Mahjong craze sweeping through Hamilton

HAMILTON — Although it’s been around since the mid-1800s, Mahjong has recently become a bit of a craze in Hamilton.
Teresa Pugh, owner of The Chocolate Dog, and her good friend, Jane Emerson, have formed the Hamilton Mahjong Society and even teach classes. They also host group events downtown at the Creamery + Marketplace.
Pugh recently shared some information on the game, its benefits and how people can get involved.
“Playing Mahjong boosts brain health by combining fun, focus and social activity,” she said. “Experts say it specifically strengthens thinking skills because players have to use memory, recognize patterns and make quick-decisions about what tiles to play and when to play them.   
“In addition to cognitive health, Mahjong has been proven to support emotional well being and social interaction. Could Mahjong provide one more step for fighting cognitive decline and mental health?
“If you’ve been curious about this game (that you are not even sure how to pronounce), this is your sign! You don’t need to know everything. You don’t need the perfect setup. You don’t need to be good right away. You just need to start.
“Because somewhere between the tiles, the laughter and the learning, you might just find your people, a new weekly ritual and a version of yourself you didn’t realize you were missing.”
For those interested  in learning Mahjong, Pugh noted classes are offered by The Chocolate Dog Boutique located inside The Creamery in Hamilton. Pugh may be contacted at teresapugh71@gmail.com and Emerson may be reached at jemerson0489@gmail.com.
You can also call The Chocolate Dog at 205-570-0784 for more information on how to get involved and sign up for upcoming classes.
“Follow Hamilton Mahjong Society on Facebook and Instagram for updated information,” Pugh noted.