It has been a long time since the last edition of our Pairfare news so there are many people and events to celebrate!

April 13^th is the Unit 239 Annual Meeting. You should have already received your invitation by mail. Enroll with your partner for this fun event by mailing the white entry card to Lela Lowe; the first 140 pairs are welcomed, but enrollment ends on March 24^th. Come to hear the business of the year, watch awards, enjoy a great luncheon, and compete in an afternoon of bridge!

Save the free-play card in a safe place and use it at our Regional set for the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake, June 17^th – 21st.

I hope you made it to the tournaments in Rockford and Aurora. Thanks to all of the helpers and to all of the people who attended and supported our unit. As you already know, the tournament originally planned for March was cancelled due to the increased pricing at the venue. Do you know of a great place inside our unit boundaries that would be an affordable place to hold a tournament?

Coming soon: The District 8 online Grand National Team Finals are scheduled for April 27 and 28^tat 11:00 on BridgeBase.

Unit 239 loves welcoming new members!  Do you have friends who should be brought to the table? More participation means more fun. Since the last Pairfare, we have gained some enthusiastic players: Phyllis Schrammel (Huntley), Patricia Wallace (Geneva), Maxine Manley (Rockford), William Sobolak (Cary), Gabriel Schmiegelt (Garden Prairie), Carlos Liz (Aurora), Nick Dragisic (Geneva) and Michael Flynn (Rockford)

We can all celebrate with these players who have achieved new levels:

NEW JUNIOR LIFE MASTERS: Mary Fairchild (Rockford), Yvonne Harrison (Geneva), Vicki Mueller (Elburn), Sandra Costello (Roscoe) and Edward Zbacnik (Fox River Grove)

NEW CLUB MASTERS: Chuck Solberg (Sugar Grove), William Harfst (Crystal Lake), Patricia Leonard (Geneva) and Karen Olson (St. Charles)

NEW SECTIONAL MASTERS: Keith Larson (Rockford), Kendall Tokarski (St.Charles) and Art Salins (Elgin)

REGIONAL MASTER: Seth McClure (St. Charles)

NEW NABC MASTERS: Carol Dunn (Aurora), Stephen Chesek (Algonquin), Randy Miles (Richmond) and Brenda Moore (Belvedere)

NEW LIFE MASTERS: Amy Goldberg (Belvedere) and Michael Chakoian (Crystal Lake)

NEW BRONZE LIFE MASTER: Jon Clemmons (Freeport)

NEW SILVER LIFE MASTER: Patrick Haverty (Woodstock)

NEW RUBY LIFE MASTERS: Alex Balestrieri (Crystal Lake), Patricia Benedict (Rockford), Catherine Wright (Rockford) and Linda Jacobson (Bartlett)

NEW GOLD LIFE MASTERS: Julia Kelley (Batavia) and Dr. Chris Roberts (McHenry)

NEW SAPPHIRE LIFE MASTER: Michael Kelley (Lake Zurich)

Patrick Haverty is a Silver Life Master!

It’s nice to be recognized. Actually, I became a Silver Life Master last August.

I was born on Long Island, and we moved to Illinois in 1964. I got married to my wife Carol in 1982. At the time, we were both involved in the care and training of harness racing horses. We had 3 boys: Aaron (40), James (32), and Stuart who died at the age of 23 in a tragic fall at Soldier Field in 2010.

I learned bridge in 1996 and played regularly with great partners such as Tom Hardy and the late Karl Dencker. In 2008, I stepped away from the game, not returning to it until retiring from the working world in 2020.

My home club is Crystal Lake DBC. I play there with Fran Herman, Chuck Burton, Nancy Riley, and Tom Looman. They have helped to renew my passion for the game. I am a devotee of Larry Cohen and love to hijack auctions with preemptive bidding. Nancy Riley has taught me that “discretion usually wins out over aggression.”
 

Alex Balestrieri is a Ruby Life Master!

Originally from Rome, Italy. I have lived in the USA since 1978.

I have been playing cards since I was 4 years old; put cards in my hands and I am happy! As a teenager, I learned bridge from my Great Aunt and Great Uncle; often, not having a fourth player, we took turns at partnering with, and blind-bidding the hand in the empty seat. Yes, it made for wacky bridge, but we had lots of fun.

I have been playing duplicate bridge since the early ‘90s and I now call Crystal Lake my home club. I have recently started playing at a club in Rome, Italy and I feel like a fish out of water because they play so differently.

Words of wisdom? You will be a better player if you strive to improve your own game rather than your partner’s. Have fun at the table.
 

Cathy Wright is a Ruby Life Master!

I started playing bridge in High School and our family played all kinds of card games, including “Goren” bridge! It wasn’t until I had to retire from teaching due to a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, that I found the Rockford Bridge Center and an activity that kept me going during treatments. My first partner was Audrey Williams, a retired nurse, and a guardian angel. Not only did we have fun taking classes and learning the “New” bridge, but she supported me on the medical side too. What a blessing it was to have something positive to think about.

That was 16 years ago, through three more bouts of cancer, many supportive and loving partners and many hours at the bridge table. I love the game! My husband has been happy to drive me to tournaments, encourage me to play, and never fails to ask how that days game went.

I especially appreciate Will Engel, a wonderful teacher and kind friend, and Bob Larson, who keeps a smile even during my dumbest plays! I love all of my bridge family and I am quite sure I wouldn’t be here without them!
 

Linda Jacobson is a Ruby Life Master!

I appreciate duplicate bridge and the many happy experiences and wonderful people it has provided. When I was a young teacher, I teamed up with friends at my apartment complex to play at the exciting (and somewhat social) game at International Village. A few years later, I met my husband at the St. Charles game. We went to tournaments and made lots of friends.

My partner, Wally Klugiewicz, moved to Florida, and Eric got more involved with work and golf than bridge so we quit playing duplicate for many years. When my mother moved here at age 92, she and I started our partnership playing in St. Charles, Elgin and occasional tournaments. It brought us both joy! After the start of Covid, we could play online every day.

Thanks to the players and directors at the St. Charles and Crystal Lake games. Thanks to the people who run our tournaments and events. Thanks to the people who have partnered with me. Thanks for these memories!
 

Julia Kelley is a Gold Life Master!

Julie started playing bridge in high school and has played ever since then. She started duplicate in 2002 beginning a partnership with her mentor in 2006. Julie appreciates Harold Legel, her mentor, as a wonderful person who gave her lots of advice and taught her conventions.

Nowadays, Julie usually plays with Mary Persinger when Mary is in Illinois. Julie made many friends playing bridge and plays regularly in the St. Charles Club, often with Carol Dunn and Linda Brubaker.