., and Dot Uren from Bear Lake, Mich., at least 20 years ago.

It was originally called The Exclusive Bridge Club, and to play with the group one had to play well enough for Dick’s approval.  One of the current players recalls that when she asked to play, he took her phone number, with the comment “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”  After urging from her friend, Wanda Hill, she asked again two years later and has played with the group for many years.  After Dick Kell no longer came to Pleasure Island, Dot was assisted by Velma June Gustafson, Don McKinnen and later by Joyce Albers.  The group now is just “The Island House Monday Bridge,” and during the years has mellowed considerably.

   A similar Bridge Group, The Friday Island House Bridge Group , was also originated at least 20 years ago, and are also celebrating their anniversary.  Believing that all who wanted to play Bridge should have that opportunity, a long time snowbird from Minnesota, Jewell Mendenhall, started a Friday Bridge Group, and declared all were welcome.  Later leadership of the Friday Snowbird Bridge was transferred to John Howe who later passed it on to Junia Jarvie.

   Both of these groups have met in various places.  Original members recall, with many stories, playing at the “old” Holiday Inn, and also at the “Pink Palace”, and truly appreciate the Island House Hotel with its friendly staff and accommodating attitude.  The groups meet at 10 a.m. and break for lunch prepared by Chef Odell Holly and his staff, and resume play until the rounds are completed.

   The first meeting in January each year is an emotional time, with old friends greeting each other, yet sadness, too, because some are unable to return to Pleasure Island.  Jewell’s Philosophy that all who wanted to play should be able to play, has been somewhat modified because there is room for only 10 tables, so a “substitute” list is maintained and if there is room to play, all are still welcome.

   Barbara Walter, the charming general manager of Island House Hotel, and her entire staff are much appreciated. In the dining room Geri Brandenburg and Pat Root in particular, have become friends and caretakers of this group.

   Bridge is a popular game for snowbirds on Pleasure Island.  At the Orange Beach Senior Center, bridge is played on Tuesday and Thursday with a capacity of up to 20 tables. Gulf Shores has a Snow Bird group that meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Activities Center and can accommodate 20 tables.  Gulf Shores also has a year round Duplicate Bridge Group that meets at the Senior Center on Monday’s and Thursdays.  The Tuesday and Thursday Orange Beach group meets the year round also, but is much larger in numbers during snowbird season.  of course there are also other Bridge Groups like the Foley Bridge Group, Newcomer Club, several Condominium or housing area groups and various small groups.

   Bridge has remained a popular activity and is recommended as a good way to keep mental abilities at high levels, and also is often a factor in developing life long friendships.