2011 Unit Reports in the Contract Bridge Forum
Each month the La Jolla unit contributes to the What’s New in District 22 section of the D22 edition of The Contract Bridge Forum, the newspaper members receive. Gathered below are the reports for 2011. The month refers to the publication month but the newspaper is delivered slightly before the publication month, reports are submitted a couple of weeks in advance, and the reports cover the preceding weeks.
December 2011
This past month two of our members reached personal milestones within the bridge world. Sandy Dinnsen and Richard Gabriel became Sectional Masters. Congratulations to you both. For her special reward, Sandy has chosen to take to partner the unit president, Randy Fadem, at the first Unit Game in November. Check later in the month to see how they did.
The Board of Directors has decided to hold next year’s Memorial Day Sectional on home territory at the Soledad Club. Heading up publicity for the tournament will be former board president, Ron Ignelzi. The Board will also be holding the annual holiday party at the La Jolla Country Club on December 11th. Those wishing to attend can make place their reservations with either Hospitality Chairwoman Janet Ansfield, Cass Donovan, or Board Secretary Marge Hughes. Please consult the Membership, Unit, and Club Directory for contact information.
A further event of note took place with the the family of the Unit’s Caddy, Doug Hill. In light of the severe health problems of one of Douglas's younger sisters, the Make A Wish Foundation conferred upon the Hill family a trip to Alaska at the end of the summer. The Unit’s best wishes go out to the Hill Family in their unceasing struggle.
In bridge, the October 9th Unit Championship Game, Debby and Alan Gailfus continued to demonstrate the strength of their partnership with a solid 64% game and an overall first in A. Placing second in A and first overall in B were the newly emerging pair of Ronald Kay and Martha Woodworth. Honors in Flight C went to globe-trotting choirister Archa Glass and her partner, former Naval Surgeon Ron “What's That Doing In Our Patient! Holy Cow!!” Ignelzi M.D. who continue to play well at home.
The October 23rd game was a small gathering due to the conflicting Coronado Sectional taking place at AIB. Not to be deterred, Yoko Davis and Sam Jordan fielded a blistering 63% game to take the overalls in Flight A. Second in A and first overall in B went to Janet Ansfield and partner Joseph Pennario. Kudos in C went to hometown favorite and raconteur, Georgia Goyette and her partner, Nancy Roman.
In case Santa Klaus is wondering, on the fourth Sunday in December, the Unit will NOT be holding its regularly scheduled game.
In closing, we note with sadness the passing of member Joan Vanderslice of Oceanside. Our condolences to her family and friends.
November 2011
No article submitted.
October 2011
No article submitted.
September 2011
No article submitted.
August 2011
No article submitted.
July 2011
There were many interesting developments that took place in the unit during the month of May. A number of milestones were reached by several of the members. A new Silver Life Master emerged from the depths of the membership: Elaine Chan. Congratulations! Last year, a Mini-McKenney national award, this year the Silver, and next year…? A new Bronze Life Mastership was attained by Isabelle Wasserman. Congratulations. Among the new Junior Masters are Barbara Appel, Judy Elsberry, Reneee Gild, Glenda Ginsburg and Irene Sowle. Susan Ealy-Pililaau became an NABC Master and the following joined the ranks of new Club Masters: Barbara Brady, Sally Hall, and Roselyn Pappelbaum.
The annual Memorial Day Weekend Sectional was sponsored by the Unit. The table count was down a bit but Treasurer Chuck Wilson reports putting three large in the bank. Barbecue and wild party at Chuck’s: time and date to be announced.
At the May 22 club championship the inspiring and intriguing partnership of Ron and Mary Huffaker (age before beauty!) placed first overall with a 65% game in a field of 28 tables. They then donated their masterpoints to a secret ACBL Masterpoint Charity Fund for the needy and deserving…aka P.O.N.D.
First overall in B went to the recently liberated couple of Avram and Susan Ninyo (all their children have finally left home) with a solid 62% game. Mr. Ninyo is currently featured on the unit website in which he reveals many of the secrets that have led to his bridge success over the years. A magnificent and well earned first place in C went to Irving Gold and Lyle Kalish. Mr. Kalish attributed their success to Irving having removed the lenses from his glasses. Afterwards, Irving was quoted on the program Lifestyles of the Unknown and Not Famous: “when you play with Lyle, You gotta go in style!”
For the third year in a row the Unit’s education department was invited to La Jolla High School to teach bridge to advanced math classes. This year six full classes were taught encompassing the entire school day. The students involved numbered between 157 and 160. The kids had a very good time. There were a number of very good bridge prospects in this year’s classes. Special thanks are tendered to Larry Sherman, Matthew Kidd, Ron Ignelzi, Nancy Kingman, Charlotte Blum, Janet Ansfield, Jackie Ives, Vi Breckinridge, and Emily Darin (Paul’s daughter) for donating their time and contributing to the success of this year’s program. Extra kudos are due Larry and Matt. In the aftermath, the high school has agreed to send out a mailing to the entire returning 10th and 11th grades to promote an after school program in the Fall.
June 2011
No article submitted.
May 2011
No article submitted.
April 2011
Steve Johnson has retired from the writing of this column to devote more time to his private writings. Co-workers have begun to receive tastefully penned vignettes from Steve. He reports that he has become quite popular at work.
But meanwhile, the show must go on, and a report of the happenings of the La Jolla / Beach Unit must make their way into this Forum newspaper. Therefore, I have agreed to pick up the gauntlet to bring you all the news that’s fit to print. Here goes my first effort.
February was marked by our annual Valentine’s Party, which was beautifully managed by former Unit Treasurer Dorinda Lindvall. Her home-cooked hams were sensational.
Fittingly enough, Dorinda and her partner, Alice Lane, had a section top (4th overall) with a 63% game. First overall honors went to Bernard Figueiredo and Hanan Deeby, with the first place in B going to the husband and wife team of George and Kathee Bessinger. Honors in C were grabbed by National Ace of Clubs award winner Elaine Chan and her partner, the redoubtable Mike Mezin.
On the unit game Feb. 27, Platinum Life Master Lena Jelusich, partnered with Freda Anderson, lapped the field with a very strong first place showing. Spurred by momentum from the previous Unit game, the redoubtable Mezin and Ms. Chan duo surged to take an overall first in both the B and C brackets.
Congratulations are extended to Jan Stiglitz and Colleen Howard, who recently reached the milestone of Junior Master: Keep up the good work!
The Association of San Diego County Units is proud to announce that its new Membership, Unit, and Club Directory has rolled off the presses and is beginning to filter into members’ hands. Reports from the last meeting of the Presidents of the County Units reveals that the La Jolla Unit leads all units with a 67% completion rate. Congratulations, Beach members, on responding so strongly to the 12th Edition of the Directory update.
There is an excellent page on the Unit’s website covering the Youth Bridge Initiative efforts from Escondido to San Ysidro. Currently, efforts are being made to seat a Youth Section at the Regional in April at Town and Country. Presently, two of the seventh graders from the San Diego Unit’s Grandparent-Grandchild Bridge Program are taking a weekday evening to enhance their skills. Many thanks to Marc Matz and Maritha Pottenger for hosting the first session at their Thursday night game at the Soledad Club. Also thanks to GM (grandmother) Joan Bilgore for working with the kids.
And remember, it’s not too early to begin making your plans for our sectional tournament to be held May 27-29 (flyer). Be sure to check out the ad in this issue of the Forum for more details.
March 2011
2011 is moving right along. Here we are in February, with parties and bridge to keep us entertained. This will be my last article for the Western Conference Forum. I have no idea who my replacement will be, but I am sure the Unit Board will choose someone who writes better than I and makes the deadlines a little further in advance than the last minute (unlike yours truly).
First, we would like to congratulate La Jolla Unit Achievers for January who moved up in their ACBL Rankings. Congratulations to Sandy M Dinnsen and Sharon Province as our newest Club Masters, to Dennis A Starcher who made it to Sectional Master status, to Karen K Kessler as our newest Regional Master and to Elayne H Henke as the newest Life Master for our Unit. Keep up the Great Work and Achievements, Platinum or Grand Life Master may be in your futures! Congratulations to one and all!
We were lucky enough to have three Sundays for our Unit games in January so there are quite a few results to report. The 9th of January Unit Game was won by Yoko Davis and Sam Jordan, First in Flight A. 2nd in Flight A went to Hanan Deeby and Bernard Figueiredo. In Flight B, the winners were George and Kathee Bessenger 1st overall and Patricia Wilkey and Judith Newman 2nd overall as well as 1st overall in Flight C. 2nd overall in Flight C went to Lynne and Janice Wells.
On January 23rd the Flight A winners were “The David’s”, David Oakley and David Walters. 2nd overall in Flight A went to Maritha Pottenger and Greg House. The Winners in Flight B were Yel Chiang Wu and Charlotte Blum, who also were 1st in Flight C. Flight B 2nd overall was grabbed by Alan and Rae Rowen. 2nd overall in Flight C was won by Marcia Schulman and Fani Hanson.
The 5th Sunday Unit Game on January 30th was won by Tom Tatham and John Peter Lagodimos in Flight A, with 2nd overall going to Ron and Mary Huffacker. In Flight B, the winners were Freda Anderson and Gail Dunhan, with 2nd place in B going to Sue Kane and Fani Hanson. Last but not least, in Flight C the winners were Rochelle Braunstein and Cheryl Fosdick, with Dave and Jules Borak taking home the 2nd place in Flight C honors.
This article may not make it in time for the newspaper to come out, but on February 13th our annual Valentine’s Day Potluck is being held. Unit members who bring a dish save $3.00 off the entry fee (and those that don’t have to pay an extra $3.00). If memory serves, there is usually great food for this event. On February 27th the second Unit game of the month happens and it is a Unit Championship game.
I would like to thank everyone who made my year as the Forum writer special for me and I hope that the next one in line (victim?) to take over these duties receives the same kindness and well-wishes from the Unit for putting together this article.
Remember, Zero Tolerance, practice active ethics, treat your partner with respect and kindness (they are the only other people in the room who care if you win or not), and mostly have fun, Bridge is, after all, a game. Bridge is a serious game to be sure but one that is supposed to be fun. Thanks again! Steve.
February 2011
Happy 2011 everyone! As I said in last month’s article, it is the Asian Calendar’s Year of the Rabbit. One of the major contributions the Rabbit makes is it symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel, kindness, and sensitivity to beauty. His/Her soft speech and graceful and nimble ways embody all the desirable traits of a successful diplomat or seasoned politician. The Rabbit has a “switch than fight” technique can be deceiving and she/he can be diabolically cunning when the Rabbit puts their mind to it. Every Bridge player needs those qualities during the heat of battle at the table. ust thought this would be of some interest. So if you were born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987 or 1999 this is Your Year and lucky in the Asian Calendar. (Just in case you are not paying attention, “Your Year” comes once every 12 years).
First, we would like to congratulate La Jolla Unit Achievers for December who moved up in their ACBL Rankings. Congratulations to Michael Wallace as our newest Sectional Master and to Joyce P Bailey who made it to Bronze Life Master plateau. Keep up the Great Work and Achievements, Platinum or Grand Life Master may be in your futures!
The December 12th Christmas Party and Unit Game, Held at the La Jolla Country Club featured great food, even better camaraderie and some excellent bridge as well. It was Wall-to-Wall Bridge players with 25 tables in play (all the tables that the Country Club would hold!). Many kudos and heartfelt thanks go out to Janet Ansfield for putting the Christmas party together. 1st overall in Flight A went to “The David’s” – David Oakley and David Walters. 2nd overall in A was grabbed by Pat Chapman and Lynne O’Neill. Nicely Done! 1st Overall in Flight B and Flight C were Ruth Harris and Sydney Jones. Tied for 2nd Overall in Flight B were Andrew and Patricia Loh and Barbara Doren partnered with Marilyn Peters-Dunn. 2nd Overall in Flight C went to Patricia Wilkey and Violet Breckenridge.
A rather smaller Unit Game was held on the 26th of December (No Big Surprise there I think!), with 12 Tables in play. 1st Overall in Flight A went to Greg House and Maritha Pottenger with Ron and Mary Huffaker very close behind in 2nd Place. Flight B was won by Sally Ishihara and Manoochehr Bahmanian, with 2nd overall going to Alan and Rae Rowen. 1st Overall in Flight C was captured by Ron and Shirley Starr with 2nd place honors gong to Victoria Nardone and Debra Sherman.
We at the La Jolla Unit bring our hopes and wishes that everyone’s New Year’s is happy and full of joy and surprises. We also wish that all your bridge dreams come true your way.
Again Happy New Year everyone! Here is one of my favorite thoughts to start your New Year. Your partners (or teammates) are the only people in the entire room who care whether you win or not. Treat them with respect and kindness; hold back your anger at a play you feel was not so great, and remember that somewhere along the way; you too have made an error or two that might have cost a match or an entire event. Nobody’s perfect!
January 2011
Tis’ the Christmas season and all of the San Diego Area Units will have had their yearly Christmas parties by the time the Forum appears in your mailbox. I am predicting that everyone will have had a good time and enjoyed the great food and even better bridge at the Holiday parties.
First, we would like to congratulate La Jolla Unit Achievers for November who moved “up the ladder” in their ACBL Rankings. Congratulations to Linda L Bennett and Joy A Vaccari for achieving Junior Master Status. Also, Congratulations to Mrs. Maureen Wallace for making it to the Club Master Level. Lastly, for this month, Congratulations go out to Mina S Taylor for reaching Sectional Master. Everyone who plays bridge makes their way through these rankings and while some rankings may be harder than others to achieve, it is still very satisfying to keep moving on up the ladder of bridge success.
There was no game on November 14th as most of us were playing in the team game at the Coronado Sectional held at Adventures in Bridge (the “home club” of our sister/brother unit here in San Diego). Results are posted.The results for the November 28th Unit Game came in as follows: First Overall in Flight A went to Ron and Mary Huffacker. 2nd overall went to Hanan Deeby and Bernard Figueiredo. Hanan and Bernard were additionally 1st overall in Flight B. Taking 2nd place honors in Flight B were Patricia Wilkey and Judith Newman. The ladies were also 1st overall in Flight C. 2nd overall in Flight C went to Stephen and Jill Seagren.
Since there was only one Unit Game this month, this is going to be kind of a short article. On a personal note our regular caddy (who does more than just the pick-up slips – he makes the coffee, cleans the club after the game and helps out wherever he can), Jordan Johnson (yes there is a small “relationship” between he and I) is moving to Delaware to accept a great job as a partner in a landscaping business. I would like to thank all of the La Jolla Unit members who have complimented me on my son’s behavior and “likeability” (I am sure that is probably not a correct word). However, it does make a father proud.
Happy Holidays to everyone – whether it is Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or whatever celebration you observe during the Holiday Season and makes it bright for you, we in the La Jolla Unit hope it all turns out to be the best year yet for everyone. On yet another cultural note, next year is the Year of the Rabbit in the Asian calendar. Have a great holiday season everyone!