I gotta crow . . . .

New Life Master PartyMay 11, 2013

Chattanooga Bridge Center

Here they are: Ian, David, Joyce, and Kathy!

Not pictured: Suzanne Atchley, Johnny and

Linda Burns, Pat Whitaker

Chairman Marian Riggar with Betty Buechner

Directors Myra and Larry Reneau

David Brown

Ian Madden

Kathy Ellis

Joyce Feher

We’ve

Gotta

Crow!

I gotta crow . . . .

Like so many bridge players, I started playing in college and over the years

played party bridge. Fran is a special partner. We met at a bridge pick-up game

at Hamilton Place. She invited me to First Centenary for bridge lessons and

duplicate games. From there we graduated to the Bridge Center. Fran was my

partner at the Chattanooga Regional when I made Life Master with Larry and

Myra Reneau as teammates in a knockout game for the gold. Teresa Moore was

a mentor who was a big help in the beginning. Also, Emily Mitts and Liz Norris

have been regular partners over the years. I am grateful to them and all my

other partners for helping me make Life Master. Thanks to all of you.

I have played bridge for years. I became interested in bride after by golfing days

ended. I started playing duplicate bridge about 10 years ago and decided to join

the ACBL. We played on Monday nights and in a few tournaments as well as a

few days during the week. I didn’t have a mentor, but Mike Sherman

encouraged me and gave me some lessons that were so helpful. John Friedl also

gave lessons that were helpful. Other people gave a lesson before we started

our Monday night game. My partners over the years were my husband and best

friend Ray, Bonnie Hamden, and Shayna Scott. I received my Life Master at the

Chattanooga Regional in 2012. I have introduced bridge to many ladies from

Signal Mountain over the years. When I finally joined ACBL, I didn’t think I would

ever get my Life Master, but I have been lucky. So to all you bridge players out

there, go for it and it will happen! Thanks to everyone who had patience with

me over the years at the bridge table.

David Brown

Joyce Feher Ian Madden

I gotta crow . . . .

I gotta crow . . . . I gotta crow . . . .

I first played bridge in 1962 between classes at the Student Union Building in

Florence, Alabama. Linda and I have played bridge with friends for 46+ years. In

2008 I filled in as partner for Jayne Sendler and filled out my first convention

card. Lloyd Mummert was my partner that summer. Then Linda decided to give

up golf and become my partner. All the bridge players at the Senior Center have

served as both mentors and teachers for me. When Linda and I crossed the 300-

point threshold but lacked the necessary gold, we decided to play until we

obtained Life Master status. Tunica in 2012 is memorable because Linda and I

finished with 17.68 points. I got my Life Master at Nashville finishing second in a

knockout with Linda, Pamela Guy, and Kay Martin. Discipline, a simple bidding

system, and a forgiving partner are important to getting 300+ points. Obtaining

the color requirements to be a Life Master requires playing out of town

especially if you live in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Johnny Burns

I have played duplicate bridge for 38 years. I was fortunate to have as my

teacher Walter Johnson, an Emerald Life Master and three-time North American

Champion who also won the Blue Ribbon Pairs in 1985 playing with Eric Rodwell.

Walter passed away on March 20 of this year. My primary partner has been my

wife Corrine, and I have also partnered with Jim Bagley. The most memorable

event I can remember during my duplicate career was defending a lay-down

5HX contract. I received Life Master status at the Pigeon Forge Sectional in

January 2013.

I gotta crow . . . .

Because most people know our partnership "up close and personal,” I would

like to thank some special people like Betty and John Buechner

for offering to "get us some gold" in Pelham, Alabama and Myra and Larry

Reneau for going with us to Paducah, Kentucky and getting us so "hooked" on

the shrimp cocktail so that we have gone back several times as much for that

as the Bridge. Cheryl Whitfield saved our partnership (sister Suzanne

Atchley) by organizing our thoughts and notes as well as organizing and

maintaining a wonderful library for our study. We have enjoyed

giving OUR "advice" to Presidents Bert Shramko and Bill Adams as new

members. And thanks to MJ Levine and Susan Kimm for keeping

me in the game.

Aunts and Mother loved bridge. Kathy and I love learning. Mike Sherman—great

teacher! Great competition. Travel. Friends. Encouraging husband. Great

partner who made sure we were at every tournament (Kathy). Great bridge club

members (in all our local clubs) who willingly give advice and many of whom

helped us in our search for that elusive “gold.” Shirley and Everett Hixson invited

us to our first tournament, and I was playing with Shirley at the club when I got

my final points for Life Master. Kathy and I are embarking on a venture to play

bridge in all the lower 48 states. This summer we will attack the northwest

corner. Last year we hit the Northeast up to New York and over to Chicago.

Bridge junkies will do anything to find a game! Thank you Aunt Millie!

I worked at Boeing in Huntsville, Alabama, following high school and learned

to play bridge from the engineers in my department who played during lunch.

I first played duplicate when we lived in Fairport, New York, in the early 80’s

and continued after our return to Tennessee. I first joined ACBL and played in

sanctioned games in 2008. Johnny and I became Life Masters together at the

Nashville tournament in February 2013. Johnny has been my partner

throughout. We have really enjoyed playing in the 299er groups. We’ve made

many new friends and have enjoyed watching their progression to Life Master

as we have also played toward that goal. We have enjoyed playing with team

partners Russell and Belinda Lloyd; Lea Stuart, Kay Martin, and Pam Guy.

I plan to continue playing and to help others achieve their goals.

Kathy Ellis

Suzanne Atchley Linda Burns

I gotta crow . . . .

I gotta crow . . . . I gotta crow . . . .

My “bridge career” began when I was 12 & my mother sent me to her friend

who taught me the fundamentals of bridge. I played at it during college and

began playing in earnest when I met my husband Jim. After his death, bridge was a life saver when I became involved at the Chattanooga Bridge

Center and the Cleveland Bridge Club where I’ve gotten to know many

wonderful people and have honed my bridge skills. In September 2008, Janusz

and I went to the regional in Tunica with Larry and Myra Reneau, and they

helped me earn my first 19 gold points. During the Chattanooga Regional the

next month, I earned my remaining six gold points with Janusz, Sophie Field, and

John Friedl. I became a Life Master in February 2011. In January 2013 I earned

the 13 points I needed to become a Bronze Life Master at Pigeon Forge with

Sophie, Judy Kemp, and Kathy Wasson. I would like to thank all of those who

have helped me along the way.

Pat Whitaker

Ann Keown, MJ Levine, Harriet Hereford,

And Iris Abelson

Betty Sue Farmer, Joyce Feher, and Ray Feher

Emily Mitts and Anne Parker Frank Hughes, Bill Adams, Bucky Hughes, and

Teresa Moore

Suzzanne Nichols, Robert Greenleaf, Alice

Greenleaf and Grady Nichols

Barbara Henderson and Patricia Niemczyk

Carol Hudson, Gerry Jones, and John Hudson Janie Hunt, Susan Rothberger, and Jane McCurdy

Judy Kemp, Betty Buechner, Bert Shramko, and

Kathy Wasson

Kathy Ellis and Winnell Goodner

Pat Fircks, Susan Kimm, Don Eigenberg, and

Sharyn Wood

Shirley Hixson, Earl Rothberger, and Mary Hughes