Vol. LIII No. 1 March 2011 YOUTH BRIDGE GAINS MOMENTUM You may be surprised to League in July 2010. She de- stand the logic, reasoning, Enith, students don’t have to be learn that public school stu- scribes the League as a virtual probability and statistics behind ―ready‖ for bridge. There is dents in the Lakeland School not for profit that works both bridge. The teachers initially nothing to be ready for. They District in Westchester County with teachers interested in were given several hours of learn by doing. Goals include are studying bridge as part of bringing bridge into the training in how to incorporate having the PTA hold family their school day. The program schools, and with existing pro- mini-bridge in the classroom. bridge nights where the game is is the brainchild of the School grams looking for students to Later they will be taught bid- to taught students, parents and Bridge League. The goal of the have competition. ding. Bridge is integrated in the teachers. League is to enrich school cur- At Lakeland, the League classroom, at lunch, recess and The School Bridge League ricula and student’s lives by reached out to the Schools Su- after school. encourages bridge activities in promoting and fostering bridge perintendent Dr. George Stone. The program usually is intro- school and as afterschool activ- as a fun, social, educational, Today, forty teachers as well as duced in elementary school. ities, and is not meant to take and competitive experience. PTA members are involved. The foundation for bridge be- the place of area bridge clubs. Enith Friedman Berg, a Students are grouped by age gins early (if possible in kinder- Its programs are held during White Plains resident and avid and experience. The program at garten) by teaching the game of school hours and are led by the bridge player, took over as Lakeland began with a training trump and tricks and playing teachers. The organization President of the School Bridge program to help teachers under- with a partner. According to (Continued on page 12) WINTER IN WESTCHESTER TOURNAMENT Inside this issue: WEATHERS THE SNOW In Memoriam 3 Despite a morning snow Mike, along with his partner For complete results, please WCBA Double storm that closed schools and Willie Ehlers, was first overall turn to page 8. 4 KO snarled traffic, the Winter in on Friday afternoon, and second overall on Friday evening. 2010 Medal Westchester Tournament came 6 Winners off without a hitch during the Mike’s wife Sylwia was a wor- weekend of January 7-9. Fri- thy queen, besting Mike to Tournament achieve first overall on Friday 8 day’s and Sunday’s events were Results held at the Bridge Deck, while evening with her partner, Paul Saturday’s bridge, lunch and Roberts. The McNamaras then Ask the Pros 11 cocktail party were held at the combined for first overall in the Riverview in Hastings. Saturday afternoon session. Club News 14 Mike McNamara added the It was a weekend of many unofficial title of King of highlights, but the surprise ap- New Life Bridge to his official title of pearance of Bob Hamman at 15 Clockwise from Top: Bob Ham- Masters President of the Westchester Friday night’s game was per- man, Mike McNamara, Ed Contract Bridge Association. haps the greatest thrill for some. Zuckerberg, Willie Ehlers VISIT US ON THE WEB AT WWW.BRIDGE-WCBA.COM Page 2 Bridging the Counties UNIT 188 - PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I want to special thanks to all of the people who put through bridge. If you have a contact in a thank everyone so much time and effort into providing school in this county where you would like who attended the such great events and such good food. to see bridge taught, please let me know. Winter in To support our young players, a youth Westchester I am personally honored to serve as game was held at the Rye Regional where events and the President this year. Bridge in Westchester 22 kids showed up to compete. You can Mini-McKenney continues to thrive. The two largest clubs view pictures and results on our unit and Swiss. We had in the county were among the top 15 clubs district websites. In addition, The Bridge 33 tables on Sun- in North America last year. That is quite an Deck holds a Sunday evening kid’s game. day at the Gold- accomplishment to have two top fifteen If you have a child or grandchild that is en Apple Swiss! clubs in our county. interested in learning bridge, this is a fun Michael McNamara Congratulations way to learn. We plan to hold many more The WCBA, Inc. is doing some of its again to the new exciting youth events and to work to ex- most exciting work with younger players. life masters and to all who were honored at pose more kids in the county to the won- The Lakeland school district has added these events. I hope everyone has been on derful game of bridge. bridge to its grade school curriculum. the Unit 188 website to see the great pic- Math, critical thinking, and logical reason- tures from these events. I want to extend a I look forward to seeing everyone at ing are now being taught in the classroom upcoming events. EDITOR’S MESSAGE Please join me in You probably noticed that have been dragged to Nationals all Joan Gerard and the officers and wishing a hearty Bridging the Counties has a new over the country. Needless to say, volunteers of the WCBA, I want to thank you to Jason look this month. This is my first bridge is dear to my heart. offer a hearty thank you to Jason issue as editor, taking over from for his tireless efforts. Fuhrman who is As Editor, I have huge shoes to Jason Fuhrman. For those of you retiring after ten years fill. Jason Fuhrman assumed the In the coming issues, you will who don’t know me, I have been editorship of Bridging the Counties see new features. This month, we of tireless service as hooked on bridge ever since I took with the March 2000 issue. Prior to have added an Ask the Pros col- my first bridge lesson from Debbie Editor of “Bridging the Jason’s tenure, the newsletter ex- umn. Although I personally have Rosenberg (then Debbie Zucker- hausted seven editors in fifteen enough questions and mistakes to Counties” berg) over twenty years ago. My years. Jason continued to design, fill the column for years to come, husband John Boyer and I met write, edit and continuously im- I’d greatly prefer to hide my foi- through bridge, and our children prove the newsletter for more than bles and have you submit your BRIDGING THE COUNTIES (ISSN 1059-3586) is published four a decade despite marriage, the birth bidding, play of the hand, or any times a year in March, June, September and December by the of his now four year old son, and a other bridge questions to our panel. Westchester Contract Bridge Association, 190 East Post Road, White full time job as lawyer. This month’s panel of pros include Plains, NY 10601. $1 of yearly membership fees shall be applied to bridge professionals Mike and In the year 2000 when Jason yearly subscription for the publication. Periodicals postage is paid at Sylwia McNamara, Ethan Stein, White Plains, NY. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Bridging assumed the editorship, Bill Clin- and Rob Stayman. the Counties, 190 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601. ton was President, YouTube and hybrid cars didn’t exist, and Mark I would love to hear your com- WESTCHESTER CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION Zuckerberg was a junior in high ments, and story ideas for Bridging www.bridge-wcba.com school caddying at local bridge the Counties. I encourage you to District: www.bridge-district3.org tournaments. Think how much has keep my mailbox full. My email President: Michael McNamara changed since then, and yet Jason address is [email protected]. I Editor: Ellyn Plato reliably and cheerful has produced also may be reached by telephone the newsletter all this time. at 914-478-2169. Contributors: Jason Fuhrman, Joan Gerard, Mike McNamara, Sylwia McNama- ra, Marjorie Murstein, Cliff Nebel, Judy Soley, Rob Stayman, Ethan Stein This issue marks the end of a Ellyn Please send comments or submissions to [email protected] era. Along with Mike McNamara, March 2011 Page 3 THIS N THAT Orlando, the site of the Fall NABC, was McNamara for his help and support. Once phia at The World Bridge Series. the same location as six years ago and yet again, District 3 thanks Hartes and the the attendance was 2,000 tables less. Why? Bridge Deck for closing during this Re- On a sadder note, I want to express my Same location, a good schedule (although gional. Volunteers are necessary to the personal sorrow at the passing of Joel not perfect). Jayne Thomas, chairman of smooth running of any bridge tournament. Bieber on Thanksgiving Day. He was a the last several Florida NABC's and a Thanks to Mimi Bieber, tournament chair- good friend of mine and the District’s. meeting planner and tournament chairman man, Linda Ottness who provides all the Joel's friendly smile and warm welcome as par excellence, cannot take any of the he ran the Hospitality Suite for many years blame. So what is wrong to produce 2,000 will not be forgotten. tables less than in 2004? I think I know the And last but surely not least - thanks to answer and it's not rocket science.