Finally, a newsletter!

I hope you got your invitation to the annual meeting to be held April 1, 2023 at Jameson’s Drendl Ballroom at Huntley Del Webb. Reservations are due by March 15^th. Come for the meeting, the awards, a great lunch and bridge.

Hang on to the voucher that will save you money when you come to our regional tournament at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn in June.

Welcome to new members

   Do you have friends who should be brought to the table? More participation means more fun. Since the last issue of Pair Fare, we have gained several enthusiastic players:

Lai-Ming Ma (Huntley)

Alan Burt (Rockford)

Lisa Brainard (German Valley)

Mielye Hardersen (N. Aurora)

Trish McGready (Harvard)

Joanie Braker (Forreston)

Steven Ruby (Aurora)

Mary Fairchild (Rockford)

Kristina Tarbert (Pecatonica)

Rank Advancements

Some of our regular games have not come back yet. We can play live in St. Charles, Rockford, Crystal Lake and Yorkville and we find our games online. We can all celebrate with these players who have achieved new levels.

NEW JUNIOR LIFE MASTERS:  Pat Leonard ( Geneva), Mary Ann Stearn (Geneva),  Steven Ruby (Aurora), John Luff (Huntley), Lai-Ming Ma (Huntley) and Seth McClure (St. Charles)

NEW CLUB MASTERS:  Christine Guagenti (Crystal Lake), James Carpenter (Virgil), Jim Oberweis (Sugar Grove) and Vance Olson (St. Charles)

NEW SECTIONAL MASTERS: Doni Glod (Geneva), Karen Richardson (Huntley),  Linda Hicks (Aurora) and Jim Oberweis (Bonita Springs)

NEW REGIONAL MASTERS:  Alan Cooper (Rochelle), Mary Boyd (Freeport), Dr. Diane Hinderliter (Rochelle), Patrick Radcliffe (Rockford) and John Shoen (East Dubuque)

NEW NABC MASTER:  Larry Sleeth (Kenneth City FL)

NEW ADVANCED NABC MASTER:  Amy Goldberg (Belvidere)

NEW LIFE MASTERS:  Michael Chakovian (Crystal Lake), Shelley Johnson (Yorkville), Jon Clemmons (Freeport)

NEW BRONZE LIFE MASTER:  Lynn Clemmons (Freeport)

NEW SILVER LIFE MASTERS:  Joshua Kueker (Rockton), David Germaine (Huntley), Van Stone (Geneva), Linda Murphy (Rockford), Robert Quintin (St. Charles) and Kyle Larson (Rockford)

NEW RUBY LIFE MASTERS:  David Bald (Geneva), Susan Hillberry (Cherry Valley),  Matt Sinkovits (Plano), Kathy Preziosi (Prospect Hgts)

NEW GOLD LIFE MASTER:  Neil Whittle (Carol Stream)

NEW SAPPHIRE LIFE MASTER:  Rolando Brabant (Elgin)

Jon Clemmons is a Life Master

Jon has enjoyed bridge for 25 years but only came to ACBL games about five years ago and feels he had to relearn everything. He appreciates the input from folks at the Bridge Club of Rockford and instruction from Robert Todd and Mike Berkowitz but credits his wife for the experiences she shared when she started ACBL a year before him.

Jon says the immediate feedback and experience at the table are great teachers. He plays a few times a week on line because he still works; he is a member of the Rockford club and occasionally gets there for face-to-face games. Jon stays involved because he and his wife meet so many wonderful people who share a love for the game.

Jon and Lynn went on a bridge cruise to get the last few points Jon needed and came back just short of their goal. Jon was invited to play with one of Lynn’s partners in a 499ers game; Lynn was already a Life Master so could not play. Jon and this partner placed and got the needed points, but now his wife won’t let him forget that he got his Life Master with another woman.

The advice he offers new players is that as hard as it might be, don’t be intimidated by the more experienced players. They had to learn at one point, also. If someone is intentionally intimidating you, don’t be afraid to talk to the director about it.

Kathy Preziosi is a Ruby Life Master

I have been playing duplicate bridge 22 years, but the love affair started way back in the early 70’s. I was teaching cooking classes at the YMCA in downtown Chicago and as a “perk” we could take any other class for free. I chose Bridge and it’s been love (mostly) ever since.

My weekly schedule includes two F2F games, four scheduled online games and as many robot games as I can fit in. My “home club” is Crystal Lake, IL. Bridge is addictive for me because I am competitive, get bored very easily, am detailed oriented and enjoy the camaraderie of friendly people.

I could not have attained Ruby Life Master status without the help of two outstanding teachers: Tom Sucher and Mark Ganzer. Tom’s mantra was always, “Play what you know, and know what you play”.

Mark always stressed “Don’t let them play at the 2-level” and “If you only have an Ace, bid!”.

My best memories of my bridge journey center on “firsts” -- my first masterpoint with partner, Fred Blaumueller; making Life Master with teammates Penny Carduff and Jo and Ron Kohn; my first game over 70% (73% actually) with partner Judy Bonardi and my Ruby designation with partner, the BBO Robot. 

There are always stories to tell:
   Like the time early on when I trumped Fred’s ace. I will never forget his face and he will never forget my error. 
   Then when our team decided to all wear the same purple shirts. Once Jimmie McKinney saw this outfit, he wouldn’t stop teasing Ron about being the captain of a bowling team!
   And the time we spent over an hour looking for our car . . . until we finally realized we had exited the wrong door to the parking lot!

Where do I go when I need to clarify a bridge convention? Larry Cohen.

Where do I go when I want to sharpen my game? Audrey Grant’s Bridge (online). In terms of giving advice to new players, I offer the following:

1.   Have a thick skin. Listening to critics is not easy, especially when you don’t ask for input. (I am still working on this one.)

2.   Compliment the opponents when they deserve it…after they get up from the floor, they will thank you.

3.   Be kind to your partner.  Do not critique at the table and embarrass them. They will not be your partner for long

4.   Accept the fact you will have highs and lows as you travel the bridge trail.  You may come in 1^st on Monday, then last on Tuesday. That’s the game…keep trying! Analyze why you did well/poorly; learn from each game you play.

5.   Discuss game results with your partner. Make sure you both agree on the meaning of your conventions, signals, leads, etc.

6.   Ask questions of those you trust. This will improve your game

7.   Ask better players to be your partner. There is no better learning tool!

At the moment I am in Florida for the winter, sitting by the pool with a glass of wine. I hear the mail carrier at the door with a package. I hope it’s my Ruby!

   -- Kathy Preziosi

Neil Whittle reaches Gold Life Master (July 2022)

Retiring in August 2006, I soon found my way to the bridge table and resumed playing in the Western suburbs. Looking back, I have played with many bridge players and competed against so many more. It was early January 2010 that I received the notification that I had reached Life Master. The previous August, Karen Anderson and I teamed with John Kinst and Sybil Brown in St Louis, MO and earned 19.41 Gold points by winning a bracketed knockout. So, in the next few months, I had earned the necessary points and colors to reach the 300 points required at that time.

Jim McKinney was my neighbor. I still remember him driving around the corner in his White Prius, and we would be off somewhere around the country to play bridge. Most often, he had a partner and would find somebody to play with me. Alma and I teamed with Jim and Marilyn at a regional in Davenport IA one year and earned nearly 40 points.

Karl Dencker asked me to join the Unit 239 Board and nominated me to the District 8 Board of Governors, mostly an honorary position, which encouraged me to attend District meetings. John Pree and I traveled and played in the District regionals in Champaign IL, St Louis MO and Ft Wayne IN for many years.

In December 2017, I was notified that Georgia Heth, ACBL national board member, appointed me to a lifetime membership in the prestigious Aileen Osofsky ACBL National Goodwill Committee. The award honors service to District 8 by displaying goodwill among fellow bridge players. More importantly, everyone in this competitive game enjoys the company of others who are friendly, caring and forgiving as we enjoy this game we love.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Ardythe Edwards, long-time friend and companion, who enjoyed bridge and square dancing. We were very active in each of those activities and traveled to participate in them along with other interests. Ardythe and I teamed with Bob Corron and Linda Jacobson during several Unit tournaments and did very well. Bob continues to be my Wednesday night partner, and we get to swap stories about our grandchildren.

Finally, after getting help from so many people to learn this game, I am privileged to provide bridge lessons to four beginning players. This, I think, I will remember most of all.

  -- Neil Whittle