Friday, July 23, 2010 Volume 82, Number 1 Daily Bulletin 82nd North American Bridge Championships Editors: Brent Manley and Paul Linxwiler Aileen Osofsky Four honored at Hall of Fame dinner If you need slam bidding is the 1926-2010 proof that when best. It was a great bridge players 20 years playing Aileen Osofsky, Goodwill Committee chair get together, together.” and one of ACBL’s most influential voices for it’s story-telling When promotion of friendly behavior at the bridge table, time, just drop Berkowitz took died at New into an induction the podium, he York University ceremony for the told about how Hospital on ACBL Bridge Hall his partnership June 22 of of Fame some with Cohen ran complications time. so smoothly – or from leukemia. Thursday’s mostly so. In the She was 84. party was no first couple of Osofsky exception, with years, there was was asked to multiple anecdotes Larry Cohen and new ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame inductee some complaining chair the ACBL about David David Berkowitz by Berkowitz when Goodwill Berkowitz — the things didn’t go Committee newest member of the Hall of Fame – Sportsman so well. This displeased Cohen, but they reached in 1985, even of the Year Roy Welland, Sidney Lazard Jr., an agreement that Berkowitz could “yell,” defined though she was after whom the sportsmanship trophy is named; as any indication of unhappiness, once every six not a member of Blackwood Award winner Tom Stoddard and von months. the committee. Zedtwitz Award winner Paul Hodge. One day after many years of play, Berkowitz She had made a name for herself with the Greater Mike Passell, demonstrating his skill as asked Cohen how he thought the partnership had New York Bridge Association and is one of only master of ceremonies, kicked off the program gone. Cohen acknowledged that Berkowitz had three life members of that organization. with an account of a tournament in Arkansas with been a model partner. “So,” Berkowitz said, “that Last year, in recognition of her dedication Berkowitz as a teammate. Berkowitz played four means I have forty yells, right?” and long service, the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame straight game contracts against two women, each “No, said Cohen, “if you don’t use them, you Committee selected her for the Blackwood Award, contract failing on bad trump splits. On the fifth lose them.” thus making her a member of the Hall of Fame. deal, trumps split badly again, but Berkowitz made Berkowitz’s record speaks for itself – 25 At the induction ceremony, her son Alan noted, his game on an endplay. “Although she isn’t the best player, she has done North American championships, more than 30,000 “I’m really glad you made that contract,” one as much for the game as anyone.” masterpoints and prestigious wins in foreign of the women said to Berkowitz. “I was afraid if A native of Brooklyn NY, the former Aileen tournaments. He is now a full-time player living in you went down again, you’d get fired.” Bryant was the daughter of a contractor who built Florida. Larry Cohen, Berkowitz’s longtime partner barracks for women during World War II. With Berkowitz to enjoy the honor were his now semi-retired, teased Berkowitz about several After graduating from high school, Osofsky wife, Lisa, also a champion player, daughter Dana foibles, but he said, “We all know what a great lied about her age and went to work for a five- and son Michael. player David is, and of all the people I know, his and-dime store in Harrisburg PA, later becoming a continued on page 5 long-distance telephone operator. She and her husband, Meyer, attended the same high school in Brooklyn. They were married after he was discharged from the military — he GNT flights in was a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber — and he started a women’s clothing business, Aileen Inc. quarterfinal stage The business required a lot of travel, and the company had private aircraft that Meyer flew, Four flights of the Grand National Teams will Also, the powerhouse District 9 team led by sometimes with the family. Aileen learned to fly play their second day of knockouts today with Warren Spector and including Jeff Meckstroth and as a safety play — she wanted to know what to do eight teams in each flight. Eric Rodwell, were eliminated in the first round of in case her husband became incapacitated during Top seed in the Championship Flight, based on knockouts on Thursday. a flight. She picked up the flying part relatively final standings from the Wednesday Swiss teams Other No. 1 seeds playing today: quickly. “Learning to land,” she recalled, “took qualifying, is the squad led by Steve Robinson Flight A, David Brower (District 20); Flight B, some time.” of District 6. Last year’s champion, led by Rose Paul Chan (District 15) and, Flight C, Chris Poulos In her 25 years of service as Goodwill chair, Meltzer, did not qualify for the knockout phase. (District 20). Osofsky never stopped trying to convince ACBL members that friendly demeanor at the bridge table is good for everyone. Notice to players who live In a letter to the ACBL dated June 18, 2010, Goodwill Message Osofsky reflected on her long association with the Welcome to New outside North America committee: Orleans and the Summer Participation in the von Zedtwitz, Bruce or “When I got a call twenty-five years ago 2010 North American Young Life Master Pairs is limited to ACBL asking me to become the chair of the National Bridge Championships. members who have achieved the rank of Life Goodwill Committee, I had no idea how profound Tournament Chair John Master. and positive an impact the organization and its Federico and his group Players who reside outside North America members would have on my life. of volunteers, staff and and who do not meet this criteria, but feel they are “As I transition now to a less-involved role in sponsors wish everyone otherwise eligible to participate, must receive a the activities of the ACBL, I must acknowledge good luck. They have waiver in writing prior to the commencement of the the paramount part that the organization has worked hard to make your stay in New Orleans contest. played in filling my life with joy, passion, and enjoyable. Players who need information or who wish meaning — and I must thank you all from the Aileen Osofsky 1926-2010 to request a waiver should inquire at the selling bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity National Goodwill Committee Chairman location. Please note that players who have been to participate in the group’s work, and for doing waived into previous Life Master Pairs do not have that work with me.” continued on page 12 to re-apply. Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Friday, July 23 4:30-6 pm Junior Reception. All Junior players are invited to attend. 8 am-10 pm Hall of Fame interviews. Room: 730. Room: St. Charles. 9 am-Noon ACBL Disciplinary Committee meeting. Room: Bacchus. 10:30 am-Noon ACBL Tournament Director meeting. Room: Regent. Sunday, July 25 1:30-4:30 pm Bridge Teachers and Bridge Cruises Seminar. Join Peg 8 am-10 pm Hall of Fame interviews. Room: 730. Cundiff, host of more than100 bridge cruises, for great 9 am-Noon Teacher Accreditation Program (TAP). Second session. tips on being a successful teacher and bridge host on a Pre-registration required. Room: St. Charles. cruise ship. Fee: $25 at the door. Room: St. Charles (41st 10 am-Noon Board of Governors/ACBL Membership Meeting. This floor). meeting is open to all members. Discussion will include 4:30-6:30 pm Reception for Teachers and Club Officials. This is recent actions of the ACBL Board of Directors, reports from the ACBL’s “thank you” reception for the teachers and the CEO and treasurer, and new proposals from the Board club officials who work so hard to recruit and retain our of Governors. Room: Acadia. members. Room: Riverview. 10 am-Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Barbara Seagram. Seagram, 11:30 pm- one of ACBL’s well-known teachers and Bridge Bulletin Midnight National Appeals Committee meeting. Room: Regent. columnist, presents a fun bridge lesson for intermediate and newer players. Room: Mardi Gras EH. Saturday, July 24 12:30-3 pm Happy Bridge. Special game for new players. 14 boards, 8 am-10 pm Hall of Fame interviews. Room: 730. no card fee. Room: Mardi Gras AC. 9 am-Noon Teacher Accreditation Program (TAP). First session of 4:30-6:15 pm Meet & Greet for Junior players on BBO, their mentors the ACBL’s popular 10-hour seminar for people interested and other expert players. Put a face to a name with your in learning how to teach bridge successfully. Pre- online partners/mentors. Hosted by Valerie Westheimer and registration required. Room: St. Charles. Lynn Deas. Room: Regent. 9 am-Noon ACBL Educational Foundation meeting. Room: Bonaparte. 5-7 pm Seminar: Teaching Young People Bridge. If you’re 9:30 am-Noon ACBL Laws Commission meeting. Room: Regent. teaching bridge to young people now (or just thinking about 9:45 am-Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Jerry Helms. Helms, well- it), this seminar will help you focus on goals, format, course known teacher and Bridge Bulletin columnist, presents materials and successful practices. Join Julie Greenberg, a fun bridge lesson for intermediate and newer players. ACBL’s Director of Education, and Dana Norton, ACBL’s Room: Mardi Gras EH.