Terry Meystrik has been playing cards with the Our Lady of Providence couples and ladies bridge clubs for about 55 years. More than five decades later, the clubs – and the friends she has made along the way – have remained a constant in her life.

“It’s pretty nice to have friends from, what, almost 60 years ago,” Meystrik said.

She and her husband initially joined the group because the other members were also parishioners at Our Lady of Providence, but they stayed because of all the fun.

“When the couples bridge first started, it was more like a real party,” Meystrik said, smiling. “We would have it at night, and sometimes, we wouldn’t get home till one o’clock in the morning.”

Meystrik attributes the longevity of the group to friendship and organization. The group has rules that they’ve passed down over the years, and a specific day each month to play each game – the second Wednesday of the month for ladies bridge, the second Friday of the month for couples bridge and the fourth Monday of the month for pinochle.

“When people start the year, they mark it down on their calendar so you don’t have to be calling everyone and trying to get something together – that never seems to materialize,” Meystrik said.

At the end of the year, all three groups meet for a banquet held at a local restaurant, the last few years meeting at Pietro’s on Watson. At the banquet, part of the nominal fee is distributed as prizes, while the remainder is donated to St. Vincent de Paul.

The group, since its founding, has grown from being made up of solely Our Lady of Providence parishioners to including other local parishes, such as Seven Holy Founders, St. Raymond – St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine Laboure.

When asked what she would say to someone who might be interested in joining, Meystrik responded, “they are welcome.”