George Hudson, retired top executive from Tastee Bread, who is the President, is one with exceptional people skills. He can look in your face and smile even if he knows your remark was idiotic. Alan Morton, retired executive from IBM, and their Vice President, can do that too! They put all of that behind them and try to beat your head in at the table.
Cheryll Cypress Jones is truly a talented person and for almost 20 years she has been doing one of the things she does exceedingly well--she plans "grand" parties, whether it's the Award Dinner for MBU awardees, ABA awardees or for others. Her talent is known throughout the ABA. She had danced; she has sang; she has come up with excellent ideas as to who to honor in a given year. One year she thought we should honor dynamic black women in the ABA. This year they honored MBU Bridge Teachers--a group we need for our survival. Those areas which don't place emphasis on recruitment and instruction, die!
The tournament- powers- that- be did a "great" thing in that they chose a hotel which offers a full breakfast--without grits. (The hotel seems glad to accommodate us). It was great to see so many gathered there just talking and catching up on children and grands. One night a free drink was offered in the Sports Bar. There was no need to worry about food. At lunchtime, a Snack Bar was setup outside the playing area with an affordable menu of fast food. At dinnertime, a delicious and affordable buffet was setup again in the Sport's Bar. The Friday Night hospitality was in the Host's Suite.
What else did this weekend have to offer? New Player's Seminar,50/50 Raffles, a Bridge Quiz, Memorial Service and their stellar Awards Dinner. The Memorial Service was outstanding in spite of its nature. Sorely missed were all of the recently deceased, but Helen Hall and Hardy Hall ( no relatives) were the losses which hung heavy. Helen was 99+ years old and wanted to live to be 100. She missed it by a few months. She always called me, "Little Mary," and always had such pleasant things to say. Hardy Hall was unknown to me, but from George Hudson's reaction to his death, he must have been a wonderful person.
The Awards Dinner, chaired by Cheryll and Christine Blount, was really a Sweethearts' Ball. The room was decked out in red and white, with most persons wearing red, white, pink and/or black. A jazz quartet played love songs that we've often heard on the Miles Davis' LPs. Can you imagine a unit offering a grand affair like this for free? All of those attending the dinner were escorted in my one of "Cheryll's men". Those men, MBU players, were dressed to kill. They also escorted the awardees up to get their trophies/plaques. It was so different, I didn't know I was attending an ABA function. After eating a delicious dinner, which included 2 bottles of wine on each table, they danced the night away.
The music at the Memorial Service was outstanding. I've never seen so many voices in the choir or have heard them sound better. Roberta Wyche, chairlady, introduced us to a choir director who was also an excellent soloist. This fantastic service lasted 30 minutes.
The programs for the Memorial Service and for the Awards Dinner were outstanding.
The chief director was Mary Duncan. Charity Patton and Joyce Trammel assisted. Cal Morris' two 6+ footer grandsons were our very courteous caddies. The directing staff did an excellent job.
The Mid-Atlantic didn't do bad at the tables. Reggie Chapman & Luis Pietri won the single session and double session Open Pairs. The KO was won by a New York sextet+Louis Garner. Chapman, Peitri, Clarice Reid; Pat Foster, Harold Minus & Mary Moragne were second in the KO. Clarice and Mary were also 5th in the 2-session Open Pair. Clarice & George Hudson won the Mixed Pairs with Jewel & Reggie placing third. I don't know what the other MAS persons did, so they can email me ( ragne6722@MSN.com) and let me know. The Modified Round Robin was held on the last day. That New York team won again and I think the Chapman team was second. Leon Ragland & President Leola Rucker represented the Tidewater area. Leola also installed the new MBU officers after encouraging the players to meet her in Cleveland for the Spring National Tournament. The MAS tournament chair and her partner were in attendance. Barbara of the Great Lakes was there enjoying everything. The entire Eastern Section supports this weekend. They were here there and everywhere. Soror Mille Crump was there decked out in Obama tee and hat. (I'll order mine soon.)
Missed Regena, Winston, Hedy & Mary Young this year! Eunice Moore and her partner from Baltimore enjoyed the weekend too!
When did you last contribute to the ABA Education & Charitable Fund? Carrollena Key awaits your check!
It was a great weekend. If you don't go next year, you'll be very sorry. Just go on to the AAA and "steal" a few ideas for your Grade "A"...you hear?
