Mahjong August 2025
2025-08-13 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Gorton Center, 400 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045
Come to Gorton’s Mahjong class with friends and neighbors! Over this seven-week course, you will learn how to play Mahjong based on the National Mahjong rules. Mahjong, a tile-based game created in 19th century China, is a social tabletop game that is competitive, exciting, mentally stimulating and very fun. This game requires cooperation and strategy between four players, so it’s a great game to play with friends or a way to make some new ones!
Debbie will group participants and provide personalized instruction for advanced players as well as players just learning the game. So, even if you’ve taken sessions previously, there is always more strategy to learn!
About Mahjong
Mahjong is a tiled tabletop game that originated in China in the 19th century and has become a staple of Chinese culture and daily life. Although there are many different variations of the game; almost every region of China has its own specialty version, Mahjong is often played as a four-person game with painted tiles in different suits. Although specific rules vary, the general goal is to make sets of the same suit or same number, similar to gin rummy.
Mahjong was imported to the US in the early 20th century. American Mahjong, a version created in Chinese neighborhoods in the US, was first played in the 1920s and has become the most common version played in the US. Sign up for Debbie’s Mahjong class to learn more about the game and get some hands-on experience.
Not only is Mahjong an exciting tabletop game played with friends, it is also a stimulating mental exercise. While not conclusive, research suggests that brain games can help improve memory retention, mental sharpness and reduce the risk of dementia. Either way, Gorton’s Mahjong class is guaranteed to lift your spirits and add some excitement to your week.
Participants will need to purchase the new 2025 Mahjong cards and they are available here- national mahjong league

Debbie Meyer has been playing Mahjong for over 20 years. Every hand is different and a challenge to put tiles together and exclaim, ‘Mahjong!’ Come join the fun!

Canasta
2025-08-13 13:00 - 15:00
Learn to Play Canasta with Debbie Meyer
Looking for a fun and social way to challenge your mind? Canasta is the perfect game! This exciting and strategic card game, played with partners, has quickly become a favorite among card enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills, this class is the ideal way to learn and enjoy Canasta in a relaxed and engaging environment.
Led by experienced instructor Debbie Meyer, you’ll be guided through the fundamentals of the game—including rules, scoring, and key strategies—all while enjoying the lively, cooperative nature of team play. Debbie will tailor her instruction to match your level of experience, grouping participants accordingly and offering personalized tips to help you gain confidence and improve your gameplay.
Canasta is a great way to exercise your brain, boost your memory, and connect with others in a fun, interactive setting. It’s stimulating, competitive, and, most of all, incredibly fun!
So grab a friend—or come ready to meet new ones—and join us for a class filled with laughter, learning, and a little friendly competition. Even if you’ve taken Canasta classes before, there’s always more strategy to discover and new ways to improve your game.
Debbie will group participants and provide personalized instruction for advanced players and players just learning the game. So, even if you’ve taken sessions previously, there is always more strategy to learn!

Debbie Meyer loves canasta and has been playing for over 10 years! Canasta is a stimulating card game played with partners. Strategy, luck and excitement are all a part of playing canasta. Come see why Debbie is so passionate about it and plays often.
