Unit 239 Ace of Clubs Award:  These individuals had the most points earned at clubs in 2010. This award is stratified.

0 to 5 points -- Martin Hartlieb

5 to 20 points --  Joyce Nimocks

20 to 50 points -- Bobbie King

50 to 100 points -- Susan Hillberry

100 to 200 points -- Charlene Whitney

200 to 300 points -- Robert Quintin

300 to 500 points -- Donna Cart

500 to 1,000 points -- Darrell Rotter

1,000 to 2,500 points -- Alma Karas

2,500 to 5,000 points -- Eugene Condon

5,000 to 7,500 points -- Jack Snyder

7,500 to 10,000 points -- Suzanne Dunne

Unit 239 Mini McKenney Recipients:  These individuals had the most points earned at all sanctioned events in 2010. This award is also stratified.

0 to 5 points -- Martin Hartlieb

5 to 20 points -- Joyce Nimocks

20 to 50 points -- Bobbie King

50 to 100 points -- Susan Hillberry

100 to 200 points -- Charlene Whitney

200 to 300 points -- Neil Whittle

300 to 500 points -- Donna Cart

500 to 1,000 points -- Darrell Rotter

1,000 to 2,500 points -- Lu Jenkins

2,500 to 5,000 points -- Sherry Wynn

5,000 to 7,500 points -- Will Englel

7,500 to 10,000 points -- Joshua Stark

New Life Masters: Ron Sister

Ron Sester has been at it for a long time. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t remember when he started to play bridge. A life long resident of the Genoa-Kingston area, Ron has a wife, two sons, four grand children, and four great grand children. Ron said he is very fortunate in that all of his immediate family still lives nearby.

Ron is unique in that most of his points were earned by playing at one Monday evening game in St Charles. Over a long period of time, Ron not only earned the 300 points to become a Life Master, but an additional 200 points to also become a Silver Life Master. Ron said that at a recent Rockford Regional, he had a “very successful and lucky day” because he earn thirty gold points in one event. Needing only two silver points to qualify for the honor of Life Master, Ron earned those points at the last sectional tournament in Elgin. Ron said he never really had the goal of making Life Master, but it just happened.

In his early years of playing bridge Ron also, earned some points at a game held in De Kalb, Illinois. His mentor and director of this game was Ted Neuman. Ron noted that this game ceased a long time ago.

Ron appreciates most bridge players for being nice people and their attitude and behavior makes for a fun game. When Ron is not playing bridge, you might find him in his workshop among saws, blades, and wood chips, where he is busily constructing pieces of furniture. Ron said he might expand his horizons and try a game at the Rockford Bridge Club. I’m sure Ron would be a welcome player at any club. Congratulations, Ron, on becoming a Life Master.

New Levels Achieved

New Junior Master:  Janet Morgan, Elgin;  Kemdall Torarski, St. Charles;  Lois Boach, Cherry Valley;  Robert Cassidy, Fulton;  Joan Fielding, Crystal Lake;  Linda Leaming, Rockford.

New Club Master:  Ardythe Edwards, Huntley;  Steven Meyers, Rockford;  Michael Moore, Rockford

New Sectional Master:  Diane Clark, Rockford;  Beverly Voorhees, Rockford;  Stephen Chesek, Algonquin;  David Germaine, Huntley;  Timothy Kleimeyer, Sleepy Hollow;  James Newberry, Elburn.

New Regional Master:  Joanie Aranyos, Elburn;  Linda Brubaker, Geneva;  Raymond Paul, Rockford;  Patricia Tangorra, Rockford;  Helen Bauer, Elburn;  Bobbie King, St Charles.

New Life Masters:  Ron Sester, St Charles.

New Silver Life Masters:  Virginia Witmer, Batavia;  Ron Sester, St Charles.

Youth Bridge

Eight young students played in a tournament held at the Bridge Center of Rockford on April 9. Kids participating in the tournament and pizza party were Katie Rico, Joey Phetvixay, Ellie Fashingbauer, Austin Lindberg, Michelle Williams, Jayne Habben, Danielle Frisch, Jessie Rodriquez. 

ACBL provided a T-shirt for each child. This was the culmination of the Center’s first School Bridge Program. Weekly lessons were held after school at four locations from October to April. This program was coordinated by Mary Jane Schindler.

Teachers were Doug St. John, Craig Bontjes, Cathy Fashingbauer and Kathy Owens. Teacher’s assistants were Dorothy Stewart, Cathy Wright and Penny Shaw.

It was truly a learning experience for all of us! With this introduction to the thrill and joy of bridge, we hope they will grow to love it as much as we do.
 

Good Will Award

Karl Dencker (right) congratulated Roger Dieringer for earning the District 8 Good Will Award. The award was presented at the April annual meeting in Elgin.

The Rockin’ Rockford Regional is moving and changing its name to

The Great Sizzlin’ Illinois Regional

The BIGGEST Regional in The State of Illinois

June 20 – 26, 2011

 Holiday Inn, Route 31 and Three Oaks Road, Crystal Lake IL

Full Schedule is here

The Holiday Inn ballroom is BIGGER and NICER, with over 11,500 square feet of well-lighted and well-ventilated  playing area  The hotel has an excellent restaurant, free parking, no crowded reception area  and roomy, fresh restrooms. Great room rates, indoor pool, sauna and exercise equipment, friendly hotel staff --and the wonderful Holiday Inn hospitality!

More convenient location in Crystal Lake, whether traveling by car, plane or Metro train. From Rt 90 – exit 31 North – 10 miles to Three Oaks Rd  -- OR – from Rt 14 - exit 31 South – 1 mile.

All with the same GREAT HOSPITALITY FOR WHICH WE ARE FAMOUS!!

All bridge sessions: $12 per person.

The $73 room rate is guaranteed for reservations made before June 6^th. Refer to ACBL Unit 239 Bridge.

ROCKFORD CLASSIC SILVER SECTIONAL

September 9 - 11, 2011

 Tebala Shrine, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford IL

(From I-90, exit East State Street & turn right to Bell School Road. Turn left to Newburg Road and left to Tebala Shrine on left.)

Chairperson: Mary Jo Sergent   mjosarge@aol.com

Partnerships: Gene Condon – 1-815-633-4979

Hospitality: Dee Witte

Tebala Shrine is our new playing space and you’ll like it. Nice, clean and plentiful restrooms, large playing area, good lighting and ventilation. Free parking. Close to area eating places. We know you’ll be pleased with this space and we’re anxious to show it to you.