![]() Vice President |
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![]() Secretary & Treasure |
THE DIAMOND DOCKET AUGUST, 2011
Greetings Western Section members!
Two thousand eleven (so far) has been a busy and productive year for the Sacramento Diamonds Duplicate Bridge club. We have embraced new players, lost beloved ones, sharpened bridge skills (advance classes), held bridge parties, visited bridge friends and traveled throughout America and aboard.
Last year the Diamonds’ president,
Margaret Ware initiated an annual “Theme Day Party” to be held each year. The
first party was a Western theme honoring Diamond members eighty years old and
over. This year, the Theme Party held on August 8, was Hawaiian (with no
honorees) just an emphasis on having a good time, eating lots of excellent food
and enjoying a “no fee” playing day. What an enjoyable day it was!
Committee chair, Vice president Marcellus Bellows, with committee members,
Jacqueline Carley, and Birdie Conyers are to be commended for an outstanding
job in party planning.
Marcella Bellows Jackie Carley Birdie Conyers
There was more food than the group could eat and everyone who wished to take food home was able to do so. The club furnished the meat (roast pig and fried chicken) and members brought delicious side dishes. Cakes, pies, punch, ice tea and other drinks were plentiful.
Members wore Hawaiian attire
and prizes were awarded to the most authentic. Theresa Lilly dressed in a
lovely red Hawaiian outfit
with a luscious, crimson chapeau won 1st
prize, Gertrude Wright also in a beautiful red outfit took second prize.
Birdie Conyers was also awarded Honorable Mention by the President. As each person entered the
playing area, they were greeted with a smile and a lei by a little Wahini,
dressed in a grass skirt (Jackie Carley’s great granddaughter) The room was
artfully decorated with Hawaiian scenes on the wall, Hawaiian flowers on the
table and just before lunch ------wait for it-------beautiful Hawaiian dancers
took center stage. The Hawaiian dancers were the highlight of the party. Two girls
and one young boy with swaying hips and delightful smiles danced to the sound of
lovely Hawaiian music.
Several Sacramento Diamond members were on vacation and attendance was down from last year’s theme party, but a group of our dear friends from Ace-Hi Duplicate Bridge Club, Oakland, CA were present. We are always happy to see them and their attendance helped to make the day a wonderful success.
It was also great to see
Verna Lewis who celebrates her 94th birthday, August 31. Verna is a
Diamond charter member; she looks great, still lives alone and drives whenever
and wherever she likes. Diamond members have been entertained many times in Verna’s lovely home. No one cooks like she
does. While eating dessert, one member said “I know this is Verna’s cake”. Her
food is always delicious and can easily be identified.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VERNA…….LOVE FROM THE DIAMONDS.
A photographer was present to
take pictures.
A big thank-you to Clarence Varner (a relatively new member) who
also took pictures with his video camera
and who earlier during the year
presented the Sacramento Diamonds Duplicate Bridge Club with two lovely name
plates to mount on the wall.
The game was directed by Robert (Bob) Olsen with seven and a half tables. The winners were:
Helen Wood, Donna Ray, 1st place, North/South
Theresa Lilly, Margaret Ware, 2nd place North/South
Rita Robinson, Rosemary Lee, 1st place East/West
Jackie Carley, Ruth Shelton, 2nd pace East/West
..
Robert Olsen, Director
Woods & Ray 1st Place N/S Lilly & Ware 2nd Place N/S
Robinson & Lee 1st Place E/W Carley & Shelton 2nd place E/W
OTHER DIAMOND NEWS:
The Diamonds are still recruiting and teaching beginners’ and intermediate classes. There are two beginners’ classes; one taught by Sam Jones, the other by Helen Scott. The intermediate class is taught by Gertrude Wright. A warm welcome is extended to new members: Thelma Brown, Betty Facaine, Chuck Jones, Gloria Maness and Alzena Turner.
Due to the states’ budget crisis leading to the closure of several community centers, Thursday’s weekly game at George Simms Community center was moved to Sam Pannell Community Center. Games are now held each Monday. Game time is 10:30 A.M. on the 2nd and 4th Monday and 12:30 P.M. on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.
It was necessary to cancel the advance class held each Friday at George Simms. This class organized by Gertrude Wright and facilitated by a different group member weekly, became an excellent bridge study program, introducing new conventions and reviewing strategies and plays.
It appears that Diamond members traveled more than ever this year. Marcella Bellows, Helen Scott and Margaret Ware toured several countries in Europe, Seymour Daniels attended the Omega Psi Phi Centennial Celebration in Washington, D.C. Verlyn Baker was also in Washington, D.C. celebrating The Tuskegee Airmen’s Convention, Marietta Scott and Margaret Ware attended Southern University’s Alumni Conference in Baton Rouge LA, the Delta Sigma Theta Convention in Las Vegas, NV and the ABA Summer Nationals in Scottsdale, AZ, Gertrude Wright enjoyed a fund-raising cruise to the Caribbean to benefit The Autistic Children’s Foundation, Sam Jones visited his daughter in Las Vegas, NV. Helen Scott spent time in her vacation home in Phoenix, AZ, Marcella Bellows attended a family reunion in Lafayette, LA, and Patricia Walker visited her sister in Upper Marlborough, Maryland.
With sad hearts, we mourn the deaths of Maurice O’Neal and Ardis Gibson. They are greatly missed.
A prayer goes out to all the Diamonds who are unable to attend regular meetings due to illness, immobility or a myriad of reasons that can cause seniors to be housebound. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU.
Gloria Parker, Editor
This newsletter can be seen on the ABA Western Section’s website. http://www.abaws.org. It will be dispersed to all members who are unable to access the internet and mailed to all members who do not receive one at the next two meetings.