Unit 223 Reporter

News from Southern Illinois-Paducah Unit 223

Editor: Janet Jones, 100 Fairway Drive, Harrisburg IL 61946

(618-252-7979)     janetjones51@gmai

Hats off  to players who have reached bridge milestones!

NEW NABC MASTERS

   Marianna Weber, Edwardsville

   Scott Weber, Edwardsville

 NEW LIFE MASTERS

   Claudia M Davidage, Worden

   Jim Gibson, Jerseyville

 NEW RUBY LIFE MASTER

   Martha Kallaher, Paducah

Club Spotlight

This issue's Spotlight is on the DuQuoin IL club, which is managed by Leona Bullock with Bill McLaughlin being the director.

I moved back to Centralia IL (my parent’s hometown) in 1987 where my mother was living in a house that had been in her family since 1865. She had her hair appointment at the same time as Eve Smith, the wife of the Centralia Duplicate Club’s director, Pat Smith. Hence, I returned to bridge, a game I played in college. Centralia, at the time, had a big game, usually 8 to 10 tables of the Mitchell movement. I learned about five card majors and convenient minors. There were no computers then, so scoring was a team effort with North scoring the travelers which were entered on a large table to determine the winners. 

About ten of the players in the game were from DuQuoin. If my memory is correct, in about 1990 they formed their own club. I think Mary Moody and Charles and Margaret Swinney were the founding members. I know I traveled down with the Smiths (Pat, Eve, and Tom) to play in their first game. I didn’t play in other DuQuoin games as my work schedule didn’t allow. 

In 1994 I stopped playing as life intervened. I was able to return to the Centralia game in 2009 and eventually became that game’s director. I also started playing in DuQuoin where Mary Moody and Leona Bullock were running the game with Karen Coe being the director and results reporter. When the Coe’s moved away, I took over Karen’s job.

Our numbers have dwindled from about an average of six tables then to now three or four. Our location has changed three times – with the current Knights of Columbus Hall being the best. I am the director, but Leona runs the club and deserves the credit for keeping it alive with her wonderful refreshments. With clubs in Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and Salem all closing, DuQuoin’s survival is a minor miracle.

The club meets on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. at the DuQuoin Knights of Columbus, 111 S Chestnut St, Du Quoin IL. All are welcome; it’s a friendly game and does have great refreshments. For more information, call Leona Bullock at 618-357-1590.

   -- Submitted by Bill McLaughlin, Du Quoin’s Director

Youth Bridge Camp 2019, June 23-29

Youth Bridge Camp was held during the week of June 23 – 29 at Lake Williamson in Carlinville, IL. The camp had 21 campers representing 10 states and Washington D.C. Between campers and staff, there were 13 states represented – NJ, VA, NC, FL, TN, MN, WI, MI, IL, MO, TX, CA and WA.

The camp had a terrific group of kids with dedicated, hard working teachers, counselors and administrative team, which made for a very successful YBC #11. There were bridge lessons, tournament play and swiss teams. All campers earned ACBL master points during the week. There were lots of activities outside the bridge room, too – a ping pong tournament, swimming in the lake or pool, archery, nine square, black light dodge ball, trivia night, a scavenger hunt, smores by the camp fire, the annual talent show and more.

Much appreciation for support goes to the ACBL Educational Foundation, PK Bridge, Abe Lincoln Bridge Club, District 8, Unit 223, Unit 143, CCBA, Youth Bridge Education Organization, NFP, INC., Lake Williamson Christian Center, and the many grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles who made it possible for the kids to participate.   

Looking forward to next year.

“I never lose at bridge – I win or I learn”.  Phyllis S., YBC Teacher


 

*** REMINDER ***

 District 8’s Fall Sectional-at-Clubs is fast approaching. The event dates are:  Monday, October 28 through Sunday, November 3, 2019. All master points will be silver!!!

Find clubs near you and play all that you can that week. OPEN GAMES of 6 or more pairs will QUALIFY FOR DISTRICT OVERALL RANKING.

The Caseyville Sectional will be held on October 4 – 6, 2019, at the Steamfitters Local 439, 1220 Donald Bailey Drive, Caseyville IL. The tournament chair is Charles Keltner, the Partnership Chair is Gail Dare and the Director in Charge is Richard Beye.

Recap of the Irvin Cobb Sectional Tournament, Paducah KY

The Irvin Cobb Sectional was held on Friday, August 30th through Sunday, September 1st, 2019 at the Robert Cherry Civic Center in Paducah KY. It was sponsored by the Paducah Duplicate Bridge Club. Open Pairs and Team Events were held.  There was FREE ice cream after session Friday evening, FREE coffee daily, FREE donuts Saturday and Sunday mornings, and FREE lunch on Saturday between sessions.

There were a total of 322.48 masterpoints earned by 69 players.  The total attendance was 79 tables. The top four winners were Ronald Brockman, Paducah; Dennis Rose, Boaz; Jeffrey Chapman, Hopkinsville and Donna Chapman, Hopkinsville.  For a total list of winners, click here.