By Sissel McCarthy

Feb. 1, 2017:  The Bronxville Women’s Club will be the new home to several classes offered by the Bronxville Adult School (BAS) this spring.

Bridge, mah jongg, and Pilates classes will be joining the popular Friday yoga class at the historic Anna Lawrence Bisland 1928 House on Midland Avenue.

The women’s club is thrilled to host these new classes, according to President Joyce Balint, because it “fits nicely with our mission of education and working with the community.”

It also provides more people access to the building, which Balint calls “one of the diadems of Bronxville.” Architect Penrose Stout designed it to look like a home and fit into the neighborhood, but Balint said its traditional-looking exterior belies a spacious interior, housing a “Great Room” with perfect acoustics for concerts and plays, as well as several meeting rooms ideal for classes.

BAS Executive Director Celia Cuce called the new arrangement a win-win for everyone. “It’s a beautiful facility with convenient free parking for our students,” said Cuce, adding that the adult school and the women’s club are planning to co-sponsor several programs this fall.

The new location also means that bridge and maj jongg classes will be extended to two hours at no additional cost to students.

The bridge classes will be taught by a new instructor, Wendy Sklar, who is an ACBL Life Master, a title earned by only top players. Sklar has been playing for 17 years and is looking forward to sharing her expertise and passion for the card game.

“You can make bridge what you want,” Sklar said. “You can learn the basics and play it that way forever, but it also gives you the option to build on that your whole life. And that’s what’s really so exciting.” Sklar prepares a different lesson each week and then has students play several hands to practice the concept they just learned. 

Pictured here:  The Bronxville Women's Club on Midland Avenue, where some Bronxville Adult School classes are to be held.

Photo by A. Warner