Bronxville 25-Year Regular Poker Game Among Friends Has Raised More Than $100,000 For Charities

Pictured: The poker group. The author of this article, Art Nagle, is in the back row middle in the red jacket 
 
By Art Nagle
 
Nov. 13, 2024: The genesis for our poker game occurred on a golf trip to Scotland. To combat boredom on our eight-passenger van between golf courses, six of us - - Barry Brokaw, Wright Elliott, David McBride, Bob Nau, Dennis Scioli, and I - - started a poker game.
 
We had such a good time that upon return, I circulated a letter to this group - dba the "Siwanoy Studs" - in an attempt to set up a regular game. Well, 25 years and 295 monthly games later (we missed three during COVID and two August games due to summer vacation schedules) we’re still going strong.
Pictured above: The letter regarding Poker that was circulated to the group
 
We gather on a weeknight at 6pm (usually at Siwanoy - hence the name), play for ninety minutes or so, order dinner, move to the dining room when told apps are on the table, order dessert, discuss the issues of the day, head back, and play a final hand at 10pm. Note that as part of the aging process, this finish time is roughly an hour earlier than in 1999.
The poker group at the table
 
At the first gathering, we decided to skim each pot roughly five to ten percent and set it aside to donate to local charities at year-end. As of this writing, we have been able to distribute more than $100,000 to various local charities, including Jansen Hospice, Gramatan Village, Katie Welling Fund at the BSF (Tom Welling was a long-time member of our group), and Destination College.
 
Other members over the years include Dick Bower, Jerry Crisci, Al DeCrane, Pierre de Saint Phalle, Richard Dresdale, Peter Hicks, John Hill, Jack Kennedy, Guy Minetti, Alan Re, Rich Rogers, Bill Staudt and Tom Welling.
 
As far as participants from the distaff side are concerned, we’ve not had any suggested nor any approach us but speaking for myself I’d welcome same if only to bring some much-needed improved behavior at the table
 
I would be remiss if I failed to mention our “Commissioner”, my long time assistant Anna McGoldrick who herds the cats so that we always have a quorum, deals with last minute cancellations and ensures we have a place to play all from her home in Boise, Idaho!
 
At any rate we’ve had an enormous amount of fun over the years and are proud to have been able to support and hopefully make a small difference for these and other worthy local charities.
 
 

Community Service Organizations Directory

Community Service Organizations

Bronxville Beautification Council

Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up. 

Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123


Bronxville Boy Scouts

The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”

There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5. 

https://www.scoutcabin.org/


Bronxvillle Girls Scouts

The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”


Bronxville Historical Conservancy

The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available. 

Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708

http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/

 


Bronxville School Foundation

The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.

177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515 

https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/


Bronxville Women’s Club

The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.

135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org


Bronxville Youth Council

The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.

177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789


Counseling Center

Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists. 

The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org


Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe

The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.” 

15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org


Friends of the Bronxville Library

The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services. 


Junior League of Bronxville

The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”

www.jlbronxville.org


Rotary Club of Bronxville

The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.” 


Senior Citizens of Bronxville

Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”

https://www.bronxvilleseniors.org/

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