Minnesota Bridge

Bravo!

Awards.  Recognition.  Fabulous turnout.  Bountiful & beautiful buffet.  Duplicate game.  Smiles.  Applause.  Laughs.  Tough bridge hands!

All this and more were on stage at the Twin City Bridge Club Saturday night as Unit 178 celebrated and feted those honored with Mini-McKenney and Ace-of-Clubs awards.  Marv Riedesel, President of Unit 178, began the evening with an introduction of Roger Anderson, Master of Ceremonies.  Roger has done a magnificent job for many years now, introducing award winners and recognizing those with fine accomplishments for the past year. 

Along with dapper Roger, Sharon Anderson has also been instrumental in the special evening at the TCBC.  This year was no different; festivities included a wonderful buffet that never ended, all organized and prepared by the amazing and elegant Sharon.  Of course, now Sharon is also the director representing our District 14 - for which we are quite grateful.

As award winners received a handshake from Marv and congratulations from Roger, they were a blur of motion.  Then, it was on to the two section local duplicate game, where all those who had accomplished so much in 2008 were able to dazzle their partners.

Many thanks to the many who contributed to the fine evening, including TCBC owners Chip and Teri Blu, the amazing TGLO (THE great Larry Oakey), Unit 178 board members - and, of course, all of you who showed up to participate!

One person was not at the party last night.  Nevertheless, he was remembered fondly and warmly.  Jim Hall, the Minnesotan who earned more masterpoints than any other in our history, died just about a year ago in March.  As Jim had bravely played some in the last few months of his life, he was on the list of those who achieved in 2008.  Actually - Jim had been achieving for decades at our game, setting the standard for both technique and accomplishment.  Not having Jim in our events any longer is an enormous loss.  Still - we remember him both as our friend and as "the guy to catch" in so many ways.

Please enjoy more photos from Unit 178's fun awards celebration!

Top 100 - 2009

Every year, we publish a list of the top 100 masterpoint holders in Minnesota.  Those who comprise the top 100 for 2009 is now ready; the full list can be seen below the line.

The top ten masterpoint holders are:

1	Peggy	Kaplan	11294.39
2	Jerome	Lee	10107.03
3	Larry	Oakey	9567.32
4	Jack	Rhatigan	8691.72
5	Peder	Langsetmo	8550.23
6	Bob	Balderson Jr	7333.13
7	Terry	Beckman	7206.39
8	Paolo	Ranaldi	6929.73
9	Cynthia	Balderson	6797.24
10	Steven	Gaynor	6552.32

You will note that only two of the 100 have gone over 10,000 masterpoints - though Larry Oakey is threatening to do so soon!  One married couple has achieved status in the top ten:  Bob and Cindy Balderson.  And, for those who are curious, the sum total masterpoints of the top 100 is 400,319.41!  To make it into the top 100, at least 2044.26 masterpoints were required.

Everyone should be aware that masterpoints are only a rough approximation of a player's capability and accomplishments.  Many factors enter into why a player earns the masterpoints that they do.  Some quite talented players simply do not have the same opportunities to add to their masterpoint totals as do others.

Nevertheless, we applaud all these Minnesotans on our list.  Through club games, sectionals, regionals and national events, they have competed and succeeded - and piled up the masterpoints!  Well done!

Tonight's The Night!

Tonight, April 11th, is the evening that Unit 178 awards top finishers in Mini-McKenney and Ace of Club races.  Sharon and Roger Anderson are the hosts with the most - and it's a spread you do not want to miss!

Please read all the details here.  Looking forward to seeing you at the Twin City Bridge Club.  Festivities begin at 6PM!

Unit 103 Awards Celebration

On Saturday, March 28th, Unit 103 will herald those players who won Ace of Clubs and Mini McKenney awards in 2008.  Everyone can enjoy a great dinner and awards presentations, followed by a unit game.

The dinner starts at 6PM at the Bridge Center of St. Paul, 2603 6th Avenue in North St. Paul.  Bridge will commence at 7PM. 

Cost for the gala dinner catered by Tinucci's is $7; entries for the game following are $6 per player.  First place award winners will receive a free dinner and game entry.  Second and third finishers will be awarded free game entries.  Invitations will soon be sent out to the achievers!

If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Elaine Prebonich at 651.490.5430 by Wednesday, March 25th. 

Congratulations to all and hope to see lots of folks celebrating!

 

Save the Date!

Unit 103 is happy to announce an awards party!  Awards, dinner and game will be held at the St. Paul Bridge Center on Saturday, March 28th. 

More information will be forthcoming; please hold the date!

Awards Banquet - Unit 178

Every spring, Unit 178 holds an Awards Banquet and duplicate to honor those who performed well in the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney races.  This year, the party for the top 3 Unit 178 finishers in each category will be Saturday, April 11th at the Twin City Bridge Center at 60th and Nicollet. 

Roger and Sharon Anderson are the host and hostess with the mostess!  Dressed to the nines in tux and elegant attire, Roger and Sharon provide a yummy spread at 6PM, followed by a dapper presentation of awards at 6:45PM, with duplicate following at 7PM.

The top 3 finishers in each category of the respective Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney races will receive personal invitations soon, along with free entries to the awards banquet.  All players are welcome to join in the festivities at the TCBC.  Please come to celebrate your friends' success and enjoy a great event!

Why Is This Woman Smiling?

 

A.  She just got back from Bermuda.

B.  A condo is reserved for her in Tahiti for the rest of February.

C.  All her assets are invested in road salt.