Charity Gifts or "What does that extra $1 on my entry fee go?"

Unit 223 Board of Directors has been allowed to choose three local charities to receive funds. Receiving $100 each were Western Kentucky Easter Seals, Paducah, and the SWAN Women's' & Homeless Shelter in Olney IL.

The Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation was designated to receive Unit 223's share of the charity grant allotted to District 8 for disbursal locally from the National ACBL Charity Fund. The Elks Fund provides assistance to physically challenged children by providing orthopedic clinics, equipment and physical therapy, and by funding scholarship assistance to physical/occupational therapy students.

Unit 223 Honorees

Ron Diehl of Effingham IL is the 2007 Jo Echols Award Winner. As a sidebar, Ron has been supportive of the Effingham Club over the years, but he receives this nomination in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the education program in the Effingham School District. The Effingham School District is operating an ongoing classroom Bridge Education Program funded by the Gates Foundation, and Ron is assisting by teaching the classroom teachers how to play bridge. Thanks, Ron, for your efforts on behalf of bridge education.

Villa Aschenbrenner of Ledbetter KY is the Unit 223 Good Will Ambassador for 2007. Villa is well known for the care and concern she shows any player who is ill or in distress. She is a major worker in the local clubs and community in which she plays, and for the last several years has done yeoman service for our Unit as Unit Hospitality Chair. Villa is the single person most responsible for the wonderful hospitality players have enjoyed at our last Regional Tournaments.

Ruby Nelson has been nominated by outgoing Unit President Ray Sigler for the national level Good Will Award. Ruby serves our Unit as a Unit Board member, tournament chair and club level director. Her duplicate club germinates many new players due to the concern, care and support that she shows newcomers. Ruby's Edwardsville tournament is notable for friendliness and hospitality, and Ruby is more than supportive in encouraging her club members to attend other unit sectionals.

Please offer a word of thanks for their service to these three fine members of our Unit when next you see them.

Welcome, New Players

The following players have recently joined ACBL.

Pat Larimer, Salem, IL

Susan Pensoneau, Collinsville, IL

Stefanie Schedler, Carbondale, IL

Marianna & Scott Wever, Edwardsville, IL

Steven Wheeler, Highland, IL

Welcome to Unit 223!

Advances in Rank

New Junior Masters:

Margaret Laws, Edwardsville, IL

Steven Wheeler, Highland, IL

Marilyn Waggoner, Highland, IL

New Club Masters:

Joyce Clark, Creal Springs, IL

Phillip Fultz, Benton, KY

Janet Hawkins, Edwardsville, IL

Marilyn Storch, Herrin, IL

New Sectional Masters:

Claudia Davidage, Worden, IL

Carol Windland, Glen Carbon, IL

New NABC Masters:

Terryl Francis, Glen Carbon, IL

Lois Hartke, Effingham, IL

New Silver Life Masters:

Michael Eastburn, Paducah, KY

Monika Plumb, Carbondale, IL

And congratulations to New Life Masters:  Kate Dickens of Effingham, and Jim Baumeister of Marion, IL

District 8 North American Pairs (NAP) Final

More than 200 players qualified at club level games in Unit 223. The next level of play will be in the IDOT Building in Springfield, IL on Nov 10 & 11. If you qualified, I would encourage you to take your entry slip and attend this event. It's a pleasant venue with nice hospitality (they usually serve great cookies!). This is an opportunity to win some nice points, and the "grand prize" for the first- and second-place pairs is a cash travel award to the national finals at the Spring NABC in Detroit .

Upcoming Sectional-at-Clubs Week

Speaking of winning nice points, the 2007 District 8 Fall StaC is coming to your local club the week of Oct 29th through Nov 4th. Check with your local club directors and encourage them to host this event. The StaC's are a fun opportunity to win Silver points at your local Club.

St Louis Metro-East Sectional

The next Unit 223 Sectional will be Nov 16th through 18th at the Steam Fitter's Hall (new venue!). The hall is located 1.4 miles north of I-64 on Route 159 North at the Fairview Heights Exit 12.

Tournament Chairmen are Ray Sigler (618) 224-9606 and Carol Warner (618) 398-8338. Partnership Chair is Mary Johnson (618) 222-1558. Play commences Friday afternoon at 1:00 pm. Hope to see you there.