Unit 223 Reporter

News from Southern Illinois-Paducah Unit 223

Editor: Karen Coe, 12761 Webb Hill Rd., Ewing IL 62836
(618-435-4200) 
finesse002002@yahoo.com

ACBL Charity Fund 

Did you ever wonder where the extra money collected at your local Duplicate Bridge Club's "Charity Games" goes? It is returned to the Districts on a rotating basis to be distributed to local charities. (The cycle comes around approximately every 6 years. Last time around, Unit 223 divided the funds between Red Cross of western Kentucky and the Illinois Elks' Crippled Childrens' Fund).

When recently it was once again District 8's turn to receive ACBL Charity funds, Unit 223 was awarded $6000 to distribute to an accredited charity which serves folks in our Unit's geographic area. We were not allowed this time to split the funds, but had to select only one charity. Unit 223's Charity Committee selected Shriners' Childrens Hospital, 2001 S. Lindbergh, St Louis MO. That particular Shriner's hospital serves children throughout Southern Illinois and western Kentucky with orthopedic and neuro-musculo-skeletal disorders and diseases, and is especially noted for treating spinal injuries and providing prosthetic equipment for growing children.

An unusually high percentage of each dollar contributed to Shriner's Hospitals goes directly for patient care and transportation. The hospital has a really informative web-site which you may visit to learn more about the institution to which Unit 223's charity contribution was allocated. http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/Hospitals/Locations/StLouis.aspx    


Attention all Parents and Grandparents: Bridge Camp for Youth 

Youth Bridge Camp is being held again in Carlinville IL, June 24th through June 30th. This is a splendid chance to give your children and grandchildren a really wonderful summer camp experience and pass on your love of bridge.

Campers, who may have little or no bridge knowledge, will receive lessons in basic to more advanced bridge as well as enjoy all the activities associated with a summer camp experience. Camp fee is $293. The camp directors are also looking for counselors (preferably college age); knowledge of bridge would be helpful but is not required. For more information about the Youth Bridge Camp (or to apply for a position as a camp counselor), contact Chris or Mary Beth Shaw at (217) 854 7331 or ccshawjr@yahoo.com .

The camp fee does not fully cover the costs of sending a child to camp. The camp receives support in the form of a grant from the ACBL Education Foundation, plus donations from District 8 and Unit 223. At a recent meeting of the Unit 223 Board of Directors at Kentucky Dam Village Sectional Tournament, the Unit Board voted to donate funds to pay for 10 camperships.

To ensure your child a place at Youth Bridge Camp, enroll now! As of this writing, more than 20 slots were already filled.


Moving Up

Congratulations to the following Unit 223 Members who have advanced in rank:

New Junior Masters: Bette Rotert & Gary Rotert, Carlyle IL

New Club Masters: Donna Murphy, Worden IL; Judith Pifer, Glen Carbon IL; Roger Pifer, Glen Carbon IL

New Sectional Masters: Kathy Bold, Edwardsville IL

New Regional Masters: Janet Little, Wood River IL; Bill McLaughlin, Centralia IL; Douglas Snow, Paducah KY

New NABC Master: William Allendoerfer, Edwardsville, IL

By the way, did you know that masterpoints won in online play now count toward advancements in rank?


Sectional Tournament

Coming up soon, the Pioneer Sectional Tournament will be held April 13, 14, and 15 at the Ron Diehl Center, Hendelmeyer Park, Effingham. Action starts Friday evening at 7:00 with Open Pairs. Knockouts begin Saturday morning at 9. The tournament is offering two single-session 99er Pairs on Saturday in addition to a two-session Open Pair event. Sunday will be, of course, Swiss Teams.

Kate Dickens (217-868-5462) is Tournament Chair. A Partnership Desk will be open one hour before gametime. Check out the tournament flyer on this website and make plans to attend this well-run sectional.  

Regional Tournament

The Paducah-Southern Illinois Regional will be held Monday, June 18 through Friday, June 24, 2012. It is not too early to start lining up your partnerships and making room reservations. Check out the tournament flyer in this Advocate.

Tom Wynn is Tournament Chair.  Maxine Wynn is Partnership Chair (270-554-5719 or twynn401@comcast.net). Tournament Contact is Dalton Darnell (270-753-5992 or marcia_darnell@hotmail.com).