District Director’s Report
I
am proud and delighted to be your new District 4 representative on the
ACBL Board of Directors. I promise that I will work as hard as I can
on your behalf and I will keep you informed on everything that is happening
at the national level.
As your District Director, I plan to take a strong stand on Zero Tolerance
issues. Bridge is great fun and we want to make playing this game a
good experience for all players. Bad behavior will not be tolerated
in District 4. The District board is also working to make District 4
“fragrance free”. Many players have allergic reactions to
fragrances and the board will be working to make our tournaments comfortable
for all by requiring that all participants refrain from using perfumes
and colognes.
Special congratulations to Meyer Kotkin, the Valley Forge tournament
chair, for becoming a Grand Life Master. To reach this rank, a player
must win a national championship and accumulate 10,000 masterpoints.
Meyer won the 2011 Werner Open Pairs with Howie Cohen and reached the
10,000 masterpoint mark at the Delaware Regional Tournament.
There’s a lot to be excited about in District 4 this year. Our
upcoming tournament in Valley Forge has been moved from its traditional
week to the week of June 27th. On Sunday, July 3rd, at the Swiss team
break, we will be having a free picnic lunch, complete with hamburgers,
hot dogs and watermelon.
In August, Mary Miller and Margie Spence have a fun tournament planned
for you in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. The tournament has been
moved to the popular 10 and 2:30 start times so that you can have your
evenings free to visit the lovely surrounding areas.
John and Debi Klinger have moved the Lancaster Regional to a brand new
facility, aptly named Spooky Nook, since the tournament begins this
year on Halloween. The new tournament will have all the special Lancaster
hospitality that we have come to know and love, in a beautiful modern
setting.
At the Lancaster Regional, District 4 is running a TAP (Teacher’s
Accreditation Program) on Sunday, October 30 and Monday, October 31.
This 10 hour teaching program usually costs $125, but District 4 will
be subsidizing the cost for any of our District 4 members who want to
become teachers. You can become a certified bridge teacher in Lancaster
for only $50. Click here for a registration form.
I also want to remind you of the 2016 NAP event. The NAP is a grassroots
event that starts in your local club in qualifying games during the
months of June, July and August. Players who have qualified at their
club move on to compete at the District Level, and, if successful, will
receive a subsidized trip to the National NAP event in Kansas City,
MO in the spring of 2017. Plan on participating. It is the only game
where you can win real $$. Check your local club for the dates of the
qualifying sessions.
Our volunteers are the life blood of our organization. We are very lucky
in District 4 to have so many caring, giving people who volunteer their
time to run tournaments and work hard to make bridge fun for all –
the next time you see a volunteer – don’t forget to express
your appreciation.