| October Message |
Hi everybody! I imagine by now each of you are beginning your Halloween and Thanksgiving preparations, but meanwhile at the Bridge Center I have a ton of news to report.
- Our September Regional was a big success. We just got the final bill from Sinclair yesterday and it looks as though our unit will net a little short of $3000 for the week. Most importantly, everyone that played seemed to have a good time and the facility was as good as last year. Special thanks to all the helpers, especially Ellen Holroyd with our great hospitality.
- Through September, our unit is running a profit of about $1700, which is quite a turnaround from last year’s five-figure deficit. Our table count for the year is up a little over 7%! Thanks to everyone for their help in growing our club.
- Speaking of growing the club, at the beginning of 2024, ACBL instituted a new program called 5-5-5. In years past, ACBL would give a flat 10% rebate back to the clubs no matter what type of performance the club had during the year. This year, ACBL decided to shrink that gift to 5% (the first 5) and then have each club earn the second 5% through recruitment and the third 5% through retention of members. On 10/8, we received a check from ACBL for $1445 for our recruitment and retention performance. Thanks to Susan Freeman and everyone who has helped reaching out to old and new members.
- Our Wednesday morning 0-50 game continues to grow with new members. We are moving the start of the game to 10 AM on November 6 (instead of 8:30) for two reasons. First, 8:30 is pretty early, especially in the winter. Second, because the game time is within an hour of the start time of the 11 AM Open game, the Open Game will be able to add the amount of tables of both games so that the point awards will be higher.
- We have a few games that are very low in attendance. So the Board has come up with an idea where everyone can help grow all of these games and save each member some money at the same time. So, NOVEMBER IS GOING TO BE "BRING A FRIEND TO BRIDGE MONTH."
Here are the rules:
- Invite someone to play in a game. If they haven't played in that game since Labor Day, you both get to play for $5. If that friend hasn't played in any games since Labor Day, you could invite that same friend to play in all of our other games and you both would still only play $5 in those games also.
- You don't have to play that day with the friend you invite to receive the discount.
- If the friend you invite, invites someone else, then the third person plays for $5, but the first-asked friend gets to play for free.
Sounds complicated, doesn't it!
Here is an example:
Let's say that Stef and I are going to play on Monday morning and we invite another couple to play. We get the $5 price even if we don't play with that couple. That couple also gets to play for $5 each unless they invite another couple to play also. If they invite another couple, then they play for free and the third couple gets the $5 price each.
Even though we are trying to build the smaller games, each of the games will be eligible for this promotion. Look on the website sometime next week or at the Bridge Center for a copy of this event.
- We still need one member to run for the Board next year. Please contact Joyce Dennis (mjdfbn@gmail.com) if you are interested.
Finally, this will be my last email update of the year (I can hear people saying, "It's about time!"). I have really enjoyed being President of our club the last couple of years. Thank you to our Board, whose members have been magnificent in keeping our club afloat. Thanks to all of you as well. Without you, we couldn't enjoy the game of bridge and the friends that we make at our club.
Bob
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| August 2024 Message |
Hi everybody!
I just wanted to drop a quick line to everybody to make sure that you are aware of all the happenings coming to our "Bridge World" in the near future.
1--Our August Sectional is August 9-11 here at the Bridge Center. A reminder to our newer players: if you are an ACBL member and have less than 5 master points, you can play for free in this tournament. Game times are at 10:00 am and 2:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. The Sunday Swiss Team game starts at 10 am. Contact Anita Brand (417-840-3634) if you need a partner for the tournament. A flyer for the tournament is on the table at the Bridge Center or online on the ACBL website. Points are silver.
2--The Scott Gates Memorial game will be Thursday, August 15. Please bring a dish to share. Food is at 12:30 and the game is at 1:00. The game will be free for all players.
3--The last Mentor-Mentee team game is Sunday, August 18. Everybody should bring a dish to share. Food is at 12:30 and the game is at 1:00. This will be a team event. Teams will be picked by a blind draw. The Mentor program will conclude at the end of August.
4--The Columbus-Dayton Regional will start on September 2 and will run through September 8. Like last year, the Regional will be held at Sinclair Community College in Centerville on Clyo Rd. Points are gold.
It's not too early to be thinking about partners for this tournament. (Contact Anita for help finding a partner.) This is our biggest tournament of the year. I hope everyone can play at least one day...if not more.
Ellen Holroyd and Stefanie Stitt will be asking people to make some kind of baked goods (cookies) for the Sunday Team Game. We will be providing pizza and a salad on that day. A flyer is available as noted above.
5--If you are interested in running for the Unit's Board or holding an office, please let Joyce Dennis (937-878-0350) know as she will be the head of the Nominating Committee this year.
One last thing. Many of you know that my dad has written a book. He will be at the Bridge Center on Saturday, August 10 from 1:30 to 2:30. If anyone has bought a book and would like it signed or would like to buy a book and get it signed, then this will probably be the only time he will be signing in Dayton.
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Hi everybody!
I just wanted to drop a quick line to everybody to make sure that you are aware of all the happenings coming to our "Bridge World" in the near future.
1--Our August Sectional is August 9-11 here at the Bridge Center. ..........
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| Midsummer Message |
Dear MVBA Bridge Players,
As I write this message, we are just beginning to start July and the second half of our year. Recently, we have had some good news:
1--Within the last two weeks, the Monday Morning, Wednesday afternoon, Friday morning, and Saturday afternoon games have had game sizes that rival "pre-pandemic" sizes...if not more.
2---Our Wednesday morning 0-50 game has attracted 3 tables each week with the promise of 2-3 more coming shortly. Already, six of these players have played in some of the other games.
3---Our Unit financial outlook has improved tremendously compared to last year. It is even possible with a couple of well attended tournaments, that we can be close to breaking even on the year.
4. --In the past, ACBL has awarded rebates to each unit at the beginning of the calendar year of 10% which for the MVBA generally ran around $1000. This year the program has changed to a "5-5-5" program where ACBL only gives us a 5% rebate and then the Units have to earn the other 5% through retention of members and 5% through adding new members. At the end of May, the MVBA was at 51% of the yearly goal. Thanks to everybody for their hard work in achieving these goals and especially Susan Freeman for all the phone calls and emails that she has made.
5--Speaking of Susan Freeman, she is starting her third class with beginners and all of the people who have started the class are still attending. That is fantastic! Hopefully, they will be able to join the 0-50 game at some point.
6--We have a new sign out front to identify the Bridge Center after the last one finally bit the dust in one of our storms. A big thanks to Jim Dearwester for taking care of this.
Coming up soon, we have quite a few tournaments in Dayton:
1--The NLM tournament is next weekend (July 6-7). Mike Thill has worked hard on preparing for this tournament. If you don't have a partner call Anita Brand and she will try to fix you up.
2--The Dayton Sectional for everybody is on August 9-11. We have two new Co-Chairpersons for this tournament, Rob Bradford and JoAnne Deutsch. Check out the first class flyer that they have prepared in the Bridge Center.
3--The next STAC tournament (Sectional Tournament at Clubs) is August 19-25. You can play in any of our games that week at the club and get Silver Points.
4--The Columbus-Dayton Regional is September 2-8. We are going to need some volunteers to help move tables, bridge mates, and bidding boxes back and forth between the Bridge Center and Sinclair. Also, Ellen Holroyd will be asking for some help with hospitality. More on both of these to come.
If you have any changes or suggestions that would make your Bridge experience better, please let me or any Board member know and we will bring it up at a Board Meeting.
Thanks,
Bob
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Dear MVBA Bridge Players,
As I write this message, we are just beginning to start July and the second half of our year. Recently, we have had some good news:
1--Within the last two weeks, the Monday Morning, Wednesday afternoon, Friday morning, and Saturday afternoon games have had game sizes that rival "pre-pandemic" sizes. ..........
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| May 2024 |
Hi everybody! I hope that everyone is enjoying this fantastic spring weather and that this weather has gotten you in the mood to play more bridge!
Here are some of the events that have happened and are happening in the next month:
1. Yesterday, we held the Medallion Game to honor our 2023 award winners. The most significant winners were Garry Tagg, who was 7th in the country in his masterpoint category for most masterpoints won in live club games and Dallas Moore, who had over 800 points in the Mini-McKenney, which didn't include the points that he won online. That is a pretty fantastic achievement!
Steve and Judy Simmons had a monster game and won overall, which makes since they both won two awards yesterday.
2. The Cincinnati Regional – The Flying Pig – is being held from June 2-8. Since we want as many people from Cincinnati to come to our regional in September as possible, I am sure that they are hoping that we play some in their tournament as well. The event is being held at the Delta by Marriott, 11320 Chester Road, Cincinnati OH 45246. (The only exception is the team games on Sunday, which will be at the Cincinnati Bridge Center.) The host hotel is located in northern Cincinnati, roughly a 40-minute drive from our Bridge center. You can find the schedule of events Cincinnati Flying Pig Regional Home (cincybridge.com)
3. In addition to the September Regional, we have a Non-Life Master Sectional at the Bridge center on July 6-7 and a regular Sectional on August 9-11 also at the club. Come out and help make our Sectionals bigger! Flyers are on the table at the Bridge Center for both Sectionals and the Regional.
4. We have a new game starting on Wednesday, June 12, for players with less than 50 points. If you have more than 50 and your partner has less, and between the two of you, your average is less than 50 then you will still be eligible to play. If you need a partner for any of these games let me know and I will try to fix you up. This game will start at 8:30 AM and only last for two hours. In addition, we will have experienced members at every table to answer any bidding questions that you might have. Cost is $5 per player.
5. Sign-up begins Tuesday, May 21, for the annual Mentor/Mentee program, which officially begins June 17 and runs for 10 weeks, ending August 24. Any non-l2024ife master can sign up to have a mentor. Players who play together regularly are not eligible for the program. Cost will be $5 per player. Mark your calendar now for the special Sunday games for mentors and mentees only. Those dates are June 30, July 21, and August 18.
We have had a great year so far. Let's keep up the momentum and encourage new players (and returning players) to come and play.
See you at the table!
Bob
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Hi everybody! I hope that everyone is enjoying this fantastic spring weather and that this weather has gotten you in the mood to play more bridge!
Here are some of the events that have happened and are happening in the next month:
1. ..........
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| April 2024 |
Hi everybody!
We have many new "happenings" around the MVBA Bridge World and almost all of them are
positive:
1—Ryan Schultz’s team won the Grand National Teams Flight A and are headed to Toronto this
summer to represent District 11 at the NABC.
2—Two air purifiers in the Bridge Center seem to be working great! A special thanks to Lori Harner
and Jim Myers for their suggestions to buy the purifiers instead of the more expensive (and not
guaranteed to work) duct cleaning option.
3—Our April sectional turned out to be a success. A lot of the success was due to Bob Zangri, Carolyn
Zangri, Ellen Holroyd, and Bonnie Papini. If you happen to see them, thank them for making the
tournament great.
4—The bridge center carpet has been cleaned...finally...and looks fantastic....even after it was
indoctrinated on the first day!
5—Sometime in late May or the first of June we will be starting a 0-50 game at 9 AM on Wednesdays.
This game will have somebody at each table (or Stef and me at all the tables) to answer questions
during the game. We want to make sure that our inexperienced players can be comfortable in playing
in all the games, and we feel that this game will be a great stepping stone towards achieving that
goal.
6—The Medallion game will be Saturday, May 18. This is the game where we honor all our Unit's best
2023 performers. Please come and bring a side dish to share. Food will be at noon; awards at 12:30;
and game time at 1. Susan Freeman is the new director of this game. Let's all go and generate about
20 director calls so that she can really feel loved!
7—The Super Mentee program starts this week and the regular Mentor/Mentee program starts in
June. Please contact Connie Wiest if you are interested in playing in the Super Mentee program. We
will have a signup later for the regular Mentor/Mentee game.
8—Our new website is going to be up by the end of this month. I think that we will have a tutorial for
everybody on all of the new and exciting functions that this website will give to all of us. Rob Bradford
has done a great job on getting this project going.
9—Our financials are now being streamlined so that they will be easier for everybody to read and
understand. They will also be on the new website as well. Bob Zangri, Tom Griswold, Garry Tagg, and
Georgia Banziger and others have done a great job of reorganizing this.
Don't be afraid to ask any Board Member about happenings in our Unit. Also, we appreciate
everybody's input to make our Unit fantastic.
Thanks again for all your help and support.
Bob
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Hi everybody!
We have many new "happenings" around the MVBA Bridge World and almost all of them are
positive:
1—Ryan Schultz’s team won the Grand National Teams Flight A and are headed to Toronto this
summer to represent District 11 at the NABC. ..........
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| March 2024 |
As we approach Spring and the Louisville NABC Tournament, I am happy to report that the MVBA is having (with a couple of exceptions) a great start to 2024.
1. We have hired a cleaning person to clean the Bridge Center twice a week. I think that Samuel will do a great job for us.
2. We are adding at least 2 (and up to 4) air purifiers for the Bridge Center, and the carpet is going to be professionally cleaned this month for the first time since we moved into the Bridge Center. Hopefully, this will help alleviate any allergy problems that some of our members have been reporting.
3. We have finished one set of bridge classes where we started with 16 attendees and finished with 17. Included in these 17 are 4 new members who will be joining on the first of April.
4. Our next set of classes will start the week of March 25. There will be a class on defense and either 2 or 3 classes of beginners. So far, 12 have signed up for the defense class and 9 have signed for the beginner class. There is still room for more members in the beginner class. Contact Susan Freeman or me for more details.
5. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about the Super Mentor/Mentee program as well as the regular Mentor/Mentee program. The Super Mentor/Mentee program is an idea that Connie Wiest has proposed, and I am really excited about this program.
6. We will have a new website up and running by the end of this month or the beginning of April. I think everybody will really like the new site. As soon as it is ready, we will send out an email to everybody about the particulars.
A couple of our games are struggling for players. The Wednesday afternoon game and the Monday evening game have been low in attendance or not even held lately. We talked about this at the March Board Meeting, and we have an ad hoc committee that will be discussing this issue as well as a way to streamline all of our financial reports so that each member will be easily able to see how the MVBA is doing financially.
I wish the best of luck to all of the members who are traveling to Louisville for the NABC tournament that starts this week. It certainly isn't very often that the Nationals are held this close to our Unit.
Please feel free to contact me at any time about concerns that you have with the club. Our board's goal is to make the club an enjoyable experience for everybody.
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As we approach Spring and the Louisville NABC Tournament, I am happy to report that the MVBA is having (with a couple of exceptions) a great start to 2024. ..........
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| February 2024 |
Welcome to 2024 at the MVBA. We have a number of new Board Members this year and so our enthusiasm is high for a great year.
We are two weeks away from finishing our first set of classes this year. We started with 16 taking the class and now are up to 17. Hopefully, those who are not playing at the Club right now will take the next step and become members and frequent players.
Starting in late March, we will be starting another set of lessons. One lesson will be on defense (the next step after declarer play) and the other lesson will be for beginners. So far, Susan Freeman and I have been contacted by 9 non-members interested in learning bridge. We think this number will grow once we advertise the starting date and times.
Speaking of advertising, Rob Bradford has set up a new website for the MVBA as a test to see whether or not we want to use this site. This is a "bare-bones" setup, but I think that each of you should take the time and look at the site. The web address is: https://www.bridgewebs.com/miamivalley/. Please let a Board member know about what you think of the site.
Finally, in March the Spring Nationals are being held in Louisville, Kentucky. If you are going to attend, the Louisville club still needs some volunteers to help at various times. Also, if you get your entries online instead of from the director at the game, you will save $10 per entry because you are from our district. I believe that they are still running a special at the host hotel (Galt House) -- stay for two nights and get two nights free. Quite the deal!
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Welcome to 2024 at the MVBA. ..........
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