Playing Bridge with my Valentine

Winter may not be over, but February arriving always makes me feel as if we are over the hump of dreadful, dreary weather so to speak. Valentine's Day is coming up and hats off to those of you out there who play amicably with your spouse, sometimes a difficult proposition. Its awfully easy to forget one's bridge manners when the person across the table is not only your bridge partner but also your partner in ALL of life's little challenges.

My husband, John, and I started playing together in college; we started out playing bridge with a couple of his dorm mates. He and his two buddies would swing by, pick me up at my dorm, and off we all would go to an uncharacteristically well-lighted college bar for an evening of bridge and pitchers of beer. I think I may have been the envy of my living unit when I left to go out with not one but three guys.

Later, after John and I married, his mother told me that when he was in his teens, she asked him what he was looking for in a future wife, and he said, Well, she has to play bridge. End of the list of "wife qualifications"… (John and I both learned to play bridge from our mothers, but have been unable to pass love of the game on to our children. My grandson, Logan, though, seems somewhat curious about our constant card-playing, so maybe love of bridge will skip a generation and, like lightning, strike him.)

We have continued to play together throughout our more than 40 year marriage. 98% of the time playing bridge together has been smooth, but I do remember being once so angry at John over a bridge hand that for a few insane moments I actually considered getting up (from a duplicate game no less), climbing in the car, and going home without him. Sanity set in (before I did anything unforgivable) and I remember thinking, "Whoa, girl, this is the father of your children with whom you hope to spend your so-called golden years!"  His "sin" was passing my 4NT inquiry; he said, as I vividly recall right before my field of vision went black from rage, "Well, I KNEW you could make 4NT, and you COULDN'T make 6H". (He was right, by the way…)

Anyway, I guess the point of all this is, if you are lucky enough to be playing bridge with your Valentine, remember to treat them like the sweetheart you know they are…especially in your sane moments..

Happy Valentine's Day.

McCord Trophy Standings for 2010

Each year the traveling McCord Trophy is awarded to the Unit 223 player who has accrued the most points in Unit 223 Sectionals. This year Dalton Darnell, Gold Life Master, is the winner. The trophy and Unit 223 masterpoint race are named in honor of Mac McCord, a founding member of Unit 223, and the winner's name is engraved each year on the handsome silver trophy. The McCord trophy is awarded each year at the Gilbertsville sectional tournament, and if you have a chance, take a close look at the trophy when it is on display there. The engraved names are an historical display of the most talented players in our Unit.

Here is a complete list of the final standings in the 2010 McCord Race:

 1.  Dalton Darnell - Murray KY – 74.4 points

 2.  Ron Brockman – Paducah KY – 62.76

 3.  Judy Eaton – Carbondale IL – 54.22

 4.  Doug Edwards – Hardin KY – 32.73

 5.  Andrew Carver – Edwardsville IL – 28.74

 6.  Bill Eaton – Carbondale IL – 28.39

 7.  Gayle Edwards – Hardin KY – 27.6

 8.  John Coe – Ewing IL – 27.52

 9.  Karen Coe – Ewing IL – 21.31

10.  Ray Sigler – Trenton IL – 20.64

11.  Doug McQuaid – Lebanon IL – 19.83

12.  Susan Davis – Marion IL – 19.78

13.  Dan Arendell – Smithtown IL – 19.54

14-15.  Sandra Lemon--  Mayfield KY – 19.36

14-15.  Larry Lemon – Mayfield KY – 19.36

16.  Bob Cundall – Collinsville IL – 19.21

17.  Jay Coleman – Huttsonville IL – 19.16

18-19.  Paul Hartke – Effingham IL - 18.17

18-19.  Lois Hartke – Effingham IL – 18.17

20.  Dennis Rose – Paducah KY – 18.16

21.  Maxine Wynn – Paducah KY -- 18.06

22.  Tom Wynn – Paducah KY -- 17.91

23.  Carol Warner – Fairview Heights IL – 17.83

24.  Marcia Darnell – Murray KY – 17.66

25.  Glafkos Galanos – Carbondale IL – 16.79

Thank you to Doug Edwards, who each year keeps track of the points won in the McCord Masterpoint Race, and at the end of each year, reports the standings for the Unit.

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

New Junior Master – Amanda Noble, Edwardsville IL

New Club Master – Bill McLaughlin, Centralia IL; Joette Miles, Carterville IL;  Donna Swick, Newton IL

New Regional Master - James Brazier, Moro IL;  Mary File, Edwardsville IL

**New Life Master – Lois Hartke, Effingham IL;  Paul Hartke, Effingham IL

New Bronze Life Master -- Bill Lentz, Paducah KY

New Gold Life Master -- Larry Lemon, Mayfield KY;  Ralph (Bill) Rotter, Granite City IL

Upcoming Sectional Tournaments

Our next sectional will be held February 12 and 13 in Carlinville IL at Camp Williamson. Tournament Chair is Col. Chris Shaw (217-854-7331).

This is a very special tournament for a number of reasons. Chris and his wife Mary Beth are active in youth bridge and proceeds from this tournament are used to further bridge education and youth activities in our District. Also make note that one fee can cover your entry fees, food and lodging for the weekend. Camp Williamson is an attractive meeting place and retreat with many amenities. Take a look at the informational flyer posted on-line and make plans to gather a team and attend this exciting tournament!

On March 4th through 6th, plan to attend the sectional being held in Gilbertsville KY at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort and Lodge. Winners of the Ace of Clubs and Mini McKenney Masterpoint Races will be recognized and given their awards. This, too, is a very special tournament. It's always great to see those first touches of spring and enjoy the fantastic scenery at this tournament, to say nothing of the astounding southern hospitality.

See the flyer on-line or contact Sandra Lemon (270-247-7828) for more info.