New Life Master

Mary Brunner has led an exciting and interesting life. Born in Milwaukee, Mary graduated from Marquette University with majors in English and German. After college Mary married Fred Brunner, and they moved to Northern California, where Fred started to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering. The family grew to include three children, two boys and a girl. From there the family lived all over the world including an extended stay in Denmark. The children now have successful careers, the daughter is a lawyer, one son is a dentist, and the other son owns an electrical engineering company. Mary finally settled in Geneva, Illinois, where she now resides.

Mary started playing bridge when she lived in California. As with many other people I have interviewed, it was basically party bridge based on the Goren System. When the family moved to Jefferson City, Missouri, Mary said she began to learn duplicate bridge. Mary read a Book by Michael Penick, called 5-Card Major System, which introduced her to a new bidding system in bridge. In Missouri, Mary played in the 0-20 point game, and began to get her feet wet in the nuances of duplicate bridge.

Once in Geneva, Illinois, Mary started playing in the St. Charles game, but they allowed smoking at that time, which bothered Mary, so she took a three-year hiatus from the game. Smoking was then barred at the table and Mary returned to the playing of duplicate bridge.

Mary credits John Kinst and Betty Wade as her primary mentors. She has had many partners who also have helped her earn the level of Life Master. Those partners include: Becky Shepherd, Joan Parr, Alice Grist, Melanie Kaplan, and Caroline Volsted.

Because Mary didn’t play in many regional, and sectional tournaments, it took her a long time to become a Life Master. Mary accumulated all of her needed gold points at the Lake Geneva Regional Tournament; Mary earned the last two required points this past spring there. Having over 500 points at this time, Mary also became a Bronze Life Master.

Mary’s words of wisdom to bridge players are to find compatible partners who can communicate effectively with you. In addition to playing bridge, Mary has found time to do gardening, knitting, and sewing, playing tennis, and running her own catering business. Congratulation, Mary, on becoming a Life Master.

Notes from the President

Karl Dencker noted that Kay Korte has accepted the position of Secretary for Unit 239, and he would also like to thank Dee Witte for her years as served as Unit Secretary.

Karl also thanks all the folks who helped with The Great Sizzlin' Summer Illinois Regional in June. We closed the tournament with 1,166 tables -- still the biggest tournament in the state of Illinois by a large margin. Plans are already underway for the 2012 tournament. 

New Levels Achieved

New Junior Master: Joyce Davito, Mongomery; Robert Riggs, Elgin; Jim Gentz, Belvidere; Diane Jensen, Cary; Leann Wolanyk; Rockford.

New Club Master: Edward Fosse, Elgin; Harriet Furst, Freeport; Harold Hicks, St Charles; Linda Hicks, St Charles; Robert Huffington, Rockford; Elizabeth Rozwat, Huntley; John Rozwat, Huntley; Delores Gammon, Elgin; Arlene Lefevre, Dixon, Mary Jane Schindler, Rockford.

New Sectional Master: Karen Flood, St Charles

NABC Masters: Mary Simonson, Rockford.

New Life Master: Mary Brunner, Geneva

New Bronze Life Master: Mary Brunner, Geneva; Marilyn Croft, St Charles; Ronald Kohn, Schaumburg.

Rockford  Classic Silver Sectional

September 9-11, 2011

Tebala Shrine, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford IL 

Directions: From I-90, exit East State Street and turn right to Bell School Road. Turn left to Newburg Road and turn left to Tebala Shrine on left.

Chairperson: Mary Jo Sergent  -- 815-874-4157   mjosarge@aol.com

Hospitality: Dee Witte

Partnerships: Gene Condon -- 815-633-4979

Hotels:

Marriott Fairfield Inn – 7651 Walton St., Rockford. 815-398-7400

Red Roof Inn ($69.00) -- 7434 East State, Rockford.  815-398-9750