Rook

    Each family has their own traditions that are special and must be followed. Whether it is eating Thanksgiving dinner at grandma's, going on family vacations to the beach, or having weekly movie nights, every family has customs. For my family, the card game Rook is ours. When my parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents all get together, it is inevitable that a Rook game will break out. Not only is it such a common occurrence, but it can become very competitive, as well. Multiple tables will be playing at once, not only rivaling against the opposite team but competing against those engaged in other games, also. Rook tends to be a tricky game. It is not difficult, but you must think and make decisions wisely in order to be victorious.
  My papaw would always tell that Rook is a card game that was created over a century ago. This game has mainly remained around the southern area of the United States. It was actually created by extremely religious people as a replacement for traditional cards. Classic cards were too closely related to gambling, in the opinions of those people. My papaw has played this game his entire life and has passed it throughout the family, until now, everyone loves to play.
   You are probably wondering what Rook even is. Well, the card game has 57 cards in a deck, each one of four colors: black, red, yellow, or green. Every card also has a number on it from 1 through 14, except for one, the rook card (it has a bird on the card), and certain cards have different point values. The game is played between two teams with two people on each team. At the beginning of every round, the teams estimate how many points they believe they can win in the round and bid on them. Attempting to win. The teams compete against each other and earn or lose points. Typically, Rook is played until one team reaches 500 points and is deemed victorious. This game can take an extremely long time, even hours.
     As you can see, Rook is a major part of my life, especially at family gatherings. This card game has been in my family for generations, as well as many to come. There is always a ready deck of Rook cards at nearly any event.  At my papaw's house, there is unfailingly a deck close within reach. Hopefully, the great game of Rook continues to bring families like mine together for a fun time filled with competitiveness and laughter. Where is your deck of Rook cards?

Checker Champion

   My great grandfather, Paul Davis, is one extraordinary man. He started the business Davis Brothers Nursery and worked there, with his brother, for many years. He was married to his wife, Mary, and together they had three children: Jacinta, James (my grandfather), and Teresa. Throughout his life, he has accomplished an amazing title. Once he retired from the nursery business, Paul took up playing checkers. At his house now, there is a room overflowing with trophies, medals, newspaper articles, checker boards, and checkers. Good was an understatement.

Paul Davis playing checkers in the 1980's

   Paul began his addiction as a small child playing at a country store, however, he does not remember his very first game. In an interview, he said, "You get good by having somebody beat you for about a year." He started playing more and more, beating every amateur that crossed his path. Eventually, he commenced competing in tournaments. Of course, he endlessly continued to be victorious over his opponents. Over time, he moved up and was playing in more advanced competitions, strengthening his skills. He developed his capabilities so much he could beat you in a game every single time. Multiple people would team up to try and win but never succeeded. Paul was so advanced in his checker playing expertise that he could win from another room, without even looking at the board. How? On his personal checker boards, each square was numbered, and he knew which square was which number. Someone could be using the board during a match and say, "I moved my checker from square 3 to 4." He, not even glancing at the board, could say, "Move my piece from square 8 to 7," and win.

   Papaw got so good at playing checkers, he could not find anyone locally to challenge to a game. His family and friends all knew that he was too good and they stood no chance. Paul began traveling in order to find worthy opponents of equal or better skills to further his own. He and his wife traveled across the country to play checkers. Mary said in an interview that they would plan their vacations around his checker matches, they became so frequent.

   In 1988, my papaw won the title of the United States Go-As-You-Please Checker Champion and went on to compete on the international level. The following year, 1989, Paul Davis competed in the worldwide GAYP checker championship. Even though he was not victorious, the opportunity alone to play internationally is a once in a lifetime experience. Not only did he represent the country, but he also represented our community and family in an outstanding way.  Like I said, good was an understatement.