THE MID-ATLANTIC SECTION

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8th

The Mid Atlantic Section held its Fall Sectional in Bethesda, MD  from October 5^th through October 8th. It would be right so say that the Washington Bridge Unit  served as host. If  I must complain about something, it would be the “crowded” room  and the  “evening”  parties next door every night!  Gee!

The hospitality was good. (I believe it was Clarice Reid who first started giving the players little brown bags to take to THEIR  rooms . { When she gave these brown bag , she had fried chicken therein.}).

There seems to be fewer and fewer out-of-section players, so it  behooves  us  to support our own sections.  Luis & Gerri Pietri, Mervin Jones’ daughter, Calvin Morris, Errol Grant, Walter & Sylvia Thomas, May Lipscomb,Lizzie Mathis, Purcell Swann, and Charity Patton  came from the Eastern Section.  From Chicago came just one---Chester Johnson and he didn’t look tooooo  happy . Detroit probably had the largest group in spite of the fact that there was a Grade “A” right there at home. Thanks: Art & Wanda Wills, Barbara Hutson, Helen Anderson &  Berrye Thompson.  The Texas contingency is getting smaller: Lela Wilson, Bill Turner, Hank Irwin &  Marian Womack who is leading the “Joyce Williams.” ( Now that Hank has retired, I see him everywhere!  Look for him to toss his hat into the ring in a year!!) Marian Womack is probably the person who won the most points this weekend. From the South came: the Christlers, Janet Waymer, Charles Walker & Art West. From sunny California came Bill Johnson & Shirley Lee who is the president of the LABU. Two ladies came from the Pacific Northwest and we were glad to see them: Karen Tillis ( Northwest VP) & Brenda Polk ( National Awards Clerk). Thanks Brenda for my script. Didn't know I had it coming. Such efficiency is what the ABA needs. I sure hope someone invited the Christlers' to dinner.  They always make a visit to Atlanta so pleasant. We missed you Cheryll Jones & George Hudson.  We missed Jeannette Plunkett,John Washington & Julius Fields also. Where in the world are Mae Clark & Harold Bickham?

The directing staff included Shirley Wilson & Roz Dixon.  Games started on time and there were no mishaps. Also, I did get ALL of the gamefiles and that makes me happy. ( Roz Dixon is a wonderful addition to any directing team. She assists budding directors.  She gave me a hugh loose leaf notebook with information that would help me solve any directing problem. How many directors do you know would do this?  It must have cost a fortunate having all of those pages duplicated.  We appreciate you, Roz!)

There are many nice persons in our Association. You can always count on Charity Patton to pitch in with whatever, whenever……….she’ll even help you clean-up.  The MAS Tournament Chair, a lovely lady, was running around trying to get everyone “working” whatever they needed.  Did I mention that she has a winning partnership with one of my sorors?  The tall one with the dreds!  Winston & Regena  are among my favorites.  They have a “roadside inn”-- sort  of. They allow us to  stop by on long trips when we can’t make it home. Regena  should get the  “career woman  of the year” award. You should ask her to read off one of her days last weekend. In spite of her busy schedule at work, she still has time to support ABA projects.  She teaches classes, directs Grade “A” weekends when need be, she sets up workshops as the Teacher Certification person for our section. Then she’s the mom of a little boy with a very “inquiring mind” . Winston could be the “father of the year”. He does so  many wonderful things WITH his son. (I remember back when Art & Clarice Reid were always hospitable to traveling bridge  players. Clarice still is helpful to me in my travels.)

CASSANDRA FOSTER (Smith) has written two collections of short stories for  our African American children. Although  listed as written for 9 year olds and up, a good second grade reader won’t have a problem.  The theme carries a very positive image that our children need to appreciate who they really are. ‘Do You Know Us?” and “A Good Story” are the titles. If you have contact with a public school system, investigate  Let’s support our own! ( I purchased 12- will give them to kids at my church.)

I’ve saved the best for last. We are family!  The sit-down dinner under the leadership of Mary Clark and her committee is proof. The idea of Celebrating Our Own is brilliant! Sometimes, we get so busy trying to amass master points that we forget on whose shoulders we stand.  The dinner gave us a chance to see so many bridge players who no longer travel outside of their cities to play bridge. TAmong those honored were: Rozeal Diamond, Marcia Austin, Connie Hobson, Idella Ford, Dorcas Glascoe,etc

The “Honoring Our Own Awards Dinner” forced many to really dress up, but after it was over, they went back to their jeans. It was a lovely affair, with background jazz that led one to believe that we were in an exclusive restaurant away from the maddening crowd of bridge players.  Each honoree was assigned a table for self and friends. There was a cash bar for alcoholic beverages, but the soft drinks were free.  The sit-down dinner: chicken, wild rice, asparagus, dessert, coffee/tea.

Each honoree was recognized and given a beautiful plaque and one large red rose in a vase.  It was overwhelming. The audience appeared most appreciative of the  former hard  workers in their clubs.

HEDY ECHARD,  our MAS Merit Award ’07 winner, was honored. Mary Young  told of her devotion to family, friends, the ABA, and the American Cancer Society (ACS). When Hedy is not  at a tourney, she’s somewhere doing something for somebody else. She represents ACS on all fronts.  She even went to Washington and spoke to Congress about  early breast cancer detection. I  can’t think of a soul who does more volunteer work. Often she sponsors health fairs for the sorority, for the MAS, and for the ABA.  The Merit Award Stipend of $100 she gave to the ABA  Foundation in memory of her parents, Clara & Tom Hunt.  They would be proud.

ARTHUR J REID, JR  had a strong presence in the ABA. Not only was he a top player, but he was one  who thought often about what was good for the ABA. He was the Site Coordinator  and  he served as president during the 50^th Anniversary celebration in New York(1983). He  served in many other capacities as well.  One thing I knew about him was that he always found a “Catholic Church” on Sundays and he attended ALL OPEN MEETINGS—ABA & any sectional he attended.  CLARICE D REID, MD,  has also made great contributions to the ABA.  ( She was the National VP and now is busy as a bee in "the Hut".  She teaches, inspires and coordinates. What a surprise it was when she announced  DORETHA LEAKS  of Charlotte, as the winner of  the ART REID award. (I’m convinced that it was a surprise to the recipient.)  Doretha  does  a lot for the MAS and we congratulate her . She edits our section newsletter along with serving as section secretary,  (Doretha is  very active in Friendship Baptist Church( 2 buidings).  Is  it gigantic & gorgeous! You need to see them  lit up at night! )

We pray for the speedy recovery of George Johnson, one who was sorely missed. George always wants to be where there are ABAers  and/or AMEs. I'm convinced that he loves both!!

JEWEL CHAPMAN  is  doing a wonderful job as MASVP and we salute her on her appointments.  (They all appear excellent to me. ) Some appointees  I look at with a jaundiced eye, but not these!  We gonna run Jewel for President, first chance we get!

To the MAS family: You are wonderful!  You keep proving that Mid-Atlantic hospitality IS the BEST. That’s because you ARE  the BEST.

Send me some news from your club.  Why don’t you??

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YOU HAD TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT...........COME NEXT YEAR!!