The click-clack of mahjong tiles takes me back to the basement of my best friend Phyllis’ childhood home. Her family had a table set up there, and whenever I visited, I could hear her mom and aunt playing with friends—the rhythmic clatter of tiles mixed with laughter and conversation. They played with this beautiful tile set from Hong Kong, and even then, the game felt less about competition and more about connection and community at home.
I never learned the game myself, so when I recently had the chance to pick up American mah jongg—which differs from Chinese mahjong—I enlisted my colleague, Lake Minnetonka Magazine editor Renée Stewart-Hester, and together we had a great time learning the basics. That’s when I realized mah jongg is having a major moment. It’s not just about the game. It’s a new way to gather. Across Edina, people are transforming dining rooms, kitchens and lower levels into welcoming spaces for weekly mah jongg nights and meaningful connection. In this issue, we explore the growing mah jongg scene in town and meet some of the people bringing this tradition home.
Speaking of home, we have a beautiful one for you to tour. The May’s home near Edina Country Club rests beside Nine Mile Creek. When they moved in, the 1930s home and its 1950s addition were at war with each other. They enlisted Bizal Built and created a modern home that pays homage to the 1930s while also taking full advantage of the breathtaking views of the water. It’s a blend of beautiful architecture with the warmth and livability that make a house truly feel like home. How fitting for our design issue.
Have a wonderful September and a happy back-to-school season.
