OBC will be closed on the following days

• Saturday, Dec. 21
• Tuesday, Dec. 24
• Wednesday, Dec. 25
• Saturday, Dec. 28
• Tuesday, Dec. 31

Lessons will not be held for the next two weeks and will resume on Monday January 6th.

Please note OBC is open Jan. 1, 2025.  Come and celebrate the New Year!

Stardust Week is Monday, December 16, to Sunday, December 22. Any/all sanctioned games on those days are eligible.  Players can earn 25% gold points and 75% black points.

What makes Stardust Week so special is the gold. If you aren’t familiar, to climb the ACBL ranks, you need to earn masterpoints in a variety of pigments. Usually, gold points are only available at regional tournaments and NABCs, but with Stardust Week, you have a chance to earn gold at the club. 

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON!

On Wednesday, December 18, at 11:15 we will have our annual holiday potluck lunch.  OBC will provide a honey-baked ham and sliced turkey.  Please bring a dish to share and dress up in your favorite holiday attire!  We will have a contest to pick the best outfit!

STARDUST WEEK – ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR GOLD!

OBC is participating in the ACBL Stardust Week from Monday, December 16, to Sunday, December 22. Come and play and earn some gold points.  During this week any masterpoints won will be converted to 25% gold. Game Fees will be $10 for this week.

GAME FEES

Beginning January 1, 2025, the game fees will be increased to $10.  We will not charge an extra $1 for charity games.  OBC is committed to providing a friendly, welcoming environment to our players and pledge to not charge an annual club membership fee.

NEW BEGINNER LESSONS

Teacher Extraordinaire, Patty Estes will start a new set of Beginner Lessons, on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.  The lessons will be held on Monday and Tuesday.  Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Lessons will continue with Grand Life Master, Charlie Miner.  Charlie’s classes will be held on Mondays at 9:30 and we will continue with our Newcomer Game (0-20 Masterpoints) on Tuesdays at Noon.  The fees are $5 per lesson and a one-time $10 material/book fee. All are welcome.  Please help us spread the word.

OBC BOARD ELECTIONS

As per our bylaws, OBC will hold an election for three vacancies on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving our bridge community, please submit your name or nominees to Ann Farrell.  Please do not nominate someone without their prior approval.  After all nominations are finalized, there will be a club-wide election.  An individual willing to serve as Treasurer is an ideal candidate.

LET’S STAY HEALTHY!

OBC appreciates your enthusiasm for bridge, however, if you are not feeling well, please stay home! Effective immediately, if a player is showing signs of illness, a director, at his/her discretion may ask the player to leave or wear a mask.  This policy is enacted for the wellness of our bridge community.

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON!

On Wednesday, December 18, at 11:15 we will have our annual holiday potluck lunch.  OBC will provide a honey-baked ham and sliced turkey.  Please bring a dish to share and dress up in your favorite holiday attire!  We will have a contest to pick the best outfit!

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

On February 27, 28 and March 1, 2025, OBC will host its first ACBL Sectional Tournament.  There will be a morning and afternoon session each day, with lots of opportunities to win your coveted Silver Points.  Mark your calendars and watch for details to follow. 

OBC BOARD ELECTIONS

As per our bylaws, OBC will hold an election in February for three vacancies on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving our bridge community, please submit your name or nominees to Ann Farrell.  Please do not nominate someone without their prior approval.  After all nominations are finalized, there will be a club-wide election.  An individual willing to serve as Treasurer is an ideal candidate.

NEW BEGINNER LESSONS

Teacher Extraordinaire, Patty Estes will start a new set of Beginner Lessons, on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.  The lessons will be held on Monday and Tuesday.  Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Lessons will continue with Grand Life Master, Charlie Miner.  Charlie’s classes will be held on Mondays at 9:30 and we will continue with our Newcomer Game (0-20 Masterpoints) on Tuesdays at Noon.  The fees are $5 per lesson and a one-time $10 material/book fee. All are welcome.  Please help us to spread the word!

Winner, Winners Chicken Dinners!

Kudos to Linda Scheible and Dee Becker!  Linda and Dee came in first place on November 8, 11, 13, 15 and 18 with consistent scores over 60% games.  Congratulations! 

Congratulations to Vedder Smith and Ellen Victorica and Madeleine Sweeney and Layke Waldon for their first and second place showings in the Newcomer Game.  Keep up the good work!

New Beginner Lessons

Teacher Extraordinaire, Patty Estes will start a new set of Beginner Lessons, on Monday, January 13, 2025.  The lessons will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30. Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Lessons will continue with Grand Life Master, Charlie Miner.  Charlie’s classes will be held on Mondays at 9:30 and OBC will continue with our Newcomer Game (0-20 Masterpoints) on Tuesdays at Noon.  The fees are $5 per lesson and a one-time $10 material/book fee. All are welcome.  Please help us to spread the word.  For more information, please contact Patty Estes at 407-619-8882.

ACBL is holding a special charity event during 2 weeks in December benefiting hurricane relief

• 25-40% of the F2F club participants will earn Gold/Extra Points in the ACBL Charity "Gold for Good" event starting December 9th.
• The more the players play at your club the better their chances. 
• Your club has a chance to earn extra Upgraded Club Championship if your club is in the top 3 of most entries or highest participation.
• This event is far more inclusive than any STaC or ACBL_Wide Event!
• For more information or to register, click HERE

Upcoming Celebrations!

On Friday, November 22 at 11:15 we will have a potluck lunch in honor of Gloria McCain’s 80^th birthday.  The game following the luncheon will be Club Championship game. Please come and celebrate with Gloria and stay to play for extra points at no extra charge.

On Wednesday, December 18, at 11:15 we will have our annual holiday potluck lunch.  OBC will provide a honey-baked ham and sliced turkey.  Please bring a dish to share and dress up in your favorite holiday attire!  We will have a contest to pick the best outfit!

New Beginner Lessons

Teacher Extraordinaire, Patty Estes will start a new set of Beginner Lessons, on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.  The lessons will be held on Monday and Tuesday.  Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Lessons will continue with Grand Life Master, Charlie Miner.  Charlie’s classes will be held on Mondays at 9:30 and we will continue with our Newcomer Game (0-20 Masterpoints) on Tuesdays at Noon.  The fees are $5 per lesson and a one-time $10 material/book fee. All are welcome.  Please help us to spread the word.

Foodies!

Thank you for all those who have generously brought in food to share.  A special thanks to Lorraine Harris for the delicious cakes and to Lyle Supp for the always popular Dunkin Donuts.  If you don’t bake but would like to participate, please consider picking up some pre-baked goods, veggies, cheese and crackers, etc.

Welcome Back!

We are always happy to see old friends return to play at OBC.  Last week, we welcomed Nancy and Jim Muller.  We hope you had a good time and will return soon.

Thanks to everyone for the outstanding potluck buffet.

There is a company called Groupon, that has linked up with various insurance companies that provide Medicare Supplemental insurance and Medicare Advantage insurance, to pay for dues for participating in various social activities.  The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) has partnered with Groupon to get this benefit for bridge players that have either of the above types of plans if the insurer is participating. Each individual will have to check with Groupon to see if they are eligible.  See the two attachments for details. 

Grouper New Benefit Fact Sheet_240706_212216.pdf

Grouper New Benefit FAQ_240706_212311.pdf