Seasons Greetings to Unit 223 Players

   The calendar year is winding to a close. Some of us are eyeing our masterpoint totals and the masterpoint races lists and wishing Santa would stuff just a few more points in our Christmas stockings!

Only one more sectional tournament to go in Unit 223! Far out in front, leaders in the McCord Trophy race again this year for most points won in Unit 223 Sectional tournaments are Judy Eaton and Glafkos Galanos -- fine players and a tough pair to beat!

Some clubs have already held their holiday parties, but many of us are still looking forward to parties at our local clubs. One highly appropriate (and reasonably priced) gift to consider for your partner and opponents is the gift of kindness. With a bow to the “Hat Lady”, “Y’all play nice now!” and try to make it last all year long.

I’m sitting at my keyboard, lifting my cup of eggnog in a toast to all my fellow Unit 223 players, and wishing you a Happy Holiday and many masterpoints in 2007. Hope to see you across the table in ’07.

Shower of Silver

In the recent District 8 Fall STaC, 1,206 players won 2924.10 silver points at local bridge clubs. Unit 223 players scoring in the top 25 for total masterpoints won during the week were:
    Marcia Darnell, Murray, KY – 24.98
    Joann Knox, MetropolisIL – 19.50
    Fran Russell, Paducah, KY – 17.93
    Lucille Driskill, Smithland, KY – 15.78

Congratulations to the following players who have advanced in rank:

New Junior Master:  Pam Fee, Paducah KY

New Club Masters: 
Eric Bizzell, Altamont IL
James Reid Brazier, Moro IL
Barbara Hamilton, Waterloo IL
Kay Jenkins, Mt. Vernon IL
Charles Schafer, Effingham IL
Mary Willenborg, Effingham IL

New Sectional Masters:
Kaye Plocher, Highland IL
Steve Schoeffler, Edwardsville IL
Jill Woolf, Carbondale IL

New Bronze Life Masters: 
Daniel Arendell, Smithton IL
Jan Harrison, Lexington SC

New Silver Life Master:   Brenda Gagnon, Paducah, KY

Welcome  to the following new members who have recently joined ACBL:

Brandy Fish, Belleville IL
Jane & William Herman, Effingham IL
Kevin Kohler, Maryville IL
Louise Lafont, Brookport IL
Thelma Lawrence, Brookport IL
Janet Lenzo, Marissa IL
Terry Sharp, Mt. Vernon IL
Marilyn Waggoner, Highland IL

Masterpoint Races:  The year is drawing to a close for chances to win masterpoints at club level and Sectional tournaments. Top masterpoint winners at the Robinson IL Sectional were Marcia and Dalton Darnell of Murray KY with 8.34 points. One more tournament remains on the Unit 223 Calendar: the new sectional to be held in Swansea / Belleville on December 8-10.

Mark your calendars  and plan to attend these upcoming Unit 223 Sectionals:

Bill Harrison Memorial Sectional Tournament -- December 8-10 in Belleville/SwanseaIL. Tournament Chairmen: Ray Sigler (618) 224-9606 & Carol Warner (618) 632-9652. Partnerships: Mary Johnson (618) 222-1558. This is a new tournament and the last chance to win silver points in 2006.

Saluki Swiss Sectional Bridge Tournament -- Jan. 27th and 28th, 2007 in Mt. Vernon IL. Tournament Chair: Karen Coe (618) 435-4200 or finesse002002@yahoo.com for partnership requests. Swiss will be offered both days with Side Pairs available on Saturday (and Sunday if demand warrants).

Flyers for both Sectionals can be viewed in this newsletter and also at www.acbl.org.