| Welcome |
Welcome to the website of Bridge on the Edge, based in St James Church, 330 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, NL, Canada. In 2016 we became a player owned bridge club. We support a respectful culture, both at the bridge table and in all BOTE communications, for the enjoyment and growth of all members.
Please contact info@bridgeontheedge.ca if you need additional information.
Members who want to use the member's functions (ie bookings etc), please ensure you've accessed the site using the bridgeweb link bridgewebs.com/onedge/.
|
|
|
|
| Heating at St James ( a heads up for returning players) and Answer for E-transfer Question |
First of all a heads up for the Supervised Players and anyone else who hasn’t been the club over the summer, it’s chilly there, so dress warmly. We discussed the temperature situation at Thursday’s Board meeting and I have the following information to share with everyone.
Regina and Rahul (R&R) met with St. James representatives (StJ) and, among other discussions ( which will be detailed in the minutes), explained that we felt cold in the basement when we were playing. According to StJ their normal procedure is to turn the heating off in June and not put it back on until the end of September. Probably the colder than normal summer has contributed to the coolness but also I don’t think anyone used the basement much in the summer previously so no one really noticed how cold it can be there.
All the infrastructure in the church is old, heating system, electrical, plumbing and they have no surplus money to upgrade anything. The heating system is not zoned so if one turns it on (and it takes several days to get up to speed apparently) one heats the whole building. So if it’s any bit sunny upstairs and the heating is on it gets really hot, hence the turning off in the summer.
R&R suggested installing heat pumps downstairs. StJ said no money available, they would need also to upgrade the electrical system to do that.
R&R suggested getting some portable heaters, StJ said the circuits would probably blow and also it might invalidate their insurance.
So not much joy on either of those fronts.
Also, as anyone who has oil heating or drives a gas car knows, the cost of oil has risen dramatically thanks to the unnecessary war being waged by the US. So StJ are apprehensive about the upcoming winter season and the heating costs. If there is a heating supplement, we will pay it. On the bright side, however, Rahul now knows how to control the temperature in the room once the heating is turned back on, so it shouldn’t get cold at 3:30pm like it did last year. We will monitor this situation and if it does start getting cold towards the end of the game we’ll switch to an earlier start time.
We also thought we should put the temperature issue on our AGM agenda for discussion by the members and if there is enough disgruntlement, maybe we have to move again??
And the second, simpler piece of information is that when you transfer money to us you should use the password James26.
Thanks for your patience and remember to dress warm!
|
|
|
|
| September News and a Pop-up Celebration |
Looks like autumn is just around the corner and the calendar shows September so must be time to get back to the bridge table, for those that actually left it!
Our Anniversary
September marks ten years since Bridge on The Edge became a player owned club. Wahoooo!! We’ve come a long way in ten years, I’ve attached the first newsletter of the club put together by our then President Jonathan Cook. The first and second games for the new club were on 1st and 6th September 2016 so to mark that occasion we are having a pop-up celebration on Monday 7th. A few snacks, cake and scones. Join us if you can before the Open Game. We are planning lots of celebrations through out the year.
Supervised Play
Our very popular Supervised Play will resume on Monday 14th September Deirdre and Tom look forward to welcoming everyone back, HOWEVER there will be no SP on the 21st or 28th September as many of the would be supervisors are going to a bridge tournament in Ottawa. There will be Duplicate Lite available on the Thursday 24th. It’s been kinda quiet at the Duplicate Lite end of the hall during the summer , we’re hoping things liven up again there soon.
Housekeeping
A few reminders about our location, 1) you will need an up to date parking permit from September 1st. Try to carpool if possible. Regina will be giving those out at the games; 2) Indoor shoes are needed again as of Thursday 10th September, no outdoor shoes in the auditorium please and 3) we have had some disturbing reports of bank trouble from people trying to e-transfer money using the password Swilers, so we ask that going forward you use the password James if you are trying to send us money.
As always we will try to answer any questions you may have and solve any problems you may perceive, if we can, not always possible.
See you at the club!
|
|
|
|
| Body Works: a Public Exhibit |
Hosted by our very own Dr. Shakti Chandra, this anatomical exhibit shows exactly what we are made of. It is extremely educational and very interesting.
- Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Sensory-Friendly Viewing: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Memorial University Faculty of Medicine Atrium, St. John's
- Parking: Complimentary in Lot 30 next to the Faculty of Medicine, along with Levels 2 and 3 of the Parking garage across from the Core Science Facility (Lot 27).
https://www.med.mun.ca/oped/public-engagement/body-works-2026
|
|
|
|
| Education Resumes for the Fall |
September is the time to get your brain fired up with new bridge information and improve your game, to help in that regard BOTE has several education offerings available for the fall.
First . .Roy and Sandra are offering a six week set of classes for the Beyond Beginner group . .. this from Roy . . .. . .
Check-Back 2026 - Better Bridge & Practiced Play
To shake off any rust, we will first check-back on some of the conventions we learned last year. We will also check out a few new ones, but the primary focus for this semester will be on practice, play & process.
It takes patience & repetition to advance at this game and we recognize & recommend addressing those concerns. To improve, each of us needs to review, repeat & reinforce both concepts & techniques & these sessions will pick up right where we left off in that respect.
BOTE is offering these special Fall Sessions for you, because we want to lessen your performance anxiety, help you to become a better player, and build your confidence levels, as you continue to grow in this fascinating game.
Starting this week, Thursday Sept. 10, classes will be at St. James Church on 6 consecutive Thursday mornings, 10-12, with a visual lecture, brief discussion & then an hour of Interactive play.
Cost - $150 for the full 6-week block, includes all materials and handouts.
Next we have Supervised Play on Monday mornings restarting on September 14th, 9:30am to noon with Tom and Deidre. A short lesson delivered by Tom followed by practice and random hands where you can ask for help at any time from our wonderful, knowledgable Supervisors. Cost is $10 per session, sign up on our website or contact superplay@bridgeontheedge.ca. Please note there’ll be no SP on Monday 21st or 28th September.
And then for complete Beginners Anne Hughes is offering an eight week Beginning Bridge course starting October 7th. This will run Wednesday evenings 6:30pm to 8:30pm at St. James’ Church on Elizabeth Avenue. Cost for the course is $200, payable on the first evening. Tell your friends, get them hooked like you are!
And finally (phew) don’t forget we run a mentoring program for those regular players who feel they could benefit from some individual coaching. Contact wandagail.wl@gmail.com.
We are also hoping to offer some intermediate level classes, if you have any topics you would like to see covered or any other suggestions or concerns about Education please contact education@bridgeontheedge.ca. We’ll do what we can to help.
See you at the club!
|
|
|
|
| It’s Not Just About the Bridge……. |
|
Rick Callahan has some great ideas for social activities that members and their non-bridge playing partners can do together away from the bridge table and outside the confines of St. James. So far there have been some trivia games played and an outing to The Rooms to hear traditional music. If you would be interested in joining in some of these outings let me or Rick know and he will add you to his email list (you can unsubscribe at anytime, lol).
Thanks Rick for taking on the Extra-Curricular Social Director role!
|
|
|
|
| Beware Scammers! |
ACBL members are reminded to beware of potential scammers contacting them expressing an interest in bridge. Imagine! If you get one of these messages see the email sent by the ACBL on August 24th
|
|
|
|