Margaret Battista: Life Master

Bridge and motorcycles are the two passions in the life of Margaret Battista, one of Unit 239's latest Life Masters.

Margaret made LM at the Bridge Center of Rockford last May, playing with Renee Shambeau (Davis). She had all her colors, so "any old points at all" would do.

Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Margaret married her husband Mike in 1977 and traveled extensively while he was in the military. She has lived in Mississippi and Germany. "And then there's that other exotic locale," she adds with a devilish grin: "Rapid City, South Dakota. But we all moved to Rockton in 1998. Now that's exotic."

Our new Life Master has two children: Mike, Jr., who works for CitiBank in Sioux Falls; and Nicole, who is living at home while working for a firm that issues home loans. "And I'll really hear about it," she adds gleefully, "if I don't include my grandson, Justin Michael, who will be four years old in September."

Margaret learned to play bridge in 1997, and actually had 5 masterpoints before she moved to our area. "It was hard-core duplicate from the get-go," she explains. "But both my parents played, and I've tremendously enjoyed my partnerships with Arlene Snap (Loves Park), Bob Erwin (Rochelle), Bob DeKeyser (Rockton) and Renee Shambeau (Davis).

Margaret started dirt biking with her husband and family, but bought a street bike when she moved here. Now she owns a 2000 Harley-Davidson Classic, and enjoys riding with her husband. They attend the Sturgis Bike Rally in South Dakota every summer.

"I love the competition bridge offers," Margaret admits. "And it's a great addition to my social life. Most of my family plays, so it's something the entire family can share. And it's great for keeping the brain in trim."

Margaret was named "Rookie of the Year" at the Bridge Center of Rockford in 1999. She's come a long way, baby.

Upcoming Tournaments in Unit 239

Rockford Regionals & Rockford Classic Sectionals will all be held at Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State, Rockford.

Elgin Spring Sectionals will all be held at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin.

299er Sectionals will all be held at Elgin Community Center, 123 Symphony Rd., Elgin.

Turkey Bowl Sectionals will all be held at Prisco Community Center, southeast corner of Rt. 31 & Illinois Ave., Aurora.

The Changing Scene . . .

New Junior Masters: Vivian Kilzer, Huntley; Carol Vojta, Rockford.

New Club Masters: Bobbie Brown, Rockford; Robert F. Quintin, St. Charles; Barbara Worden, Rockford.

New Sectional Masters: Walter Gehlaar, McHenry.

New Life Masters: Margaret Battista, Rockton; Aaron Hanford, Rockford.

New Silver Life Masters: James Hudson, DeKalb.

As I See It . . .

The Rockin' Rockford Regional, 2006, is now history, and smashingly successful history it is, too. Rockford maintains the reputation it has earned throughout the years: when one thinks of the words "Rockford" and "Bridge Tournament" together, the next word one naturally thinks of is "hospitality." And in Rockford, hospitality is a two-edged sword.

Karl Dencker, scarcely six months into his term as Unit President, provided strong leadership as tournament chairman. One of Dencker's outstanding qualities is his ability to come up with new and interesting ideas by thinking "outside the box." At this year's Regional, the provision of a hospitality room, the daily awarding of copies of The Encyclopedia of Bridge as door prizes, the distribution of mechanical pencils as registration gifts, and the offering of free box lunches to Sunday Swiss participants were all "new Dencker innovations." All proved extremely popular, and all added stars to Rockford's "hospitality crown."

And Lucille Chaffee, the hospitality chairman, could organize a roomful of autistic kindergartners. So to her, a mere bridge tournament is child's play.

But in Rockford, "hospitality" has always meant far more than a plate of cookies on the table and a left-handed jar opener in a plastic bag upon registration. It has always meant the "personal touch." In Rockford, hospitality is about people. So when the call went out for "warm bodies" to help with tournament set-up, 12 men showed up ready and willing to work. The entire Regional was set up in just over an hour. Take-down was accomplished in even less time. Mentors played with "mentees" in open games. Over 25 Rockford players on all levels signed up ahead of time as volunteers to "stand by" at various times throughout the tourney at the partnership desk. No one who wanted a partner was turned away, and the partnership desk received over 75 requests.

Cheerful, friendly, cooperative giving: In Rockford, that's the real essence of hospitality.