NORTH AMERICAN PAIR WINNERS

On November 13, 21 pairs gathered in Champaign to compete for the right to represent District 8 and their Units in the Flight B North American Open Pairs competition in Kansas City in March 2017.

At the end of the two-session competition and by a razor-thin margin, Unit 154’s duo of Kimberly Grant and Gary Chaney finished first in Flight B and will compete in Kansas City at the Spring NABC in March.

Thank you to all the pairs who competed that day for the right to represent District 8.
 

WOW! 100 YEARS!

What a privilege for the South Bend Bridge Club to honor Mary Powell on her 100th birthday. The club presented her with a special cake and a card signed by all the members.

Mary brings many years of life experience to our bridge center. She was born on October 16, 1916 in Niles. She and her husband Ralph were married for 60 years until his death in 2001. Their union brought a son and a daughter, 3 grandsons and 2 great grandchildren to the family. She worked at the First National Bank in Niles and later retired from Kawneer Company as an Executive Secretary.

Retirement did not slow her down. She kept busy traveling to all 52 states, Canada, Mexico, Australia and numerous European and South American countries. She has enjoyed many hobbies including needlepoint, cross stitch, reading, dancing, board games, spectator sports and, of course, bridge. She learned bridge when a classmate’s acquaintance deemed it important for “ladies” to play bridge. Mary is a Bronze Life Master.

Mary is now content to enjoy limited reading, DVD music, TV sportscasting (favorite teams: Bears, Bulls and Notre Dame), PGA Tournaments on TV, Fox News, Jeopardy and occasional Duplicate games at SBBC.

The South Bend Bridge Club is so proud that Mary wants to spend her time at the club with members whom she calls friends. And she has many! CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES

70% + GAMES

John & Tricia Killeen, Mishawaka: 71.88%  10/5

Elaine DeLaney & Jimmy Cordas, South Bend: 74.24%  10/17

Joe Chin, Highland & John Teshima, Trail Creek: 73.15%  10/22

Barbara Lawson, Valparaiso & Carol Miller, Valparaiso (299er game): 73.50%  10/31

Dena & Stan Davis, Fort Wayne: 72.32%  11/6

Steve Watson, Schererville & Lou Nimnicht, Crown Point: 72.92%  11/8

Michael Clegg & Kimberly Grant, Fort Wayne: 72.50%  11/23

Jane Shultz, Fort Wayne & Steve Harvey, Decatur: 71.88%  11/29

Rank Advancements

Junior Master -- Dena Davis, Fort Wayne; Dr. Stan Davis, Fort Wayne; Lois Ehinger, Fort Wayne; Penny Henshaw, Fort Wayne; Kathy Klein, Columbia City; Millie Legg, New Haven; Zorana Luellen, Fort Wayne; Teresa Nelson, Fort Wayne; Benjamin Paulson, South Bend         

Club Master -- Dr. David Barkmeier, Plymouth; Carol Baker Bulger, Michigan City; John Gadd, South Bend; Lori Rea, Valparaiso; Richard Will, Valparaiso; Sally Will, Valparaiso    

Sectional Master -- Knoefel Jones, Porter; Mary Gunder, Fort Wayne; Jill Wirth, Portage       

Regional Master -- Allen Pinkham, Fort Wayne; James White, Warsaw

NABC Master -- Jane Bailey, Syracuse; Dolores Marshall, Portage   

Advanced NABC Master -- Lee Baatz, Columbia City

SILVER LIFE MASTER

Marci Meyer, Long Beach
 

SAPPHIRE LIFE MASTER

Barbara Graegin, Dyer, has attained the rank of Sapphire Life Master — 3500 masterpoints. She shares a bit of her story as she traveled the journey to this new benchmark.

"My parents were duplicate bridge players and Life Masters. However, I didn't learn bridge until after college. I played my first duplicate game with my mom, and it was there that I was introduced to my future husband. Paul knew my parents and told my dad that he'd like to play bridge with me the next time I was in town. On our first date we came in first — a marriage made in bridge heaven.

"In 1973 Paul and I won two non-Life Master pairs events at a regional and earned 40+ red points. We both became Life Masters at that regional. Through the years I have made many wonderful friends at the bridge table, and I thank them all — especially those who asked me to play after Paul passed away."

Barbara's partners describe her in glowing terms — Roger Sokol comments, "Barbara has recently become a once-a-month partner. She is an excellent bridge player and a very gracious lady. That makes it very comfortable to play with her. She likes playing with me because I don't yell at her. Likewise, she never says anything when I get a tad too optimistic."

George Roeper adds, "Since starting a partnership with Barbara several years back, she has taught me better responses to her 1NT bids and also in defense of opponents' 1NT opening bids. She is a serious and contemplative student of the game. She often finds the route to the best possible result."

Lou Nimnicht remarks, "Kudos to Barb for achieving this significant milestone, especially since she has done so with not a lot of participation in regional and national events, where a player of her ability would walk away with bucketful’s of masterpoints." Congratulations to a great lady!
 

FRIENDS WHO WILL BE MISSED

FREDERICK “FRITZ” BUSCH of Fort Wayne passed away suddenly on November 1, 2016. He was a member of the Fort Wayne DBC and the Cedar Creek DBC.

At 82 years of age, Fritz was a former F-89 pilot, former helicopter pilot, retired VP of North American Van Lines, and a present small business owner. Fritz’s earthly pleasures were flying, golf, bridge, and painting. Although not a Life Master, Fritz played the game with intensity and humor.

His life partner for 60 years, Joan, was his usual bridge partner. The bridge community of the greater Fort Wayne area sends its condolences and sympathies to Joan and the rest of their family.
 

JANET CRULL
March 13, 1933 - November 10, 2016

November brought us more sorrow as we lost another of our members, Janet Crull. Just seeing her beautiful smile as she walked in the South Bend Bridge Center was enough to make the day seem a little better. We even enjoyed hearing her chastise her husband for his overbidding with a strident “Oh, Merrill!”

Janet was born in Providence, Rhode Island and on October 1, 1955 married Merrill Crull. They moved to South Bend in 1956 and set about increasing their family with a daughter, Missy, and a son, Andrew. The family roster later became joyously filled with three wonderful grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Janet believed strongly in education and received her B.A. in political science from Brown University, taught second grade for one year, but then returned to school to graduate first in her class in the first paralegal program offered at IUSB. After graduation she worked part-time for local attorneys. Her interests were varied, being actively involved in Junior League, church activities, and serving on two corporate boards of directors as an officer.

Jan will be missed but we are holding on to our memories of her friendship and warmth.

JUDY GRAMBO of Schererville passed away on November 16, leaving us with one less shining star — one who shone her radiance among us. She was a constant source of happiness.

Judy was a most unpretentious person, yet her accomplishments were significant. She made a name for herself, serving for 37 years as President of WJOB radio and WZVN Radio. She was the youngest female station manager in the country. Judy gained national recognition in 1975 when she refused to air Public Service Announcements for the Jaycees, for “anachronistic attitude of authority” in banning women from membership.

Judy received an award from the Indiana Broadcasters association in 1984 and was instrumental in bringing cable television to our Calumet Area. She was honored by East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick and Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Sr., recognizing her 25 years of service to the community. She was on the Board of The United Fund, and its successor The Lake Area United Way. She was a member of the PEO Women - Chapter CJ, Briar Ridge Country Club, Community Hospital Auxiliary, Friends of the Theatre and ACBL. She loved to golf, travel, play bridge, attend theatre, see movies and seek new adventures.

Judy loved the friendships she made at the bridge table and always looked forward to playing the game. Peggy Kiernan recalls playing with Judy at many regionals. Especially memorable was when they played with Esther and Ed Walenga in Gatlinburg. They played six games in one day — returning back to the motel at 3 a.m.

GREGORY H. LYZUN
August 09, 1944 - November 03, 2016

This past November, our dear friend Greg Lyzun passed away after waging a valiant battle against cancer. He left behind his wife, Peggy, two daughters, Ann Marie and Julie, a son, Paul, three grandchildren and his beloved furry buddy, Cooper.

Our friend was a graduate of Western Michigan University, a certified Public Accountant for nearly 30 years and CFO of Burkhart Advertising until his retirement in 2007.

Besides his love for bridge, Greg was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and got to celebrate their World Series Championship just before he died. Even now, we’re sure he is celebrating with Ernie Banks!

Greg was always a welcome sight as he tooled into the parking lot in his red Corvette, walked into the bridge center with a big smile, and displayed his unique sense of humor ready to take on any of the biggies at the game. He played his hands with a flair that belied his non-life master status (he just needed a few more points). He played like a life master and had the respect of every player at the club. He also had the love of everyone he met. We are truly going to miss him. Our condolences to his family and know that we think of him often.

PHYLLIS MIKLUSAK

Phyllis, of Highland, and lately of Florida, passed away just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday.

Phyllis had a gregarious personality and was a vibrant part of her church and community. She dressed beautifully — always with lots of gold bracelets. She was instrumental in getting bridge started at the apartment complex where she lived on Thursday evening’s ages ago. Many of our players got their start in duplicate bridge by playing in that game. Phyllis played bridge for about 70 years. She was also an excellent pinochle and poker player.