UNIT 154 ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

The Annual Membership Meeting will be held during South Bend Summer Sectional on:

     Sunday, August 28 at 9:15AM

(The Sunday Swiss Team game starts at 10AM.)

Mark your calendar and come participate.

Only Northern Indiana Unit 154 members in good standing are eligible to participate and vote.

UPCOMING NORTHERN INDIANA UNIT 154 TOURNAMENTS

70% + GAMES

Elaine DeLaney & Don Wertheimer, South Bend:  73.18%  3/30

Mary Ennes, Valparaiso & Lila Cohen, Valparaiso: 70.83%  4/04

Rose & Don Ferguson, Fort Wayne:  71.50%  4/5

Charlotte & Jim Davis, Kokomo:  72.00%  4/7

Wayne Carpenter, Chesterton & Laverne Niksch, Portage: 70.03%  4/11

Alan Yngve, Chesterton & Janice Custer, Chesterton: 78.33%  4/12

Charlotte & Jim Davis, Kokomo:  71.25%  4/14

Richard Ellis & Jim Davis, Kokomo:  73.75%  4/16

Janice Custer, Chesterton & Alan Yngve, Chesterton: 72.81%  4/19

Ren Singleton, South Bend & Lee Boser, Elkhart:  75.00%  4/22

Connie Stevens, Highland & Jerry Palm, Homewood, IL: 70.83%  4/30

Jim Feinstein, South Bend & Dick Hastings, Bristol:  74.54%  5/8

Max Banan & Jim Davis, Kokomo:  76.39%  5/15

Lyla Lockhart, Notre Dame & Anita Nunemaker, Elkhart:  73.75%  5/18

Rank Advancements

Junior Master: Frank How, Chesterton; Bonnita Laub, Mishawaka; Barbara Lawson, Valparaiso

Club Master: Karyl Amstutz, Hamilton; Rev. William Blum, Notre Dame; Roberta Dakich, Valparaiso; Barbara Emmons, Mishawaka; Robert Lewis, Granger; Tom Rea, Valparaiso; Maureen Skurski, South Bend

Sectional Master: Dee Raysses, Highland; Douglas Booth, Long Beach; John Mowry, Fremont      

Regional Master: Bonnie Krueckeberg, Fort Wayne; Joann Lee, Fort Wayne; Maryellen Rice, Fort Wayne

NABC Master: Lee Baatz, Columbia City     

LIFE MASTER

Howard Chapman, Fort Wayne

I learned to play bridge during the lunch breaks when I was a student at Northwestern University School of Law.  Later, when I began to practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I met a number of other lawyers who liked to play, and we formed a regular group.  We played for small stakes and usually met on weekdays during the noon hour, eating lunch while we played.  If we had more than four players, we played a “Chicago” format, and rotated players in and out of the game.  One of our traditions was a game that met annually at noon on New Year’s Eve, and lasted until four o’clock.  It went on for many, many years.

Eventually, time and Mother Nature began to shrink the group to the point that we had difficulty putting a game together, so I joined the Fort Wayne Duplicate Bridge Club.  I made friends there, and they encouraged me to join them from time to time in tournament games.  I found it to be both fun and challenging.

Bridge has been an important part of my life.  It keeps me on my toes, introduces me to many nice people, and is an enjoyable lifetime hobby.

LIFE MASTER

Dr. Matthew Farber, Fort Wayne 

Becoming a Life Master is just a beginning, since I have played only a small fraction of the more than 635 billion different hands that can be dealt. I appreciate the help and patience my partners have demonstrated, as I continue to figure out this game.  There is a long list of such partners and teachers, going back to taking lessons when arriving in Fort Wayne from Rosie Ferguson to playing with Jennifer and Ken Koorsen, and Jim Kart at the Nationals in Chicago and more recently at the South Bend Sectional. Matt Fultz was brave enough to take me on when my knowledge was very limited and suffered through my formative years, for years.  Weekly partners such as Joe and John Kohne as well as Jim McChesney have all been gracious to point out how I might have bid or played a hand better.

I feel fortunate to have met many great people and benefited from suggestions on how to bid, count cards and when I should have passed or pulled a double, such as Pete Smith, Don Ferguson, Mary Lou Clegg and Gary Chaney. Intrepid souls all.   I continue to search for more people to play with as partners and enjoy the game we try to master.

The folks running and directing the Fort Wayne Bridge Club deserve a big thank you as without you I would have been deprived of playing this great game.   The best part of this journey is that I have finally convinced my wife, Theresa, to learn the game.  We are now enjoying it together!

SILVER LIFE MASTER

Jim Kart, Fort Wayne

"I started learning bridge when I was seven years old. My family played cards at home in our spare time. I watched until they needed a fourth. Then I was drafted to fill in. Dad was the researcher. He would read the books and coach the whole family. We would spend hours talking bridge and learning systems. I was always partial to KS with weak no trumps and controlled psyches. 

"When I retired from the Norfolk Southern Railroad in March of 2012, after starting to play duplicate in 1968, I had only about 72 masterpoints. However, my mother Ella Kart was so supportive that I actually played for her more than myself. She was the reason I strived to get my Life Master and now, it has taken 4 years to reach Silver Life Master, and I would like to dedicate it to Mom, now at home under Hospice (Visiting Nurses) care at the ripe age of 98! Without her praise and support, there is no way I would play as much as I do or work to do as well as I have done. So mom, this Silver is for you!!!!!!"
 

SILVER LIFE MASTER

Tom Kelly, Fort Wayne

There really isn’t much of a story. I learned bridge from my parents at the age of 8 or 9 because they needed 2 more players. Our whole family (2 girls and 6 boys) know how to play and were taught early. I am only one that currently plays. I also learned from my marketing teacher at Xavier University who was a Life Master in Cincinnati and introduced me to duplicate.

It took me a long time to get to Silver. I played only once a week and maybe 1 or 2 other tournaments per year. Work keeps me busy and I also do painting and drawing and have had a number of shows. kellygallery.com
 

SILVER LIFE MASTER

Carl Wheeler, Fort Wayne

I am thankful to all my friends that helped me reach Silver Life Master.  I wouldn't have made it without each of you.  Many have served as teachers, partners, and teammates over the years.  Duplicate bridge has given me countless hours of fun and pleasure.  Yes, I enjoy the challenges and logic that goes into the game, but even more, there have been many fine friends, partners and tablemates for over 30 years. 

I first began playing bridge as an adult, while working in Indianapolis.  I continued after I retired and moved to Fort Wayne.  Travel to tournaments provides an opportunity to meet new friends, enjoy sight-seeing, plus find ideas to improve my game from a wide range of competition.  Bridge players are a great group.  My thanks to all of you. 

RUBY LIFE MASTER

Vic Papai, South Bend

We send heartiest congratulations to Vic for his recent achievement - Ruby Life Master ( 1500+ MPs!). Vic has been the South Bend treasurer for the past ten years and, because of his  background as a teacher and a provider for his wife and five children, has brought to the South Bend club his talent of watching their money very carefully (frugally?)  Thank you so much, Vic.

Vic is a native of South Bend graduating from  Washington H.S., Indiana State University and Indiana University where he earned an M.S. in American History.  He has been known to tell a few jokes which have brought moans and groans from the members of the club, but also many laughs.  He is a great asset to the South Bend club. 
 

GOLD LIFE MASTER

Charlotte Davis, Kokomo   

Charlotte was born in Marinette, Wisconsin, where she met and married Jim, her husband of almost 60 years. They have had a long term relationship, since they were born two days apart in the same little town.She began her nursing career in Madison and continued in Milwaukee and Kokomo.

Her bridge playing started in the late 1960's, while raising 5 children. This family has now expanded to include 3 sons-in-law, 2 daughters in-law, 13 grandchildren and 13 grand kids. Early tournament play consisted of annual trips to Minocqua, Wi. and later to Gatlinburg, where she made Life Master playing with Jim in 1988. (The first of 22 trips to Gatlinburg). 

One of her fondest bridge memories was working the 11 pm-7 am nursing shift in Kokomo and going directly to an Indianapolis tournament to play in a morning team game with 3 women and winning 1st place. 

Charlotte claims her favorite partner has always been her husband, Jim, although you couldn't prove it by their children. They claim it is the only thing they ever heard them arguing about.  Since her stroke in 2012, Charlotte's bridge has been limited to local club play, but she is still racking up the big games and continuing as Club Manager in Kokomo, a job she has had for decades.

SAPPHIRE LIFE MASTER

Massoud (Max) Banan, Kokomo

NEW DIRECTOR

John Teshima of Trail Creek has become a certified director.

His intention in having taken the qualifying test was to help out in the Michigan City game during the winter, after the usual directors have migrated southwards.
 

Winners of the South Bend Pro-Am Swiss Team Event: PRO-AM WINNERS

The South Bend semi-annual Pro-Am Swiss Team Event, held on Thursday night, May 26th, was a great success!  There were 14 tables, rivaling most sectional swiss team attendance, of life masters or players with more than 500 points partnering with non-life master players with fewer than 500 points. 

The winners were:  Rami Antoun, Stephen Bibler, Cappy Gagnon and Tom Rossow.  We send our congratulations!  In addition, a hearty thank you to Director Bill Searcy (also our hot dog chef) for running the event so smoothly and to Joan Tobler’s committee, Ruth Minish and Jo Ann Steigmeyer for the tasty spread.  Look for the next Pro-Am in September!

FRIENDS WHO WILL BE MISSED

Michael Rudolph — August 17, 1951 - April 15, 2016

We mourn the loss of Michael Rudolph of Valparaiso, who passed away on April 16.

"Rudy" played primarily in Michigan City and Valpo. His sudden death was such a shock to his bridge friends. He was a friendly guy who took the game seriously, always pushing you to learn more conventions. He was very gracious to his partners and to his opponents, all of whom considered him a real gentleman.  He had earned 62 masterpoints in his short bridge career.

Besides his family and bridge, his other love was fishing. He was the father of two children and grandfather of six grandchildren.

Leonard Yarsh — June 11, 1940 - May 13, 2016

Lenny Yarsh of Hobart was also a newcomer to duplicate bridge. He was a member of ACBL for 2½ years. He dove into bridge with a passion. He always wanted to learn more and played in all the local venues. His rise in the bridge ranks was outstanding! He was a fast learner in Dave Bigler's bridge class. In the relatively short time that he played duplicate bridge, he accumulated several distinct honors to his credit.

In the year 2014 he placed 1st from the unit in the Ace of Clubs Race, as well as 10th in the district in his category. In the Mini-McKenney Race he placed 1st in the unit and 12th in the district. In the year 2015 he placed 1st in the unit in the Ace of Clubs Race, as well as 1st in the district in his category.  And most exciting was placing #12 ACBL wide. In the Mini-McKenney Race he placed 1st in our unit, 2nd in the district and was #36 ACBL wide!  (He was presented with his certificate and medal three weeks before his death.) Lenny also achieved a 70.83% and a 75.83% game — both with Mary Kocevar.

His family talked of Lenny's awe-inspiring brilliance, of his genius in building anything out of PVC pipe and duct tape, of being the driving force in the family . . . . a man with a tough exterior and a marshmallow interior. Besides bridge, Lenny was also an avid chess player. He was a father of two, a grandfather of three and a great-grandfather of two.

Gilbert Fox—March 24, 1926 - May 3, 2016

We were saddened by the news that our friend, Gil Fox, had passed away.  The South Bend was so fortunate to have shared his 90th birthday with a celebration at the club in March. He sent them a thank you note that included a fun autobiography which is on display at the South Bend Bridge Center. 

He was known as “the friendly fox” and would visit the South Bend Club, driving from Auburn, Indiana, when there was a special Notre Dame game (his alma mater) in town.  We send our condolences to his family which includes 7 children, 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  What a legacy!