New Unit 223 President takes office

Ray Sigler’s first official duty as the new president of Unit 223 was to conduct the Annual Membership Meeting between sessions of the Irvin Cobb Sectional in Paducah on Saturday, Sept. 2. Affable and friendly, our new president describes himself as a Christian, husband, father and grandfather. A Silver Life Master, he frequently partners with his wife, Elaine, who is a Bronze Life Master, and Ray says that his passions are Church, family, and bridge.

The Siglers reside in Trenton IL and have three children -- two daughters (Becky and Tina) and a son (Dan) -- and three grandchildren. Ray served as a Chaplain’s Assistant for twenty years in the USAF and after military service taught school for one year. He graduated from Culver-Stockton College (with a BS in history and political science) and from SIUE (with a BS in education). For the last 30 years, Ray has been a real estate Broker and Appraiser and regards himself now as “semi-retired”.

Ray says that while serving as President of Unit 223 he hopes to promote harmonious working relationships within the Unit and to have the Board assess and possibly improve services and programs within the Unit. Ray’s other goals will be promoting educational programs in Unit school systems, disseminating information about and encouraging applications for school education grants, and – after more school programs are in place -- Ray would like to see inter-school bridge competitions inaugurated. Declining membership is also a concern for our new president, and he would like to explore possible ways to promote adult education in the Unit as a tool to increasing Unit membership.

Young Player Honored

Andrew Carver, 21, of Edwardsville IL was inducted into the ACBL Junior Corps at a reception held at the Chicago NABC. Three young people were so honored -- Andrew and two young Canadian players. The Junior Corps program acknowledges players under the age of 26 who are active in promoting bridge to other young people, and who are good representatives of the game.

In photo at right, Andrew is receiving his Junior Corps pin from by Aileen Osofsky, ACBL Goodwill Chairman. The photo appeared in the Chicago NABC Daily Bulletin.

Andrew is a student at SIU Edwardsville. Please congratulate him on this notable achievement when next you see him.

Grant Awarded

And speaking of young people and bridge, Unit 223 Board member Mike Ritchie reports that a $20,000 grant has been awarded by the Bill Gates & Warren Buffet “Let’s Teach Bridge” Foundation to Effingham Community Unit 40 School District to promote and implement a bridge teaching program in the Effingham school system. Assistant Superintendent Debbie Owens is in charge of administering the program, and Mike has been asked to help train the teachers who will be teaching bridge in the classrooms.

A Happy Victory

Novice players Eric Bizzell (Altamont IL) and Craig Hillyer (Shelbyville IL) had a successful excursion to the recent regional in St. Louis. Playing with teammates Gloria Bridges and Barbara Ahlers (both from Evansville IN), a match-up made at the tournament Partnership Desk, their team came in first in Knockout 1 – Bracket 5, which started on Monday.

On Wednesday, the same novice team came in first in the B-Flight Swiss Teams, brushing up against and surviving encounters with some top A-flight teams on their cruise to B-flight victory. All in all, Eric (a math teacher in Farina IL), Craig and their teammates took home a total of 24.38 points. Congratulations to Eric and Craig, who are regulars at Kate Dickens’ games in Effingham.

And Some Sad Losses

Unit 223 players are mourning the loss of two life masters.

Bronze Life Master Jean Helleny of Herrin IL passed away in early August. Housebound by a lengthy illness, she was unable to play during the last years of her life. Those of us who were fortunate to have played with or against her remember that many years of teaching bridge had left an indelible mark on Jean…. There were two ways to play bridge: Jean’s way or the wrong way!

Jean occasionally reminisced about two personal achievements of which she was particularly proud. The first was winning the final few gold points at a St. Louis Regional that she needed to become a Life Master. She was playing an unfamiliar system for the very first time with her partner at that event, her long-time friend Bob Giles. For many years, Jean and Bob co-directed an ACBL club (which met in Herrin on Friday nights). Her second proudest achievement was initiating, teaching at, and directing a game inside the walls of the maximum security federal penitentiary in Marion IL. That, of course, was not an Open game. In order to play, one had to be either “in residence” or invited inside to play. Jean recalled that her duplicate bridge friends considered such an invitation an honor, and drove considerable distances to attend those games.

A member of a prominent Herrin family, Jean served the Unit as a member of the Board of Directors, a certified bridge teacher, chair of a sectional tournament renowned for its hospitality, and as a certified club director at a number of local clubs.

In late August, Silver Life Master Forrest Moreland of Belknap IL died at Lourdes Hospital, Paducah, where he was gallantly battling a recently diagnosed leukemia. A retired chemical engineer and veteran, Forrest was the father of three adult children and had one grandchild and one great-grandchild. A fine player, he was an eagerly sought after and immensely popular partner.

Forrest was a familiar figure at club games and tournaments, particularly in the southern end of our Unit, and I always looked forward with pleasure to the rounds in which he was to be my opponent. I’m sure you will remember this dignified and handsome gentleman, who had a deep voice with just a hint of southern accent and a distinguished bald head. Notable for his courtly manners and gentle demeanor at the table, he was the epitome of the spirit of Zero Tolerance, gracious and kind to partner and opponent alike. He will be sadly missed.

Get well wishes

Jay Coleman (Unit Board Member, District Board Member, Sectional Tournament Chair, Unit Tournament Coordinator, Unit Equipment Chairman, & District 8 V-P Nominee – a man who “wears many hats”!) is resting and regrouping at home this month following surgery. Send notes and/or get well cards to Jay at 109 West North St., Hutsonville, IL 62433 or franklincoleman@hotmail.com.

Advancements in Rank

Congratulations to the following Unit 223 players who have advanced in rank.

New Junior Master:  Paul Paris, Maryville IL

New Club Masters:  Bob and Linda Biarkis, Glen Carbon IL; Janet Rose, Edwardsville IL; Carol Windland, Glen Carbon IL

New Sectional Master: Peggy Vincent, Herrin IL

New Regional Master: Carolyn Taylor, Carbondale IL

New NABC Master: Jim Baumeister, Marion IL

New Bronze Life Master: Mrs. J. F. White, Mt. Carmel IL

Thanks!!

Thank you to the Unit 223 players who offered suggestions and information about items to include on this page, particularly Richard Brummer, Ora Brooks and Ruby Nelson. Information about happenings in the Unit is always appreciated and welcome and can be sent to finesse002002@yahoo.com.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the next two Unit 223 Sectionals:

The Southeastern Illinois Sectional will be held October 28 & 29 at the Robinson Community Center in Robinson IL. Chairman is Jay Coleman -- (618) 563-9927 or franklincoleman@hotmail.com

The Bill Harrison Memorial Sectional is a brand-new tournament that will be held December 8-10 at Schiappa's Restaurant in Belleville/Swansea . Tournament chairs are Ray Sigler -- (618) 624 6060 -- and Carol Warner -- (618) 632-9652.

Schedules for both tournaments may be viewed in this issue of the Advocate and on www.acbl.org.