January 2004 Column
San Mateo–Redwood City, Calif. Unit
TDates to remember: December 31st , February 8th and March 12–14. Wednesday, December 31st—our New Year’s Party. At press time, we don’t know if there’ll be last minute openings. Interested? Check with Patty Frederick at Bayshore Bridge Club: (650) 344–4919 or home: (650) 369–1233. There will be cocktails, wine, hors d’oeuvres and prime ribs; the setting gala, wondrously decorated. Starting 6:00 PM; bridge about 8:00 PM. Enjoy a marvelous New Year’s celebration for only $25.00 per person.
Sunday, February 8th, our next Unit Game. Reservation forms, with details, available at Bayshore.
Friday evening through Sunday, March 12–14 for the ever popular San Mateo Winter Sectional Bridge Tournament. Back by popular demand are Bracketed KO games and the traditional Art Weinstein Memorial 199er Championship. There will be four single session stratified pairs’ games on Saturday and Sunday and strati-flighted Swiss teams on Sunday. All but the first session of the KOs are at the San Mateo County Expo Center on Saturday and Sunday. The first KO session is Friday evening at Bayshore.
On Friday evening, November 7th eighteen tables of friends plus numerous drop ins paid respects at Ellie Stauffer’s hastily convened going away party. Daisy Straus read her wonderful poetic tribute to our departing leader. Misty eyes proved the kudos were earned many times over. Nobody suggested that Ellie’s farewells are reminiscent of Sarah Bernhardt’s final tours.
After a pot luck dinner, in which our chefs produced gourmet delicacies, neither Ellie’s nor Jerry’s team received passes to victory. Overall winners were A: Edie Wong & Daisy Straus; David Hoffman & May Soules; Herb & Gisela Block. B: Dean Wangsvick & Joanne Allen; Meril Ferguson & Ginny Poulter; Gigi & Roy Nordman. C: Leonor Frankel & Al Malouf; Ron Talbot & Albert Stein; Lorraine McCloud & Derlyn Gagnier.
Al Malouf is moving up from Treasurer to president; Paul Levine, who is writing his last column and thanks you for being very tolerant readers, cedes "Forum" Correspondent to Carol Gonella and becomes Treasurer. Patty Frederick joins the board as vice chair of hospitality. Thus starts the post Ellie era. We need lots of cooperation from all members, board and non-board, for the transition. Let’s volunteer everywhere and write up news bits for Carol.
After Ellie’s special game, the November Unit Game held three days later miraculously attracted ten tables. Overall winners were A: Al Malouf & Leonor Frankel; James & Rosemarie Dean; Takemi Totes & Jerry Stauffer. B: Ron Kauffman & Pauline Berkow; Mark & Dana Sorenson; Nancy Chapman & Mie Thiemmedh. C: Carol Gonella & Anne Javer; Paul Levine & Geoff Bromfield; Fran Ball & Vera Bass.
We welcome Maryellie Johnson and Ray Fong as new members. Moving away are Natalie Kern, Jeannette McNeil, Bob Rose and Ellie & Jerry Stauffer. Best wishes. It was nice having you.
Eric Dundatscheck has returned from QE2's South American Adventure Voyage. He danced up a storm and earned E/W Duplicate Champion with Joyce Stokes.
Running late? Need a partner? Want to reserve a table? Call the club at (650) 344–4919. For other club information, see Andrew Binstock’s web site (www.meckwell.com/unit498). Drop off material for this column in the club suggestion box, Alternatively, you may e–mail or fax it as below. Please include your name and phone number in case I have any questions.
—Paul Levine pblevine@juno.com, Fax: (650) 593–2572