I am writing to share updates from the October Board meeting.

Christmas Party

This year's Christmas party is at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Sunday November 30. Tickets cost $50 (55$ for non-members) and will be available at the club in early November. The price covers Bridge and lunch. The Board is subsidizing the event to reduce costs.   Only 100 tickets (for Bridge and Lunch) will be sold, so please buy early if you wish to attend. (Please note that the facility can accommodate additional people for the lunch only option.)

2026 Tournament

The Board has decided to host a Sectional Bridge Tournament once again, scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd at St. Catherine’s Elementary School. More details will be shared in the new year.  In the meantime, please save these dates. Thank you to Priscilla Lorne for volunteering as Chair—her careful planning will help support a successful 2026 event.

Teaching Program

Our teaching programs are essential for the long-term success of our club. By offering lessons and mentorship opportunities, our club can attract new players and help them build confidence and develop new skills in the welcoming environment of our club.   Investing in teaching is an investment in the future of the club.  Thank you to Maureen, Dwight, and Dalia for making our club a leader in teaching programs. The Unit has acknowledged the importance of providing lessons by giving clubs with teaching programs each $250. The Club as decided to use these funds to host a party for our teachers and students.  Maureen will coordinate the planning of this party with our Bridge teachers. More details are coming soon.

Protecting our Dealing Machine

Hand washing is essential at a bridge club, both for the health of our members and the longevity of our dealing machine.   Dealing machines cost over $10,000 and are sensitive pieces of equipment.  When cards are handled with unwashed hands, residue can transfer to the cards, which then gets into the dealing machine, potentially leading to costly repairs. By washing hands after eating food at the club, members help protect this valuable investment.

New Chairs at the Bridge Club

As you are aware we are working to replace the chairs at our club.  I want to thank our new House Director, Bob Culbert, for securing the best deal on new chairs, arranging free delivery, and removing the old ones himself. His dedication and attention to detail have ensured that the club got the best chairs for the best price.  The Board values his continued support in taking on additional duties as needed.  Bob is working with suppliers to re-upholster or replace the old chairs with arms.   Stay tuned. 

Membership fees

The Board has determined that membership fees will increase from $20.00 to $25.00 for the 2026 calendar year, reflecting rising expenses associated with equipment, staff, rent, coffee, and other operational costs. This adjustment is intended to ensure continued financial stability for the club. Members continue to enjoy benefits such as a complimentary birthday game, reduced table fees, and subsidized events. Birte, our Membership Coordinator, will contact you regarding payment of your fees.

Partnerships

For some time, three of our dedicated club members (Sandy, Maureen and Birte) have generously volunteered their time to help find partners for those who request assistance—a task that requires significant effort and coordination. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and hard work. To make the process more manageable going forward, we encourage members to either find their own partners using the contact details listed on our website (see Members Only section).  Alternatively, we will be installing a new white board at the club where members seeking partners can sign up and connect with others seeking a game. This new system will help streamline partner matching. Sandy and Maureen will continue to be available if needed. 

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me or any of our Board Members. 

Darrell

I would like to provide the membership with an update regarding decisions made by the Board of Directors.

As most members are aware Birte Ayer has been named the new Manager for the Peterborough Bridge Club. We are grateful to Anne Martens for her significant contributions to club. We look forward to supporting Birte in her new role.

We have a new Code of Conduct developed over the past year and approved at the Annual General Meeting. A committee is overseeing the process to deal with formal complaints. It is significant to note that the process emphasizes attempting to de-escalate situations as a first step. Referrals to the Board of Directors will only occur when the committee has been unable to obtain a satisfactory resolution to the issue.

Our House Manager, Bob Culbert, has been busy arranging for various repairs including lighting (ballasts), faulty circuit breakers and leaking washroom fixtures. He has also arranged for the completion of the annual carpet cleaning.

Bob has been looking into the cost of reupholstering versus purchasing new chairs. We can purchase new chairs for less, resulting in the Board of Directors deciding to purchase sixty-four new chairs. We will be keeping the old chairs that have handles and these chairs will likely be refurbished. The old chairs will be made available to members as they will need to be disposed of before we can receive our new units. If you are interested in obtaining one or more of these please advise Bob Culbert who will arrange when and what can be removed from the club.

We are an extremely active club with a wide range of learning opportunities. Maureen Nichols is the member of the Board responsible for bridge development. The club offers lessons ranging from beginner to intermediate and advanced instruction. Our program is designed to offer games to serve beginners to life masters. It is exciting to see beginners decide to compete, and in some cases win, in the open games. There have been occasions when the Monday beginners' game has been short a player and a member who has over 100 HCP has come to play and allow the game to proceed. Under our policies, when this happens that pair is not eligible to receive master points because of the obvious unfair advantage. We are grateful to those willing to step in without notice. We do offer them a free game.

Priscilla Lorne has agreed to assume the responsibility of organizing our annual sectional tournament. This is the role previously held by Phil Smith who did an outstanding job. We will provide you with further details as they unfold.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide the membership with an update of the activities of the Board of Directors.

Darrell

During a game of duplicate bridge, much of our focus falls on bidding, play of the hand and defence strategies.   However, behind every successful bridge game there is a Director.  Directors are the backbone of duplicate bridge ensuring the integrity, flow, and enjoyment of each game.

Directors oversee the logistics of a duplicate session; setting up boards, managing the movement of pairs, tracking scores, and ensuring the schedule runs smoothly. Their attention to detail minimizes confusion and delays, allowing players to focus on their game.

A Director’s foremost responsibility is to apply the Laws of Duplicate Bridge consistently and impartially. This requires knowledge of the rules and a sense of fairness. When disputes or irregularities arise, we ask that players call for the Director promptly.  It is the responsibility of the Director to resolve issues and ensure fair competition and sportsmanship, which are hallmarks of bridge at our club.

While bridge players sharpen their wits at the table, it is the Directors who quietly set the stage. Their commitment, knowledge, and leadership make every duplicate bridge event possible. Next time you play, take a moment to thank your Director.

On behalf of the club, I would like to thank all of our Directors: Jo-Ann Lang, Dwight Goden, Andrew Collins, Anne Martens, Debby Lovegrove, Marlene Steele, Lyn Stevens, Doug Brenner, Cindy Forth, Trevor Dundas and Charmaine O’Brien.

Darrell 

I am writing to thank our members who assisted with the 2025 bridge tournament. I am pleased to report that the tournament was a huge success. 

Attendees from out of town praised the hospitality, organization, and welcoming environment by our club. Though finances have not yet been finalized, we expect a significant profit for our club.   

Special thanks to Phil Smith for his work organizing the tournament and to Birte Ayer and Marlene Steele for overseeing hospitality. To all those who donated cash or brought food, thank you.   Additionally, a special mention must go to those who helped with arranging partnerships, hospitality, set up, and clean up.  

Our club's success is due to our members' kindness and generosity, and this was highlighted by this event. Thank you for making it possible. 

Darrell Rowe  

As we approach the end of our Fiscal Year, I am writing to inform you of several key updates regarding our club.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00 AM at the club. It is highly encouraged that all members attend. During the AGM, we will review the performance of the club in the 2024/25 Fiscal Year and introduce our new members to the Board of Directors. Participants are invited to bring their questions and suggestions for discussion. Your presence and participation are greatly appreciated.

Additionally, the Board has decided to hold a sectional tournament once again in 2025. This event will take place at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on June 21-22nd. Phil Smith has graciously volunteered to serve as the tournament lead, with Marlene Steele and Birte Ayer organizing hospitality. Further details will be posted at the club and on our website. In the meantime, please reserve these dates in your calendar.

Thank you to all members and contributors for your support of the Peterborough Bridge Club.

Sincerely,

Darrell Rowe

President

As we approach year end I would like to take the opportunity to provide a brief update on the activities of the club.

This has been an extremely busy year for the club.  We have experienced some significant changes with the Board of Directors with the departure of our President, Bill Fox, Treasurer, Marvyn Hall and Website Administrator, Anne Heffernan.  We thank them for the years of service provided.

For the first time since the COVID interruption, we held a very successful sectional tournament.  A big thank you to all who contributed food, their time, and skills. I wish to extend a very special thank you to Phil Smith and Birte Ayer for their roles in organizing the tournament and hospitality. The event was held in September because our traditional May date was not available.  The Board of Directors decided to proceed with holding a sectional tournament again in 2025.  The event will be held at the same venue on the weekend of June 21 – 22^nd.   Phil Smith has kindly offered to serve as the tournament lead in 2025.  I sincerely thank Phil for his continued support and commitment to the club and this event.   

The Christmas luncheon and game was held outside of the club for the first time since COVID.  The event was well attended, and we will return to the Peterborough GCC next year for the Christmas luncheon.  The generosity of our members was displayed at the luncheon when we traditionally receive charitable donations in support of the YMCA Crossroads Women’s Shelter and the Brock Mission.  Those in attendance provided donations totaling nine hundred and ten dollars.

Thank you to our members and everyone who contributes to the operation of the Peterborough Bridge Club.  On behalf of the Board of Directors we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season. 

Darrell Rowe

President