Minnesota Bridge

ACBL Educational Foundation - Executive Director Search

 

Many of us in Minnesota know Joel Kramer. Joel was editor, publisher and president of the Star Tribune for some years, then a journalism fellow at the University of Minnesota - and followed these roles by co-founding the MinnPost with his wife (and often bridge partner), Laurie.

Joel's latest project is working on the ACBL's Educational Foundation. Joel requested that we share with you what the Educational Foundation does - and - that a search is being conducted for an executive director of the foundation.

The details are here. If you think that you might be the right person for the job, please do get in touch with the foundation and/or Joel!

And thank you, Joel, for all of your efforts in this endeavor and for bridge overall!

 

I am now a trustee of the American Contract Bridge League Educational Foundation. I am also chair of its search committee for our first executive director. 

 

The job involves raising and  granting money to encourage more people of all ages and backgrounds to learn and enjoy bridge throughout North America. It can be done remotely from anywhere in North America, but does involve travel, including  to three national board meetings in rotating locations. Some appreciation for the game of bridge is desirable, but we're looking for a foundation leader, not a bridge expert. 

 

The job is posted at our website, acbledfoundation.org, as well as on the Chronicle of Philanthropy and LinkedIn job boards. If you know people who might be interested, please ask them to contact me joelroykramer@gmail.com for more information, or apply at ACBLEdFoundationSearch@gmail.com .

Minnesota Winter Super Silver Tourney 2019 Results

 

Despite a "warm up" (odd choice of words!) to the record breaking frigid weather we are having this week, the Minnesota Winter Super Silver Tourney in New Brighton turned out a pretty good crowd. Competitors enjoyed pair/team games, 499er games, plus a Swiss Friday night. Saturday, the final day of play, had two 2-session games; one for Life Masters and one for non-LM's.

 

 

When all the events concluded, one guy earned the most masterpoints:  Kerry Holloway. Kerry snagged 35.33 masterpoints in 7 sessions of play.  Your webmaster, Kerry's partner for all but one event, was 2nd with 32.26.  Joe Koster, Gary Knippenberg, Tom Knier, Barry Purrington, Carole Miner, Mike Cassel and Frank Knier rounded out those who earned over 20 masterpoints.

The full list of masterpoint winners is here.  And overall results for each event are here.

Intermediate/novice players were treated to two "lunch and learn" sessions. Our thanks to Mike Flader and Steve Gaynor for expertly conducting them.

 

 

Additionally, appreciation goes to Tournament Chair Larry Huiras, and to the lady who manned the partnership desk, Patti Huiras.  Super contributions!  Big thanks!

 

 

Let us not forget, either, our two fine directors:  Bjorgvin Kristinsson and Kim Hayward. Integral for a smooth running tournament!

 

And - a final fun feature of our tournament - our young super star, Ben Kristensen, who competed for a couple of events. Did a lot of us wish to get our photo taken with our uber-talented college player?  You bet they did!  (Gotta stand in line to be in the limelight with Ben!)

Thanks to everyone for braving the icy roads and elements to enjoy our favorite game!  More photos below!

District 14 Grand National Teams 2019

 

While this week it may feel as if snow and ridiculously frigid temperatures are never going to end... Take heart!  They will!

And - the first weekend in May, not only will spring be in the air - Grand National Team District 14 finals will be held, too!

Our GNT Coordinator, Mike Cassel, has a flyer with many details about this fine event. This year, GNT will be held in Des Moines, on May 4-5.

There may be some new wrinkles!  So - if you have questions, do get in touch with Mike and he will be happy to help!

And start looking for your team now!  (OK; OK - maybe once it's a bit warmer than minus 60!!)  It's a great event in which to compete locally, at the District level - and - perhaps even at the NABC this summer in Las Vegas!

Flyer is below!

Speaking of January ....

In addition to Jean's wonderful report about June - we have a sectional starting tomorrow, January 23rd. Our first sectional of 2019.

It runs Jan 23-24-25 and is being held in New Brighton.  The details are below.  Please come to enjoy fine bridge and avoid the cold that is coming!

 

ACBL Unit 103

Minnesota Winter       Super Silver Sectional        January 24-26, 2019  New Brighton Community Center         400 10th Street NW      New Brighton, MN 55112 Only 1 more day until the "coolest" sectional around! So brrrrriiinng a friend and we'll see you there! See the attached flyer for details. Tournament Chair:      Larry Huiras         phone: 715-410-8705         email:   bridge.kibitzer@gmail.com  Partnerships:      Patti Huiras         phone: 651-343-2078         email:   patti.huiras@gmail.com   Tournament Director:      Kim Hayward         Sanction #S1901046

 

 

 

 

June is Busting Out in January!

 

Amongst our players in Rochester, we have a very talented artist - in all mediums.  During December, she had distributed handmade earrings to all the women in our club! 

So, we decided to have a "June Darring Appreciation Days" for June on January 21 and January 24!

 

In addition to being a talented artist, she makes convention card covers which she offers to  bridge players. June keeps the money to cover costs of production but donates the rest to our club treasury.  You may have seen her table at our Rochester Sectional.   

 

As an I/N player, we have discovered a gem!!!!  Her heart is huge, she loves bridge, and it's our excellent good fortune to have this individual become an active part of RDBC. 

 

The picture shows June, in red, seated in the middle of the of the "ladies" on January 21, Monday afternoon - 16 tables ( 10 open, 6, 0-300). 

 

What a delight she is!

 

              Sue Greenberg, RDBC Manager

Unit 103 - Mini-McKenney & Ace of Clubs Awards Party & Game!

Save the date!

Unit 103 Mini-McKenney & Ace of Clubs Awards Party & Game is April 27th!

 

Tentative start time is 11AM at the Bridge Center of St. Paul

Lunch will be served for all attending

Free plays for all who played in the top 3 of their specific race

Reservations for this fun event and game following will start in late February

Questions?  Contact Sue Greenberg:  507.365.8236

Congrats to all who did well in 2018!  We look forward to celebrating with you & playing our favorite game -

BRIDGE!

 

Gopher 2019 - Name That Game!

 

The Gopher features two annual events for icons of our game:  Jim Hall and Larry Oakey.

This year, the Gopher regional will honor Carol Cummings with an event named after her.

And for those looking to recognize someone special, as either a fun treat or as a memorial, a name for other games is available!

Please contact Sue Jackson (sjackson@msmn.edu) for more information!

 

Minnesota Winter Super Silver Sectional - January 24-26

 

 New Brighton Community Center
        400 10th Street NW
     New Brighton, MN 55112

Only 2 more weeks until the "coolest" sectional around!

So brrrrriiinng a friend and we'll see you there!

See the flyer below for details

 

SPECIAL I/N LUNCH & LEARNS

Learn from experts Mike Flader or Steve Gaynor
in a comfortable environment for only 
$5.00 with a box lunch included. 
Space is limited so sign up early.

Tournament Chair:

 Larry Huiras
        phone: 715-410-8705
        email:   bridge.kibitzer@gmail.com

 Partnerships:

     Patti Huiras
        phone: 651-343-2078
        email:   patti.huiras@gmail.com

  Tournament Director:

     Kim Hayward
        Sanction #S1901046

 

Patty Tucker - Hall of Fame 2019!

 

No, Patty Tucker is NOT moving to Minnesota....  But - we have been fortunate enough to have her visit our state at the Gopher Regional.  There she put on a command performance with her brilliant Learn Bridge in a Day - just as she has at so many other sites around ACBL-land.

And now, due to the tremendous efforts Patty has made in bridge education for all, discovering and training for Juniors players, helping other bridge teachers across North America - and SO much more - Patty will be inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame in 2019!

I know that many of our players so enjoyed her visit to the Twin Cities, and have benefited greatly from Patty's skills and education, that I wanted to highlight her on our website.

Please join me in giving Patty a round of much deserved applause for all she has done for bridge - for her own personal accomplishments at the game - and - for her soon to be entry into the HOF!

And, I might add, Patty ain't quitting yet!  If you know people who want to learn our game, if you wish to be a teacher yourself, if you know of juniors who want to learn and improve .... Contact Patty!  Hard to find anyone out there more committed to our game in so many varied ways!

Thank you, Patty - and congratulations!

BTW - Patty's big spread in ABTA magazine below!

Stuart Oslund - 1944 - 2019

 

More than a few in our bridge community are too aware of the many members we have been losing lately. Alas; many among us are aging or being felled by serious illness.  And so, far too soon since my most recent post about a loss, I must report another:  Stu Oslund.

Stu passed away one day into the new year. Unfortunately, years ago a stroke seriously compromised his ability to play bridge. A tragedy in many ways; Stu was a good friend, player and teacher.

Larry Huiras was kind enough to share memories of Stu.  And some other players have contacted me; I hope they will share their remembrances with us, too.

Stu's obituary can be found here.  And Larry's warm and caring words follow.

 

I remember Stu.

Like a number of people I know I have two bridge careers. One from 33 years ago and another one that began when I was "forced" to attend a Gopher Regional in 2010.

I have a number of great memories of people who taught me lessons in my first bridge career when I was first learning this game. Sadly a number of those instructors have recently passed including Gus Doty, Bill Erickson, and now Stu Oslund.

The lesson I learned from Stu as a – to be generous – 49er occurred at the TCBC when he was playing with my soon to be favorite partner Kent Burghard. Stu and Kent had bid their way through 4 suits on their way to 3NT. I as the "presumed" opening leader looking at 5 tricks off the top doubled. Of course Stu ran out to 4 of a minor and they got a top board – lesson learned.

However, what I remember most about Stu was his great gift for storytelling. Several occasions after sectional tournaments, I remember when a number of us would sit around after the postmortem and listen to Stu regale us with a bridge story or two all the while downing a dram or several of Scotch.

Stu was a master at timing and setting the scene for the fall – at least momentary – of some well known bridge icon or another. In another time he would be likened to Homer.

Sadness would follow when Stu suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak.

It was shortly after that time when we departed the bridge world.

I like to think that as long as some remember you, then you are still, in some sense, part of this world.

Stu - I remember you and always shall.

                Larry Huiras

Terry Lijewski - Thoughts from A Son and A Friend

 

When Minnesota loses one of our bridge players, it is a big loss. When we lose one who has been part of the community for over half a century, not only a fine player but a super fine person .... People wish to express their remembrances. 

Terry's son, John, with whom he played for many, many years, has words he would like to share. And following that, Bill Voedisch, long time friend and stalwart friend throughout Terry's battle, also has many thoughts and memories.

Thanks to everyone in the Bridge community for all of the kind thoughts, prayers, and visits for my Dad during 2018.  It was a very difficult year for him and our entire family.  My Dad always loved Playing Bridge, and it was a large part of his life.  He loved the friends he made, and loved the competition and fun that the game provided. 

He was the best Natural Bridge player that I ever played with or against.  He taught me everything about the game of Bridge that I know, and I am very grateful for that. 

He was a World Class Father, a World Class Bridge Player, and a World Class Person.

            John Lijewski

Terrence Lijewski - Funeral Details

Terry’s Visitation and Funeral will be held at the following place and time:

 

Time: Saturday, January 5, 2019    

Visitation: 10:00am Funeral Mass: 11:00am Lunch / visit:  After Mass

Place: St. Patrick Catholic Church

1500 Vine St.

Hudson, WI 54016

 

John, we all thank you for sharing your heart with us. Again, our condolences to you and your family.

 

Bill's many memories and thoughts are below the line.  Thank you, Bill, for everything!

Terry Lijewski

 

This morning, I received a phone call that we knew was inevitable.  Terry Lijewski, a very long time, top notch bridge player and wonderful guy, died the evening of the last day of 2018.  Terry was one of those fellows who not only played the game well, he was a member of our community who was always friendly and usually had a smile on his face - like in the photo above.

Terry's son, John, called me this morning with the sad news.  And although it is always a punch to the gut to lose one of our bridge community, for me especially, this loss was painful. When I first started playing duplicate bridge, I would head out from Minneapolis to the Maplewood bridge club.  There, every 2-3 weeks, I'd play with a relative - and it was there, over 40 years ago, that I met Terry.  Already he was one of our fine players - and the smile and friendliness?  I'm betting that was there forever.

For many years, John played with his dad. We send John and all the rest of Terry's relatives our deepest condolences. And when we have more information about an obituary and services, we will share that with you.

Our thanks to the many friends, especially Bill Voedisch, who visited Terry during his battle against cancer and who updated Terry's friends as to how Terry was doing.  

Rest in peace, Terry.