Greater St. Louis Bridge News

News from Greater St. Louis Unit 143

Editor:  Sheryl Finkenstadt, St. Louis MO    sheryl@finkenstadt.com
 

There's always the saying that "it's hard to lose the post-mortem by leading partner's suit".

There will be hands where it is clear you know more about what’s going on than partner and, thus, selecting a suit partner did not bid is a winning defense.  But probably not too often.  Make partner happy; it makes the game more fun.

Popkins win Ed Schultz Unit Championship Award

Alan and Nancy Popkin won the year-long competition for the Unit’s highest award. The Ed Schultz Unit Championship Award (formerly Player of the Year, aka POTY) is awarded to that unit member in good standing who has won the most masterpoints in unrestricted Unit-sponsored events in a given calendar year.  This reflects loyalty and dedication and, of course, a great deal of skill.

Unit President Steve Zenk, center, presents Championship trophy at the winter Sectional.

Alan and Nancy will keep the prestigious trophy for a year. 
 

January Sectional

The January sectional brought 473 unique players to the tables.  More than 400 players went home with silver points. Congratulations go to Debbie Romero, who topped the field with  28.34 silver points.  For a total list of winners, click here.

Of special note is the 75.80% game, posted by Rod Beery & Kenny Bland in the Friday afternoon Open Pairs.  Fantastic job, gentlemen! 

Those winners who chose to have their pictures taken are as follows:

Friday evening 199er:  Ralph Britton and David Fricke (Flight A)	Friday evening 199er:  Marilyn Bolz & Fruma Kane (Flights B & C)	Saturday Open Pairs: Karen Erlanger & John Burgener
Saturday afternoon 199er: Shirley Ryan & Camilla Baxter (Flight A & B)	Saturday afternoon 199er: Joyce & Ben Berra (Flight C)	Saturday evening 199er: Pat Nieman & Marilyn Bolz
Sunday Swiss Teams (Flight A - left photo):  Mike Carmen, Glenn Smith, Norman Athy, & Kathy Safranski   (Flight C -- right photo):  Chuck Ettelson, Simeon Prager, Michael Sherbreg, Jane Ettelson

Welcome . . .

to Jeff Kopolow, who joins the Board of Directors.  Jeff replaces Suze Shymanski-Moore, who resigned in December.  Jeff brings a love of bridge, a lot of ideas, and dedication to the governance of Unit 143. 
 

There’s a New Look

Unit 143's web site has a new look, with some new features as well.  Thanks to the major effort of Milt Zlatic Unit 143 has published a major update of their website.  After five years, actual usage and preferences of the members became very clear and the website reflects the change to make it more efficient and “user-friendly.”  For example, prominently at the top of the home page is a running marquee that notifies players of any game changes – such as snow closings. 

The Board of Directors authorized these changes last year, and major planning was directed by Jennifer Luner, webmaster and Board of Directors member.   Sheryl Finkenstadt was a consultant in the planning and layout of the “new look.”  The actual programming was performed by Zlatic. The editing of each and every page was accomplished by marathon work sessions by Luner and Helene Zeigfried, also a member of the Board.

Here's a tidbit of information: 

Bit O Bridge is the longest running duplicate bridge club in the same location in the St. Louis area, with nearly 40 years at the Lake Saint Louis Community Association Clubhouse.  [No one counts the few months when Bit O Bridge was temporarily in Janet’s home while the Country Club was being renovated.]  

Bit O Bridge, an open pairs game on Wednesday evenings, is currently owned & directed by Janet Vontz, with the able assistance of her husband, Mike (photo). Janet also teaches several classes of bridge in the Lake St. Louis area, as well as directing games at Bridge Haven on Friday morning and Saturday afternoon.
 

Advances in rank since December 1, 2010

Upcoming Tournaments

March 26 -- 199er Championship, Maryland Heights MO

May 13-15 -- Spring Sectional, Blanchette Park, St. Charles MO

August 8-14 -- Mississippi Valley Regional, Renaissance Hotel (airport), St. Louis

September 24 -- 199er Championship