Anaheim
By Robbie Krause
June is the month fathers are honored. But, how many bridge players give homage to the men who actually “fathered” their game – beginning with Harold Vanderbilt, for whom the prestigious trophy is named? Following him were Ely Culbertson, Oswald Jacoby, Nate Spingold, Bill McKenney, Charles Goren and Howard Schenken. Since their era, many superb players became famous – alas, too many to name.
Speaking of fine players, congratulations to Joe Swain, whose name was engraved on the “Ace of Hearts” plaque. Joe has contributed in many ways to our club for over twenty years, and is one of the most steadfast members. Well deserved.
Many attended our sectional as well as the Santa Ana Unit’s, held at our Anaheim Club. Often these tournaments bring about reunions of players who for one reason or another haven’t seen each other in ages. Our unit games, held the third and fourth Sundays of the month, afford the same opportunity.
Since becoming a last minute substitute reporter, there was no opportunity to gather the names of all the big winners at the above-mentioned games (no computer at my house), but those of you who are interested, please check the web site. Speaking of computers, there was a quote from Frank Lloyd Wright who said, “If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger.”
Congratulations to all who had family members graduating last month, and hope all the Dads had a Happy Fathers Day!
Bakersfield
By Mimi Stull
The summer heat is good reason to spend a cool afternoon playing bridge. Anyone needing a partner may contact Shirley Eide at 661 205-2439. Because of Teri’s lessons more people are playing 2/1 Game Force.
Anyone interested in lessons should contact Teri at 661 664-1678.
Overall winners of the May unit game include: 1/A & 1/B Jerry Schmitt - Carol Burdick; Maynard and Sandy Denison; Frank and Lois Short; Jim and Lucy Pestaner; Gert Prejean - Joan Bruce; Bess Taffera - GeorgeAnn Kerley;1/C Connie Bruce - George Hollingsworth; and Toni Poe - Libbie Stull.
“When one is claiming, there is a certain procedure that should be followed,” says director Shirley E. “When one claims, one should announce: ‘this is my line of play.’ Once declarer puts the hand down there is no ‘playing it out.’ If there are any doubts or questions call the director, who will inform everyone of their rights.
And if ever you have any problems at the table, please call the director for the correct ruling,” suggested Shirley.
Speaking of directors, if you’ve ever thought of becoming one, now is the time. Since we run our own club, we could use a backlog of directors. It is a challenging job, but one does get paid, and from 12:30-4:00 p.m. you get to be the boss over everyone.
Plus you’ll really get to know the rules of bridge. If you’re interested please check with Shirley E. or Teri.
We welcome two new members to our club: Lorraine Anchordoquy and Kern Hankins. Kern is the son of Dale and Susan Hankins. We also welcome a reinstated player, Tom Strandberg. We missed you, Tom. Congratulations to three who have moved up in rank: Nancy Frisbee and John Harris to Junior Master and Garth Black to Club Master.
Our condolences to Deana Gratke on the death of her husband, Phillip. He was a petroleum engineer who worked in the oil industry overseas and in the U.S.
Phillip, 77, was also an Army veteran and a Boy Scouts leader.
There will be no Friday night games in July or August. The next unit game will be Saturday, July 18, and extra points will be awarded in a stratified event. This gives C & D players a better chance to score points.
One should make a special effort to play in this monthly game, because it is very well attended and the hospitality is abundant and very delicious.
Balboa
By Phil Pearl
prp75@socal.rr.com
There were 17 tables in play at the unit game May 3rd, and the event leaders were: Strat A: 1, Susan Benon - Phil Pearl. 2, Faith Feldman - Huguette Saldinger. 3, Sofija Korff - Maryanne Roode. 4, William Thorp - Audrey Wicks. 5, Michael and Pam Moreland. 6, Y.M. Chu - Eddie Rose. Strat B: 1, Korff - Roode. 2, Morelands. 3 Susana Hegstrom - Howard Morton. 4, Eileen Small - Sydney Stephan. 5, Oliver Yildiz - M Hanefi Erten. Strat C: 1, Small - Stephan. 2 Lynda Crawford - Susan Powers. 3, Anthony Doria - Virginia Lee Paul. 4, Vivian and William Boulos.
Sally Murphy was injured in an auto accident in April, and spent five days in the hospital with broken ribs and injured vertebrae. She is recuperating at home and hopes to have returned to the bridge tables by mid June.
The unit received word that Jim Millerd passed away in early May. Jim was a long-time player and a very friendly guy. Although he didn’t belong to the Balboa Unit, he played for many years at the Huntington Beach Club, and in recent years at Park Newport with Jan Umberham.
In recent years he always had his oxygen tank with him. Jim was born in Chicago, and many years ago, he and his brother John won an NABC in a pairs event at the Chicago Nationals.
He was a salesman most of his career. Jim was a Gold Life Master and was 82.
Overall finishes in the Great Western
Spring STAC: Brian Gilbert, 12th Strat A, Wednesday (585 tables). Jon King, 4th Strat A Thursday (219 tables). Michael and Pam Moreland, 6th Strat A and 3rd Strat B, Sunday (206 tables). Phil Pearl, 13th Strat A, Sunday (206 tables).
Recipients of the Ace of Clubs (AC) and Mini-McKenney (MM) awards for 2008: 0-5, Carlene Bailey (AC & MM). 5-20, Jill Wilson (AC ), Lee Johnson (MM). 20-50, Fred Dyle (AC & MM). 50-100, Sue Foigelman (AC & MM). 100-200, (AC Jinni Harrigann (AC), Susan Powers (MM). 200-300, Joe Succi (AC), Marcia Vaughan (MM). 300-500, Atsuko Kurishima (AC & MM). 500-1000, Jon King (AC & MM). 1000-2500, Jerry Schreider (AC & MM). 2500-5000, Jim Elbogen (AC), Mariko Kakimoto (MM). 5000-7500, Pat Elms (AC), V. Jay Tipton (MM). 7500-10,000, Chris Larsen (AC), Stephen Goldstein (MM). 10,000+, Lowell Andrews (AC & MM).
Membership News: Transfers into Balboa Unit (Mrs. Gwen Walsh).
Advancements: New Regional Masters (Rita Bekemeyer and Jeanette Estill). New Bronze Life Master (Betty Mann). New Diamond Life Master (5000 MPs), (Mariko Kakimoto).
On June 3, the J & J Bridge Club hosted featured speaker, bridge author,
and Grand Life Master Mike Lawrence. There was a two hour lecture, followed
by lunch, and a club championship. After the game, Mike discussed some
of the hands and fielded questions by the players. There were 18 tables
in the open sections. The top three overall in each strat were: Strat A;
1 (Mark Itabashi - Ross Grabel). 2 (Steven Love - Mike Galante). 3 (Ruth
Ann Alpert - Tom Adams). Strat B: 1 (Carol Klahr - Randy Hamlin). 2 (Jackie
Cover - Shirl Thomas). 3 (Eva Mroz - Penny Wentworth).
Strat C: 1 (Khlar
- Hamlin). 2 (Mroz - Wentworth). 3 (Virginia Paul - A. Doria).
In the Non-Life Master Pairs section, there were 12 tables. Strat A: 1 (Susan Legome - Susan Katz). 2 (Pat and Herb Lee). 3 (Laura and Michael Brooks). Strat B: 1 (Legome - Katz). 2 (Dale Rensing - Barry Sussman). 3 (Roberta Shelters - Pam Chilson). Strat C: 1 (Rensing - Sussman).
2 (Shelters - Chilson). 3 (Barbara Barnat - Rosalyn Wexler).
Bishop
By Lilla
Even though spring has moved in, we’re still seeing many showers and much wind. It’s been a very unusual season here in the Sierras, but the bridge still goes on. There are those still here and playing that remember Evelyn Butler when she was living and playing up here; and we were interested in an article that came about her and some of her friends still playing bridge in Laguna Beach. She is now 99 and enjoying her game. It’s hard for some people to understand that bridge is “the game” to keep your mind active.
Our winners for the month of May were: on the 4th, 1st place went to Reeder & Mizrahi, 2nd were Lohr & Sparks, and 3rd were Gilbert & Williams, and 4th were Greer & Imboden; the game on the 6th, 1st were Taylor & Abbott, 2nd Mizrahi & Reeder, 3rd Imboden & Hadeler, 4th Busby & Knight; the 11th found Taylor & Abbott in 1st, Kittinger & Crunk in 2nd, and Reeder & Mizrahi in 3rd; the 13th winners were Lohr & Sparks, 2nd Sheehan & Faint, and 3rd were Knight & Busby; the 18th winners were Kittinger & Crunk 1st, Greer & Farmer 2nd, Reeder & Mizrahi 3rd.
On May 20 1st went to Reeder & Mizrahi, 2nd Busby & Hobbs; the 25th Abbott & Gilbert were 1st, Farmer & Hadeler 2nd; the 27th winners were 1st & 2nd tie between Imboden & Gilbert and Reeder & Mizrahi, and 3rd, Greer & Hadeler.
The last game of the month on the 31st was our unit game, which had been delayed from Mother’s Day. It was good to have the Habers back in town and once again able to make the game. Ralph directed and then won! First was Habers, 2nd Farmer & Imboden, and 3rd Taylor & Hadeler.
It was a small game for our only unit game of the month. Many are vacationing at this time of year, so when you get home, plan to play again.
Coronado
By Jean Seager
What is better than a bridge game? A bridge game following a luncheon at South Bay Fish and Grill, of course. Unit game winners at this event were Phil Akre and Al Schuster in A (and overall) and Elaine Chan and Alexander Prairie in both B and C.
Winners in the 99er game were Viola Jackson and Carrie Johnson. As usual, Vicky Bamberger did an outstanding job making the luncheon arrangements.
Thank you to the unit’s officers who were re-elected to another term: Jan Erikson, president; Phil Akre, vice president; Lynne Erikson, secretary; and Bill Seager, treasurer. Others agreeing to serve were Carol Brager and Marty Roth, tournament co-chairs; Betty Thompson, publicity; Vicky Bamberger, hospitality; and Kathie Angione, membership. Please express your appreciation to these hard-working individuals the next time you see them.
Two sectional tournaments in May saw some winners from the unit. Sharon Gordon and Kathleen Hennessy were 3rd in E and 4th in D in a 299er Pairs game at the Oceanside Sectional. At the La Jolla Sectional, Vicky and Larry Bamberger won a Swiss Teams Flight B event and Bill and Jean Seager finished second in C and third in C in two separate pairs competitions.
At Coronado club games this month, Phil Akre was nearly unbeatable, winning five times, twice with Alice Dudley, twice with Al Schuster and once with Vicky Bamberger. (That’s in addition to the unit game victory.) Other Coronado winners were Betty Birmingham and Alice Dudley and Marguerite Cook and Norma Lyerly.
At the Eastlake Bridge Club, Robert Shapley was a standout. Like Phil, he won five times, twice with Walt Bochenek, and once each with Kathleen Hennessy, Alexander Prairie and Elaine Chan.
Other winners were Hiroko Kitamura and Barbara Schafer with a 70.6 percent game and Fred Nimtz and Betty Birmingham.
During the May Great Western STAC, Bill and Jean Seager scored 4th in C in the Auxiliary Pairs event.
And lastly, the story of a romance at the Eastlake Bridge Club. If you play bridge there, you might have noticed that when Fran Wakefield brought a guest, Doral Hunter, to the game recently, Doral was more than a bridge acquaintance.
Culminating a fifty-year friendship, the two married in May. Still, Fran continues to be loyal to her regular bridge partner, Roz King - unless Roz is out of town playing championship tennis at national and international tournaments in the seventy and older division. In that case, the newlyweds play together.
Congratulations, Fran and Doral, and best wishes for many years of happiness.
Dana Harbor
By Catherine Cram
Coming in August – 299er Sectional at Dana Harbor. Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30. Featuring Stratified Pairs and Swiss Teams. Visit our web site (address below) for all the details. Free coffee, snacks and even light lunch. Coming this month: July 3 - Unit Game with Hot Dogs; July 20 - Unit Game; Great Western STAC Week - week of July 20.
New partnership coordinator for the 299ers is Marcia Holland. Anne Rolbin “flew up” (an old Brownie term). Thank you, Greg Hanson, for taking over the demanding treasurer job. He replaces Ron Rudderow, who has not been feeling so well lately.
Thanks to Ron for a stellar performance - so good he won the club’s Volunteer of the Year award for 2008.
Unit game winners on May 17: Eugenia Corb - LaVern Fabrick, Andy DeLeon - Dan Glasgow, and Lee Maddocks - Jacob Weisberg.
New Members and New Ranks – Welcome new members Norma Cedarstrom, Dianna Hoffman, Gina Royalty and transfers Linda and John Jonas ... all the way from New Jersey. Congratulations to lots of our players who attained new ranks. Junior Masters: Jean Boukai, Anita Nadel, Jonae Pereira, Kitty Viele, and Richard Williams. Club Masters: Evelyn Crook, Richard Lee, Joseph O’Brien, Irwin Rosenfeld, and Patricia Siegel. Sectional Master – Jess Herrera; NABC Master - Sharon Forslund. New Life Masters: Kathy Braeunig, Sharon Rippy and Marie Tanner. Bronze Life Masters - Stanley Sirott and Catherine Cram. Silver Life Master - Bill Perdue.
Out there playing: Taking first in C at the Oceanside Sectional Swiss were Kristine Katz, Pat Dolphin, Eileen Garbutt and Mark Rehms.
At Anaheim Open Pairs, firsts were won by Eddie Rose - Anne Gillespie, Mark Itabashi - John Farr, and 299ers Judy Alvord - Dae Leckie. Steve Love - Mark Itabashi won first in the Sunday Swiss.
Getting Better: You may have missed Diane Velick lately – she's recovering from back surgery. I'll bet she's anxious to get back to the tables, and we will be very glad to see her!
Dana Harbor Unit 538, 949 248-1268 is located near the ocean, marina and Doheny Beach. We have friendly games daily.
Visit our web site for details:
www.danaharborbridgecenter.org
High Desert
By Steve Klein
It’s been a long time since there has been anything from Unit 516 in these pages, so first of all I’d like to introduce us. My home club is Big Bear, with two games a week run by Christine Cook. We’re not a large group; summer games average about five tables, and when the snowbirds leave for the winter we sometimes barely manage three. We host a sectional every year on Fathers Day weekend which gets much better attendance, as players come from all over to enjoy the bridge and Big Bear’s spectacular scenery. It will be over by the time you read this, but I’m sure many of you were here and had a great time.
Other clubs in the unit include Yucca Valley (two games a week, run by John Barker), Victorville (one game a week, run by Joe Wilson) and Helendale/Silver Lake (two games a week).
The Silver Lake club is run by Gil Franklin, but Joe Wilson is handling their games while Gil recovers from illness.
Big Bear usually loses people during the winter rather than summer, but Dick Allio is spending the summer in his western Pennsylvania hometown. We hope he enjoys his stay, and still remembers the rank of the suits by the time he returns. Chaz Langdon recently returned from a two- week cruise through the Panama Canal to South America.
The Big Bear club doesn’t get a lot of visitors, but this month we had a drop-in from Lynn and Clyde MacQuoid, who used to run the club. And world traveler Terry Bessey brought in Helen Smith, a visitor from Nicaragua.
Congratulations to Big Bear’s newest Life Master, Barbara Cassity. It’s not official yet, but we’re sure she got the points she needed in May. Barbara reached her gold points goal at the Palm Springs Regional in December.
May winners at Big Bear: Eiko Miller, Jack Swigart, Arlene Elder, Barbara Cassity, Barbara and Paul Lasky, Steve Klein, Paula Smith, R.T. Hawke, Morton Fletcher, Christine Cook and Jean Kuchta.
And here’s an addendum I received from Joe Wilson: This month in the Victorville and Silver Lakes bridge games, we welcomed home Jane and Stan Pace from their cruise of Asia in April. We also welcomed home Steve Koller from his trip to Germany. We missed you! We ask that you all keep Gil Franklin and Bob Waite in your prayers as they recover from illnesses. We hope to see both back at the tables soon.
Joe Wilson is now directing the Victorville and Silver Lakes games, and will soon be directing at the Las Vegas and Pasadena Regionals. He hopes to see Unit 516 represented in these tournaments! Joe will also be teaching a beginning bridge class at Victor Valley College in their Community Education Department starting in September. His class will be for both life-long party bridge players, as well as those new to the game who want to learn from the beginning. If you know anyone who may be interested or want more information, please e-mail Joe at:
vvbridge@aol.com
Joe also continues to teach a beginners lesson at 11:30 a.m. at the Sterling Inn before the Wednesday Victorville game.
Congratulations to our May unit game winners, Jim Williams and June Babbitt! Great job! Winners of club games this month included Marianne Shores, Lil Halverson, Stan Gabriel, Stan Pace, David Bloom, Joan Kinney, Jerry Kinkade, John Ruffo, Rosie Erdelen, Rose Giuntini, and Rosemary Drake.
Way to go, winners!
La Jolla/Beach
By Alice Leicht
To all who are fathers, we salute you! May the celebrations of fatherhood this month bring you joy and satisfaction. On a continuing happy note we welcome Mel Wasserman into our unit. Also joining us are transferees Fumie Graves, Ann Labe, and Robert Walters. It’s a great pleasure to say, “Come on in … we’re happy to have you with us,” to such a wonderful group.
Notable in our unit now are new Club Masters, Chris Chang and Ron Evanko. Our new Sectional Master is Doris Philamalee. And there are three new Life Masters, Joyce Bailey, Elaine Chan, and Mike Munson. Congratulations to all.
On May 10 the regular unit pairs event ended with Hanan Deeby and Bernard Figueiredo in first place for Flight A, followed by Juana and Kenneth Andrecht in second. Flight B showed Juana and Kenneth in first with Alex Prairie and Elaine Chan in second. But Alex and Elaine were first for the C flight, with Pamela Lawrence and Malcolm Jarvis taking second.
Cheers for all of these fine players.
Our Spring 2009 Sectional is history. Extending over four days (as was customary some years back) over 300 people attended. Special thanks to Nate McCay and all of his crew of helpers for making this possible. Thanks also to Scott Campbell, Jean Molnar, and Mike Weber for keeping the whole business rolling.
A total of 296 players went home pocketing some points. Of this number we have to acknowledge those who led in the point race. The top ten winners were: Lynn O’Neill 19.49, John Coufal 19.33, Debbie Gailfus 18.83, Pat Chapman 16.98, Dayou Zhou 16.00, Ron Fetig 16.00, Alan Gailfus 15.53, Laura Chaffee 15.50, Steven Johnson 15.01, and Maritha Pottenger 14.67.
Bill Grant is not only an active member who plays most unit games and serves on the unit board, but also has been giving lessons in bridge to high school students. ACBL and Unit 526 are backing up his efforts with materials and assistance.
At La Jolla High he has given 38 students a push into the joys (and sorrows) of our favorite game. He has enlisted the cooperation of several other people in giving his classes. David Oakley, Bob Walters, Matthew Kidd, Maritha Pottenger and Ron Ignelzi have been helping.
Kathy Angione has been cooperating by publishing information, results, and “play of the hands” on her bridge site. She also does this for Bill’s Chula Vista class. Anyone else who would like to get involved in these classes (and get the ACBL materials) can talk to Bill about it.
With a happy sigh of relief we conclude our May doings, and we invite all readers to return to Soledad on the second and fourth Sundays for our regular unit tournaments. Coming up are the unit elections.
Lompoc
By Don Kerr
Wow, what an exciting time! Malcolm Anderson and David Shelton went to a regional in Florida, won more than 22 gold points and made Life Master. Oh, and I forgot: David Bakalar also made Life Master last month.
In addition, three pairs had 70% games: Trudy Balin and Patricia Hodges with 75%, Ada and David Bakalar with 72.92% and Don Kerr and Joyce Gehlhaar with 70%.
This time we had two players with four wins: Joyce Gehlhaar and Jo Gowenlock. With three wins were Sue Helmuth and Barbara Holt. Then, with two wins, came Ada Bakalar and Skook Porter.
The rest of us who had just one victory: Trudy Balin, David Bakalar, Pat Hodges, Don Kerr, Kay Rowland and Irene Schlekau.
Palm Springs
Coachella Valley
By Nancy Erickson
The winners of the June and July unit games will not appear in the Forum until the August issue, as the deadlines and our unit game dates do not mesh.
On a more positive note, those of us who call the desert home twelve months of the year can remain cool and comfortable at the bridge table seven days a week. Players should note the Joslyn Senior Center will close on Saturday and Sunday for the months of July and August. The Saturday 1:00 p.m. game will resume Saturday, September 19. Beginning Saturday, July 4, players will have the opportunity to attend a new game at St. Margaret’s Church, Palm Desert or the game at The Community Center at Tierra Del Sol, Cathedral City.
A complete schedule of summer games is available at coachellavalleybridge.com
The unit game schedule for the balance of the year is as follows: August 2, Sun City, Palm Desert; September 13, The Community Center at Tierra Del Sol, Cathedral City; October 4, Mizell Senior Center; November 1, Mizell Senior Center; and the unit’s Holiday Party December 6, Mizell Senior Center.
As we await the results of our two teams competing in Flight B of the district finals for GNT in Ventura, I am reminded that the NAOP club qualifiers must be held in June, July and August. Club director Mick Riccio has scheduled a club qualifier for Friday, July 17. Contact Mick at 760 668-5835 or mick@elegancedesigns.com for the particulars. The unit qualifier will be held on Sunday, October 4. Please remember that both the GNT and NAOP are “play where you stay” competitions.
One of my frequent partners at the tables, MB Howard, introduced me to bridgeclues.com -- this is a terrific site that daily discusses conventions, treatments and the play of bridge hands at all levels. Our own Anne Lund is an integral part of the site: check it out!
The unit salutes new Life Masters Florence Boggio and William Bowld and new Bronze Life Master Irwin Narter.
A warm Unit 533 welcome to new members: Barbara Astone, Robert A. Astone, Joni M. Cohen, Pamela K. Cole, Diane Criscione, Larraine A. Freeland, Marilyn J. Friedman, Marilyn S. Horwits, Vicki A. Pein, Joan H. Upso, and Tom Whitehurst.
Ridgecrest
By Tony Miller
We were saddened by the news that Lee Taie passed away in Las Vegas after a long illness. Lee assigned partnerships for all of our games for many years. However, things are better here on the health front. Mavis Royer and Betty Doig are back playing after absences of more than a couple of weeks.
Sarah Carter had surgery and is back.
Sue Douglas is back at work after recovering from knee replacement surgery.
We had to cancel our unit game for May due to too many players with other commitments. We also tried to schedule a game inviting the Antelope Valley Unit to Ridgecrest, but our venue wasn’t available. We did have some nice results in the recent Great Western STAC games. Dave Speer and Jack Waller scored a whopping 74% to lead the Auxiliary Pairs on Wednesday evening. Jay and Mary Kay Bornfleth were the Strat C leaders in the same event. Greg Vernon and I placed well on both Monday and Friday Auxiliary Pairs, winning on Monday and tying for second on Friday.
In the regular games, I managed to lead the masterpoint race for the TGiF clubs. I was followed by Margaret O’Neill, Greg, Yasuko Mullen, Mary Carolyn Nielsen, Yvonne Chilina, Esther Hart, Jody Skaggs, Eileen Dietz, and Esther Sires.
Margaret and I scored a 71% game during the month. There were multiple leaders for the COM Bridge Club. Mary Carolyn, Esther Sires, Jody, Craig Stump, Greg, Jack, and I all scored the same total points.
Riverside
By Coni
I am subbing for Les Moore, as he was in the hospital last month. He will soon be home, so let’s send some cards out to give him some moral support for his speedy recovery. His address is: 10406 Indiana Ave., Apt. 143, Riverside CA 92503.
Thanks to each of you who send a card. What fun!
So far this last month we had one game over 70%. That game was 73.61% on Wednesday, May 20, by Dolores McDonald and Marshall Miles.
Time for our thoughts and announcements: The dates for our fall sectional have been changed, so that we will be celebrating Halloween during the Riverside Sectional this year. It’s important that you mark October 30 - November 1 on your tournament calendar!
Several reasons why this sectional will be a great one: it will be cooler, and the holiday spirit will make it more festive. The flyers, by the time this notice is posted, will probably already have been distributed to your various clubs, and if you have not received your notices or need more just let us know (Dick MacGregor, manager 951 686-5530, and/or Ken Olivier, co-manager, 951 787-6906) and more notices will be sent your way.
Also we are going to encourage many new beginners from 0-99 masterpoints to participate in their own tourney. If we can seat enough tables they will not have to compete with the higher levels. So much is being planned to make this the most successful Riverside Sectional ever.
There is always lots of food, and good things to munch on, great cards, and fun. Hope to see you all there!
When you see a king in your hand, remember that each king represents a great king from history:
Spades = King David,
Hearts = Charlemagne,
Clubs = Alexander the Great,
Diamonds = Julius Caesar.
Then realize that without a plan each of those kings would not have achieved greatness, so stop and plan your moves: think and conquer! Have a great month and play bridge. See you all!
Saddleback
By Bob Destino
If you missed it, you should be advised that our special charity event with world-famous bridge teacher Mike Lawrence was a great success. The participants enjoyed over five hours of Mike’s bridge expertise, and $2,000 was raised for a number of local charities.
Our thanks to Fran Schwartz for her hard work in orchestrating this workshop.
The unit level qualifying process for the North American Pairs (NAP) championships has begun. Qualifiers at the unit level will go on to compete next at the district level, with an ultimate goal of reaching the national championship competition to be held in Reno next spring. You can begin this process during one of the qualifying events to be held at the Laguna Woods Duplicate Bridge Club during July and August. The dates are July 7, July 15, August 13, August 21. All games begin at 12:30.
We want to congratulate Unit 525 members who have achieved new “Master” ratings this month: Junior Masters Henryk Adamek and Meryl Cook, Life Master Haroon Sorathia, and Bronze Life Master Mark Finkelstein.
We also want to say welcome to the following brand new ACBL members: Clara Baker, Arun Dongre, George Keeling, H.L. Wilkinson and Janet Young (we’ll be watching for your names on a future list of new ACBL Masters).
We had a nice turnout for our May unit game. Winners included Michael and Pam Moreland, David and Rita Wakeman, Susan Benon - Philip Pearl and Chris Larsen - Norman Woo. Be sure to note the dates of our upcoming unit games on your calendar: July 12, August 9 and September 13. All will be held at the great bridge facility within Laguna Woods Clubhouse 7.
For directions or other information, please call Bob Destino at 949 586-9488.
San Diego
By Vicki Creamer
May gray should now be changed to May Play, according to Unit 539’s May activities. Our first unit game, May 3, was won by Phyllis Yates - Budak Barkan, who will also have their names inscribed on our Masters Pairs Trophy. Congratulations! Second place went to Phyllis Pankow - Elizabeth Garber; #3, Diana Marquardt - G.S. Jade Barrett; #4, Alan and Ray Rowen. The 499er strat was won by Evan Ziegler - Linda Gu; #2, Harold Simon - Majid Aalom; #3, Howard and Margaret De Young.
Our three-day NLM Sectional was well attended. Friday morning pairs was won by Evan Ziegler - Linda Gu; #2, Judy Swan - Irving Gold; #3, Carol Reinhart - Maureen Fischer, and #4, Anne Rolbin - Karen Aiello. The Swiss winners were Virginia Wofford - Mary Scott Knoll - Joan Flagg - Doris Philamalee, 1st in A and B.
Placing second in A and B included Evan Ziegler - Linda Gu - Violet Breckenridge - Patricia Wilkey. First in Flight C, Janice Joeger - Marilyn Kalabsa - Lawrence Sherman - John Sack.
Saturday morning NLM pairs was won by Violet Breckenridge - Lawrence Sherman; #2, Kathleen Hennessy - Sharon Gordon; #3, James and Josephine Willis; and #4, Bill Christian - Francis Radford. 99er Pairs was won by Yumiko - Richard Glasspool; #2, Anwar Hafeez - Lynne Anderson; #3, Marti Blackwell - Victoria Nardone; and #4, Patrick Curci - Gary Gelman.
Winners of the afternoon NLM Pairs were Bernice Ashe - Kevin Chaisson; #2, Eve Lonack - Marvin Warner; #3, Lynne Parker - Karen McCarthy; and #4, Rich Custard - Carl Cull. Afternoon 99er winners were Gary Gelman - Anwar Hafeez; #2, Yumiko and Richrd Glasspool; and #3, Raymond Gogolewski - David Goldfarb.
Finally, Sunday’s NLM Barometer game, also the winners of our annual Audre Erhardt NLM Trophy, were Eve Lonack - Marvin Warner; #2, John Schroeder - Gladys Lawless; #3, Harold Simon - Abdol Aalam; and #4, Raymond Sachs - Patricia Bischoff.
Our regular third Sunday unit game was won by David Walters - David Oakley; #2, Mac Busby - Suzanne LeBendig; #3, Vicki Creamer - Jon Wright; and #4, Budak Barkan - Steve Johnson.
Our fifth Sunday was co-hosted by San Diego and La Jolla. Our side 499er section was won by Jerry and Patti Bischoff; #2, Carol Abramowitz - Deborah Ives, and #3, Joan and Ken Maden. Winners in the Open Pairs were Phyllis Pankow - Jacqueline Nordstrom; #2, Phyllis Yates - Budak Barkan; #3, Hanan Deeby - Bernard Figueriedo; #4, Barbara and Les Lemke.
This month your donated Bridge Bulletins were taken to UCSD/Hillcrest and Kaiser/Zion. Keep recycling your Bulletins (at the back table at AIB next to the refrigerator), and feel free to take one with a sticker on it to your favorite space for others to learn about our great game.
Milestones: Junior Master: Joe Chertoff. Club Masters: Cynthia Hanson, Julianne Ricksecker. Sectional Master: Raymond Sachs. Regional Masters: Anne Bradley, Jon Flgg, Stephen Rattner. NABC Masters: Arthur Barsell, Virginia Wofford, Mahin Zahirnia. Life Masters: Joanne Gibson, David Ingraham.
San Diego North County Coastal
By Iris Allyn
I am so very sorry to report that one of our best, and best-loved players has been lost to us forever. Don Howell was a pleasure to play against, even though your chances of winning were slim to none. He had grace, charm and flair. One never felt beaten when they left his table. Don’s original partner was Richard Plattner, but when he met Wayne Holm, the two had an instant rapport. They scored higher than 70% more than 35 times.
Don achieved the rank of Silver Life Master, and his death happened only seven weeks after diagnosis. He was born a depression baby in Montana. Since in those times families had little money to spend on entertainment, kitchen bridge was a mainstay, played at every opportunity and at every function the family had. Small wonder Don became so good!
Don lived by a saying written by the great sports writer Grantland Rice: “For when the great scorer comes to write against your name, he writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.”
You will be missed, Don.
Just in: Report of unit game winners: 1st Joerger and Kalabsa, 2nd Robert Linder and Clair Lair, 3rd Fred Flam and Jeanne Cook, 4th Betsey Illes and Ruth Willner, 5th Rick Norton Jr. and Mary Fenton, 6th Dennis and Diana Cleary.
The 299er game 1st Guilio Ghiron and Nancy Wetteland-Read, 2nd Ed Koch and Bernard Goott. Congratulations!
Oceanside Monday Ida Burcham
Monday’s game in Oceanside always gets hit by the federal holidays that have been rearranged to fall on Mondays, so we only had three games during the month of May. Louise McNary and her regular Monday partner, Irene Howard, won the overall at our one and only Open Pairs game.
Our first charity game was won by James Checco and Chuck Donaldson. They took home 4.67 points for their labors.
Our second charity game was won by Dr. Irv Gordon and Jon Busse, two old friends who are both C Strat players and nice guys.
The total masterpoints we handed out for our three games for the month of May was 105.95.
Oceanside Tuesday Ida Burcham
The Tuesday game is starting to get as big as the Monday game. The three people at the top of the masterpoint list are regulars, and it is nice to see them rewarded for their loyalty. Walter Malen was at the top with 3.56 points; James Gault was second with 3.24 points; and Dennis Cleary was a very close third with 3.14 points. All three players will give you an interesting round of bridge any day of the week.
Encinitas Thursday Ida Burcham
Encinitas had a Health Fair for seniors on one of the Thursdays we were scheduled for a game. Health is important. We try to give that big muscle we carry around inside of our skull some strenuous exercise when we play bridge, and this exercise is important. Our three healthiest players this month are regular partners Louise Manganelli and George Berris with 3.46 points followed very closely by Dennis Cleary with 3.13.
Fallbrook Fran White
Wicker Gamble was at the top of the leader board for the month of May in Fallbrook. Marilyn Rumsey and Alan Lasnover finished 2nd and 3rd. Mo Anveri and Morris Cohen were first in B and C. Good games, nice going guys. A club championship was held May 7. The overall winners were Dennis Cleary and Dan Beck; Wicker and Alan, runners up; Jean Jantz and Ian Collins, 3rd, (1st E/W.)
Overall winners receive a free play at the Friendly Bridge Club, so keep coming to get your turn to win.
Solana Beach Donna Wood
Solana Beach’s Esplanade Bridge Club held four games in May. Leading masterpoint winners for the month were: Marilyn Kalabsa, Joan Lubowe, Ruth Aronsohn, Janice Joerger, Rosie Zakarian, Marina Fomenkova, Ginny Dearborn, Herman Lin, Andy Loh, Jan Dunlap, John and Millie Carr, Dan and Mary Lou Denison, Rose Genovese, Shelli Gerlich, and Jeff Leach. Congratulations to all!
The BIG news – the Esplanade Bridge Center is re-opening at its new location, the BeachWalk Center, 437 So. Hwy 101, Suite 102, Solana Beach on Tuesday evening, June 9. Each week there will be three evening games (Tues./Wed./Thurs.), three afternoon games (Fri./Sat./Sun.), and one morning game (Fri.). The evening games start at 6:30 p.m., the afternoon games begin at 12:30 p.m. The Friday morning game begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be a limited game (less than 300 masterpoints) with a review of the hands immediately following the game. Coffee, tea, water, soda, and snacks will be provided. All guests must park in the covered garage on South Sierra (go west 1 block on Dahlia from 101, turn left - south - on Sierra, take the second driveway on left into the garage).
Hope to see you at the new club!
Good luck, Paul & Donna, from Unit 531!
Solana Beach Sunday Donna Wood
During May, the North County Bridge by the Sea B.C. held two invitational games at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. Leading masterpoint winners for May were Jan Dunlap, Don Cooper, Carole Webb, Pat Astier, Marti Martin, Yoko Davis, Sumiko Inagaki, Mary Stetson, Wootsie Stockton, Donna Buys, and Ed Koch. The location of the North County Bridge by the Sea games will be changing to the Esplanade Bridge Center, 437 S. Hwy 101, Suite 102, Solana Beach, beginning with the June 14 game.
Reminder – if you wish to play at this game, you either need to be a member or get a member to sponsor you. Please e-mail Lee Erickson at lericks@adelphia.net if you need a sponsor.
Don’t forget to check the web page at acbldistrict22.com/531/Lomas/info.html for the dates and times of scheduled games. Congratulations to Jan Dunlap and her partner for their 72.09% game May 24.
Cardiff Monday a.m. Harvey Goldstein
The game of the month at Harvey’s Bridge was our annual membership game. It set a record for our club with 108 players participating at 27 tables. It also set a record for masterpoint awards. John and Millie Carr placed first out of the 54 pairs playing. They received just under six masterpoints each. Marlene Subel and Joan Gross were second, Betty Serepca and Linda Copper finished first in their section, as did Cathy Staver and Penne Duncan.
It was quite a game, with staggering numbers of players and masterpoints awarded.
Our other big winners during the month: Wootsie Stockton, Mary Stetson, Bonnie Nadler, Jan Gallagher, John Trombold, Leon Parish, Nira Levy, John Neville, Linda Atkinson, Claire Steuernagel, Rosie Zakarian, Vi Breckenridge ... and the most impressive of all our winners was the pair of Douglas and Kathy Gantos, who have managed to win their section for three straight games. They received our honorable mention award for the month.
San Diego North County Inland
By Liz Nixon
The big news in Unit 549 is our annual Summer Sectional. Mark the dates of July 17-19 in your calendars. Location will be the First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Caminio Real, Oceanside. Compact Knockouts, Stratified 99ers, Free Parking, Endless Snacking and Free from Attitude! Pick-up a flyer at your local club or go online to www.sdbridge.com
Additional upcoming unit events are June 27, July 25, August 22 unit games at North County Bridge Center. Our 299ers Silver Splash will be held Sept. 19-21, location TBA. Mark the date!
Members reaching new levels of achievement in Unit 549 are: Joanne Dilling and Sophie Kelly, Junior Masters; Bev Latham and Ross Penne, Club Masters; Toby Cohen, Anne Grove, and Sandy Kucha, Sectional Masters; Howard Katz and Pete Watt, NABC Masters; New Life Masters Laura King and Ken Matson; and new Bronze Life Master Nancy Sperry.
Congratulations to all!
New members are Patricia Chin and Jonathan Smith. Unit 549 welcomes you to our clubs and Unit events.
Overall winners in Strat A were: Bill and Nancy Sperry, followed by Rex and Sheila Latus, Kent Hartman - Bettie Heldring, Doris Cashman - Jean Jantz, Benita Nadler - Jan Gallagher and Marilyn Florin - Jeri Adams In Section C. Overall winners were the Sperrys, followed by George Blair - Peg Winkler, Mary Loome - Oetta Vogelsang, and Carol Veit - Terry Badger.
Unit 549 held its monthly unit game at North County Bridge Center May 23. Go to www.sdbridge.com for unit events.
Top Achievers at North County Bridge Center for May in the following categories are: Open - Tim Flaherty; 0-1500 - Tom Nolan; 0-750 – Bill Sperry; 0-300 – Doris Cubeisy; 0-100 – Linda Monroe; Future Master – Angela Jaraicie. Congratulations to the players of the month.
North County Bridge Center has started a 20-399er game on Monday afternoons starting at 12:30 p.m. Charity points will be given. Sign up in advance and get a dollar off the regular price of $9.00. Such a deal.
Also, NCBC has a Mentor – Mentee game every Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. Mentors are needed, and receive a free play for a second game of their choosing. Mentees receive a Free Play on any Tuesday or Thursday morning game. Check with Cathy or Lee at the NCBC for more details. Find out more about the NCBC’s schedule at the club or by contacting Cathy or Lee @ 760 747-6092.
Over at Lake San Marcos Senior Center, the LSMDBC’s Charity games supported the Wounded Warriors Fund, Father Joe’s Villages and San Marcos Senior Center.
A Halloween & Charity Bridge Cruise with Director Jean Holt is planned for the fall. Join Jean on the Radiance of the Seas, Oct. 29-Nov. 2 for a 4-day cruise to Cabo San Lucas. This mini-bridge camp will focus on Defense! We will have lessons and sanctioned bridge on the days at sea and a fun day in Cabo San Lucas.
The cruise will support the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos, and Charity points will be awarded. Call Liz Nixon for a flyer, 760 510-8291 or e-mail:
cruzqueen@sbcglobal.net
Top five MP winners for March were Rima Sharron, Jean Holt, John Sharron, Nina Laughbaum and Kay Haralson. Way to Go Top Five!
The Lake San Marcos DBC hosts open games on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., and Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Remember to call Jean at 760 734-4518 or Nina at 760 736-9386 to reserve a spot at the table (especially on Tuesday nights – nice turnouts!).
BobMar Bridge Center at Grandon had one STAC game on May 10, and the winners were: Kay Haralson - Liz Nixon, Herb Schaffer - Joan Kroener, and Joja and Ted Applegate.
Our other May games included as winners Jo Smith and Toshi Yasutake, Ed Vanderslice and Diana Heskett, Joja Applegate and Marcia Handelman, Kay Haralson and Magdalene Krish with a 70.61%, David and Elaine Gifford, Joja and Ted Applegate, Dee Gillis and Edel Simons and Tricia Kell and Patsy Goodson.
Please also note that our games on Fridays and Saturdays have been cancelled, but our Sunday 1:00 game continues. Hope to see you all on Sundays!
Did you know that you can get all of the latest Unit 549 news at www.sdbridge.com, including the Unit 549 Calendar of Events, Unit Newsletter and game results?
San Luis Obispo
By Lynn Crawford
The Great Western STAC results from the San Luis group at the club level saw Grant and Sue Morgan taking first N/S Monday, with Sonia Arsene and Pat MaDonald taking first E/W. On Thursday the Schulkins took 2nd in C, 4th in B and 11th in A in the overalls from the Paso club with 554 tables playing in the entire western United States. Congrats to them!
Barbara and Dick Weiss placed 20th in C overalls on Monday afternoon, and Fred Strong and Lynn Crawford placed 20th in C on Friday with 673 tables participating.
By now the San Luis club is back in the Senior Center and will have a special Pro-Am mixer game June 27 (Saturday) as part of Ann Dryer week. Also there will be NAOP qualifying games on Saturdays and a unit championship all week long that week. Hope to see you there.
Santa Ana
By Joe Chaikin
Ever since Pat Brown’s old Anaheim Bridge Club closed over 20 years ago, the location and ownership of bridge clubs in Central and North Orange County have changed every year or two. But starting last year, one woman, Patricia Bailey, acquired all the bridge clubs in Orange County north of the El Toro Y (with exception of two once-a-week-day games). She has consolidated five clubs into three. Regular games are held in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and in the basement of the Kramer Building (National Historic Registry) in downtown Anaheim.
A semi-retired businesswoman, Patricia is easy to recognize not only because she is tall with light red hair, but also due to the colorful collection of hats she wears.
She finds economies of scale in this arrangement for advertising, scheduling bridge lessons and food service – a meal is served with every bridge game, and bridge attendance has grown to 60 tables per day on average.
A couple of years ago, she was playing bridge every day to accumulate points to become a Life Master. Now, she mostly directs and works on maintaining the clubs. She has one piece of bridge advice – too many players get caught up in playing conventions rather than just playing cards.
Speaking of conventions and rules, one of the oldest ones is not to bid twice if preempting. But suppose you are dealer with nine solid hearts, two small stiffs and a small doubleton (all non-vul, GNT Knockout). Preempting rules say you can open 5Ì, but I decided not to, since 4Ì would make if partner held his share of the outstanding aces.
I was not playing Namyats, for which this hand qualifies, and which caters better for slam - but opening 4Ê also gives the opponents room for three more bids (Dbl, 4Ë, 4Ì) to compete in their long suits. So I opened 4Ì, and when it went Pass, Pass, 4Í. I bid 5Ì. LHO doubled and I was held to my nine tricks for -300.
At the other table, same opening, but 4Í in balancing seat ended the auction, making six for a 5 IMP gain.
ÍK10x
Ìx
ËK10xx
Êxxxxx
ÍJxx ÍAQ98xx
Ìxxx Ì—-
ËAJxxx ËQxx
ÊAx ÊKQJx
Íx
ÌAKQJ10xxxx Ëx
Êxx
I think West should have bid 5Í, inviting and probably reaching slam, at both tables. Preempting, then bidding again worked, but as this layout illustrates it also risks pushing the opponents into bidding a slam they can make.
Santa Barbara
By Norma Zuchowicz & Ron Morris
To avoid the stress of bridge results, we have resorted to humor: While playing bridge at his club one night, George Kaufman (playwright, director and journalist) expressed his extreme dismay with a fellow member’s play.
“All right, George,” the offender said at the end of the hand, “How would you have played it?”
Replied Kaufman: “Under an assumed name!”
George Burns professed great admiration for bridge. “It is a game that
separates the men from the boys,” he once declared. “It also separates
husbands and wives.”
A doctor, concerned about the physical condition of
one of his bridge-playing patients, during a regular check-up asked, “Do
you get much exercise?” “Only when I sit East/West,” was the reply.
On their wedding night, a couple arrives at their hotel room and the phone rings. The husband answers and talks with his friend about a bridge hand. The conversation continues for hours as the friend tells how he went down in six spades.
When it finally ends, the distraught wife is in tears and says, “How can he be so inconsiderate? That was terrible!”
“You’re right, honey. All he had to do was take a finesse.”
About 43.6% of all slam contracts fail; 62.7% of all bridge players are women; 97.8% of all bridge statistics, including these, are made up.
Jan: Why did you lead the nine from K9752?
Sue: I play fourth best. Jan: Then why not lead the five?
Sue: Darn! I always forget which end to count from.
Sue: “Do you play M-U-D?”
Sally: “No, never heard of it.”
Sue: “Then what do you lead from three-small?”
Sally: “Fourth best, I guess.”
Giving a man his physical, the doctor noticed several dark, ugly bruises on his shins, so he asked, “Do you play hockey, soccer, or some physical sport?”
“No,” he answered. “I play bridge with my wife.”
There are three kinds of bridge players: Those who can count, and those who can’t.
Do you know what the difference is between a mad psycho serial killer and a bridge partner? You can reason with the serial killer.
Life with men is like bridge: you need a heart to love them, a diamond to marry them, a club to beat them and a spade to bury them.
The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you sit at the bridge table.
Santa Maria
By Joseph F Cohan
Barbara Basila is going to Portland, Ore., to see her grandchild graduate from high school, and will tell her about her recent giant 74.81% score when paired with Bonnie Hales. I also am going to see my grandson graduate in Portland (different high school) and will tell him to arrange for a tennis game for me.
Winners: Vi D’Alessandro, Barbara Basila (3) CarolAnne Edie, Margaret Arbogast, Robert Faust, Al Goldwyn, Diana Jackson, Bonnie Hales (2) Jean Allen, Jan Pettis, Marilyn Bullock, Dave Hicky, June and Keido Shimizu, Sue Barrett, Gerhard Stoll, Donna and Tay Daniel, Richard Ristine and finally ME (1).
High Cs: James Kelly, Geret Fenenga, William Torpey, (3) Art Scheithauer, Betty Hickman, Mary Goodspeed, Sue Barrett, (2) Peggy Johnsen, Nelson Owens, Judy Scheithauer, Judy Schlekau, James Petrella, Barbara Lohman, Bill Allen, Pat Aldred, Dave Hickey (?), Jaren Bogard (1).
Southern Gold Coast
By Sue Munday
Happy Fourth everyone!
The summer sizzles with all sorts of special games. Unit games are scheduled for Sundays, July 12 and August 2. Lunch starts at noon and the game at 12:30 p.m. Please bring a salad, side dish or dessert to share.
Congratulations to May 17 unit game winners Gerri and Hal Knilans (Flight A) and Diane and John Gunther (Flight B).
Congratulations, too, to May 31 unit game winners Carolyn Mitchell and Loretta Rubin (A and B) and Gladys Honigsberg and Pat Barnfield (C).
North American Open Pairs (NAOP) qualifying games continue throughout July: Wednesday, July 8, Saturday, July 11, Tuesday morning, July 14 and Thursday evening, July 30.
The club has scheduled a full week of Great Western STAC games July 20-25. Play against pairs throughout Districts 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22 and 23 and win silver points! Short but sweet this month.
Enjoy the fireworks.
Ventura
By Bob Gruber
The tournament season is in full swing, including a regional in Ventura for the first time in many, many years. Highlights of the event will be available in next month’s column. No doubt, many of you will have added to your masterpoint totals.
Those who have consistently done well and recently reached major Life Master milestones include: John Leming, Diamond (5000 MP); Dick Zizic, Gold (2500 MP); Helen Elardo, Anita Flood, and Nancy Wood, Silver (1000 MP).
Another pair regularly performing well are Dagmar and Gary Morgan. Yes, that’s the Morgan rumored to be a descendent of the famous English pirate. Fortunately, Gary and Dagmar have chosen to forego a life of outright piracy, preferring instead to cut a swath through the Ventura Unit, plundering masterpoints as they go.
In the recent Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STAC), they expanded their territory to the Western Conference, hijacking a boatload of points by taking 1st place in Flight B for the entire Conference.
For those looking to compete in the North American Pairs (NAP), mark your calendars for the following four qualifying games: Wed., 1 July, Sat., 11 July, Thurs., 16 July, Tues., 21 July.
Wishing all of you clear skies and favorable winds.
Visalia
By Robbie Rouch
With Forum deadlines occurring on the 5th of each month, printed accolades may sometimes seem a bit dated, or even forgotten, but we aim to proclaim each winner’s name, spreading your fame throughout District 22. But first, special Huzzahs to Lorna Cheng, Andi Sigmund and countless volunteers for their efforts in hosting our sectional tournament in classic Visalia style - with parading ducks, snacks galore, delightful directing, and visitors from all over. A total of 86 tables were in play for the 3-day event, with 121 players garnering silver, including 32 from our neighboring units to the north, and at least 26 from our southern friends, all the way from Bakersfield and Tehachapi, including district prez, Teri Atkinson and ever-smiling partner, Jan Wickersham. The Fresno folks took a disproportionate share (11) of the top 20 spots, but we held our own with six, including 1st and 3rd, and Paul and I managed a front-page-earning 72% game to get the tournament started off right.
Thanks and congrats also to Villa Vejvoda and Avis Morse who recently spent the time and effort to take the director’s course, and are now fully qualified, certified, and nearly mesmerized by The Laws of Duplicate Bridge.
We appreciate you giving up your time at the tables so that we in Visalia can continue to play this great game.
As I pen this article, Lorna Cheng is directing games on a cruise ship to Alaska. Lorna’s husband, Vincent, is accompanying her to help with instruction and fill out partnerships. We are anxiously awaiting his return to assess his efforts in helping Bob Iorio master the fine points of Lebensohl.
The group at home will have had to suffer through a session on Drury, coupled with yours truly extolling the benefit of opening four-card majors when partner can’t find an opening bid. Bring on the 7-card fits.
Sectional competition reduced unit contests to 13, including seven Howell movements with 110.5 tables in play, producing 27 different winners for the 38 top spots. My partners brought me in four times.
Alice Pickens and Paul Schommer tripled up. Doublers were Betty Smith, Gerry Tipton, Larry Cavanaugh, and Gary Blair, (who, by the way, was listed as hailing from Chestnut Hill, Mass. to gain honors as the most remote tournament participant.)
Also earning their place in the Forum were Andi Sigmund, Avis Morse, Bonnie Chan, Gerry Tipton, Harlan Ellis, Howard Arquette, Janice Crossland, Kay Chrisman, Kay Blair, Lois Parman, Marci Buford, Maudmarie Calhoun, Mike and Mary Florio, Mike Frank, Pam Woods, Pat DelaMontanya, Verlee O’Neill, Villa Vejvoda, Lisa Darcy, and Elaine Smith. Lisa, a long-time member who has been away from our tables for some time, didn’t take long to find her way back to the winner’s circle, guided there by Elaine Smith in just their second session of the year.
Glad to have both of you join us!
A big welcome also to Mary Miller, who picked the June 5 potluck for her first appearance. They are still talking about her cake.