| Jerry Helms - Feb 7th & 8th |
 For those of you who missed Jerry Helms Defend to Win Seminar, you may want to get a list of the attendees. That way when you get to their table you will know to expect a stronger than usual defense.
Kidding aside, on behalf of the VBBC, Lyn wants to thank the 95 participants, Kim Howard, the Celebrity Series committee and volunteers who combined to make this a wonderful event.
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| UPDATE - Linked to NY times - Congratulations |
 Our BRONIA JENKINS and her partner Bernace De Young won The Smith Life Master Women's Pairs at the ACBL fall championships held in Providence, Rhode Island. Phillip Alder reported on their play and victory in his New York Times bridge column on November 30. Click on this story to read the article.
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| The Wolperts Were Wonderful |
Having Gavin and Jenny Wolpert as the kick-off for our celebrity series was the perfect start to our speakers' season. We had over 100 participants who enjoyed a morning that was both informative and entertaining.
We had a wonderful breakfast made possible by our chef par excellence, Jan Ward, with the help of Marge Desmery and Betty Prillaman. Thank you to Kim Howard, Kim Andrews, Jay Prillaman, Dick Tompkins, Richard Crannell and Candy Griffey for set-up and technical support.
Don't miss the next speaker in our series, Jeff Meckstroth.
Larry Griffey, Education Coordinator VBBC
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| CELEBRITY SERIES GRAND FINALE |
The Audrey Grant seminar on Competitive Bidding was enjoyed by almost 200 participants. This completes the 2012/13 Celebrity Series season that included Gavin and Jenny Wolpert, Jeff Meckstroth, Marty Bergen and Larry Cohen. Wow, what a troupe!
Thank you to Laurie Stewart for the gourmet breakfast and for co-chairing the event with Candace Griffey. I would also like to give special recognition to Bill and Laurie Stewart for sponsoring the Series this year.
Next year's Series is nearly complete. We will be publicizing our dates, speakers and season packages by May 1. Thanks to all the participants who have supported our program this year. See you next season!
Larry Griffey
Education Coordinator
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| Marty Sends His Thanks |
Marty Bergen sent this note to Larry in an email:
Thanks VERY MUCH to everyone at the club.
No place I have ever encountered
does a seminar as well as Vero Beach.
Everyone who contributed to the success of the event and everyone who attended the event are justified in being proud of their bridge club.
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| Bridge Helps Build Friendships, Link to Press Journal Article |
| Click Here for a Press Journal Article on the VBBC |
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| VBBC History |
Founded in 1959, the VBBC had a nomad existence until 1995 when the members banded together to buy and convert a bowling alley. Since then we have added parking and additional classroom and playing space. We now have a wonderful facility with ample room for seventy-five tables. ACBL tournament directors tell us that, "This club with its spaciousness and convenience is a dream come true for a tournament director."
We now have more than 930 members and are listed as the 9th largest face-to face bridge club in North America by the ACBL (based on tables in play).We have a game 363 afternoons each year, each Wednesday and Friday morning. In addition we have special games for newer players and lessons from beginner to advanced.
Our Celebrity Series program has brought many bridge professionals to speak to our members and students including Eric Rodwell, Phillip Alder, Marty Bergen, Curtis Cheek, Larry Cohen, Audrey Grant,and Mike Lawrence, to name a few.
If you are on the East Coast of Florida, please stop by our bridge club. You will not be sorry!
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| All Hallows Game - Nice Turnout, Nice Game |
We had a nice turnout, as the pictures below will attest, at our Halloween celebration. Click here for a montage of photos. The load time may be half a minute or a bit more.
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| Mentoring Championship Games |
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Mentor/Mentee Championships
The Vero Beach Bridge Center and our mentees would like to thank all of our mentors for their time, wisdom and guidance. This program, which has a rich history at VBBC, epitomizes the values that our bridge club stands for.
Bill Coleman has done a magnificent job this year in organizing and running a complex program that benefits so many of our new players. The best news of all is that he has consented to do it again next year!
The championship game was held Wednesday, April 18th, with an unlimited masterpoint section and one for players with less than 600 masterpoints. Cake, sandwiches, and hors d’oeuvres were served. Bridge was played. Masterpoints and trophies were there for the taking.
And the winners were: NS unlimited - Damon Martin and Rob Colton, EW - Tim Greene and Jim Schorner,1st limited - Don Marshall and Diana Thompson, 2nd Barbara Longfellow and Bill Coleman. Congratulations. Wednesday, we had 56 winners.
Larry Griffey, Education Coordinator VBBC
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| Another Great Sectional |
Congratulations to all the winners and those who earned those elusive silver points. Results are up on our website and there are links in the next story to the results on Harry's website.
A special thank you to Marge Desmery and Linda Ferrari, our tournament chairs. The Sunday lunch by Marge and Jackie was simply super. I know Marge and Linda would want me to thank all who contributed financial support, prepared food, or contributed in any way. Thank you Jackie, your help in the kitchen and throughout the day makes a huge difference to the tournament chair and the players. I would also like to thank Phyllis Carlson, who did an outstanding job pairing up our players, even at the last minute. Phyllis wanted to thank Pat Finn for her able help pairing players for the limited games.
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| Another Super Sectional |
Congratulations to all the winners and those who earned those elusive silver points. Results are up on the website.
A special thank you to Debbie Drury, our tournament chair. I know Debbie would want me to thank all who contributed financial support, prepared food, or contributed in any way. Thank you Jackie, your help in the kitchen and throughout the day makes a huge difference to the tournament chair and the players. I would also like to thank Phyllis Carlson, who did an outstanding job pairing up our players, even at the last minute. Phyllis wanted to thank Pat Finn for her able help pairing players for the limited games.
Our next sectional is March 30 - April 1. We hope you will all attend. Our tournaments are so successful because of our wonderful member participation. |
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| Christmas Party Pictures Courtesy of Hazel Lacks |
| There are a lot of pictures, to change the big picture run your mouse over the little ones. With so many this requires a little cunning to get back up to see the big picture without changing it. Just remember, the big picture is the last little picture your mouse cursor touched, so sneak around. |
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| Phillip Alder Was Great! |
 Phillip Alder did a great job, the VBBC looked great and everybody enjoyed a very well prepared lesson. For more pictures, click on this story. |
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| Rosalie Powers ...... Our Newest Diamond Life Master |
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| Membership Based Refinancing Project Successful |
 Through April 28, member support for the VBBC mortgage refinancing plan has been successful. Subscriptions or pledges made are sufficient in all three categories.
Members who have subscribed will receive official communication from the club on how and when to send their check and accompanying information. |
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| Education Coordinator Larry Griffey |
 The Board of Governors is very pleased to announce Larry Griffey has been hired as the Vero Beach Bridge Center’s Education Coordinator.
When asked about Vero and bridge education, Larry said, “Our club is one of the finest in the nation with a rich history in bridge education. That attitude has been very important to the growth of the club. I hope to build on the strong foundation laid by others; in particular,we will seek to expand the Celebrity Series and course offerings. Sign up soon” |
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| NABC Bus Trip Pictures |
Click here for a story on the ACBL website about our recent bus trip to the NABC's. The story mistakenly identifies me as the originator of this wonderful idea that was JACK WILSON's. Candy |
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