Orlando Daily Bulletin 4

DailyNovember 28-December 8, 2002 Bulletin76th Fall North American Bridge Championships Phoenix, Arizona Vol. 76, No. 4 Monday, December 2, 2002 Editors: Henry Francis and Jody Latham Al Levy sets goals as 2003 president When Alvin Levy takes over as president of the American Contract Bridge League in January, he plans to concentrate on five major items: -- Get bridge into middle and high schools. -- Keep the game in balance at all levels of play. -- Concentrate on promotion and sponsorship. -- Promote all forms of bridge -- Work toward a strong and successful world pres- ence. But before we get into all that, let's find out who Alvin Levy is. First of all, he prefers to be called Al. He was a scientist/engineer in the field of structural Patty Johnson advances mechanics and material science. He retired in 1998 to play more golf and bridge and to concentrate more on bridge administration. to National Director Over the past 20 years he has served on his Unit and District Boards in many capacities. He is serving Beverly and Al Levy “My work as a tournament director is a most re- his third term on the ACBL Board of Directors. warding experience” is the way Patty Johnson describes He started playing bridge in college after reading Paul Cullen her occupation. “I’m part of a huge loving family.” a book by Charles Goren."For years Terence Reese was Patty is the director who always has a happy smile, my favorite author and his books helped me discover Tournament director Paul Cullen of Portland OR who makes everyone at her tournaments feel welcome the game." and respected, who enjoys the atmosphere that sur- suffered a heart attack about 11:30 a.m. yesterday in Years ago he developed a strong interest in com- the lobby of the Hyatt Regency and died shortly after- rounds working tournament directors. She is the di- puter bridge. In fact, he was the organizer of the World rector who handles operations at NABCs – she makes ward. He was 53. Computer Bridge Championships which were staged Cullen had been scheduled to start a seven-day sure the scores are accurate and she makes sure all the for the first time in 1997. "The two finalists this year, scores get into the Daily Bulletin. “Life without Patty assignment at the NABC beginning yesterday. Jack, from the Netherlands, the reigning world cham- Cullen’s wife, Diane, said the couple had planned is almost unimaginable,” said Henry Francis, Daily pion, and WBridge5, from France, this year's runner- Bulletin editor. to renew their wedding vows at the year-end Reno re- up, played particularly well." gional. They had been married 27 years. “Paul was And now Patty has achieved the pinnacle of tour- Here is what Levy had to say on various subjects nament directing – she recently was promoted to the looking forward to renewing our vows,” said Diane. pertinent to the ACBL. “Instead, we’ll have a celebration of his life.” rank of National Director. She also became one of the “Here is how I see the present and future of tour- ACBL’s field supervisors with responsibility for the Diane said she was especially concerned about the nament bridge in North America. Tournament bridge couple’s two dogs: MacDuff, a Scottish terrier, and area covering Florida, George and South Carolina. is currently healthy and exciting. Its success is due That makes two National Directors in the Johnson Jean-Paul, a Papillon “named after Paul. He called me th mainly to our unit- and district-level volunteers, who from Memphis (site of special tournament director family – she recently celebrated her 20 wedding an- run organized bridge throughout North America (with niversary with her husband, Karl Johnson. For many training) and said, ‘How are my boys? I miss them.’” the exception of the NABCs). It is remarkable that there Another passion was the Green Bay Packers foot- years Karl was the chief director in the Midwest area, are so many dedicated volunteers who give back to the working out of Chicago. He and Patty have lived in ball team. “He lived and breathed Green Bay,” said game they love. It speaks highly of our game and what TD Roger Putnam, who worked with Cullen in British Florida since he retired many years ago, and they’re it has to offer. Helping and encouraging these volun- still very much in love. “It helped that we were friends Columbia, Washington and Oregon. teers should remain a priority of the ACBL. Matt Smith, field supervisor for Districts 18, 19 first,” said Patty. "Then came that day when we real- “Units and districts are the sponsoring organiza- ized that we were more than friends.” and 20, remembered Cullen as “a chubby guy, deaf as What comes to Patty’s mind when she reflects on Continued on page 4 a post but he always had a smile. her career? “Winning the Tom Weeks award was spe- “The best thing about Paul was that he always cial. That showed that I had won the respect of my Last year's 1-2 laughed – and he could laugh at himself. He was just a peers. Being appointed to the Goodwill Committee was good, basically nice guy. He’d do whatever you wanted an indication that I was doing the right things. And I him to do. We’ll miss him.” love running my regionals. There’s a special atmo- tied in Open BAM District 20 Director Bob Lix agreed. “It’s a great sphere that surrounds directors who are working to- loss to the ACBL directing staff. He will be sorely gether.” Teams that finished 1-2 in last year’s Reisinger missed at tournaments in District 20.” Patty’s entrance into bridge and directing was dif- Board-a-Match Teams are tied going into today’s final TD John Ashton, a longtime friend, had known ferent. Her first husband was a bridge player, and he two rounds of the Open Board-a-Match Teams. Cullen since he moved to Portland in the early Seven- encouraged her to take lessons. But he was sent to Viet- The team captained by Roy Welland (Bjorn ties and started directing at club games. “He loved his nam, and Patty still was a rank novice. She continued Fallenius, Brad Moss, Fred Gitelman, Steve Garner and wife, Diane, the work he did as a TD, the bridge play- to go to a couple of the clubs in her native Memphis – Howard Weinstein) won last year’s Reisinger and is ers and bridge – in about that order.” Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 tied at 37.50 with the George Jacobs squad (Ralph Katz, Norberto Bocchi, Giorgio Duboin, Alfredo Versace and Lorenzo Lauria), who finished second last year in the Seniors down to 16 All-Star Quintet Reisinger and in the Open BAM. Only one board behind the co-leaders are Gerald Thirty-six teams entered this year’s Senior Knock- leads Women's BAM Sosler, Kay Schulle, Massimo Lanzarotti and Andrea out Teams and the top-seeded team of Mike Levine, Zeke Buratti, who posted 36.50. Jabbour, Bobby Wolff, Dan Morse, P. O. Sundelin and A quintet of all-stars has a 1.5-board lead going Arnie Fisher will face #16 – Peter and Marie Filandro, into today’s two final sessions of the Marsha May Today is Goodwill Day Michael and Susan Gilbert – in today’s Round of 16. Sternberg Women’s Board-a-Match Teams. The major upset yesterday was the 150-135 win by Valerie Westheimer, Judi Radin, Mildred Breed, Today is Goodwill Day. My co- George Retek, Brian Fraser, Al Levy, Richard Anderson and Shawn Quinn and Hjordis Eythorsdottir posted 31.50 chairs and I invite all members of Jerry Fleming over Richard Budd, Richard DeMartino, Wil- in yesterday’s two qualifying sessions. Westheimer and the National Goodwill Committee to liam Hunter, Pat McDevitt, Shome Mukherjee and Robert Eythorsdottir are defending the title they won last year join us for a reception/meeting from Ryder. The Budd team finished third in last year’s Senior KO playing with Carol Simon and Rozanne Pollack. 5-7 in the Phoenix Ballroom at the and won the event two years ago. The team of Cheri Bjerkan, Sue Weinstein, Lynn Hyatt Regency. Another upset saw Veronica and John McMurdie, Deas, Beth Palmer, Renee Mancuso and Pam Wittes is Aileen Osofsky, Chairman Robert Boggs and Phillip Schiffert oust the team captained second with 30.00. National Goodwill Committee by Hamish Bennett (Trudi Nugit, Gene Simpson, Robert Carteaux, John Russell and Chuck Said). Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS Thats my aunt Janice Seamon-Molson has been around bridge all Monday, December 2 her life and she’s not easily impressed, but she was all Goodwill Day smiles after her aunt, Edith Freilich, played this deal from the first final session of the Life Master Women’s Pairs. 9 a.m. - Noon Teacher Accreditation Program (TAP) with Betty Starzec. ACBL=s popular 10-hour seminar They were playing against June Deutsch and Dor- for people interested in learning how to teach bridge successfully. The course features teaching othy Truscott. techniques and course material developed by Audrey Grant. Hyatt Regency, Remington AB. « Pre-registration required. Dlr: North 10 8 9:30 a.m. ACBL Online Individual. ACBL Online members and e-bridge subscribers will be eligible to Vul: None ª 7 4 play free in a 12-board Individual at the Phoenix Civic Plaza, Hall A. There will be drawings © J 9 5 2 for numerous door prizes throughout the game and masterpoints for the winners.

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