Opinion

Op-Ed: The Woman Behind the Mahjong Movement

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If you’ve taken Mahjong lessons from Aggie Aspinwall chances are you’re saying ‘Mahj’ more than your fair share these days. As director of Lapham Center, Aggie has taught hundreds of New Canaan residents the difference between a red dragon and soap, how to build a hand out of craks, and the fine art of knowing when to switch hands midgame. She even led a standing-room-only session at the New Canaan Library on strategy and keeps Lapham open late on Wednesday nights so players of all levels—rookies and regulars alike—can gather for open play. During her lessons, she patiently reminds her students that “no, you can’t use a joker with a pair,” and that a “C” on your Mahjong card means concealed, so your hand stays secret until you’ve really won. Of course, Mahjong teacher is just one of the many hats Aggie wears.

Government

‘We Are Excited To Have Her’: Town Resident Hired as Program Manager at Lapham 

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Town officials last week approved the hiring of a New Canaan resident as program manager at a community facility in Waveny that serves local adults and especially seniors. Kathy Collins, a licensed social worker, will fill the position at Lapham Community Center following a 3-0 vote by the Board of Selectmen. “She knows the community very well,” Mimi Pitt, project coordinator in the town Human Resources department, told the selectmen at their regular meeting, held Aug. 3 in Town Hall. The program manager position at Lapham became vacant when Aggie Aspinwall took over as director of the facility last year, Pitt said.