As of June 6 2024

Welcome to Fiddlehead Bridge Studio, the friendly place in Fredericton for everything bridge from casual to fully competitive. We have our own facility offering 5 games a week as well as lessons and mentoring by certified instructors.

Partners are needed for our Duplicate Open Pairs games; if you need one, we will make every effort to find you one. Social Bridge and the Mentoring Morning do not require partners. And if bridge wasn’t enough, we have coffee and tea for $.50 (bottomless cup) and treats at every game. Numerous times throughout the year we have luncheons before our games.

Fiddlehead is a non-profit business organization run by a Board of Directors along with the help of many volunteers who keep our club running smoothly. We require everyone to be double vaccinated to enter our facility, masks are optional, but ask that if someone at the table requests masks be worn, please oblige willingly.

Please come join us whether you are a newbie to the game, been away for a while and would like to brush up on your skills, just moved here and want to continue playing bridge – everyone is welcome!  Looking for more information? Please contact me; I’d love to hear from you. You can also find us on Facebook where you can read about the latest on what’s happening at Fiddlehead.

Sharon Nussey
President (sbnussey@outlook.com)

Welcome to summer!  First of all I want to confirm that there will be a game Monday afternoon July 1st, so wear your red and white; still lots of time after the game to take in the Canada Day celebrations and the fireworks at 10:30 on the green.  This is also CANAT week in Halifax.  A number of our members will be playing and we wish them the best of luck.  You can follow their progress on ACBL Live, just key in a name in the search field.  Speaking of CANAT George Mitchell has agreed to chair the organizing committee for the 2025 CANAt back in Fredericton June 24th-29th.  Barbara Seagram has once again agreed to put on a workshop the day before the competition starts and if it was anything like last year it will be standing room only.  George has placed a volunteer sheet on the bulletin board at the club.  I know it is hard to know what you will be doing next June, but if you think you can help out sign your name.  If you are not at the club very often you can send him an email at georgemitchell@rogers.comto:georgemitchell@rogers.com>.

Thanks to those of you who attended out AGM on April 25th.  For those of you who could not make it the President's Report and the 2023 Financial Statements are on the website in the "Members Only section. Welcome to our new board members - Marg Routledge as Secretary, Brian Hannon as Treasurer and Peter Feero as Member at Large. If you have any items you would like discussed at a board meeting please let one of them know as well as Peter or me.

The social event of the year is about to take place at West Hills Golf Course on Sunday July 7th.  Kathy Greenbank and Annie Higgins had the brilliant idea to organize a Fiddlehead Scramble Golf Tournament as we have so many members who play golf.  There is a sign up sheet at the club if you want to join the fun - whether you play golf or not all are welcome. Again if you are not at the club much and want to partake please contact Kathy at tkgreenbank@gmail.comtkgreenbank@gmail.com>. I hear there are prizes and a 19th hole party afterward. Thanks to Kathy and Annie for spearheading this event.

As I am sure most of you have noticed our much improved Library thanks to Sharon Cupples.  Sharon wants to let members know that if you want advice on what book might be best for you, she is always available to answer questions.  When returning books can you please deposit them in the box beside to bookcase so that Sharon can return them to the self in the appropriate location.

We have changed the process for ordering Name Tags, Payment is to be made when you order instead of when you receive it. If you have placed your name on the order sheet but have not paid for it yet please send an e-transfer to fiddlehead142@gmail.com:fiddlehead142@gmail.com>,  putting name tag in the message box, or give your money to the game director when you come to play.  I will be placing an order shortly.

While we all very much appreciate the delicious treats members bring to the games, some of them are hard to eat and can be messy leading to sticky cards (which the dealing machine does not like)  and sticky table cloths.  The Board would like to restrict the treats to cookies, baked goods no icing and those that do not require plates and forks to eat.  Thanks very much for your cooperation.

NAOP Qualifying games on Monday July 8th and Wednesday evening July 10th. Red points up for grabs and a chance to move on to the district playoffs where gold points are available.

And last the Board wants to remind everyone that we have game directors for a reason. They are they to be called to the table for any reason anyone at the table sees the need.  It doesn't always have to be a bidding or playing question, it could be disturbance around or near your table that is detracting you.  Please let the directors solve the problems.

See you at the bridge table or on the golf course!

Sharon Nussey
President

Fiddlehead Golf Scramble

A foursome for bridge and a foursome for golf.  Lots in common between bridge and golf.  Both require counting, decision making, etiquette and precision.  Both can be extremely frustrating but lots of fun! Come join your Bridge mates for a fun afternoon on the golf course! 

Elevate Your Bridge Skills at Fiddle Head Bridge Studio!

Click here to see our poster

Join us for the first course in our "Bridge in the 21st Century" series, also known as the Club Series from the renowned author Audrey Grant. This course, "Bidding in the 21st Century," covers all the basics of bidding, including Stayman and Jacoby conventions. Whether you're new to Bridge or a returning student wanting to review and refine your skills, our friendly and experienced instructor, Eileen Tranquilla, will guide you through the essentials in a supportive environment.

Class Details:

• Start Date: Beginning Saturday, June 1, 2024

• Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

• Number of Classes: 8

• Cost: $90 for Fiddle Head Bridge Studio Members | $110 for Non-Members | $15 per Individual Class

• Instructor: Eileen Tranquilla

  • Phone: (506) 463-2385

  • Email: ebtranquilla@bellaliant.net

Why Join?

• Foundational Learning: As the entry point into our series, "Bidding in the 21st Century" offers a comprehensive introduction to bidding techniques, essential for any serious Bridge player.

• Ideal for All Levels: This course is perfect for beginners starting their Bridge journey and repeat students looking to solidify their bidding skills.

• Convenient Schedule: Begin your Bridge education on Saturday, June 1, 2024, with classes held on convenient weekend mornings.

Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your Bridge skills in a welcoming and supportive environment. Secure your spot today and prepare to excel at your next Bridge game!

For more information and to register, contact Eileen Tranquilla at (506) 463-2385 or email ebtranquilla@bellaliant.net.

Monday – Open Pairs 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Partner required)

Tuesday – Open Pairs 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Partner required)

Tuesday – Social Bridge 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM | For more info contact Drew Steeves steevesdd@gmail.com

Wednesday – Open Pairs 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Partner required)

Thursday – Open Pairs 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Partner required)

Friday – 299er Open Pairs 9:30 AM -12:30 AM (Began in September 2022, NO partner required; players with fewer than 300 ACBL masterpoints or Non-ACBL members)

Bridge Mentoring Wednesday 9:30, for more information contact Lorna Johnson bridgeplayer64@gmail.com

Beginning Bridge Saturday 9:00-11:00, for more information contact Eileen Tranquilla ebtranquilla@bellaliant.net

FBS Board of Directors 2024

President: Sharon Nussey

Vice President: Peter Coates

Treasurer: Brian Hannon

Secretary: Marg Routledge

Member at Large: Peter Feero

Several people have commented that it's hard to find the "find a partner" feature on our web site. Here is a way that works.

Sign in to the Fiddlehead web site.

Click on "Members Only" on the right near the top

A new page pops up with a tab near the top left labelled "Find a partner".

Scroll down in the lower section to find the date(s) you are interested in.

Check the "PR" Box for the dates you wish to play and check other boxes above with your contact information.

Finally, remember to click the "Confirm" button at the top to update your wishes.

The tab "Bookings" gives a list of all players registered at the moment for each date. At the top left is a note to use Calendar to make a booking. There are actually two Calendar tabs "Calendar" and "Calendar Month".

You must now use "Calendar Month" to make a booking.

1. Use the left and right arrows at the top of the monthly calendar to get to the month you want

2. Mouse over the date you are interested in and a box saying "Booking Required" will pop up for games not already played

3. Click on the little calendar in the box and a listing of those registered will appear along with a space for your Fiddlehead sign in credentials

4. Fill in your credentials and click "check" at the bottom of the box.

5. Your name will appear and space to add your partner's name and an option to choose a preferred direction 

6. Click on the appropriate tab at the bottom to add or remove a booking, to remember your login or to cancel if nothing needs changing

7. We have removed the wait -listing option. Please keep checking to see if you can register within the max of 22 pairs.