Mark your calendar for special games with extra masterpoints this month: Double black points on Saturday and Sunday, May 15 & 16, and silver points May 26-30.

We're considering reopening in-person bridge games. We have no firm plans, although we are exploring the possibility of games at the YMCA in July. We miss seeing people in person; we also enjoy chatting with friends around the country in our virtual games. As to the future, there is still no decision from the American Contract Bridge League on whether virtual club games can continue after July 31.

We'd like to hear from you on in-person games. Are you likely to return? If so, what policies would make you feel safe? Do you want to continue virtual games even after we resume in-person games?

Keep reading to learn more about Frank Ward and Ned Lumpkin, who have donated countless cases of wine from their vineyards for our annual fundraisers at the YMCA.

--Chuck Abramo and Jo Murray

Sun Valley Bridge will host virtual games with double points on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, as part of Grass Roots Week. Cost is $7 each, with extra funds going to support the Grand National Championships.

We'll have special games on May 26, 27, 29 and 30 with double points, which will be silver. Cost will be $7. Silver points are usually awarded only at sectional tournaments, so this is a great time to get them without leaving home.

I worked in the construction industry for my entire professional career. I first worked for a major company that had historically been a building contractor. It was the company that repaired the Pentagon followed the attack of 9/11. I was part of a team that added public works contracts, specifically bridge and other heavy structures, to its resume. After 15 years with that company, I had risen to the rank of VP. I left to start my own firm, which specialized in bridges, working in most all of the western United States. I retired in 1995 at the age of 55 and turned my company over to my employees. The company has since been acquired by a larger firm. When first starting my career, I travelled from project to project. My employer eventually set me up in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area and I remained there after starting my company.

My passion is skiing, and I have been competing in master's alpine racing for the past 20 years. However, after each year, I find that the number of competitors in my age group diminishes rapidly, and this past year had virtually no significant competition. Maybe post-Covid, there will be a comeback of octogenarians on the slope.

The YMCA is bolstering its summer programs to help students keep up their learning skills after a year with limited classroom time. You can learn more in a recent story in the Idaho Mountain Express.

Sun Valley Bridge players have donated slightly more than $4,400 to the Y this year. Donations are still being accepted. If you donate, please let the Y know you are part of the bridge group.

We appreciate our relationship with the YMCA, which has given the bridge club a home over the years. Its service to the community as a whole, particularly its youth programs during the pandemic, is outstanding.

Join us for four days and three nights of bridge lessons, duplicate games with masterpoints, gourmet meals, fun and fellowship in the spectacular setting of the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch this summer. The June retreat is sold out. Two cabins are left for the Aug. 22-25 retreat.

A limited number of local residents may join us for lessons, games and meals if health conditions permit.