Mahjong at Friendship Community Center

Every Monday afternoon around 1 p.m., the quiet buzz of conversation and the soft clack of tiles fills the Friendship Community Center in Suttons Bay. Around a folding table, a group of friends gather to play Mahjong, a centuries old game that’s become a new tradition in this small lakeside town.

At the heart of the gathering is Marie Johnson, a seasonal resident who spends her summers in Suttons Bay. What began as a personal pastime has grown into a vibrant weekly meetup, thanks to her initiative and passion for the game.

“I was the only one who knew how to play at first,” said Johnson. “So I gathered some people, taught them the basics, and now we play every Monday around. It’s really nice.”