together a group of volunteer workers who not only did the jobs they were assigned, but they did the work and gave high praise and loyalty to these men. These are guys you want heading up your team.

I’ve worked with Margot Hennings from Falls Church VA on two NABCs, and I’m betting we’ll make it three with the Summer 2009 NABC in Washington, DC. Margot’s a lot of fun, but she sometimes intimidates me with her organizational abilities. I have to watch what I say and do around her because, believe me, she’ll have a record of it! She knows she can call me for a favor any time she needs one.

Some of my friends are gone too soon. I miss Louise Childs Freed, who lived in Los Angeles with her husband Gene when she died last November, but her real home was always in Dallas, where she chaired the 1997 Spring NABC. Other tournament chairs still ask me for the menus of the late-night food they served in Dallas, now seven years ago. My own mom died days before the Fall 2002 NABC in Phoenix. Marianne Spanier and Jill Miller co-chaired that NABC and were so thoughtful and kind to me as I stumbled through their NABC. I see Marianne and “that cute Buddy” at most NABCs now, but Jill died unexpectedly last year. The world is a better place because of Louise and Jill, and our game lost two special women.

As I prepare for my 40th NABC, I’m thinking New York is a perfect place to be. The day before the tournament started, I be celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary, so my husband and son were with me in the Big Apple, and there’s no place more exciting than Times Square, the “crossroads of the world.” Bill Rosenbaum and Jerry Goodman are co-chairs of the tournament.

These men are not all that much alike, except of course, they both love bridge and both lend their administrative and leadership abilities to the game. Bill unsettled me a bit at first until I realized that instead of using what I thought was my Southern charm, I should just give him the facts and move on. Jerry’s approach is a bit different from Bill’s and they work together well with their complementary styles. It’s going to be a memorable 40th NABC for a lot of reasons, and I’m hoping for a huge turnout.

Luckily for me, I’m not stopping at 40. I’m looking forward to working with Jayne Thomas this fall in Orlando. Every time we do a survey about NABCs, someone will write a note that we should talk to Jayne and see how she does it in Florida. I told her I’ll never be able to get out from behind her shadow.

Roni Gitchel of Pittsburgh has put together a great team for the 2005 Spring NABC and has already raised nearly $100,000 in addition to the funds ACBL provides for an NABC. I can remember calling her a few years ago when we were concerned that the new convention center in Pittsburgh wouldn’t be finished by March of 2003, when Pittsburgh was originally scheduled. Instead of being frustrated as one might have expected, Roni said she

wanted what was best….and besides, it gave her two more years to make sure the tournament was remarkable. I don’t think she’s going to rest until she reads the great reviews from Pittsburgh.

And Jack Feagin of Atlanta, another Southern gentleman, will be a repeat tournament chair with me when he heads up the Atlanta NABC next summer. He puts my feet to the fire on occasion, and he’ll make sure I do my job better than I did last time and that players will thoroughly enjoy their visit to Atlanta next summer.

Because of the examples these and other tournament chairmen have been to me, I’ve become more involved in volunteer work in my church and in my community. I’ve realized that by giving back, you get so much more.

If you haven’t volunteered to work at one of your local tournaments or at an NABC, think about it. I’m looking for more friends all the time.

“I can’t imagine what life would be like without bridge,” said Margot Hirsch of Arlington TX as she reported that she has become a Life Master. She made the grade in only two and a half years. As she dropped by between sessions yesterday, she was ready to play in the final of one KO event and in the semifinal of another. She went over in the Bracketed Knockouts partnered by Barbara Traphagen of Fort Worth with teammates Jim and Pat Poitras of St. Cloud FL.

Leonard Nissim won his gold card in the Donna Levien Pairs Monday evening. He finished third overall in Strat C, playing with his longtime partner Ronald Shorr.

Paul Cushman of New York City made the grade by reaching the semifinals in the Educational Foundation Bracketed Knockouts. His partner was Barbara Wheeler.

Shirley Rodenborn of Oakland went over the top in the 299er Pairs, so she can’t play in that event any more. And get this – she needed .85 points – and she won .85 points! Her partner was Mary Payne of Oakland.

The World Junior Individual

The World Junior Individual Championship is open to all young players without restrictions. It is to be held every two years in North America, followed by a Junior Camp. The objectives of bridging the gaps between young people from all over the globe will, from now on, be well served every year.

Tonight the first Championship gets underway here in New York. You can follow the event by clicking on the World Bridge Federation web site. At press time over 125 juniors had signed up to play in the event.