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BRIDGE BULLETIN
NORTH SHORE BRIDGE CLUB
NOVEMBER 2009
PRESIDENT'S REPORTAs this is my first Bridge Bulletin I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your confidence in appointing me President of the North Shore Bridge Club. I consider it a real privilege, and hope to serve you well and will aim to be accessible to you all at all times. We have such a friendly, lovely group of members and our aim is to keep everyone happy.
I would like to thank Diana for the capable way she has run the Club as President for the last two years and I know I can rely on her for advice when necessary. We will not be losing touch as she is now Head Director and I know she will be just as capable organising that vital part of our bridge.
We owe a great deal to Liz New for her hard work in preparing the 2010 Programme Book. She had it ready for the Printer the day following the AGM which is an amazing achievement. The book is not just a copy of the previous year's and takes many hours of work to produce.
I would also like to record my appreciation of Rae's annual effort in preparing our Christmas Raffle. This is another big job and the profits from the raffle go to the Club to cover extras such as mince pies, etc. Thank you Rae.
Suggestions have been made at various times about obtaining a Dealing Machine and I imagine we are one of the few clubs without one. However, we deal ourselves some very interesting hands each day, and we need a majority of approval from members to get one – I would never want it to be a Committee decision.
Beth is having good success with her classes and has discovered she loves teaching. All the pupils tell me she is lovely. She also organises our Bulletin, plays bridge at several Clubs, plus tournaments, and we are very proud of her efforts.
I am going to Sydney on 3rd December so will leave prize-giving duties to my two capable Vice Presidents, but I would like to wish you all lots of good bridge in the coming year, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
by Judy Patton
A word about Judy herself. She is a very talented rosarian (she has over 70 rose bushes in her garden) and, at the Devonport Garden Club's Annual Rose Competition held this month, she won trophies for her single bloom 'Loving Memory' and in the 3 blooms of a kind category her 'White Romance' was judged the best.
OUR COMMITTEE FOR 2010
President: Judy Patton Vice Presidents: Gillian Howard Patricia Moore Secretary: Bernice Lodge Treasurer: Anne Ryan Committee: Janice Barron Jacqueline Baseden Alex Gorobets Rita Holland Gillian Norling Mary Takhar Kate Terry Rob Tudman MEMBERSHIP
Since September Sheila Aisbitt, Gillian Allison, Wendy Bailey, Phyllis Banbrook Anne Freeman, Vicky Henshall, Sandra Humphries, Joanne Kirby, Ray Lunn, Beth McGregor, Molly Prisk, Nita Robinson and Judith Shinegold have joined us. We are glad you have come to the North Shore Bridge Club and hope you will have many pleasurable hours at the bridge table.
Altogether 40 new members have joined since the beginning of the year which has meant increased session attendances, especially Tuesday and Friday mornings. Social bridge on a Wednesday is proving very popular and our Monday 'lesson and play' group has grown over the year as well, so the club is thriving.
Thanks to the imaginative ideas Gillian Howard has brought to our Sunday afternoon Party Days not only are table numbers up but members have eagerly participated in the theme for the day. Members from other clubs are joining us for the afternoon as well.
EREBUS DAY This is held on the last Sunday of November each year to remember Margaret Anderson. Pearl Harty, and Marjorie Peacocke who died in the plane crash 28 November 1979.
This year it was run a little differently in that table money was $5 for each player and the Committee and one or two others provided the home-made afternoon tea which was much appreciated
The Belmont Retirement Village donated this lovely hamper to raffle for a prize. Here Brian Winsor is seen presenting it to the winner, Lucy Laing.
Proceeds from the raffle as well as the table money are going to a selected charity.
Our apologies go to the Belmont Retirement Centre in that inadvertently we omitted to mention in our last newsletter that they had also donated a generous gift hamper for our Black and White Party Day.
The winners on Erebus day were:
North/South: Lorraine Fletcher and Patricia Moore 66.30%
East/West: Sonja Compton and Gillian Trotman (Visitor) 73.65%
CON ALEXANDER Con (Constance) Alexander, who died recently was only a few weeks short of her 90th birthday.
Con was a long-time member of our club until ill health prevented her from playing. She had been a top provincial player, taking part in many tournaments. Con was also well known in the golfing world. She had been Captain of the North Shore Ladies Golf Club and then NZ President of the Ladies Golf Union for many years.
Con was born in Sydney and educated in England. After the war she married Douglas Alexander and they came to New Zealand to settle, eventually in Takapuna where her husband became a very popular dentist. Con will be sadly missed by her many friends.
by June Rea
GRACE McDONALD
Failing sight and her wish not to hinder other members forced Grace to resign recently from the Club.
Along with her ardent love for the game was her fervant attraction to flowers. Her garden created a great deal of interest.
While on an organised outing to the Auckland Museum Grace slipped on some steps and fractured her hip. However, she made a good recovery and at 93 was looking as erect and attractive as ever after her ordeal.
A very private person of high intellect with widespread interests Grace belonged to many clubs. They were well represented at the large gathering for the Celebration of her Life held the day after the private family funeral.
Grace died peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by two sons.By Iris Berryman
Beth Andrewes is recuperating at home after her hospital stay and we hope she will be able to return to bridge soon.
Jenny Ashworth is now out and about and looking well after her kidney operation.
Mavis Flowers, who has been a member of the Club for a long time, is on the move across the bridge to the Mercy Parklands Retirement Home. We hope she will find some kindred bridge players there.
Gordon Bright had an accident on his motor bike on Friday 27 November and is now in North Shore Hospital Ward 4. Sorry you missed the final session of the Jubilee Trophy, Gordon.
JUBILEE TROPHY
The Jubilee Trophy is run as a tournament during the last three Mondays of November for Junior Players of No Rank.
Seen here are this year's winners Diane Walker and Lorraine Gillam with their trophies which had just been presented by our President, Judy Patton.
Over the three sessions Diane and Lorraine averaged 60.14% while the average of the runners-up Rob Tudman and Tony Wingfield was 57.88% just ahead of the 3rd place getters Suzanne Marriott and Heather Hart on 57.55%
A group of competitors with the celebration lunch in the background. NZ WIDE PAIRS
931 pairs throughout NZ all played the same hands on the evening of Friday, 6th November. Top North Shore Bridge Club pair were Brian Davies and Joan Garry, who came 53rd overall with 62.23%.
OVER 70% HONOUR ROLL
After a slow start this year several have now qualified for the club:
Vernon Duncum & Marjorie Strathern 74.13% Dorothy Bollard & Joan Garry 73.38% Lew Glover & Nick Klaassen 73.16% Ming Huang & Norm Ogier 71.88% Norm Ogier & Ira Turvey 70.80% Petar Lolic & Ira Turvey 70.48% Rona Browett & Judy Patton 70.03% END OF YEAR RESULTS SO FAR...
Tuesday Champ Pairs: Maisie Cate and Liz New Runners-up: Vernon Duncum and Diana Moorhead Thursday Champ Pairs: Lew Glover and Ming Huang Runners-up: Pip Blaylock and Joan Garry Friday Champ Pairs: Rae Nicholson and Sue Schaefer Runners-up: Vernon Duncum and Judy Patton Monday Evening Winter Ladder: Pat Chessum Congratulations to you all.
WEDNESDAY SOCIAL BRIDGE
Bernard Flower wishes to acknowledge the help he has received from the Wednesday morning social group.
Bernard writes: “I wish to thank everyone who comes to play bridge on Wednesday mornings. Without exception people have, at all times, helped and encouraged me.
"Spurred by the maxim 'use it or lose it' – and having lost a few marbles – I decided to take up Bridge again after 30 years of Scrabble.
"Eleanor Fourie was very helpful and arranged for Heather Hart to play with me. That was two years ago.
"Now my partner, Gordon Bright always welcomes me. Special mention must be made of our Director Mientje Van Mierlo who triumphs over all obstacles.”
Eleanor comments: "Bernard has been amazing the way he has overcome much of his great disability following his severe strokes and with great determination is endeavouring to regain his mobility. He is no mean bridge player as we have learnt".
LORRAINE GRINDROD
When Lorraine Grindrod flew to San Francisco with her partner, Jack, she had no idea what was in store for her. They spent 3 days in the San Francisco area before boarding the Star Princess bound for Hawaii, a journey of 4 days.
On the 3rd morning at 5.45am she was woken by Jack who asked her to marry him. She was more asleep than awake and asked him to repeat what he had just said. She, of course, said yes. After all, they had been together for 22½ years!
They decided the ship was the place to hold the wedding ceremony as there was a beautiful chapel on board. Off they went to see the Head Purser and the 3rd October was chosen as the day providing the Captain was available to conduct the ceremony.
On arriving in Hawaii they headed for the nearest shopping centre where Lorraine spent 2½ hours choosing the rings and nearly driving the jeweller and Jack mad in the process. Her final choice – a plain gold wedding band and an emerald and diamond ring.
Back on board they bought a wedding package which included flowers, champagne, a wedding cake, and a tuxedo for Jack. They also decided on their vows.
The chapel was beautifully decorated with flowers and tulle. Satin bows were on the pews and their names were highlighted on the archway over the doors. Lorraine and Jack invited 30 people, with whom they had become friendly but more turned up after hearing about it on the morning TV show.
Much was made of the fact they had been together for 22½ years and the TV crew were shaking their heads in disbelief as to why it had taken so long for Jack to propose.
The Captain was charming and a really caring person and the wedding was great. Following the Ceremony they all went off to have a sumptuous dinner and to dance the rest of the night away.
I'm told that when Lorraine arrived back in New Zealand she rang her sister and said "it's Lorraine Bell here" and her sister didn't know to whom she was talking.
CHRISTMAS DAY
You are cordially invited to come and share Christmas Lunch with us on Christmas Day. We all bring a plate of Christmas goodies + BYO for a 12.15pm start, followed by bridge 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Put your names on the list on the board at the Club or ring Eleanor Fourie 410-5338. PS. If you can't make lunch join us for bridge at 1.30pm.
To all, a Happy Christmas and New Year and we look forward to seeing you again at the start of the 2010 bridge calendar.
BETH CAMPBELL,
EDITOR
