Activities
Ellison and Ruth (Ruthie!) always loved to play crib and regularly traveled to the Annapolis Valley and the South Shore to take part in Crib Tournaments. They decided a crib tournament should be held in the New Ross/Forties area... why not? Since they volunteered regularly at events at the Forties Community Centre, they approached the executive with the suggestion of a crib tournament at the Centre.
This was eleven years ago, and the tournament has been held on the first Sunday of each month ever since and has grown into one of the most popular events available to the many dedicated crib players from far and wide. On a regular basis there are forty to fifty teams (two players) who register each month, and the number frequently rises to fifty-five to sixty teams when the weather is good. One special pre-Covid Sunday, seventy-three teams took part in that day’s event, and is the record to-date.
Ruth coordinates and organizes the entire day with the assistance of her dedicated group of helpers. Unfortunately, health issues have limited Ellison’s organizing efforts, but he is still a very active and popular player and is well-known to everyone!
Crib players visit the Forties Community Centre to enjoy the challenge of the game and to enjoy the warm friendships they have formed over the years. Providing these crib tournaments for the many regular attendees is as important to them as a get-together with old friends and neighbours. Ruth and her team offer a canteen with an assortment of chili, soups, sandwiches and desserts which entices many players to arrive well in advance and enjoy a tasty lunch with their card-playing friends. The monthly visitors always look forward to spending an enjoyable afternoon in The Forties with a good game of cards and great group of friends! About 85% of the money brought in from the day’s registration is returned as prize money for the big winners of the day. And the funds raised by the canteen are included as part of the Forties Community Centre’s operating budget.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of both Ellison and Ruthie Veinotte, this crib tournament is an amazing success and enjoyed by participants from communities near and far!
