You probably recognize the Platinum Point Yacht Club tagline: PPYC a Place to Belong. But did you know that the tagline could easily be modified to: PPYC a Place for Fun and Games? And since a recent club survey showed that about half of our members are homesteaders, who remain in Burnt Store for the summer season, the fun and games don’t stop when the snowbirds depart.
The most serious of game-players are, of course, the bridge group. They meet every Tuesday and Friday from 1 – 4:30 p.m. At those times, even those of us non-bridge players know not to interrupt the flow of the game. Players sign up individually, and rotate partners during play. Both beginners and seasoned players can be found enjoying an easy afternoon of competitive play.
The game of mahjong has recently taken the country by storm. Mahjong is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China. PPYC has not one but two mahjong groups, one on Mondays and one on Thursdays. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols. Each player begins by receiving 13 tiles. Players then draw and discard tiles until they complete a legal hand using the 14th drawn tile to mahjong. Many members have learned how to play this complicated and addictive game at PPYC.
The most social game played at PPYC is bunco. If you can roll dice, you can play bunco. Players roll three dice to score points. Points are earned by rolling the current round number, or by rolling three of a kind. Shouts of “Bunco!” can be heard when a player rolls three matching dice and wins the round. Bunco fills out the Wednesday game slot at PPYC.
On a more serious note, the PPYC book club meets once a month to discuss selected titles. As a sometimes member of this group, I can testify to the excellence of both the titles themselves and the subsequent discussions. Of course, the fact that wine is served as we sit on the Harbor View Deck, surely adds to the enjoyment.
The comradery at PPYC doesn’t stop at just game playing and book discussions. Even during the summer months, our bimonthly potlucks are held. Sunset Social Wednesdays give members the chance to bring their favorite appetizers to share. The quantity and variety of heavy apps is known for its ability to substitute for supper, as members join together both in the clubhouse and on the lovely waterfront Harbor View Deck.
Grill Night Fridays offer another opportunity for members to share food and comradery together. For this potluck, people bring a side dish to share and a piece of meat to grill for themselves. At the appointed time, the grillers take their meat to the PPYC patio, where the grills are hot and ready. Clearly, a good time is had by all.
Let’s not forget what has come to be the most fun weekly event at PPYC – the Friday Night Happy Hours. The Docksider Bar is open, or members can BYOB and bring the beverage of their choice. Often, local musicians enhance the evening with music played on the deck. Other happy hours find brats and dogs to provide yet another opportunity for a quick no-fuss dinner at the club. But with food or without, drinks from the best view in Burnt Store Marina pulls lots of members every Friday evening.
As you can see, PPYC is all about fun and games with fellow members. And the fun doesn’t stop just because the temperatures have climbed.
