Minnesota Bridge

Remembering Jack Rhatigan

 

Jack Rhatigan's daughter Shannon, was uncertain about how to celebrate Jack's life. Then - she came up with a concept that  was just perfect. 

Shannon is going to have a memorial celebration at the Twin City Bridge Center at 6020 Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis on Saturday, June 15th.  Bridge players, friends, relatives; all are invited and welcome.

Shannon's invitation is below. Jack was one of our star players for decades - and - a star human being.

I hope that many of us can join Shannon and her family at the TCBC to share stories, tell tales, celebrate our friend Jack - and say goodbye.

 

Please join the family of Jack Rhatigan in celebrating his life and mourning his passing at Jack's favorite home-away-from-home, the Twin City Bridge Center. 

This will be a simple open-house style event, with no formal program. Please come share your stories and sympathies with Jack's family and friends.

If trekking to Minneapolis is a challenge for you, please consider visiting Jack's wife Marilyn in the coming months at Oak Meadows Assisted Living in Oakdale, Minnesota. The extra company will be appreciated as she adjusts to living alone after 59-3/4 years of marriage. You can arrange a date by calling Marilyn directly, or by contacting her daughter Shannon via Facebook.

Feel free to pass along this invitation as appropriate. We hope to see you either at the TCBC Open House or at Oak Meadows soon!

 

        Shannon Rhatigan

Scenes from Gopher 2019

 

Great Co-Chairmen!  Great directors!  Wonderful volunteers and fabulous competitors!  Thanks to all!

 

Jack Rhatigan - 1931 - 2019

 

And. Yet again, the task that breaks my heart.  My sad duty to report that Jack Rhatigan passed away yesterday afternoon.  His daughter, Shannon, has been remarkable on updating friends and family on Jack's health and status on Facebook.  So - we knew this was coming ... But still, such a loss.

Jack was one of our top players for decades.  He was the type of player we all would wish to partner.  Very skilled, cool and calm at the table - a talented and prized player for any partnership or team.  At the end of 2018, Jack was the #9 masterpoint holder in Minnesota - particularly an impressive feat, given that Jack had been experiencing more and more health issues as the years passed.

 

 

Personally, I played only once with Jack - and - it was a "sweet and sour" experience.  On our first outing, we entered the NABC Mixed Pairs. We were doing quite well, though the last round or two I started feeling funny. The session ended and we had a good score and qualified high.  And then - my health descended rapidly, only to find out later I had food poisoning.  Ugh.

So.  There was no "tomorrow" for me with Jack - and to my ever lasting sadness, we did never play again together. I did, however, get to appreciate his talents for years thereafter at the table.

 

 

Shannon will alert me when an obituary is available.  And, at present she is unsure of memorial plans for her father. But - we are hoping that perhaps something can be organized at the Twin City Bridge Center to celebrate the life of our fine long time friend and superb competitor.

As soon as I know more, I shall share with you.

And - speaking of "sharing" - I know that we have players out there who have known Jack far longer than I. I invite you to send me thoughts and stories about Jack.

Our deepest condolences to all of Jack's family.  He shall be missed by so very many.

 

 

Gopher Regional 2019 - Final Bulletin & Previous Bulletins

Again - our thanks to everyone involved in the Gopher Regional!  Our superb co-chairs, our dedicated bulletin editor, our fine directors, our many wonderful and giving volunteers, the caddies - and - YOU.

Whether you were the super stars of our regional - or - dipping your toes into tournament bridge - each and every one of you is valued and appreciated.

We hope everyone returns in 2020 (with extras, of course, too!).

Mike's last Bulletin and all the others (in descending order) are below.

Gopher Regional 2019 - Last Day!

Always exciting to see the start of the Gopher Regional. Always a bit sad to see it end.

Mike Cassel has Sunday's Bulletin below. Big thanks to Mike for documenting everyone's accomplishments, triumphs and tales.

Of course, we are extremely grateful to all our volunteers, our directors, our caddies and our fine tournament co-chairmen, Patti Stuhlman and Sue Jackson.  

And, last but surely not least, all our wonderful competitors.  From top flight experts to players first dipping their toes into bridge, we hope everyone enjoyed the competition and the friendships.

Thank you, big time!

Gopher Regional 2019 - Day Six

Enjoy a sunshiny trip to the Gopher Regional - then loads of fun events, hospitality and friends at the tournament!

Another excellent Bulletin below, highlighting accomplishments, interesting hands and more! 

Gopher Regional 2019 - Day Five

Slow rainy start but perking up now!  Results from Thursday - and - plenty more bridge to enjoy at The Gopher!

Our latest and greatest Bulletin below!

Gopher Regional 2019 - Day Four

Sunshine still alludes the Twin Cities .... But bridge at the Gopher remains vibrant and exciting!

Join us this Thursday for a variety of events and hospitality!

Mike Cassel's latest and greatest bulletin below with results, stories and many updates!

Gopher Regional 2019 - Day Three

Cheer yourself up from bleak weather with a day of bridge at the Gopher Regional!

Wednesday's Bulletin is below.  Congrats to all who are competing - doing well - and (most importantly) - having a wonderful time!

Gopher Regional 2019 - Day Two

The Gopher is underway!  Some events are continuing - and - new ones are available.

Enjoy great hospitality AND bridge all day long!

Bulletin editor Mike Cassel's Tuesday bulletin is below. Congrats to winners and best of luck to all!

Gopher 2019 - Today IS The Day!

 

Two thirty this afternoon!

Crowne Plaza Aire off 494 in Bloomington!

Schedule and details below - see you SOON!

The Worth of a Teacher

 

We are blessed in District 14.  Our five state area is jam packed with superb bridge teachers that help all levels of students and players - we are growing our game!

 

 

And in addition with tutoring in the rudiments of the game, teachers impart the joy of bridge, strategic thinking - along with the camaraderie of local games and tournaments.

 

 

Saturday, May 25th, the Gopher Regional in Bloomington will honor these recipients in the main playing room.

Layne Vinje - Rochester Unit 103

 

MaryAnn Boardman - Dubuque Unit 163

 

University of MN Honors Bridge Coaches

Matthew Bribitzer-Stull, Paul Gutterman, Eric Hendrickson,  Glen Meeden - Minneapolis Unit 178

 

 

 

 

We hope that you can join us to applaud the accomplishments of these fine teachers - and to thank all those in District 14 who instruct our players for their dedication, time and commitment to bridge.

 

 

Sue Greenberg

Acting Chair of the Education Committee

 

Ten Days to Gopher 2019 Regional!

Only ten days from today, and the Gopher Regional begins!

Enjoy a week chock full of an excellent array of events - fine hospitality - minutes to Mall of America for dining and shopping - free parking at the hotel - and much more!

The schedule and flyer are below. We look forward to seeing friends from near and far for this year's premier Minnesota regional!

GNT 2019 District 14 Finals - Report from Mike Cassel

Mike Cassel has kindly prepared a report about the District 14 GNT competition in Des Moines this past weekend, along with results and some photos.

Our thanks to Mike for all his efforts - and - to our District 14 finalists!  We know you will represent us well in Las Vegas this summer!

Mike's report is below.

ACBL Live Results here!

Unit 103 - Board of Directors Information and Minutes from April 2019 Meeting

 

On this beautiful spring day, our thanks to Secretary Patti Huiras for providing us with Unit 103 Board of Directors list and contact information - plus - the minutes from the April 6th Board meeting.

Our thanks to everyone for your efforts to make Minnesota bridge as good as it can be!

Unit 178 Board Meeting - May 9, 2019 Agenda

For our members who like to keep up to date on Board of Director activity - the agenda for the upcoming Unit 178 Board meeting.

Thanks to all our board members who contribute to bridge in Unit 178!

*AGENDA

 

Unit 178 Board Meeting

Thursday, May 9 - 9:00AM

Twin Cities Bridge Center

 

 

1. Call to order at 9:00 – please be on time
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Financial Report –Vicki
4. Tournament Reports

MN State Sectional 2019-No longer with St Paul– Kerry

5. GNT 2019 – This weekend—Mike Cassel
6. NAP Diane
7. Properties Do Bridgemates need cleaning again? - Lets find someone
8. E-mail messaging – Judy
9. Old Business

Awards Banquet -Judy

          New Member letter update-Judy

          Tom and Cass report on people called

                    Charity game

                    Longest day game Liz and Richard

                   Money will be given to College Students—one time commitment

                   Gift cards to Diane and Vicky

                   Regional-John

                   Scott Sanction

10. New Business

District 14 meeting at Regional

Money for College kids from Grass Roots

                   Anything else?                  

11. Other
12. Next meeting
13. Adjourn 10:45

Unit 103 Awards Party

 

An event that is a treat for all Minnesotans is the annual awards party.  Unit 103 had a marvelous one in St. Paul!

 

 

 

 

26 tables were in play with 38 award winners attending!  A fine lunch was served by the "lunch Ladies," Kathy Beckman and Judy Holderbach.

 

 

 

 

Kim Hayward masterfully directed the game.  Warren Nelson, Unit 103 president served as the Master of Ceremonies.  Warren also snagged overall winner for the bridge game with partner John Minton! 

 

 

 

 

Everything was GREAT:  lunch, fun, bridge game AND of course, our super bridge players!

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all who made the day so special - and - to all of our players!

 

 

Sue Greenberg

Awards party chair for Unit 103