Unit 239 would love to welcome new members!  Do you have friends who should be brought to the table?  More participation means more fun.

Congratulations

Even though we do not see each other, we find our games online. We can celebrate with these players who have achieved new levels.

NEW JUNIOR LIFE MASTERS: Larry Karch (Algonquin), Carleen Eschenbach (Huntley) and Karen Olson (St. Charles)

NEW CLUB MASTERS: Stephen Foust (Batavia), Victoria Pendergast (Geneva) and Kathy Cates (Cherry Valley)

NEW SECTIONAL MASTER: Mary Grace Crisham (Dixon)

NEW REGIONAL MASTER: Sandra Mulligan (Rockford)

NEW NABC MASTERS: Dr. Ian Goldberg (Belvidere), Kathy Girardy (Rockford) Joseph Lepscier (Aurora), Thomas Martenson (Rockford) and Audry Williams (Rockford)

NEW ADVANCED NABC MASTER: Jon Clemmoms (Freeport)

New SILVER LIFE MASTERS: Carolin Bohlin (Machesney Park) and Gray Brigel (Aurora)

NEW GOLD LIFE MASTER: John Pree (Compton Hills)

Carolin Bohlin is a Silver Life Master!

Carolin was born and raised in New Jersey. She came to Illinois in 1959 when she married her husband John. She has three sons who live within five miles and she has three granddaughters and one grandson. She also has two great grandsons, a great granddaughter and a great-great grandson.

In 1977, Carolin started playing bridge by taking lessons at the Rockford Bridge Club while it was still run by the Nelsons. She was married and worked then so she could not go to many tournaments, but she did go to the ones held at the Baker in St. Charles. She remembers going to a tournament at the Wagon Wheel Lodge in Rockton. Carolin worked as a machist and retired in 1996. Carolin moved to Florida for three years after she retired but moved back home to Illinois to avoid Florida summers.

From 1977 until the early 2000s, Carolin’s favorite partner was Lucia Fkurski; they took lessons together and were great friends. Carolin became a Life Master playing in Lake Geneva with Bob Irwin paired with Lu and Dave Jenkins in a team game. She became a Silver Life Master in February on BBO playing with De Witt.

Her advice to players is to learn the basics, keep trying, and keep on playing. Never give up!

John Pree celebrates bridge and becoming a Gold Life Master.

I first played bridge at ISU in Normal in the fall of 1964. I remember Jim K., Duke, Roger, Fred, Mr. Scott, and many others as partners. Mr. Scott (dorm director/professor of education administration) was the deciding factor in obtaining my first high school math teaching job when his recommendation said "John is a gentleman, even at the bridge table, and he and his fiancée will be a fine addition to any community".

After ISU, I played social bridge with many teachers and many friends. In 1968, my wife and I attended a Sunday evening District 211 Faculty Wives (wives and husbands) bridge event. By the end of the evening, I was "picked" to teach adult education bridge the next day. The book said, "My job is to make you sought after and compatible partners,” There were many interesting students. I taught opening four card majors and all two opens were strong. This lasted more than ten years.

It was not until about 1980 that I played ACBL duplicate bridge in St. Charles. I remember Arnie, Bunny, Frieda, Pat H., Bob Q., Karen A., Don C., Judy, Frank E., LaVerne, and others as partners. Also I remember the opponent partnerships. Bridge has been enjoyable due to all the people I met. Bridge has also been enjoyable due to all the local clubs where I have played.