First Game at 817 Kempsville Road:  Monday March 31st

Last Game at 4966 Euclid Road:  Friday March 28th

Sunday March 30th game is cancelled for the move

Renovations are underway at our new bridge center location (817 Kemspville Road, Virginia Beach, behind the Kempsville Presbyterian Church).  We are excitedly looking forward to moving into our new home for bridge in just a few weeks.  It takes a lot to convert the former classroom area into a high quality place to play bridge and teach new players.  We're asking our players to help in a fund-raiser with a goal of $20,000.  The Bridge Center of Hampton Roads, Inc., is a 501-c3 charitable organization, so donations are tax deductible*.  We hope that you'll help.  The Navy has a tradition whereby the first crew members of a newly commissioned ship are known as Plank Owners.  Please become a Plank Owner for our new location.

To donate, make checks payable to The Bridge Center of Hampton Roads, Inc.  The Tax ID is EIN 80-0790557.  Please hand checks to Bridge Center Treasurer Shary Schlain.  She usually plays Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

* Please check with your financial advisor or tax preparer about whether you can deduct your contribution in your tax return.

Rob Cobb is generously offering to sell his gorgeous wooden bowls during our upcoming Open House. He will donate 35% of the proceeds to the Fund. So please come join us at the Open House scheduled for April 6^th (Sunday) to enjoy a catered lunch, play bridge, and take home a truly amazing work of art. Rob will be available to handle sales from 11:45-1:00 and after the Bridge game.  He can also explain his process for creating each bowl.

     I have resigned as Chairman of the Bridge Center effective immediately.  I wish to thank my hard working board members, Beth Rafferty and June Cartledge who are unsung heroes dedicating substantial time and energy to ensuring everyone has a great bridge experience.  I also wish to applaud Shary Schlain for stepping in as the Bridge Center Treasurer during this difficult time of transition.

       I would be remiss if I did not thank the efforts of Betty Willis who of her own volition, decorates the Bridge Center each season.  I am tickled every time I see her handiwork; she is very talented.

       I hope everyone enjoys playing at the new Bridge Center location and that it provides a space to enjoy the game we love far into the future.

Yours in Bridge,

Tom Hirsch

 Hilton Head had no significant winners.  Attendees were JoAnn Olson, Hazel White, Rebecca Habel, Fran Duman, JoAnn Tucker and Barbara Duer.  We all won dribs and drabs.

At the first 2025 meeting of the Unit 146 Board the following Unit Officers were elected:

♠ President - Maureen Brines

♥ Vice President - Kathy Haglich

♦ Treasurer - Louise Gordon

♣ Recording Secretary - Kerry Weil

♠ Membership Secretary - Wrus Kristiansen

If you see them please congratulate them and show your support.

Sign up now for the New Unit 146 Mentorship Program starting in January 2025!

 Great News for our unit 146 non-life masters: An opportunity to play and learn from a Life Master (sponsored by the Unit 146 Board). 

 Details of the Mentorship Program are in the Attached PDF’s:

·      * Mentorship Benefits_Tips_Laws (created by ACBL)

·      * Mentor_ Mentee Registration Form (adapted from ACBL forms)

Unit 146 will pay the entry fees for mentors playing with NLM students on the first Sunday, second Monday, second Wednesday, or second Friday of each month.

For those of you who are not Life Masters, if you want a Mentor please send your filled out form to the Unit Mentorship coordinator, Maureen Brines (contact details below).

 Please contact a Unit 146 Board member or Club Director if you have any other questions.

Maureen Duke Brines, Mentorship Chair

757-778-4800

Mduke11@msn.com

You are probably familiar with Barbara Duer's "The Dummy Speaks" column.  I've decided to add one of my own related to the rules of the game, titled "On Further Review".  You'll find both of these columns in the left hand menu under "Columns and Features".  The first installment of "On Further Review" covers tapping the pass card, when it is appropriate to ask during the auction, and rules for opening 1NT.

11/20/24 Update:  Added information distinguishing rules for 1NT overcalls vs 1NT openings

Pete Haglich

Know someone who would appreciate a get well or condolence card.
Select the "Contact Us, Sunshine" from left menu and fill in form.
A card will be sent to the person by the Unit.

Many of you are receiving email from club owners about upcoming events and other bridge topics, even if you never signed up for them.  The club owners probably obtained your email from the ACBL roster.  The ACBL terms of use (found at https://web2.acbl.org/documentLibrary/about/termsofuse.pdf) allow them to send information about ACBL-sanctioned bridge events and announcements and newsletters discussing activities of the respective club, Unit, or District.  If you don't want to receive their emails then send them a note to direct them to remove you from their mailing list.  If they won't honor your wishes then let me know.

Emails from the Unit will be sent using the database we maintain on BridgeWebs, which is also updated with the ACBL roster.  If you want to opt out of those, you can either use the Contact Us form on the web page or else you can update your member profile in the Member Area (under Membership).  If neither of those work then contact the webmaster, Wrus Kristiansen, or myself.

P. Haglich