This is a hard message for me to write but I want to be honest with you my players and explain myself.  The pandemic has hit us all hard and no area has felt the change moreso than duplicate bridge.  Like many others over the last two years, I have struggled with depression as I've watched my once thriving club dwindle down to a faithful few (all of whom I really appreciate).  Managing a club has changed from being a joyful activity to a chore and I don't want to ruin my love of the game by burning out during what seems to be a slow summer for bridge.  With all that being said, I have decided to keep bridge open this coming Monday June 27 and Thursday June 30 and then Island Bridge Club will close for the summer.  I will be looking at different locations, getting my dealing machine back in working order, and generally getting my home and work life back together during this time.  I will keep the Wednesday online game running at 12:30 on BBO but all face to face games will be suspended until September.  I know many of you are just getting back to the game but I need some time and space to sort myself out before I put myself out there in the bridge community again.

Hopefully in the Fall before the Sectional, I will have found a location that better suits the community's needs as I wait for St. Aidan's to be open for business again which is al least a year away from now.  I am truely sorry to those who have faithfully come out despite the small size of the games I have been running but it makes sense both in terms of money and in terms of my mental health to step back and reassess and reorganize.  I appreciate all of you and hope that everyone stays safe and healthy over the summer.

Thank you for your time and efforts.
Roy and Justine Stefaniec
Island Bridge Club