Pair Fare

 News from Northwestern Illinois Unit 239

Editor:  Karen Flood, St. Charles IL     tkflood@comcast.net 

 

Welcome

Unit 239 extends a warm welcome to these new members:

From Cherry Valley, Kathy Cates

From DeKalb, Eileen Dober

From Galena, Pamela Johnson and Edward Paschke

From Rockford, Sandra Mulligan

From Saint Charles, Carol Riordan

In Memory

We are saddened by the the passing of Brian Nelson, age 69. Brian died at home in Fort Myers FL on November 27.

The Nelson family -- Brian, his wife Bev and mother Alice -- were instrumental in building the bridge community in Rockford. They ran the club in the Lafayette Hotel in the 1960s and early 1970s before moving to a site on East State Street. In 1979, Bev and Brian moved to Indianapolis and then to Florida, where they ran a bridge club in Fort Myers.

Brian and Bev were expert players and popular bridge teachers. Brian was also an ACBL director and worked at many of our tournaments. They had many close friends in the Rockford area and traveled back to Illinois almost every year to play in summer tournaments and visit old friends. 

We extend our sympathies to Brian's family and his many friends. 

Rising in the Ranks

Unit 239 had five members who advanced their bridge status to life master and beyond.  They all must be quite humble as none of them responded to this editor’s questionnaires.  Regardless, they deserve a “shout out” for their accomplishments. Congratulation to the unit’s newest life (and bronze) master Earl Anderson. And four unit members are now silver life masters: Trevor Joike, Ronald Kohn, Robert Kruger and Phyllis Seeman. 

Here is a complete list of all the recent milestones for Unit 239 members:

New Junior Masters:  Elaine and Frank Burnette, Algonquin; Grace Wallbaum, Aurora; RJ Fashingbauer, Belvidere; Suzanne Beam, Johnsburg; Arlyn VanDyke, Rochelle.

New Club Masters: Susan Seaver, Crystal Lake; Sherry Heidenreich, Davis; Frank Militello of Rockford.

New Sectional Masters:  Cecilia and Michael Anderson, Algonquin; Karen Ann Miller, Crystal Lake; Sharon Pepping, McHenry; Rod Johnson, Rockford.

New Regional Masters: Ramon Bonardi, Arlington Heights; Barbara Rogers, Crystal Lake; Karen Girardy, Lynn St. John both of Rockford.

New NABC Masters:  Pat Seyer, Crystal Lake; Frank Nester, Mount Carroll; Paul Grossenbacher, Roscoe.

New Life Master:  Earl Anderson, Poplar Grove. 

New Bronze Life Masters:  Earl Anderson, Poplar Grove.

New Silver Life Masters: Robert Kruger, Elgin; Trevor Joike, Phyllis Seeman both of Rockford; Ronald Kohn, Schaumburg.

New Dixon Area Evening Bridge Club

Fred Spitzzeri reports that he is now directing a Monday evening game at 6:00 p.m.  The game replaces the Monday afternoon game, which is no longer in operation.  The game is located at the Lee County Senior/Community Center on Galena and 2nd Street.  For additional information you can contact Fred at spitzzeri@aol.com.

     Snow Flake Silver Sectional

             January 8-10, 2016

       Jameson's Restaurant/Drendl Ballroom

    12860 Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City Huntley IL

Tournament Chair:  Roland Brabant   847-732-8751   rxbincfl@gmail.com

Partnership Chair:  Jerry Johnson   224-600-9912   gejcl530@gmail.com