July 2016 Newsletter Jim Geary DMBC Club Manager FOURTH OF JULY As I sat at a memorial service recently for those killed in the Orlando shooting I found myself drawn to look deeply into the faces of each of the fifty men and women who died at the Orlando club. Each picture was in a rainbow frame with a votive candle illuminating the face of the deceased. I desired to feel a connection with each individual. I needed to grieve for the tragic loss of life, hopes and dreams. How do we integrate this atrocity with the celebratory nature of the Fourth of July? On the Fourth we celebrate our independence, our right to be self governed and our realization that America is home to a diverse family. It is a family of different creeds, races, political affiliations, and beliefs. I first joined Daytona Metropolitan Bridge Club in 1989 and in many ways it has become an extended family. I am grateful for the acceptance and love that I have found. I am also grateful for my acceptance of individuals that I may not agree with, yet despite these seeming differences have come to love and treasure for the unique and caring individuals they are. I realize that each of us wants what we perceive as best for our nation, our family and our children s children. Each of us is united in our love for our country and the freedom that we hold dear. As we exited the memorial service at Our Lady of Lourdes, a magnificent rainbow hung over the ocean directly in front of us. We felt our connection with one another and with those who were no longer physically present but who we remain connected to in our hearts. It is after all, the respect and value that we bestow on each other that goes to the heart of being an American. And it is that connection with each of you that I hold dear and celebrate this Fourth of July.
0-499 SECTIONAL I am pleased to announce that we had a successful 0-499 sectional while entertaining guests from Venice, Orlando, The Villages, Titusville, Deland and Palm Coast. We averaged eight tables per session. The table count was less than hoped but in addition to enjoying three days of bridge we made a respectable profit for our club. Next year I have moved the 0-499 sectional to March 30 to April 1 in hopes of attracting more of our snowbirds before they return north. Special thanks to JANET PHILLIPS and the many members who contributed food. MARY MCLEISH, MAXINE SHARP and TRICIA BROWN did a super job helping in the kitchen and organized breakfast, breaks and lunch. MIKE HARBOUR assisted in selling lunch tickets and directors DONNA BENOY, BARRY POPE and TOM VAN NEST assisted with the many tasks associated with a sectional. Also thanks to our members who played in this event. By attending these sectional tournaments you assure that our club maintains its financial viability. ALZHEIMERS FUND Our members raised over $275.00 for the Alzheimer s Foundation last month during our nine charity games. Thank you supporting this worthy cause. BIRTHDAY GAMES Our Birthday games are scheduled for Wednesday July 6. Remember that all members born in July play free on that day in both our morning and afternoon session. MENTOR GAME Our Mentor Game is scheduled for Thursday July 14. For those with existing partnerships check your availability to play. TOM VAN NEST will be away for the mentor games in July and August but I can assist with partnerships if you wish to play in these helpful and fun games. It is my desire to offer these games every month of the year.
ARNI CHARITY GAMES I have scheduled eight charity games this month for the ARNI Foundation. As you know ARNI is a local charity non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of animals at local kill shelters, and the rescue of abuse and cruelty cases. ARNI also provides low-cost flea and tick medications. The charity games will all be held during our Thursday and Friday games. Both DONNA and SPIKE have asked that we make the Thursday Afternoon Team Game and the Friday Night Team Game special games that award more points for our players. In order for us to cover our cost for these games we ask members to drop an extra dollar into the ARNI donation jar. NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS GAMES I have scheduled a number of North American Pairs Games throughout July; these games cost an extra dollar but award considerably more points. The proceeds from these ACBL charity games help participants travel related costs. UPGRADED CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Monday s July 18 TH 1PM Open and 0-499 games will be an Upgraded Club Championship. For every ten persons our club assists in joining ACBL we are awarded one of these special games. These games award nearly triple points and only cost $5.00! Be sure to mark this date on your calendar. BEGINNING BRIDGE AND BASIC BRIDGE REVIEW CLASS The Tuesday morning Beginning Bridge Class which began in February is nearing completion. Attrition in this class has been remarkably low; we hit a high of fourteen tables in February and maintained that number throughout several months until some students needed to return home. I am pleased to say that after almost five months we still have nine tables. Most of these players are also playing several times weekly in our other games. They have made much progress and are instilled with the love of the game. If you have the pleasure of seeing a new face at the table make sure to welcome them and extend to them the
graciousness for which many of our members (past and present) are known. The next Beginning Bridge, Basic Bridge Review and Introduction to Modern Bidding is slated to begin Tuesday September 20 TH 2016. TUESDAY AFTERNOON GAME Our dear friend and teacher LYNN BROWN will be retiring from her Tuesday 0-999 game. LYNN is preparing for the upcoming birth of a grandchild and desires to focus on family and friends. LYNN plans to continue playing at DMBC and to substitute when needed. Her last day will Tuesday June 28 TH. What a gift LYNN has been to each of us and her teaching will be greatly missed. I will attempt to fill her shoes for a while, (although Charles Reed constantly reminds me she looks better in them than I do). THURSDAY MORNING GAME Attendance is down a bit in our 0-100 Thursday Morning Game. BARRY POPE offers excellent lessons on defense. He is currently using material from Eddie Kantar s acclaimed Modern Bridge Defense. During the summer months we experience decreased attendance in many of our games but I encourage 0-100 members to take advantage of BARRY S class and this fun morning game. THURSDAY TEAM GAME Remember that every Thursday in July (except July 14 TH ) will be a TEAM GAME. SPIKE LAY and BARRY POPE direct these fun and exciting games. Come with a partner and draw for a pair of other partners to play as a team. SPIKE will also be attending the Wednesday Morning June 13 TH Game to talk about the fun of playing in team events.
FRIDAY OPEN AND 0-799 GAME Our 1 PM Friday Open and 0-799 game is a great way to spend a Friday afternoon. Remember that 0-50 masterpoint players play free in the 0-799 game. This two session game offers a great opportunity for our newer players to feel more comfortable playing in a higher limit game. It also offers our open players extra points and the opportunity to meet our up and coming members. FRIDAY EVENING TEAM GAME Come experience the fun of an evening team game on Fridays at 6:30. Come with a partner and draw for a pair of other partners to play as a team. The Friday night team game offers a relaxed and fun atmosphere to play bridge. Enjoy a glass of wine, your favorite cocktail or juice and remember that if you win even one match against another team you win points! DONNA BENOY directs this game and can answer any of your questions. See you at the tables! Jim Bridgeinmyheart@aol.com