Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Contact your District 4 board members.
PRESIDENT
Jeanne Gehret
jeannegehret@comcast.net
VICE PRESIDENT
Betsy Cutler
betsy2955@gmail.com
SECRETARY
Bill Bauer
william.baueriii@verizon.net
TREASURER
Pat Civale
pat@csa-accounting.com
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
Joann Glasson
joannglasson@msn.com
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Philadelphia Regional at Valley Forge:
Although I’m writing this just days before the start of this tournament, I’m still going to share that the hospitality is fabulous, all my finesses have worked, and it’s been an overwhelming success.
Did you know that the Philadelphia Regional is among the first in the nation to utilize the newly introduced ACBL “Fast Entry” online tool? If widely adopted by District 4 members, it will provide much-needed planning support for Tournament Chairs. You can read more about it HERE, then get ready to use it so you can avoid the line on game day!
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Lancaster Regional at Spooky Nook Sports:
The next District 4 Regional will be in Lancaster, October 31 – November 6. Planning is under way, and a game schedule will be posted soon. Watch the District 4 website, www.4acbl.org for updates and tournament information.
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North American Pairs Qualifying Games:
Keep watching your local and online club game schedules for additional NAP games this summer. They’re your chance to qualify to play in the District NAP Championships this fall. Winners of the District competition earn the opportunity to represent District 4 at the Spring Nationals in New Orleans (March 9-19, 2023).
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Summer NABC’s – Providence RI, July 14-24:
I’d like to finish this month’s column with a final note to those planning to attend the Nationals in July. No matter whether you’re playing for Gold or Platinum… may luck be with you.
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And, of course, have a Happy 4th of July celebration!
Until next month,
I welcome your comments or suggestions (jeannegehret@comcast.net)
Jeanne
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From the District Director |
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I don’t do a lot of advertising in this job, but there is a fun event for a good cause coming up next month, so I thought I would share. All the proceeds from the event will go to the ACBL Educational Foundation to support Junior Bridge.
The Pro-Am online bridge game is being held on Real Bridge on July 11th at 7:00PM. Anyone can enter.
Here’s the description of the event:
Support Junior Bridge!
You are invited to a Pro-Am charity game in support of junior bridge!
Date: July 11, 2022 (4PM Pacific/7PM Eastern) Location: Online at RealBridge
The game features 50 celebrity partners to choose from, voice, video, mentoring, kibitzing with expert commentary and plenty of excitement! The environment will be fun and friendly with PRIZES and a ZOOM after-party with the experts! The ACBL Educational Foundation, an independent 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, will use 100% of the funds to support junior bridge.
An amazing array of bridge celebrities, including many legends, are being auctioned to partner YOU! Choose your favorite or buy in as a pair with your partner! Can’t make it? No problem! Purchase a playing lesson on BBO with a celebrity instead!
Here’s the link to the auction where you can buy an entry to play in the Pro-Am for $50, buy the link to kibitz the Pro-Am for $10, purchase a game on BBO with an expert player or a bid on a partner to play with you in the Pro-Am Charity Game.
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Sectionals
July 9-10
August 3-4
August 10-11
Regionals
June 27-July 3
STaCs
August 15-21
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The 4Spot features fantastic contributors, on a regular rotation: |
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Larry's Learning Center by Larry Cohen:
January, April, July, October
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For Novices Only by Marti Ronemus:
February, May, August, November
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The ABC of Bridge by Dave Wachsman:
March, June, September, December
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Larry's Learning Center
by Larry Cohen
One of my partners has me playing Walsh Style, and I've realized that whether you play it or not, it's important to understand this style in order to defend against it effectively. Here is Larry's summary. |
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Moderator: Nick Straguzzi
Two-Over-One, the Forcing Pass, and Larry does an encore... I kind of wish I'd thought of bidding 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌.
Find out what all this means here. |
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News from Around the Units
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Unit 112: Central New York
Betty Youmans
readsausten@yahoo.com
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The first sectional tournament in Unit 112 since COVID will be on July 9-10 in West Henrietta (Rochester). All are welcome to attend! The COVID threat level has been dropping, so it is hoped that this will bode well for attendance at the Sectional.
Unit 112 Congratulates Its Advancing Players!
Junior Master
Amalia Bobbe, Canandaigua
Sectional Master
Lucia Whisenand, Syracuse
Advanced NABC Master
Nancy Geoca, Webster
Ruby Life Master
Eric v. d. Luft, North Syracuse
Barbara McBride, Hornell
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Unit 120: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Doreese Torrey
doreeset@gmail.com
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Hello Unit 120!! Due to a technical error, the pictures from the 'Welcome Back' bridge game last month were not included with the may 4Spot publication, so I'm including them this month.
Let's start with some monumental recognition!
New Gold Life Master (2500 MPs): Alan Fierverker, Kingston PA
New Ruby Life Master (1500 Mps): David Forth, Stroudsburg, PA
New NABC Master: Robert T Bryden, Waymart,PA
WOW!! Impressive performance gentlemen!! Congratulations to you all!!
We lost a dear friend in June; Helen McCool was 95. Helen was a lovely, gracious lady who loved the game. She will be sadly missed.
Hope you all enjoy the dog days of summer. A great way to beat the heat and socialize is to attend face to face and virtual bridge games with your peers.
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See you at the in-person and virtual bridge tables.
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Unit 121: Berks Montgomery
Carl Ziegler
crzig@hometownu.com
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Our Unit will celebrate our One Year Anniversary of F2F Bridge on July 21. Doors will open at 11:30 and game time is 12:15. Refreshments will be served prior to the game. We play at Good Shepherd UCC located at 170 Tuckerton Rd in Reading, PA. Join us for refreshments and a fun day of bridge.
We have been fortunate to be able to play face to face bridge without interruption since July 6, 2021. Sue Wessner has successfully managed the return to bridge play normalcy throughout the year and our members are most grateful. Thank you Sue!
Our games are scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:15pm at Good Shepherd UCC Church. For updates, partnerships or questions contact Sue Wessner. bridgebysue@gmail.com. 610,562-1333
Submitted,
Carl Ziegler
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Unit 133: Lehigh Valley
Lois Fuini
lafuini@yahoo.com
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Happy Fourth of July!
Our Fourth of July celebrations may include attending a picnic, a barbecue or a fireworks display. Enjoy whatever you do with family and friends, but be sure to take a moment to join the people in our country who express and give thanks for the freedom and liberties fought for by our many dedicated service men and women, So, fly your flags in celebration of our great country and the great people who work so hard to keep us free and safe.
New Rank Advancements
Congratulations!
New Sectional Master
Carol Turoczi
The Longest Day
The Longest Day was held June 25th to benefit Alzheimer’s research, the people it serves and their caregivers. Everyone who attended had an enjoyable afternoon while raising funds for those suffering from this debilitating disease.
Winners:
1st in A-Jim Kenny and Don Swan
1st in B- Arup and Bagisa Mukherjee
1st in C- Betty Abrams and Betsy Cutler
Thanks to everyone who helped with the marketing of the event, the set-up of the event, those who played in the game, and those who generously contributed to the cause.
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Unit 141: Philadelphia
Jay Apfelbaum
japfel1@comcast.net
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There is a new bridge club in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Bernadette Hennessy was forced to close the old club at Barclay Plaza due to the pandemic. She was looking for a new location and found it! To quote a friend of mine, “It is REAL GOOD!!” There are 40 brand new tables, along with coat racks, kitchen space, access to cold storage for food, handicap-accessible stalls and wheelchair ramps for easy access. The parking lot should have space for about 100 automobiles.
Give her a look-see at 7 Carnegie Plaza, Suite 400, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003. For those familiar with the area, the club is located off Springdale Road near the Fox Building. The entrance is in the back of the building. The club phone number is the same: 856-795-PLAY (7529). She plans to start with a Wednesday afternoon game after the regional, probably at 12:30. Finally, you can find her latest news at https://www.GameFriendzy.com.
New Members
Sondra Altman
Marco Barreto
Carol Davis
Isaac Drajpuch
Ori Drajpuch
Alison Ellison
Suzanne Franks
Deborah Freisheim
Lillie Hord
Karen Maglaty
Lisa Moulton
Alison Rudolf
Beth Waks
New Junior Masters
Bruce Arnow
Pamela Cole
Martha Nash
New Club Masters
Judy Krischker
Seth Shapiro
James Smartt
New Sectional Masters
Eileen Kravitz
Nurit Maor
New Regional Master
Mark Luchette
New NABC Masters
Jack Adler
Joseph Bellwoar
Joanne Duffy
Michael Duffy
Emily Losciuto
Len Saffren
Sandra Stickel
New Life Master
Rochelle Zager
New Bronze Life Master
Ilan Wolff
New Ruby Life Masters
Margo Lebovitz
Bharat Rao
New Gold Life Master
Shirley Kastenberg
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Unit 168: Central Pennsylvania
Russell Poppleton
rpoppleton@comcast.net
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Some interesting history on the Declaration of Independence. Although adopted by the Continental Congress on July 04, 1776, the document itself was not signed until August 02, 1776. You think your copier is slow; that was how long it took to make an "engrossed" copy on parchment that was legible and could be signed. Fifty-six members of the Continental Congress signed the document, which was in itself an act of bravery. During the Revolutionary War, five were captured and executed as traitors, nine more died from wounds or hardships during the War and twelve had their homes ransacked and burned, losing everything they owned. Fifty-six brave men, fifty-four of whom were married and no doubt backed by equally brave women.
Congratulations to the following for progressing up the ACBL ladder:
New Junior Masters
Timothy M Anstine
Franklin D Clarke
Joseph Demuro
Stephanie Demuro
Edward J Ledwith
John M Schober
New Club Masters
Mary Ann Bradley
Peter P Garms
Signe B Garms
New Sectional Masters
Gail M Burke
David Witwer
New NABC Master
Andrea L Gaines
New Advanced NABC Masters
Jinan O Bahia
Cathy Brown
Judith A Reynolds
New Ruby Life Master
Daniel H Putnam
South Central PA continues to host virtual games; see the website bridgeboardroom.com for a complete virtual schedule. Special NAP games will be scheduled in July.
Points to ponder:
- Playing new minor forcing, against silent opponents you have the following auction; 1D - 1S - 1NT - 2C (alerted). How does opener answer with three spades and four hearts? Do you show your spade support first or bid your four-card heart suit first? Make sure you and your partner are in agreement.
- My wife sent me a text the other day that said "Your great." I texted back "No, you're great." She has been walking around all happy and smiling. Should I tell her I was just correcting her grammar or leave it?
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Unit 190: Delaware
Tammy Holm backand Paula Varrassi
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Delaware Clubs with In-Person Games
The Bridge Studio of Delaware, Wilmington
Harold Jordon
302-479-5431
MOT, Middletown
Cheryl Shields
302-602-1638
Monday Morning Bridge Club
Friday Nooners
Dover
Clare O’Brien
410-758-2434
Shore Bridge
Lewes
Monday @ 12:30
Wednesday @ 9:30
Anna DeLapo
302-236-0346
Apologies
Two of our finest and nicest players were left off the list of top 25 Master Point Winners. They are residents of PA but have chosen Unit 190 as their home port.
Congratulations to:
Kurt Engleman #2
David Venetianer #16
CHANGES IN RANK
New Club Master
Marylou Kupfer
New NABC Master
Kathy Baxter
Denise Ucciferro
New Silver Life Master
Barry Degler
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fall Sectional
September 9 – 11, 2022
Bridge Studio
Wilmington
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Unit 217: Susquehanna
Jim McKeown
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Congratulations to Kathy Ebeling on advancing to Sectional Master and to Jim Van Etten on making Silver Life Master.
We held our sectional in Boalsburg June 3 - 5. We appreciated not being required to wear masks. We had hoped to have better attendance than last October when we did have to wear masks. Instead we had 17% lower attendance and less than half of the tables in our last June tournament, but that was in 2019 before Covid.
Mike Anesko and Jim Van Etten won the Friday morning pair game with Marilyn Goldfarb and Sue Fletcher first in B and C. Jackie Humilovich and Joanne Johnston won the Friday afternoon pair game. On Saturday, Mike Anesko and Don Hollinger won the morning pair game with Marilyn Goldfarb and Sue Fletcher again first in B and C. Jim Van Etten and Jess Goodman won the Saturday afternoon pair game, with Bruce Baldwin and Leida Milazzo first in B. Carol Reitz, Ed Bissell, Jim McKeown and Tudor Trifan won the Sunday Swiss with Mike Anesko, Jim Van Etten, Jess Goodman, and Marilyn Goldfarb first in B. Mike Anesko won the master point race.
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