MINNESOTA TABLE TALK
September 26 2023
ROCHESTER CLUB MAKES THE TOP FORTY AGAIN THIS YEAR  
While all donations, large and small, are important and worthy when it comes to the Alzheimer's Association, one club in D14 is outstanding in their generosity.  Once again, the Rochester DBC has made the top 40 list of bridge donors to the Alzheimer's Association in 2023's Longest Day fundraising this past summer.  Hopefully there will be a cure by the time next June rolls around, but if not - Minnesota players everywhere will step up to again raise money for this very worthy cause.

September 24 2023
"YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR FIRST TIME"  
Minnesota's newest bridge players include Calvin McMahon (Minneapolis), his partner Zach Wefel (Sartell), and Lisa Olson (Rice).  These three bridge players played in their very first ACBL tournament over the weekend - and had a terrific time.  While Calvin and Zach played together, Lisa played with her mother-in-law.  Mary Hudson (Rogers), Bruce Keifenheim (Grand Forks ND) and Fay Clark (Goodyear AZ) also played in their first tournament in St. Cloud - when you see any of these players be sure to welcome them to your game!    
September 24 2023
"GOLD"EN FALL FEST CHAMPION: JANE SCHMIDT  
     Look who came in 1st overall in the Minnesota NLM Regional this weekend!  Congratulations and a big shout-out to Jane Schmidt, whose 8.78 masterpoints over the three day tournament was TOPS among all players.  Jane accomplished this feat by playing with a different partner each day - not just the mark of a terrific bridge player, but also one who is generous with their time.  Way to go, Jane!
September 22 2023
GOING FOR THE GOLD IN ST. CLOUD  
St. Cloud's I/N Regional is underway this weekend, and once again they've done a terrific job in drumming up support.  Generally speaking, non-Life Masters have seen fewer tables returning to tournaments in the post-COVID world, but attendance in St. Cloud this weekend is the best of the Upper Midwest so far in 2023.  Below is a look at the tables per session in Region 5 I/N Regionals this year - congratulations to Connie Nelson and the whole crew for providing such a great event for our NLMs.

September 21 2023
ROYAL STAC WEEK AT YOUR LOCAL CLUB  
You've got an opportunity to win colored points, all in the comfort of your own Minnesota bridge club.  The games next week (September 25th to the 30th) are for 1/4 Gold, 1/4 Red, 1/4 Silver, and 1/4 Black points - PLUS they feature enhanced masterpoints.  Most clubs in the state are participating, and why not!?  Check with your local club for more details - but don't miss this great opportunity to earn some colored points right at home.
September 9 2023
SUMMER STATS SHOW SLOW SWELLING  
With the "unofficial" end of summer (Labor Day weekend) behind us, a look back at the summer season in Minnesota shows mostly good news in the world of bridge.  Bridge players are playing more - have more games to play in - and are playing in larger games - than 12 months ago.  (Click on any chart to enlarge it and open in a new window.)

Avg Weekly F2F Table Counts


Number Of Games Held		   
   Avg Tables Per F2F Game

   
   Overall MN Summer Comparison
NOTE:  Some clubs have games in more than one location (Plymouth BC holds them in Minneapolis, Edina, etc., Mankato and St. Cloud in more than one venue); these figures are by ACBL sanctioned clubs and not broken down by individual games.
September 7 2023
N A P FINALS ONLINE OCT 7-8  
The North American Pairs qualifying period is over for 2023, and a big congratulations to all Minnesota NAP qualifiers.  The next step in this contest will be the D14 Finals, which will once again be online this year the weekend of October 7-8.  (Winners there go on to the NABC in Louisville KY next March.)  All of the Minnesota NAP qualifiers can be found by clicking here.  And for more information on how to join in on the fun of the D14 Finals, click on the file to the right.  Good luck to all participants!    
September 6 2023
NEW 1499er GAME IN EDINA  
There's a new game in town - every other Wednesday at the Edina Senior Center at 6:30pm.  Keith Thompson will run this new game which is a great opportunity for 1499ers on September 13th and 27th (then October 11th and 25th, contact Keith for future dates).  If you've been looking for an evening game to play bridge (or just looking for another limited masterpoint game opportunity), pencil in every other Wednesday evening.
September 5 2023
MINNESOTA'S NEWEST LIFE MASTERS  
Congratulations to Paul and Cathy Wehrman (Shoreview) and Dick Estry (Rochester) who all became Life Masters this past month.  There's a story to be had as these three crossed the finish line (there's always a good story) - we'll pass it along when we hear it.  (And as they say, "NOW is when you really start to learn the game of bridge!")

   
August 23 2023
EVIE ESTENSON, 1927-2023  
Difficult news to report from Northfield, where Evie Estenson passed away Monday evening of this week.  For those who didn't know her, Evie ran the bridge club in Northfield which she started at age 89 - because she needed black points to become a Life Master!  She attained that title (and even Bronze Life Master) at age 91.  She played with her sister Audrey (from Omaha) right up to a few weeks before her passing at age 96.  She will surely be missed both at and away from the bridge table.     
August 20 2023
OUR MANY THANKS TO PEG  
This website (and blog) was not meant to replace the Minnesota Blog put out by Peg Kaplan for so many years (how could one possibly replace that?!).  Rather, this will hopefully be an enhancement to what Peg has been blogging for years.  You'll find there is a link to her blog on this website's homepage.  We're hoping for the best for Peg, and like everyone in the bridge community are so very grateful for her many contributions to the world of bridge in Minnesota.     
August 14 2023
NEXT UP FOR THE I/N CROWD: GOLD POINTS  
Coming up in September on the 21st/22nd/23rd is the I/N Regional up in St. Cloud.  Connie Nelson has put everything together for a terrific tournament, where the intermediate/newcomer players can earn their gold points in shark-free waters.  You can check out the flyer for more information by clicking here.  Sue Knauss (sueknauss@hotmail.com) is in charge of partnerships.
August 14 2023
STEVE GAYNOR ELECTED EL JEFE DE D14  
Congratulations to Steve Gaynor, just elected to be the new D14 President.  Steve's outlook and success as U178 President will now be put forward to benefit the entire district - and a big thanks because it's not like Steve didn't already have enough to do.  Here are your newly elected D14 officers:
    D14 President - Steve Gaynor
    D14 Vice President - Jade Barrett
    D14 Secretary/Treasurer - Keith Thompson
August 10 2023
NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS  
A friendly reminder that the NAP qualifying games continue through this month of August - and then that is it for this year.  Check your local club's schedule for qualifying games - there are still several games scheduled around the state.  Those that qualify at the club level can play in the D14 Finals which are online October 7 and 8.  Then those that qualify from D14 would go on to the Spring NABC in Louisville KY.  
August 6 2023
MINNESOTA GNT SQUAD CLAIMS THE BRONZE AT CHICAGO'S NABC  
D14's GNT Championship Flight team of Terry Beckman, John Koch, Tom Grue, and Cindy and Bob Balderson made the trip to Chicago's NABC and played some terrific bridge.  Against the best players in the country, this Minnesota foursome came back in 3rd place of the GNT Championship Flight - really quite impressive.  After the first two rounds, this team was in 16th place - moving up to 9th place after four rounds - and ending up in 3rd place after six.  Well done, all of you!
August 3 2023
R I P - KORY SOLARZ  1937-2023
From Connie Nelson in St. Cloud:   With profound sadness the St Cloud Duplicate Club announces the death of our Club Manager, Kory Solarz.  He passed away the evening of July 22, 2023.  Kory was a character.  He made our club fun.  He knew how to tease everyone, starting out a game with lines such as: “Good luck to some of you.”  When a player accomplished a bridge milestone, they might get a present from Kory - a signed photograph of himself!

Kory was a man of character.  Everyone trusted his director calls.  He was informed and fair.  Kory had a soft, fun way of soothing ruffled feathers or quieting a raised voice.  He worked tirelessly for our club, and was there every, single game.  Simply put, Kory was loved!

(I would add not everyone has the right temperament or attitude to be a successful bridge club manager - but Kory was one of the very few who was terrific at managing both the club AND the players - ED) 		    
August 3 2023
AQUATENNIAL SECTIONAL CHAMPION: IT'S A FAMILIAR NAME TO MOST  
153.5 tables of bridge were held over the three-day period last week at the Maple Grove Aquatennial Summer Sectional.  (By all measures a success!)  Over 1,105 masterpoints went to 163 players during the event, and the tournament champion this time around was Bob Balderson of Eden Prairie.  Congratulations to Bob who earned 33.49 MPs - beating out 2nd place's Terry Beckman with 29.87 MPs (and Cindy Balderson in 3rd with 29.76 MPs).
August 3 2023
JUDY HANSEN - MINNESOTA'S NEWEST DIAMOND LIFE MASTER  
Congratulations and a big shout-out to Judy Hansen of Eagan, who crossed the 5,000 masterpoint mark this past month.  Once having gotten to 3,500 MPs, Judy's plan was to make a Diamond Life Master in two years - and her determination has paid off (in spades, IYKWIM).  Well done, Judy!  (Next stop: 7,500!!)    
August 2 2023
BACK FROM VACATION  
Nine weeks away from the cards and the card tables - but that's over now.  Updates coming!
May 28 2023
MAPLE GROVE AQUATENNIAL SUMMER SECTIONAL SET  
The Maple Grove Community Center is the location for U178's summer sectional this July; click on the flyer to the right to check out all the information.  The dates are Wednesday July 26 to Friday July 28 (so "the weekend is yours") and includes both pair and team games.  Come play in air-conditioned comfort (and mosquito-free conditions!) in late July.    
May 27 2023
BRIDGE CENTER OF ST PAUL ON THE MOVE  
The Bridge Center of St. Paul is moving to a new location this summer; click on the flyer to the right to check out all the important dates.  Larry Huiras is coordinating volunteers (and you can call or text him at 715-410-8705).  It's a new location, but it's run by the same great people - and it sounds like a summer-long party as the tables and bidding boxes are moving about 10 miles west.  Be sure to plan to check out their new digs!    
May 27 2023
GOPHER TOURNAMENT A HUGE SUCCESS  
Congratulations to Patti Stuhlmann, Warren Nelson, and all the volunteers (and directing staff) that put together another great Minnesota Get-Together this week.  Tables this week exceeded 2022's Gopher Regional by 20.0% (totalling 687 for the six-day tournament), and perhaps more important, everyone had a terrific time.  Now - a bit of a breather - and then planning starts for the 2024 Gopher!     
May 26 2023
GREG NASTROM - GOPHER LIFE MASTER  
[From Connie Nelson:]
The team of Greg Nastrom, Jane Curtis, Shirley Richardson and Scott Richardson went to the Gopher.  Their goal - to get Greg eight gold for his Life Master.  They entered the new event — the Mini-Soloway Swiss, and advancing to the second day, they were crossing their fingers and toes that they would earn enough.  And, they did!  They came in second, earning over fourteen.  Here is new Life Master Greg Nastrom on the day of his win. 		    
May 25 2023
MINNESOTA'S NEWEST EMERALD LIFE MASTER  
Carol Mahoney in Rochester is Minnesota's Newest Emerald Life Master as she earned her 7,500th masterpoint this week - well done, Carol!  At the age of 90, Carol is still playing bridge every day and enjoying the game.  At the Rochester DBC she was given the ceremonial "Emerald Sash" and "Emerald Ring" which she wore to impress partner and opponents alike.  Next up for Carol - the 10,000 mark!
    
May 24 2023
ST CLOUD SECTIONAL NEXT MONTH  
St. Cloud has got everything together for their sectional next month.  The dates are June 22 to 24, and if you were in attendance last June you KNOW it's going to be fun.  Here is the flyer (click to enlarge). . .and we'll see YOU at the Sartell Community Center in June.  (Connie Nelson says she's expecting 20 tables of team game players, so lots of MPs to be awarded - and Anna Marie's Alliance is the local charity.  A local business [KNSI] will match donations from players up to $500 for this charity which works to prevent and respond to violence in the home.)  [ED: The free Friday night concert in St. Cloud features Herman's Hermits, The Cowsills, and The Rockin' Hollywoods in Whitney Park.  Who's bringing a blanket?]     
April 30 2023
EDINA TOURNAMENT COMES TOGETHER  
You can plan everything down to the last item on your convention card, but you just can't plan everything!  When the D-I-C ends up requiring life-saving surgery, it's great to see the bridge community come together and help make Edina's Spring Sectional a big success.  Carole Miner and Cynthia Balderson were the tournament champions (21.37 mps!) and all the results can be found by clicking here.  (Oh - also - if you saw the results at the Gopher, you know that Tony did not skip a beat once he was back at the bridge table!)
April 26 2023
"WELCOME BACK SNOWBIRDS" I/N SECTIONAL RECAP  
[From Connie Nelson up in St. Cloud:]
We had a full house of our Non-Life Master 749er tournament!  No, we weren't playing poker. . .our "house" was full of bridge tables, concentration - and laughter.  We had 12 full tables in the morning, 11 in the afternoon - a new high for our NLM sectionals!

Many St. Cloud Duplicate players earned silver points, along with guests from other clubs.  Four players came from Duluth, as well as several pairs from the Cities.  34 different players earned silver masterpoints.

The "Top Ten" masterpoint winners across both sessions were:
    1 Sandra Johnson [4.24 silver]
    2 Jan Gembol [2.17 silver]
    3/4 Paul and Cathy Wehrman [2.15 silver]
    5 Ken Pappes [2.07 silver] 
    6/7 Peggy Anderson and Mary Carey [1.69 silver]
    8/9 David Hanson and Mark Anderson [1.55 silver]
    10/11 Janny Walker and Peggy Morton [1.44 silver]
In the morning session, Jan Gembol and Sandy Johnson came in 1st N/S and overall, followed closely by Cathy and Paul Wehrman (1st E/W, 2nd overall) and Mark Stiegel and Barbara Johnson (3rd overall).  In Flight C, Jane Schmidt and Dan Karl came in 1st N/S, with Nancy Balfanz and Sara Heim 1st E/W. !

April 22 2023
ROCHESTER SECTIONAL SERVES UP MAJOR MILESTONES  
The report from Rochester's Spring Sectional was all cold contracts this month. In addition to seeing an increase in table counts compared to last year, several players in attendance crossed major milestones at the three-day event.

JAN MORRIS (Rochester) became a new Life Master, as did ROLF HUBMAYR (Minneapolis) and RENEE SMITH (Charles City, Iowa).  MICHELE GRINDAL (Minneapolis) celebrating becoming a Silver Life Master in Rochester, and MARIA ROSWALL (La Crosse) became a new Ruby Life Master.  (The big tournament champion of the three-day event was home-grown CAROLE MATAYA.)  Congratulations to all of you!


Jan Morris
Rolf Hubmayr
Renee Smith
Michele Grindal
Maria Roswall
Carole Mataya
April 20 2023
"SCOOTER" GETS HIS LIFE MASTER (AND MORE)  
Scott ("Scooter") Krupke, Mark Doucette, Jim Schnepf and Connie Nelson traveled from St. Cloud to Gatlinburg TN's regional.  Their goal — to get Scott six gold points for his Life Master.  They thought four days should do it, and planned to play together Monday through Thursday.  On Monday, they won their Swiss Team bracket and earned eleven gold points.  Mission accomplished!  Scott (left, below) became not only Life Master, but a Silver Life Master - and this team went on to win more than thirty-eight gold points over the four days.