JANUARY NEWSLETTER
MY BACKGROUND:
I am the youngest of 9 kids who grew up in Brookline. I received my BA at Hobart College and Master’s in Ed at U-Mass Boston. I was initially a contractor who started a business which my brother grew into a 140-person company. I left for a career in education where I was a Social Studies teacher and eventually a principal. I LOVED teaching and coaching and regret ever leaving the classroom. I returned to contracting which has always been a way to support myself. Over the last 7-8 years I learned bridge and became addicted to it. More importantly, during this time I was sick for a period. The joy bridge brought me inspired me to think it could make a difference in other peoples’ lives. I committed to giving back to the game. The opportunity to manage a bridge club is exciting as it allows me to combine my passions of entrepreneurship, teaching, bridge and appreciation. As we say in the Boston area, I am WICKED excited.
Finally, and most importantly I have a great family. My wife and I have been married 36 years. We have 3 kids and a 1-month-old grand-daughter. They have been my priority and always will be,
OUR CLUB WILL BE A PLACE of:
NEW MANAGER/NEW NAME:
The Club’s name is in the process of being changed to “The Sagamore Bridge Club”. There are several reasons for this change including financial incentives and fresh branding. I’m confident the viability of the club will be enhanced. Along with the new logo above, a robust website is being developed.
SCHEDULE:
DRINKS/SNACKS: I will provide coffee, tea and water. There will be some candy and some snacks but I don’t want to compete with Bernadine on that 😊. I know it is weird, but Coffee is my KRYPTONITE as I can’t stand the smell. I will ask for help with making and disposing of coffee as it is the one thing my wife has heard me voice anxiety about.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
I am the youngest of 9 kids who grew up in Brookline. I received my BA at Hobart College and Master’s in Ed at U-Mass Boston. I was initially a contractor who started a business which my brother grew into a 140-person company. I left for a career in education where I was a Social Studies teacher and eventually a principal. I LOVED teaching and coaching and regret ever leaving the classroom. I returned to contracting which has always been a way to support myself. Over the last 7-8 years I learned bridge and became addicted to it. More importantly, during this time I was sick for a period. The joy bridge brought me inspired me to think it could make a difference in other peoples’ lives. I committed to giving back to the game. The opportunity to manage a bridge club is exciting as it allows me to combine my passions of entrepreneurship, teaching, bridge and appreciation. As we say in the Boston area, I am WICKED excited.
Finally, and most importantly I have a great family. My wife and I have been married 36 years. We have 3 kids and a 1-month-old grand-daughter. They have been my priority and always will be,
OUR CLUB WILL BE A PLACE of:
- ENJOYMENT—We will laugh and smile. There isn’t enough of that in Bridge. To this end we will be kind and respectful of one another. Anyone who comes WILL play!
- EXCITEMENT—We will have some ongoing activities related to and apart from bridge. I’ll add some extra-point games as well.
- EDUCATION—If you want to get better, we will add some classes and after most games I’ll answer questions about the hands. If someone you know wants beginner lessons, we will offer them or I’ll refer you to a resource. We will have a GREAT instructor and director joining us in April.
- FRIENDSHIPS—Most of my best friends have become bridge players. These people are my friends who also play bridge. We’re an extended family. I want the Sagamore Bridge Club to be a place like “Cheers” where everyone knows your name (no alcohol though). I will provide name tags and I hope people wear them (I’ll provide) so someone new feels welcome and can learn your name.
NEW MANAGER/NEW NAME:
The Club’s name is in the process of being changed to “The Sagamore Bridge Club”. There are several reasons for this change including financial incentives and fresh branding. I’m confident the viability of the club will be enhanced. Along with the new logo above, a robust website is being developed.
SCHEDULE:
- Weekly Schedule Osterville: We will continue to play M/W/F at St. Peters. We will NOT play on Saturday unless I can find a director. My family is my priority, and I am committed to spending the weekend with them (and run 5 bridge tournaments in Watertown).
- Weekly Schedule in Plymouth: In the next month or 2 a game will start in Plymouth at least on Thursdays. It would be great if some of you came across the bridge named after our club (Sagamore).
- Special Games/EXTRA Points. Many of the extra point games cost the clubs added money. We hope it will inspire greater participation to make up for the money. I’m processing if this works. I will seek input on this topic.
- StaC (Sectional Tournament at Club). Players are awarded silver points. $2 additional/person; $14 total. JANUARY 5th, 7th and 9th
- CLUB CHAMPIOSHIP GAMES: Players Awarded 60% added points. NO extra Charge: Friday Jan 16th, Wednesday Jan. 21, Monday Jan. 27th
- Classes and Workshops: As these arise we will publish them
- Cancellations:
- Weather or Emergency: On occasion a game may be cancelled due to weather. I’ll send an email to you.
- Bridge Tournaments: I have a goal of winning a national event. Very painfully our team came within 1 victory point of doing so in a 0-2500 event 3 years ago. I’ve had some success in the NAP and GNT and want to win one of them. Thus, I’m playing in a GNT qualifier in Mansfield February 20 and head to “tropical” St. Louis in March (6th) as we qualified for the NAP. I will do my best to find someone to direct those games.
- Vacations: (Yes, I do that.) We are working on dates and locations. Again, I will diligently work to find someone to direct those games.
- Boards: Everyone will play between 20-25 boards depending upon the number of tables. They will be dealt using a machine.
- Time: I want all games to end within 3 hrs.
- Are You Coming: Somehow Bernadine knew how many people were coming each day. I’m expecting 40+ people😊 so there will be no way for me to know.
- Post-Mortems: I will try to stay to answer any questions I can about the hands.
DRINKS/SNACKS: I will provide coffee, tea and water. There will be some candy and some snacks but I don’t want to compete with Bernadine on that 😊. I know it is weird, but Coffee is my KRYPTONITE as I can’t stand the smell. I will ask for help with making and disposing of coffee as it is the one thing my wife has heard me voice anxiety about.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- HAVE FUN!!
- Please be patient. I am an entirely new director and will make mistakes. I know I’ll mess up the computer. The rulings I make won’t always be correct. The boards will probably be distributed correctly.
- Please spread the word about the game!!! I think we all realize the club is unsustainable with 2.5 -4.5 tables. I promise the environment will be a place where people want to come.
- Let me know if you know anyone who is a director or wants to become one.
- Please give me feedback and have conversations with me. Mutual honesty is essential.
- HAVE FUN!!