January 2024

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 

I cannot believe it is already 2024 and a new year is upon us. There is so much good heading our way, and I am hoping the attendance momentum will continue to rise. Our tournaments seem to be attracting more and more people, which is a good thing, and I am especially thrilled to see the increasing numbers in our Intermediate/Novice group as they are the future of our great game.

The Inaugural District 4 NLM Regional was a huge success, bringing in more players than we could have imagined. Despite a late start (confusion after ACBL took down Entry Express, providing no pre-registration) we had 31.5 tables of new players come out to play. The players were very excited to be there for an event aimed directly at their playing level. Many commented on how nice it was to see old friends and new and get a chance to talk to players at their own level. A very special and personal thanks to all the outstanding volunteers who helped make this event possible.

I am thrilled to announce the recipients of the ACBL Goodwill Committee and Charitable Recognition Award for 2024.  Each has made exceptional contributions to bridge and the bridge community.  

The Goodwill Committee recognizes people from the district who exemplify the Goodwill creed, "Always disclose, never abuse, don’t intimidate, and practice active ethics" at the bridge club and table.

The Charitable Recognition award recognizes those who promote participation in the ACBL charity program in the unit and sanctioned club games within their district, as well as taking an active role in ACBL-wide charity events such as The Longest Day.

Congratulations to our newest honorees:

Goodwill Committee – Jim Patton and Dennis Shaub

Charitable Recognition Award – Pat Andrews and Pamela Cuda

To learn more about these fabulous people and what they have done to promote bridge follow the link below to the District 4 website

https://4acbl.org/2022/12/17/2024-d4-goodwill-charity-committee-appointees/

We will be launching monthly district-wide online games in January. There will be an open game and a 0-750 game, and each will be stratified by attendance. Games will be open only to members of District 4. Watch for a mailing early in January with the day and time for the first games.

I wish all of you a safe and healthy new year and hope to see all of you soon at the bridge table.

betsy2955@gmail.com

From the Regional Director 

As of January 1, 2024, there are no more District Directors in the ACBL, only 13 Regional Directors, as the board completes the reorganization from 25 members to 13 members.   

I have been elected for a three-year term as Regional Director of Region 3 which is composed of both District 4 and District 3.

Both District 3 and District 4 will function independently as they do now.   The only difference is that the two districts will share one representative on the ACBL Board of Directors and for the next three years that’s me.  

I will provide a complete report on the Atlanta ACBL Board of Directors meetings next month, but there is one important new initiative explained below.     

ACBL Grassroots Membership Retention Initiative (5-5-5 Program)

A new grassroots membership retention plan was introduced in Atlanta that will allow Units to earn additional revenue by using a newly created membership tool to help ACBL in its membership retention efforts. Information about the program and the new tool, called “Return to the Fold”, has been emailed to all Unit officials.

The new “5-5-5” program is designed to support grassroots efforts in recruitment and retention. Rather than paying units the 11% of full dues payments and Life Master Service Fees, Units will have the opportunity to earn up to 15% of these fees. The new program will go into effect on April 1, 2024. Below is the breakdown of the distribution of dollars under the new program:

• Units will automatically receive a base of 5%
• Units may earn an additional 5% for contacting lapsed and “at risk” members
• Units may also earn an additional 5% for signing up lapsed members

The ACBL will provide the tools, training and resources necessary to help our Units succeed in this program. All Unit Presidents should attend Bronia's monthly Unit President meeting for more details. 

Questions about the new program can also be answered on zoom Monday through Friday from 3:30PM to 5:30PM Eastern Time. Just click the “Talk to ACBL Via Zoom” button on the ACBL website.

I wish you all a healthy and happy 2024!    Please contact me with any comments or questions: Joannglasson@msn.com

Regionals

Rehoboth, DE

April 29-May 3

Sectionals

King of Prussia, PA

January 5-7

D4 STaC

February 12-18

Wilmington, DE

February 23-25

Camp Hill, PA

March 1-3

Cherry Hill, NJ

April 12-14

Rochester, NY

April 13-14

Allentown, PA

April 26-28

For the 2024 D4 calendar, click here.

The 4Spot features fantastic contributors on a regular rotation:

Larry's Learning Center

Moderator: Nick Straguzzi

Check out this doozy of a problem and find the answers here.

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

Congratulations to our advancing players:

Junior Masters

Kathryn Pirozzi, Canandaigua 

Yi Xu, Ithaca

Club Master

Rita Bertrand, East Syracuse

Sectional Master

John Hunt, Ithaca

Regional Master

Katie Sullivan, Clinton

Advanced NABC Master

Frank Dinoff, Rochester

Silver Life Master

Nancy Koch, Pittsford

Ruby Life Master

Stephen Mast, Corning

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year with lots of bridge!

Check back next month for Unit 120 news.

Check back next month for Unit 121 news.

Happy New Year!

We extend our best wishes for a healthy, and happy 2024!

Congratulations! New Rank Achievements

Club Masters 

Frank Haig

Vivian Kane

Silver Life Master 

Margaret Irvine

Gold Life Master 

Carol Maisel

Sapphire Life Master 

Gary Hillenbrand

First Ever 0-750 NLM Tournament in District 4 a Huge Success!

Thanks to all the volunteers in Unit 133 who made our tournament run smoothly, thanks to all the players(more than 120 players per session)who attended from PA and the surrounding states, thanks to our directors who had no idea how many people were attending, but made it work and thanks to our unit 133 members who donated to our hospitality tables. For the first attempt, we feel everyone enjoyed themselves, everyone had the opportunity to win some gold/red points, and we even made some money for the district.

In Memoriam Game

Thank you to the members who played on Sunday, December 9, to celebrate the lives and achievements of our members of Unit 133 who passed away last year. An open game of duplicate bridge was played in their honor.

ACBL Junior Fund Charity Game

Open and 0-750 Pairs

WHERE: Lehigh Valley Active Life Center 1633 W Elm Street

Allentown PA

WHEN: Saturday January 13, 2024 at 1:00pm

WHO: Open and 0-750 Pairs

WHY: The Junior Fund is an ACBL wide foundation that helps support youth bridge for those under the age of 26. Club players earn extra masterpoints, while helping the Junior Program for Youth offset the cost for these younger players to attend the World Youth Championships.

COST: $8 per person

REFRESHMENTS: Please bring a snack to share.

MORE INFORMATION: If you have additional questions or need help finding a partner, please contact Betsy Cutler at betsy2955@gmail.com or Lois Fuini at lafuini@yahoo.com.

“Super Bowl” Sunday Charity Games Open, and 0-750 Pairs



WHERE: Lehigh Valley Active Life Center

WHEN: February 11, 2024 at 1 PM

WHO: Open and 0-750 pairs

WHY: Enjoy a game of bridge to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Please bring a can of soup or any other non-perishable food item. In addition to the food items, all cash donations and proceeds from the games will benefit Second Harvest. COST: $8 per person

REFRESHMENTS: Please bring a tailgate type snack to share with fellow players

Still some spots available at our New Year’s Sectional January 5-7.  Especially the 0-500 teams at North Penn on Sunday 1/7 has lots of availability.  Details here.

A warm welcome to our newest PCBA members!

Arlene Anderson

Chet Czerpak

Janet Dickman

Carolyn Fitzgerald

Catherine Gately

Gloria Gosnay

Deb Hische

Merry Leblanc

Rich Leblanc

Jean Ann McCloskey

Catherine Quirk

Shannon Sanfilippo

Brenda Sullivan

Congratulations to our members who achieved a new rank!

Junior Masters

Doreen Barca

Patty Bartolomeo

William Beckwith

Lynn Bentley

Devika Chakraborty

Ian Clements

Arnold Freedman

Susan Ganley

Ray Lefton

Carole Levin

Club Masters

Jack Carballo

Michael Denner

Roger Hallowell

Bernadette Hennessy May

Robert Kachelries

Arlene Keenan

Devin  Murphy

Sectional Masters

Andrea Malinowski

Bruce  Neff

Martin Trumpler

Regional Masters

Kristen Fireman

Rose Marie Knight

Bruce Pedretti

NABC Masters

Linda  Blickman

Diane  Luedtke

Jane   Pelullo

Patricia Walsh

Advanced NABC Masters

Barbara Bickel

Jill Fielding

William Hankin

David  Laskin

Sue Machler

Deborah Holt Weil

Life Masters

Ellen Luchette

William Petkun

Art Simons

Bronze Life Master

Walter Stromquist

Gold Life Master

Barbara Ann McLaren

Sapphire Life Master

Kenneth Salter

Unit 168: Central Pennsylvania 

Ben Hawn 

bwhawn@bellsouth.net

Unit 190: Delaware 

www.unit190.org

Paula Varrassi

pvarrassi@gmail.com

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

COMING EVENT

Blue Hen Sectional

Feb 23-25, 2024

Bridge Studio

Wilmington

MOVIN’ ON UP

Club Master

Lianger Gong

Sectional Master

Jeanmarie Leonard

Regional Master

Roger McAlevey

Life Master

Jonathan Baumel

THE WELCOME MAT

(New to our Unit:  T=transfer, N=new member)

Karen King-N

Barry Margerum-N

Terry Coates-T

Alan Powell-T

Meagan Powell-T

Rosalind Powell-T

WIT AND WISDOM

“Sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”

Vince Lombardi

THE RESULTS ARE IN

Dave Treadwell Sectional

Friday AM A/X Pairs

A:  Carl Berenbaum & Barbara Kepple

X:  Janet Johnson & Edward Kung

Friday AM B/C/D Pairs

B &C:  Salley Humphrey & Stuart Nemser

D:  Karen Batchelder & Barbara Daly

Friday Afternoon Open Pairs

A & B:  Thomas Webster & J. Alan Bricker

C:  Daniel Droz & Barbara Droz

Friday Afternoon 499er Pairs

William Tannery & Art Ford

Saturday AM A/X Pairs

A & X:  Thomas Webster & J. Alan Bricker

Saturday AM B/C/D Pairs

B:  April Uhlenburg & Betsy Cutler

C:  Sally Humphrey & Sharron Laas

D:  Katharine Link & Anne-Marie Corner

Saturday Afternoon Open Pairs

A:  Sigridur Kristjansdottir & Harold Jordan

B:  Jeremy Xu & Fred Gillespie

C:  William Tannery & Art Ford

Saturday Afternoon 499er Pairs

Katharine Link & Anne Marie Corner

Sunday A/X Swiss Teams

Harold Jordan, Sigridur Kristjansdottir, Robert Maier, Zachary Madden

Sunday Bracketed Teams

B:  Caroline Hughes, Stefan Haroldsson, Kim Holm, Tamara Holm

C:  Pamela Scalamandre, John Nothdurft, William Hurdle, Karin Schwenk

D:  Anne-Marie Corner, Karen Batchelder, Katharine Link, Barbara Daly

And a Special Presentation for a Gold Life Master

Wilma Glassman

(with daughter Debbie Schenkel and grandson Ben Schenkel)

(photo: Ala Hamilton Day)

As the Year Draws to a Close

We Remember Our Friends and Partners Who Left us in 2023

Rita (Tita) Abello

Thurman Ballard Bruffey

Sarah Jastak-Burgess

Amalendu (Amal) Dasgupta

Elizabeth Gordy

Theodore Lazo

Daniel Premo

Charles Regnier

Joan Santelli

Elaine T. Smith

Robert L. Smith

Patricia Tucker

Unit 217: Susquehanna 

Jim McKeown

jcm751@comcast.net

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

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4Spot | January 2024 | Editor: Susan Morse