Minnesota Bridge

Baldersons Achieve Platinum!!

The 10K Run!

Bob and Cindy Hit Platinum!
Bob Shares Stories
And I, your Editor, Plan to Do So, Too!
Applause for Cindy & Bob - with MORE TO COME!!

Last week, Cindy and I finally went over the 10,000 Masterpoint mark, with the last push courtesy of Carole Miner, Terry Beckman, Harry Sapienza, and each other. It seemed to take an eternity, with the finish line stretching on and on.

As soon-to-be Platinum Masters, I’ve been informed that we are supposed to wax philosophical at this point in the game. Cindy and I have been playing Bridge together for over 30 years (including a 10-year bridge divorce in which we played, just not as partners). During that time, we formed teams and partnerships with a multitude of players, including (but certainly not limited to) Carole Miner, Peg Waller, Kurt Schaeffer, Craig Satersmoen, Peder Langsetmo, Paul Meerschaert, Peg Kaplan, Billy Kent, Rob Schacter, Mark Krusemeyer, Harry Sapienza, Jerry Lee, Jonathan Cohen, Charlie Nauen, Patti Stuhlman, Ron DeHarportte, John Koch, Terry Beckman, and Dan Sershon.

For many years we traveled around the country, playing in Nationals, Regionals, Sectionals, and whatever, compiling a pretty good record with some great, some good, and some not-so-good results, while having a lot of fun in the process.

Cindy’s favorite team memory is actually quite a bit more exotic—she, Carole Miner, Lynn Deas, Disa Eythorsdottir, Rozanne Pollack, and Cheri Bjerkan represented the U.S. in Beijing, China at the 2013 World Mind Games. They finished 2^nd in the KO, placed high in the other events, and hobnobbed with the best players in the world (it was reported that the food could have been better).

My favorite team Bridge memory was the Kaplan-Kent-Meerschaert-Miner-Balderson-Balderson GNT team knocking Meckwell, Berkowitz/Cohen, and company out of the chance to win their 3^rd GNT title in a row. My favorite personal Bridge memory was making 6H in a National KO by picking off the stiff King of trump offside playing against the Overcall system: an overcall was required anytime the person overcalling had 7 or more points. LHO didn’t overcall, so the King had to be with RHO.

Some other “great” Bridge memories include:

In Seaside Oregon, our team won a Regional KO against a strong team by 51 in a 3-board tie-breaker after being tied in regulation.

In Madison, our team won a Regional KO by 50 against a Pro team after I told my partner, Peder Langsetmo, that “When the ladies return, we compare at halftime and we’re down by 100, we are going to drop out.” (When we compared, we were actually down by 7, which neither the ladies nor Peder and I could believe, but for different reasons.)

Some of the “good” memories include coming within inches of winning the GNT Flight A in Washington D.C. playing with Kurt Schaeffer (a feat which he later accomplished with a different team).

Or, Peg Waller, Cindy, Carole, and I losing to a very strong team in Florida by 1 after being down by 35 at the half and outscoring them 34-0 the second half.

Even some of my “bad” bridge memories aren’t too bad—in Anaheim Cindy, Carole, Dan Sershon and I spent an entire day at Universal Studios as a result of arriving too late to play on Sunday morning (forgetting that the last day of the Nationals they start the play an hour earlier).

Peder and I once played in a 2-day National Pairs event, with 70% and 65% (1^st and 2^nd), and didn’t make the overalls. During the event, we made 4HXX against Alan Truscott and his partner.

To be honest, it was never just about the Bridge. We also always focused on where we were going and how we were going to get there. For example…

We took the train to Portland to play in the Seaside Oregon Regional.

Cindy and I spent a week on the Outer Banks before competing in the Summer Nationals in Washington D.C for the first time.

In Boston, we took a day trip from the playing site to see Gloucester, Massachusetts, the town where they filmed The Perfect Storm (“A quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem”), and were rained out.

In San Francisco we toured Alcatraz, went to a drag queen show, and spent the night in Bodega Bay, eating breakfast at the café where they filmed Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.

In Vancouver, we had a ball sightseeing and day-tripping, but Paul Meerschaert almost didn’t make it on the plane in time. Cindy innocently asked him to carry some effervescent bath balls that she had bought, resulting in the drug-sniffing dogs really “liking him” and an extended visit to Customs.

All in all, it’s been 30+ years of great memories, Bridge, travel, and otherwise, that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Here’s to the next 30!

 

Bob Balderson

612-281-5222 (cell)
baldersonbob@gmail.com

 

"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow."

- Swedish proverb S

More Loss - Matt Baylow Shares More Sad News

..................

It is with a heavy heart to report that Genny Rice passed away this week,
peacefully in her sleep.  

 

Always with the sunniest of dispositions, Genny will be missed both at and away from the bridge table.  Genny "went out on top", having just scored a 74% Speedball game and coming in 1st out of 228 pairs with her longtime partner, Greg Caucutt, in what would be her last bridge game, having died the following afternoon.  

 

Getting to be 93 years old and still able to play bridge is a remarkable achievement in itself, and she was most recently honored as the RDBC's newest Diamond Life Master.  She loved a party and was always dressed to the nines!  

 

Genny's family is considering having a celebration of Genny's life, details yet to be finalized.  Sue Greenberg will have an update for us as she gets that information.

 

****************************************************************************************************************

Peg here - sharing my memories of a lovely, fun lady - just as Matt described.

 

Genny and I used to have a number of conversations online.  She was such a delightful, fun, caring and kind lady!  My guess is we didn't have ANYONE who didn't enjoy being with Genny....  In addition to her kindness and lovely manner, she was a good bridge player and loved being around everyone.
I don't think that I knew Genny had just become our latest Diamond Life Master!  
Kudos to Genny and her great accomplishment.  I can see her up in the universe - and I hope she is as nice to herself as she's always been to others!

As Matt has said, we will hear more from Genny's family; I look forward to that.
And I welcome any of our bridge players who would like to share their memories of Genny to do so!

So tough to lose another of our precious bridge players....  
Yet - as Matt remarked above - being 93 and STILL able to play a great game

IS a remarkable accomplishment - which Genny achieved!

I used to see Genny's great smile at one of our tables.  Now I shall think of her smile in Heaven.

 

Sad Tidings of the New Year - By Connie Nelson

Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
And never brought to mind?

                                  Absolutely not!                                  

From August-December, 2021,  my husband Jim Schnepf and I lived in Athens, leading a semester-long Study Abroad to Greece for the College of St Benedict/St John’s University.  While away, we were repeatedly saddened with news from home.  Four deaths from among our St Cloud Bridge Club occurred in those four months.

Vern Schlemmer died on August 7^th.   Vern was a solid bridge player who always made the most out of any hand he was dealt.  Our Club manager Kory says of him, “Vern didn’t have the master points, but I considered him an A player.”  Vern fiercely loved bridge and our Club.  Living near Alexandria MN, he drove one and a half hours each way to attend at least one weekly game.  At one of the last games he played, knowing that his health was failing, Vern bought pizza for everyone.  He stood and said a “thank you” for the joy he had received from playing bridge and from our St Cloud “bridge family!”  It brought tears to many eyes.  God speed, Vern!

Gloria Mize’s death on September 16^th left behind a huge hole in our Club.  Gloria served our Club in so many ways - she directed the Wednesday game; she initiated and supported a 199er side game; she taught bridge lessons; and she telephoned endlessly to arrange partnerships.  Gloria was a skilled player who earned nearly 2500 master points, and was an inspiration to many.  She encouraged all of us to continue to learn and better our game, and to play with love for the game!

One day after Gloria, David Warne died on September 17^th.   Dave was a strong competitor who played with many partners.  He wasn’t a slow player, but he was deliberate.  You could almost see his brain whirling as he carefully played each hand.  He was a strong, kind competitor.  A St Cloud State University professor, David was one of our “young” players and was only 68 when he died.  Frankly, I still have a hard time believing that he won’t be returning to the bridge table. 

On October 17^th, Roger Mord died a month later.  Roger enjoyed reading, following current events, playing bridge, gardening, and family.  Roger played in the 199-er games, often with his partner Joan Sand.  We will remember Roger as a very friendly competitor at the Bridge table, who brought a quiet integrity to all he did.

And, speaking of sad tidings, I would be remiss if I didn’t honor two other players who died earlier in 2021.

Jim Ferris died on April 7^th.  A local realtor for many years in the St Cloud area, Jim came to play occasionally in our 199-er games.  He enjoyed the game, and was always a gentleman at the table.

Betty Landsberger died on June 25^th.  St Cloud Bridge player Deb Ampe recalls Betty lovingly.  Betty and Deb were first cousins – and Betty was Deb’s favorite.  Deb summed Betty with one phrase, “Betty had a love for bridge, and an even bigger lust for life!”  Eighty-nine years young when she died, both Deb and I loved it when Betty would “flirt” with the younger male players calling out: “Hey, good looking!”  We all will miss that ever-present smile in her eyes and the quick tease on her lips!

Our Club sends peace and comfort to all family members and friends who knew these beloved players.  Rest In Peace! 

ACBL Board of Directors - Schedules for NABC's in The Future

Deana Liddy Shares ACBL BOD Changes
For the Future of NABCs

 

The recent action of the ACBL Board of Directors may be of interest to you.

 

The ACBL Board of Directors just voted to change the schedule for NABCs going forward, likely starting with Providence, to hold NABC events at 10 am and 3 pm.  NABC+ events may possibly start at 3:30 since they need more time - in line with what is happening at regionals and sectionals all over the country. 

 

Apparently the majority of players want such a schedule and thus that is what is happening.  Lesser events may be held in the evenings, such as side games and horizontal side game events. But nationally rated events will be in the daytime.

 

So regional and sectional tournament chairs may schedule as they wish.  Nevertheless, this seems to be the "new normal" all over the country. 

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you.

 

Deana

 

 

Calling All Juniors!

A great opportunity to have fun and success Saturday January 15
And perhaps give you the opportunity to compete in Providence this summer!

Go for it - and Have Fun!!

Don't forget about the CBO Club Special Tournament Saturday, January 15, which will award masterpoints and special prizes, and also practice for the spring tournaments that will award trips to the Bridge Bowl in Providence RI this summer! First through third place finishers will receive an Amazon gift card. Additionally, ACBL will draw the name of one random CBO tournament participant to receive a gift card.   You do need to be an ACBL member (only $5 for ages 25 and younger), have a BBO account (free) and be registered as a CBO member to participate in a CBO Tournament. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours to gain access to the CBO Club on BBO.   If you've never played in a CBO tournament before, simply log into BBO and click Competitive / Tournaments / All Tournaments or Free Tournaments / Collegiate. The CBO tournament should be first on the list.

Let's Fall in Love.....

Have you played bridge for more than a short while?  If so, then you likely are aware that it simply doesn't stay the same forever.  I remember when I went to college in Madison Wisconsin - learned to play all sorts of card games - and even a little bit of bridge.  From Madison, I headed to grad school and ended up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!! I fell in love with Minnesota - then met a relative who enjoyed bridge.  

He encouraged me to occasionally play in St. Paul - so I did.  And although he was a super smart guy and quite nice, too - we rarely played a lot.  Though I enjoyed our games, I truly was a beginner, had a long trek from Minneapolis to the north - and didn't learn that much.

THEN I met a guy who asked me to play one evening - and we were second in an event!  Boy was I excited - especially when we were given trophies that were almost as tall as I was!  That was it; even though I still did not play a huge amount of bridge, playing more - and/or kibitzing - was a true treat.

I have been playing bridge literally for many decades....  so I've seen extreme changes over the years; some good and some not so wonderful.  I surely recall having regionals where almost every seat in TWO BALLROOMS were taken by players; THAT'S how many of us were fascinated and excited by bridge!

As we all know, though, the last few years have brought changes that truly are distinct from decades of our games.  Some have been good - but others have been painful and sad as we see so many games dwindling....  I know that there are some who think that the "death knell" of bridge is on its way...  And while it is impossible to predict, my view is one of hope that much that is not so hot now  will change greatly for the better.  And yet again, we'll see new players and juniors and retired folk - along with talented super stars - returning to the game like no other.

My goal?  I have a few.  One is as I mentioned; as fear of covid diminishes, we'll see more players return.  And once that happens, more will become intrigued with bridge, irrespective of their expertise and/or their beginning experiences.

I think that my greatest hope is that we will see many fall in love again.  Some will simply enjoy a game of bridge every week or two.  Others will become so fascinated, games will grow and grow - beginners will turn into intermediates - and then perhaps experts - and/or super stars!

Whether you are a casual player or one of Minnesota's amazing top players - I hope your enjoyment continues on - and more and more of us return to being bridge lovers!

We can do it!  Please share YOUR THOUGHTS about bridge in 2022.  What are your thoughts for growth?  What do you think creates the most fun and fascination?  What are the most thrilling bridge experiences you've had - and - the most crushing?

I do have my own thoughts that I hope to share.  And please do join me!  Many of us have fallen in love with bridge in the past - yet current circumstances have made playing more challenging for many.  We can fall in love again.   We can create the fun and amazement.  We can entice non-bridge players to be with us!

                                                  Let's do it!!!  

 

We Can Make it If We Try!

This is my guess - and just that - but - my guess is that if we rally round the flag - and the greatest game ever - BRIDGE - that we can turn around what significant challenges we've faced in the last couple of years.

I remember when I first began playing bridge (many MANY moons ago!)  The game was fascinating - yet so challenging.  Tournaments were held in huge spaces around the Twin Cities - with tables after tables of players having a fabulous time.

Now?  Too often events are cancelled.  Or we just can't get enough folks to come out.  Or people are too concerned about health and/or safety - so they don't attend.

Can we alter this tragectory?  You betcha!!  

Let's put together more efforts to get juniors, young players, those who have retired and all sorts of other bridge players to return to the good old days where we had SO MUCH FUN wild horses couldn't keep us away from the bridge table!

Will it happen overnight?  Unlikely - particularly with temperatures of 15 below zero - and colder!  Or some who still aren't ready to "belly up to the Bridge Bar".  Yet plenty of us do wish to see tables and tables of players... to help newbies and retirees realize what a magical game bridge is.

Whether you're a super star Grand Life Master -  or - someone who is intrigued by our game - yet still clearly inexperienced - 2022 can be OUR YEAR!  Please share your thoughts - your hopes - and do what you can so yet again - we can see room after room of players returning to the game we love!

 

The Weather Outside May be Frightful! (Real cold at least!!)

Enjoy year 2022!
Minnesota Winter
Super Silver Sectional!

Larry, Patti and Kimberly - All will help guide!

ACBL Unit 103

Minnesota Winter       Super Silver Sectional        January 27-29, 2022  New Brighton Community Center          400 10th Street NW       New Brighton, MN 55112 Happy New Year of Bridge! We are happy to host our first tournament of 2022 this month. Brrrrriiinng a friend, come to New Brighton, and play some hot bridge. See the attached flyer for details. Tournament Chair:      Larry Huiras         phone: 715-410-8705         email:   [email protected]  Partnerships:      Patti Huiras         phone: 651-343-2078         email:   [email protected]    Tournament Director:      Kimberly Hayward Notice: In accordance with Minnesota & ACBL safety protocols:  PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION REQUIRED before being admitted to the playing area. MASKS REQUIRED in the playing area and facility AT ALL TIMES.