Congratulations

Mary Simonson grew up in Wedron, canoeing capital of Illinois, located on the mighty Fox River. This portion of the lower of this river is referred to as the ”Dells of the Fox”. With high palisades on each bank of the river, the scenery is very picturesque as the river eventually has a confluence with the Illinois River.

Enough with the geography lesson and now back to Mary. After graduating from the local high school, Mary continued her education at the St. Francis School of Nursing in Peoria, Illinois. With her degree, Mary started her nursing career at St. Francis in Peoria, then continued her nursing career in St. Louis, Springfield, and finally ended up as a nurse at the Brookside Clinic in Rockford. Along the way Mary wedded her husband Chris and had three sons and five grandchildren. Her sons are now scattered, all residing in the Midwest. Currently, Mary and her husband spend five months wintering in Sarasota Florida and the rest of their time in Rockford.

Mary's interest in bridge started right after her marriage. From an early age, Mary always enjoyed playing cards games such as 500 and euchre. Mary and her husband were introduced to bridge by another young couple, and for 30 some years, she played party bridge. In Rockford, Pat Olafson, neighbor and fellow nurse, introduced Mary to the Rockford Bridge Club. Mary started to learn the intricacies of duplicate bridge by playing and taking lessons from Mary Jo Sergent.

At the beginning, Mary never thought of becoming a Life Master, but as Mary stated, “Pat Olafson released a monster by dragging her to many tournaments to play for silver and gold points”. In Sarasota club regional, Mary and Pat Tangorra, another Rockford Club member and recently turned Life Master, earned most of their gold points needed to become a LM. Finally, needing a few silver points, Mary, with the help of Emerald LM Will Engel, in the November STAC games at Rockford earned the needed silver points to become a Life Master.

Mary’s advice to other bridge players is to enjoy the game. She said she takes the game seriously but doesn’t getting upset when thing don’t go her way -- good advice we should all adhere to.

Mary’s interest not only involves bridge, but she is also a avid golfer. Her yearly routine is golf three days a week and bridge one day a week in Florida, and just the opposite when in Rockford. Congratulations, Mary, on becoming a Life Master. I have always enjoyed being your opponent.

Advancements in Rank

New Junior Master:  Marjorie Anderson, Rockford; Doni Glod, St. Charles;  Burton Hammond, Pecatonica;  Joann Miller, Rochelle;  Victor Nora, St Charles;  Rudolph Schoppe, DeKalb;  Michele Taylor, Huntley;  Joan Esch, Elgin;  Sharon Fulling, Rockford.

New Club Masters:  Rev. Brion Brooke, Oregon;  Mary Fiala, Huntley;  Wayne Wickelman, Apple Valley;  Fran Fey, Rockford;  Diane Rabe, Elgin;  Marie Solvie, Elgin.

New Sectional Master:  Kathleen Potter, Elgin;  Debra Alan, Rockford;  Barbara Gieseke, Elgin;  Lynne Madden, Sugar Grove.

New Regional Masters:  Barbara Ellington, Rockford; Janice Koerner, Huntley;  Naomi Lindemann, Geneva.

New NABC Master:  Janice Brandt, Elgin.

New Advanced NABC Master:  Peggy Anderson, Elgin.

New Life Master:  Mary Simonson, Sarasota FL.

Upcoming Tournaments

March 01-03 -- Peoria IL Sectional

March 01-03 -- Kentucky Dam Village Sectional, Gilbertsville KY

March 04 -- ACBLwide Senior Pairs, Local clubs

March 04-10 -- INDIANAPOLIS IN Regional

March 08-10 -- Spring Sectional, Elgin Centre, Elgin IL

March 14-24 -- Spring NABC, St. Louis