|
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Contact your District 4 board members.
PRESIDENT
Betsy Cutler
betsy2955@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Ala Hamilton-Day
alabridge@gmail.com
SECRETARY
Bill Bauer
william.baueriii@verizon.net
TREASURER
Pat Civale
patcivale@gmail.com
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Joann Glasson
joannglasson@msn.com
| |
|
The days are getting shorter and shorter, and it is feeling more and more like winter which means snow and sleet and ice – YUCK! As you can tell, I am not a winter person, and my goal is to make it through these cold months as quickly as possible! Thank goodness for BBO and face-to-face games plus a few scattered tournaments to help pass the time.
Lancaster was such a wonderful event. Plenty of good bridge, good people and good food! Spooky Nook again provided a perfect opportunity to earn plenty of red and gold points for all levels of players. It was fun to see reunions - players who finally returned to tournament play after years of staying home due to the pandemic. Yes, we have had a few years of post-pandemic play but it took more time for some than others to return, and it was nice to see some of the holdouts again.
Our second district-sponsored NLM Regional was held in Camp Hill on November 23 and 24 in conjunction with a NLM Sectional on November 22. This has been dubbed a rainbow event since players may earn silver, red and gold all in one weekend! Despite slightly lower attendance than hoped, the playing experience was great and all participants had a good time.
Next on the calendar is the NABC in Las Vegas. This location is always a huge draw for our players. My wish for all of you attending is that the cards are ever in your favor, all your finesses are onside and you bid and make 7NT doubled and redoubled!
A little closer to home, we have two sectionals in December plus one in very early January, so mark your calendars early and often. First, on December 13-15 is the Dave Treadwell sectional in Wilmington DE, followed by the Camp Hill 0-750 NLM sectional on December 27. Plus, January 3-5 we are back in Philadelphia for the New Year at Bala Sectional.
| |
|
The new format for GNT and NAP will take effect in 2025. Lou Glasthal and his committee are busy figuring out how to make it all work to the advantage of all players, starting with GNTs in March. Put a pin in your calendar for all four flights.
Open (open to all)
A (0-6000)
B (0-3000)
C (NLM 0-750)
The GNTs are team events to earn a spot to play in the summer NABC in Philadelphia. March 1-2 will be for Flights A and C, and March 8-9 will be for Flights B and the new Open. All will be one day of qualifying with a second day of finals, assuming we have at least five teams in each flight, and all pay red and gold points. All flights will be held in Allentown, PA. There will also be a Unit 133 championship two-session black points team game on Day Two for any non-qualifying teams to join. As soon as more details are available, they will be posted on the District 4 website.
So much excitement to help drag away those winter blues! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and happy New Year.
| |
|
Betsy
betsy2955@gmail.com
| |
From the Regional Director | |
|
Gold for Good
The ACBL, in conjunction with the ACBL Charity Foundation, is holding two weeklong gold point events at all club games, virtual clubs, sectional and regional tournaments The weeks are December 9 -14 and December 16-21.
Any player wishing to participate registers only at the ACBL website and pays a $30 entry fee for each week. 100% of the $30 registration fee will go to two charities that support domestic charity relief. The two charities that will receive the contributions are World Central Kitchen and Direct Relief.
The $30 contribution is tax-deductible. The money collected from the two December events will benefit hurricane-affected communities in southeastern United States. The ACBL will absorb any credit card fees so that your entire donation will be used for charity at home.
After registering, you can play bridge any morning or afternoon in any club game and play as many times as you want, but you must play in at least one face-to-face game to qualify for overall awards. The top player of the week earns 20 gold points and the top 25% of each pool will also receive gold points. There are four pools: Spades - 750+ masterpoints; Hearts - 500 to 750 masterpoints; Diamonds - 200 to 500 masterpoints and Clubs - 0-200 masterpoints.
Information on how to register and answers to any questions that you might have are on the ACBL website – here’s the link:
https://www.acbl.org/portfolio/goldforgood/
Joann
| |
|
Regionals
Rehoboth Beach, DE
April 28-May 2
Sectionals
Wilmington, DE
December 13-15
Camp Hill, PA I/N
December 27
Philadelphia, PA
January 3-5
Cherry Hill, NJ NLM
January 16
D4/U135 STaC
January 27-February 2
Camp Hill, PA I/N
February 7
Wilmington, DE
February 21-23
Hagerstown, MD
March 25-26
Philadelphia, PA
April 4-6
Rochester, NY
April 5-6
Allentown, PA
April 25-27
GNT Finals
A and C: March 1 & 2
Open and B: March 8 & 9
For the complete 2025 D4 calendar, click here.
| |
The 4Spot features fantastic contributors on a regular rotation: | |
January, April, July, October:
Larry's Learning Center by Larry Cohen
| |
|
February, May, August, November:
For Novices Only
| |
March, June, September, December:
Schwaidelson's Fractured Four-Hand Tales
| |
Schwaidelson's Fractured FourHand Tales | |
Political junkies: Want Bruce's rendition of what REALLY happened on election day? Click here for some bipartisan fun.
| |
Calling all solvers: last chance to win this year's contest, and it's a great discussion. Enjoy the fun here. | |
Visit the MSC website to read next month's problem and submit your answers online here. | |
Get Ready for Philly - Summer 2025 NABC News | |
|
Sponsor an event at the Philadelphia North American Bridge Championships in July 2025
We have been getting a lot of questions about sponsorships – how much does it cost, can it be for a living person or only dearly departed, and what is the money used for? So, here are some answers!
First: The cost. $2500 gives you the rights to name all unnamed two-session regional events that day. (The early bird gets the worm. Sorry, you cannot rename the Spingold.) For $500 you can name a two-session regional event, for $350 you can name a side game series (three or sometimes four events – such a deal!), and for $250 you can name a single-session Intermediate/Novice event.
Second: While many sponsors honor a loved family member or friend who has passed on, it is absolutely kosher to name a day or event after a living person or entity.
Already an investment firm has agreed to sponsor three days, and two of our District 4 Units have reserved a day each. Could your club use a little exposure and publicity? Sponsor an event!
Third: What is the money used for? To fatten the accounts of D4 or the ACBL? NO!!! We will use 100% of the money to improve the player experience at the Nationals. Just some examples – the ACBL gives us $5 per player for a welcome registration gift – how far do you think that goes? We would like to offer something nice and that will cost a lot more than $5. Likewise, the ACBL provides morning hospitality – think yogurt parfaits and breakfast burritos. Remember the Chicago NABC, where in the afternoon we were offered Chicago dogs, deep dish pizza, and Italian Beef sandwiches? That was provided by funds raised by the local committee. We want to show our Philly Pride with soft pretzels and Tastykakes. Maybe even cheesesteaks! We would also like to show some appreciation to the many volunteers from D4 who make the event possible - throw an appreciation dinner or such.
Lastly: Timing. We can accept sponsorships right up until the NABC itself, but if you want your event listed in the ACBL Bulletin April issue mailed to our homes, we need you to speak up and pay by mid-January 2025. We will also ask you to provide a brief story and a photo for publication in the Daily Bulletin at the NABC itself.
Click here to view the flyer for details on how to sponsor a day or event.
John Dickenson and Ala Hamilton-Day
| |
News from Around the Units | |
|
The Finger Lakes Sectional was held on November 9-10 in Lyons, NY. Many thanks to Mary Miller and Jim Carroll for coordinating this event, all who assisted as well as the participants. This was the first sectional held in Lyons and was well received by all.
Junior Master
Cyntia Bufalini
Regional Master
Clifford Donn
NABC Master
Cathie Gunselman
| |
|
Unit 120: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Doreese Torrey
doreeset@gmail.com
| |
|
Hello Unit 120!!
Now that your Thanksgiving feasting is down to leftovers, our attention turns to the upcoming holidays. St. Nicholas Day is December 5, Immaculate Conception and Bohdi Day are December 8, Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe is December 12, Hanukkah is December 18-26, Yule is December 21-January 1, Christmas is December 25, and Boxing Day is December 26.
Turning our attention to achievements, let's all congratulate the following milestone achievements:
Ruby Life Master
James B Post
Bronze Life Master
Jane Bovard
Club Master
Alana Dewey
Well Done!!
The Bridgelady Holiday Party is being held on Sunday December 15, 2024 at the Appletree Terrace, Newberry Estates in Dallas. Bridge starts at 1:00 PM and a delicious buffet will follow after the game. The cost for both the game and dinner is $25.00 per person. To make your reservations, please send your check with your partners name included in memo, payable to Beth Rosenthal. The entire flier including all information is below. Your confirmed reservations are requested by December 8, 2024. Hope to see you all there so we can celebrate whatever holiday together.
Until then, Unit 120 wishes you all a very happy and healthy holiday season.
See you at the face to face and/or virtual bridge tables
| |
Check back next month for Unit 121 news. | |
Unit 133: Lehigh Valley
Lois Fuini
lafuini@yahoo.com
| |
|
No matter what holidays you celebrate with friends and family this season, may they be filled with joy, love and good health. Hopefully, you will find some time in your busy holiday schedule to enjoy a game of bridge at one of our clubs.
Congratulations! New Rank Achievements
Sectional Master
Thomas Hohl
Regional Master
William Licht
New at the Unit 133 Fall Sectional
This year we had a very successful free 0-20 game for our newest members from the bridge club established at Lehigh University for students. Our teachers have been developing the program at Lehigh for over a year, offering various opportunities to learn and play duplicate bridge. At the sectional, students enjoyed meeting more experienced players and seeing the mechanics of a sectional. This initiative with Lehigh University provided eleven new young members for our club.
| |
|
Annual Meeting and Holiday Party
More than sixty people attended the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party at Brookside Country Club on Saturday, November 11. Special thanks to John Schwartz who stepped in at the last minute to direct the game.
The following Board Officers were elected:
President, Jim Kenny
Vice President, Lee Stanley
Secretary, Vivian Kane
Treasurer, Nelson Rabenold
The following Board Members at Large were elected:
Barbara Berk
Barbara Dopera
Paul Irvine.
Betsy Cutler
Lois Fuini
Mike Kohler
Bryan Snapp
Grace Sutherland.
John Turoczi
Stan Yellin
In addition to the election of board and officers, Jim Kenny thanked Lois Fuini, Betsy Cutler, and Lee Stanley for organizing the event. Mike Kohler presented two new free initiatives developed by the Education Committee for the recruitment of membership. Paul Irvine gave an update about the new official bridge club at Lehigh University. Six Unit 133 members sponsored members of the Lehigh University club at the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party. Nelson Rabenold presented a very positive treasurer’s report. After the meeting, members had a delicious buffet lunch and an enjoyable game of duplicate bridge.
Open Game Winners:
N/S
1st- Grace Sutherland and Madison Morgan
2nd- Gary Hillenbrand and Arup Mukherjee
E/W
1st- Peter Stoyanov and Charles Eisenhart
2nd- Mike Kohler and Deb Butz
0-750 Game Winners:
N/S
1st -Mary Ann Sharpless and Elizabeth Stelts
2nd- Lois Fuini and Rita Keiper
E/W
1st - Laura and Nelson Rabenold
2nd - William Licht and Dorothy Cockrell
0-200 Game Winners:
1st- Bruce Dawson and Fred Griffith
2nd- Ann Padjen and Eyre Price
3rd- Jerry and Lynn Noll
In Memoriam Game Saturday, December 11, 2024
The In Memoriam Game is scheduled for 1pm at Lehigh Valley Active Life in Allentown. Please join us to recognize the members of Unit 133 who have passed away in the last year. We will celebrate their lives and achievements by playing a charity game of bridge in their honor. Family and friends are invited to join us to share special memories of their loved ones. Proceeds from the game will benefit active older adults at Lehigh Valley Active Life.
| |
Unit 141: Philadelphia
John Dickenson
dickenjb@gmail.com
| |
|
Breaking news: Ellen Gordon of Yorktown Bridge Club is retiring after more than thirty years as club manager (that's a long time!). The club will soon be rebranding as the Jenkintown Bridge Club - a change which can be made easily, because it will remain at its current location in... wait for it... Jenkintown! Veteran director and teacher Wes Powers, pictured here, will be taking over club management sometime around January 1. Thank you Wes!
Bridge is coming back in a big way after COVID in Unit 141 – our teaching programs are paying off with new members, eleven last month and another nine this month. Our new players are growing their skills and I am delighted to see them playing not only in club limited games but also in open games and at our sectional tournaments.
Our open sectionals have mostly been held in our clubs for the past few years, but attendance has grown enough that we can entertain going back to Bala Golf Club for some of these events. Jay Apfelbaum has successfully negotiated with them, and we will be holding our first sectional at BGC on January 3-5, 2025. Hopefully climate change will be on our side and there will be no snow! At that time, I will be stepping down as your President after serving the maximum of two consecutive terms, and your board will be electing my successor.
A warm welcome to our newest PCBA members!
Carol Arthars Beard
Camille Burstin
Ranjit Daphtary
Deb Evans
Eugenie Foster
Brian Garrabrant
Meghan Glendinning
Zhouzhou Gu
Barbara Margolis
Congratulations to our members who achieved a new rank!
Junior Masters
Tom Aberant
Michael Barnet
Jeffrey Chalal
Howard Feldman
Kathleen Hanley
David Klaus
Jill Kurtzman
Club Masters
William Beckwith
Sandy Friedlander
Yaacov Garini
James Jarvis
Thomas Panzarella
Radu Vasilescu
Sectional Masters
Stuart Freemark
Seulky McInneshin
Regional Masters
Jane Austin
Karen Batchelder
Devika Chakraborty
Constance Opfell
Lee Silberman
NABC Masters
James Dowling
Sara Sheiman
Advanced NABC Master
Michael Haas
Life Master
Marianne Livingston
Silver Life Masters
Bonnie Brier
Tanya Maurelli
Diamond Life Master
R David Walker
| |
|
Unit 168: Central Pennsylvania
Ben Hawn
bwhawn@bellsouth.net
| |
|
Congratulations to the following Unit 168 players as they move up the ACBL’s ranking ladder:
Club Master
Jacqueline Reigel
Sectional Masters
Timothy Anstine
Bernadette Black
Susan Carnovale
Barbara Cramer
Advanced NABC Master
Monica Knopf
There’s a well-known hand type that is commonly difficult to describe. I had such a hand two nights ago in a team game. Red against white I opened 1♦️ in fourth seat with a seven-bagger and an unbalanced 18. Partner responded 1♥️.
| |
|
The list of possible rebids is long and includes such gems as a phony 2♠️ and a phony 3♣️. Not going there, sorry. You could sort of make a case for a heart raise, but 2♥️ is a big (enormous, actually) misdescription and so are 3♥️ and 4♥️. 3♦️ is fairly close to the mark but makes the 5-3 heart fit hard to reach. Additionally, the hand might or might not be “too good” for 3♦️. 2NT and 3NT are possible but seriously flawed. Anyway, I chose the jump 3♦️ and of course partner bid 3NT.
Once we got past them taking the first six club tricks, it played well.
I put it to the best player I know and he struggled with it. His final choice was 2NT, and as off the wall as that is, I agree it’s best. With a 5-3 heart fit this contract would have been a cinch to reach, but we were unlucky. You play a lot of hands and you think you can handle all sorts of auctions, but bridge is hard.
| |
|
Delaware Clubs
The Bridge Studio of Delaware, Wilmington
Harold Jordon
302-479-5431
club@bridge-studio.org
MOT, Middletown
Cheryl Shields
302-602-1638
c.shields@mehrs.com
Monday Morning Bridge Club
Friday Nooners
Dover
Clare O’Brien
410-310-0549
Clare758@outlook.com
Shore Bridge
Lewes
Anna DeLapo
302-236-0346
Anna7nt@gmail.com
Shuffles2
Ocean View Presbyterian Church
Thursday @ 12:30
215-817-2465
Shuffles2023@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENT
Dave Treadwell Sectional
Friday December 13-Sunday December 15
Bridge Studio
Wilmington
EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVERS
Congratulations
John Hogan has achieved the rank of Platinum Life Master
10,000 Master Points
Rick Rowland is listed as Number 100 for Master Point winners in the ACBL
MOVING ON UP
Junior Master
Anne Cruz
Club Master
Jessica Julian
Sectional Master
Barbara Brooks
Lynne Coan
Mark Conheady
Merrie Johnson
Rich Lepley
THE WELCOME MAT
New Members
Anne Cruz
| |
Check back next month for Unit 217 news, and please keep our sectional in Boalsburg May 30 to June 1, 2025 in mind. | |
|
Join Our Mailing List!
It's fast and easy to join our mailing list. And we use SafeUnsubscribe, so it's just one click if you change your mind later.
| | | | |
