December 2023

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Contact your District 4 board members.

PRESIDENT 

Betsy Cutler

betsy2955@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT 

Ala Hamilton-Day

alabridge@gmail.com

SECRETARY 

Bill Bauer 

william.baueriii@verizon.net

TREASURER

Pat Civale 

pat@csa-accounting.com 

DISTRICT DIRECTOR 

Joann Glasson 

joannglasson@msn.com 

Hi,  My name is Betsy Cutler and I live in Allentown, PA and am a member of Unit 133. I am very excited to take on the role of President of District 4.  While it is a huge responsibility, it is also a great way to meet more of our members. At the same time, I want get to know all the units and clubs better. Over the years I have played in a regional, sectional, online or face to face game in all 8 units. My new goal is to try to play in more clubs to get the “local” flavor of each area.

Thank you so much to Jeanne Gehret for her three years of devoted service as President of our District. She has not only been a great mentor and sounding board, but also a bridge partner, confidant, chauffeur, and most importantly, a good friend.  She has left behind some very huge shoes to fill. I know I should install a hotline to her condo but hope you all will bear with me as I learn to be President.  Please understand I will make some mistakes, but I will do my best to make our District a great place to play bridge. 

The Inaugural 0-750 NLM Regional in Allentown is just around the corner on Friday, December 15 and Saturday, December 16 at Lehigh Valley Active Life.  We expect a large turnout and encourage you not only to carpool but to arrive early as parking onsite is limited. There is plenty of street parking near the facility, but please remember to allow extra time to get to the site and pay for your entries.  This is a wonderful way for newer players, as well as those needing that last little bit of red and gold, to earn those points in games especially designed for the 0-750 players. Get your lunch orders in early! This is a cashless tournament, as well as zero tolerance and fragrance free. 

With 2024 right around the corner, I am looking forward to more great District 4 events and hospitality.  I hope you all enjoy a safe, healthy and joyous holiday season!

betsy2955@gmail.com

Joann is already in Atlanta for board meetings - stay tuned for a complete report next month.

As always, please contact me with any questions – joannglasson@msn.com.

Regionals

Allentown, PA NLM

December 15-16

Sectionals

Wilmington, DE

December 8-10

Camp Hill, PA I/N

December 29

King of Prussia, PA

January 5-7

D4 STaC

February 12-18

Wilmington, DE

February 23-25

For the2023 D4 calendar, click here.

For the 2024 D4 calendar, click here.

The 4Spot features fantastic contributors on a regular rotation:

Schwaidelson's Fractured Four-Hand Tales

Moderator: Nick Straguzzi

I get the impression Andy's still in the rest room. Find out why here.

Visit the MSC website to read next month's problem and submit your answers online here.

Unit 112 congratulates its advancing players:

Junior Masters

Daniel Eisenberg 

John Frank 

Xuanyu Li 

Club Masters

Barbara Natale

Judy White

Sectional Masters

Paul Kardjian 

Katie Sullivan 

Regional Master

Augustus Garnsey 

Silver Life Masters

Rola Cotran 

Mike Rudnick 

Sapphire Life Master

Barry Passer 

Unit 112 members brought home gold from the Lancaster Regional, and Dan Boye, East Syracuse, was the top master point winner with 104.84 points! Also in the top 100 were: Phil Geibel, Betty Youmans, and Larry Sunser. Congratulations to all the Unit 112 members who attended.

~Photo taken at Spooky Nook by Richard Popper

Hello, Unit 120!!  

Our Unit had some impressive achievements recently, so let's get right to them. Please note, the members with an * before their name achieved new ranking at the Lancaster regional held at Spooky Nook, PA last month.

Please give a resounding standing applause and acknowledgment to the following members:

Silver Life Master

*Joe Distini

Life Masters

*Jane Bovard

*Victoria B Tarleton

Club Master

Margaret A Conahan

Junior Masters

James Spencer

Marc Alpert

Also, we had two former and/or honorary members who have achieved new ranking at the Lancaster Regional.

Silver Life Master

*Gretchen A Jack (Hendersonville, NC; formerly Clarks Summit, PA)

Life Master

*Marie Wildman (Beth Rosenthal's sister and honorary Unit 120 member)

Wow!  What a list.  Congratulations to all!!

If you haven't already made your reservations for the holiday party hosted by Beth Rosenthal, you have until December 6 to send in your check.

The party is held at the Appletree Terrace on Newberry Estates in Dallas, Pa on December 17. Bridge starts at 1:00 PM followed by a bountiful dinner buffet which includes:

beef tenderloin, grilled chicken, grilled salmon, pasta with a variety of choice sauces, cheddar mashed potatoes, green bean medley, salad station, mini pastries and cookies, coffee and soft drinks, plus cash bar.  

The cost is $42.00 per person which includes the bridge game, all day cookies and coffee station, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, and dessert.

Please include your partners name on the memo of your check made payable to Beth Rosenthal and send to 765 Greens, Dallas, PA 18612.

We have a new achievement to announce, Lucy Stone of Buck Hill Falls, PA passed her club director exam!  Well done!

Last, I would like to extend to each and every one of you, from Unit 120 and myself, thank you for your continued support of your Unit.  

We wish you all the very happiest of holidays and a grand and healthy 2024!

See you at the face to face and virtual bridge tables.

Here's to you!!! Tink Tink!

Check back next month for Unit 121 news.

No matter what holidays you celebrate with friends and family this season, may they be filled with joy, love and good health. Hopefully, you will find some time in your busy holiday schedule to enjoy a game of bridge at one of our clubs!

In Memoriam

Clarence John Kofron

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Clarence John Kofron of Kunkletown, Pennsylvania, who passed away on November 16, 2023 at the age of 85. Clarence played in several of our games and was a popular partner who was well liked by everyone he played with. He will be missed by all our members.

November STaC Game Winners

There were sixteen tables at the November STaC games at Lehigh Valley Active Life. Thanks to Betsy Cutler for scheduling the STaC games.



Winners:

Monday, November 13

N/S

1st Sylvia Edmonds and PhyllisMcDowell

2nd Rita Keiper and Lois Fuini

3rd Harold Koehler and Victoria Tarleta

E/W

1st Clyde Halstead and Martha Phelps

2nd Barbara Dopera and Michael Dopera

3rd Karen Myers and Pat Saegar 

4th Nancy Trawin and Patty Fosselman

Friday November 17

N/S

1st Judy Cary and Kay Hays

2nd Beth Stelts and Lois Fuini

3rd Betty Abrams and John Turoczi

E/W

1st Mike Kohler and Deb Butz

2nd Pat Saegar and Karen Myers 

3rd Carol Turoczi and Betsy Cutler

ACBL Grant Presentation to 

Lehigh Valley Active Life 

This year ACBL presented District 4 with a grant of $10,000 to distribute to the individual units included in their district. Each unit was given the opportunity to apply for the charity of their choice in accordance with the criteria set forth by the District Charity Chairperson. Unit 133 applied and was approved for a grant of $2000. Unit133 President Betsy Cutler presented the check to Rick Daugherty, Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Active Life.

Annual Meeting and Holiday Party

More than sixty people attended the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party at Brookside Country Club on Saturday, November 11.

The following Board Officers were elected:

President, Jim Kenny 

Vice President, Lee Stanley 

Secretary, Vivian Kane

Treasurer, Nelson Rabenold

Tournament Chairperson, Lois Fuini

The following Board Members at Large were elected:

Paul Barilla             Barbara Berk

Betsy Cutler           Barbara Dopera

Lois Fuini               Paul Irvine

Mike Kohler           Bryan Snapp

Grace Sutherland   John Turoczi 

Stan Yellin

In addition to the election of board and officers, Betsy Cutler presented awards. Thanks to Lois Fuini, Bryan Snapp, and Lee Stanley for organizing the event After the meeting, members enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch and an enjoyable game of duplicate bridge.

Open Game Winners:

N/S

1st in A - Naim Risk and Bob Cole

1st in B - Gil DeLeeuw and Lee Stanley 

1st in C - Lois Fuini and Beth Stelts

E/W

1st in A and Overall - Peg and Paul Irvine

1st in B - Arup and Bagisa Mukherjee

1st in C - Chuck Campbell and Jim Kenny

 

0-500 Game Winners:

1st overall -Carol and John Turoczi 

1st in B and C - Bill Halstead and Martha Phelps

In Memoriam Game 

Saturday, December 9, 2023

The In Memoriam Game is scheduled for 1pm at Lehigh Valley Active Life in Allentown. Please join us to recognize the members of Unit 133 who have passed away in the last year. We will celebrate their lives and achievements by playing a charity game of bridge in their honor. Family and friends are invited to join us to share special memories of their loved ones. Proceeds from the game will benefit active older adults at Lehigh Valley Active Life.

Questions? Please contact Lois Fuini: lafuini@yahoo.com

The big news this month is we are holding our first ever split-site Sectional in early January (1/5 to 1/7).  Open events will be held at the King of Prussia Bridge Club and I/N events (all players under 500) at the North Penn Duplicate Bridge Club.  KOPBC has agreed to be the single point of contact for advance entries for both sites. Each site can accommodate only 21 tables, so if you want to be guaranteed an opportunity to play, get your entry form and check into the mail now, or drop it off at KOPBC.  Details here.

A warm welcome to our newest PCBA members!  

Doreen Barca

Laurie Buechle

Devika Chakraborty

Patricia DiSesa

David  Ellison

Grace Ermey

David  Ermey

Brett Falk

Ridley Frazier

George Gainer

Elfie Haab

Roslyn Hansen

Marsha Herb

Deborah Herrmann

Vivian Zegarra

Congratulations to our members who achieved a new rank!

Junior Masters

Dan Walters

Mary Lou Wasco

Beverly Cutler

Ellen Garber

Lynn Kupchik

Andrew Levin

Pamela Tobias

Club Masters

John G Bakley

Deborah A Freisheim

Francis J Hartman

Sectional Master

Karen M White

Regional Masters

Charles Schelke

Linda Schelke

Clifford Sokolic

Advanced NABC Master

Katharine Link

Life Masters

Huiyao Liu

Brendan H O'Malley

I was West and opened 1♣️. North quite rightly doubled, and my partner redoubled. South ended in 2♣️ doubled as follows:

W      N     E      S

1♣️   X   XX  P

P     1♦️  X   2♣️

X all pass 

The auction consisted of twelve calls and in my view all twelve were correct. My partner’s initial call of redouble announced ten or more HCP and no great fit for clubs. A strength-showing redouble like this announces that it’s our hand and we are very interested in playing for penalties. My partner’s double of 1♦️ was perhaps the key call in the auction. It was purely a penalty double. Accordingly, when South bid 2♣️, I had an easy penalty double of that. There was not much to the play. Declarer is entitled to one spade, one heart, and three trump tricks and that’s what he got. 

We gained twelve imps for +800 against our teammates -90, for 2♣️ making two. 

I feel that the strength-showing redouble is underappreciated and underused. When partner opens at the one level and RHO makes a takeout double, be ready with the redouble when you have 10+ and no fit for partner. The opponents are outgunned in high cards, and playing for penalties at a low level can be very profitable. 

Wishing everyone a joyous Holiday season.

Coming Event

Dave Treadwell Sectional

December 8-10

Bridge Studio

Wilmington

302-479-5431

Delaware Clubs 

The Bridge Studio of Delaware, Wilmington

Harold Jordan

302-479-5431

club@bridge-studio.org

MOT, Middletown

Cheryl Shields

302-602-1638

c.shields@mehrs.com

Monday Morning Bridge Club

Friday Nooners

Dover

Clare O’Brien

410-310-0549

Clare758@outlook.com

Shore Bridge

Lewes

Monday @ 12:30

Wednesday @ 9:30

Anna DeLapo

302-236-0346

Anna7nt@gmail.com

Shuffles 2

Ocean View Presbyterian Church

Thursday @12:30

Donna Heckscher

215-817-2465

shuffles2023@gmail.com

Congratulations to Jim Bloom our new Club Master.

It’s a while off, but please plan to join us for our next sectional tournament May 31 – June 2, 2024.

4Spot | December 2023 | Editor: Susan Morse