Dear Bridge Playing Friends:

I look forward to the next two years and serving as your President of District 8. Let me give you a little personal background. I've been married to Raj for 57 years. We were high school sweethearts in Fort Dodge, Iowa. While in the corporate world, we lived in several cities. My work also gave me the opportunity to travel throughout the world. We have a son, Brock, and a daughter, Karla, and three  grandchildren. We now live in Lake in the Hills, which is in northwest Illinois between Elgin and Crystal Lake and less than a mile from our grandchildren. 

We'd played social bridge for many years. Never heard of the ACBL -- never heard of duplicate bridge and never imagined a bridge tournament. We didn't live a sheltered life, so how did we manage to miss a more challenging game of bridge? It wasn't until retirement that we discovered duplicate bridge and the ACBL. I wonder how many folks are out there that are like we once were? There must be thousands. 

Even though I keep busy with my own weekly club game and serving as president of Unit 239, I'm not too old to have a wish list. I would like to see a movement within District 8 where we actively seek out new bridge players. Not only those where the game is taught, but attracting the social bridge player to our game. Like I once was. Do you have some ideas or thoughts on how we might be able accomplish this wish? If you do telephone me at 847-458-8089 or email me at  kdencker@sbcglobal.net  and include "bridge" in the subject line. 

As my wife and I look back over the nationals, regional and sectional tournaments we've attended, it's been a great experience. We've met some great folks and look forward meeting many more.