I attribute my success to the wonderful teachers, whom I have had through the years. Lessons from Joann Glasson, Bobbie Gomer and John Dickenson, have been the most foundational and impactful for developing as a bridge player.  I was also so lucky to start with a group of women, who have become wonderful life-long friends, and we journeyed through the lessons and games together.  Bridge continues to be an enriching experience both socially and intellectually, and I feel so lucky to have the challenge and a passion for the game.

I am a Bridge student just completing my first year of lessons and I wanted to share with you the adventures of my journey so far.  Bridge is such a fascinating game:  complex, thought provoking and challenging – to say the very least.  Of course, I am not telling you anything you don’t already know.Together with the many challenges also comes the satisfaction when one finally understands when to use Stayman, can bid a contract to game and yes, can finesse that Queen!  Ah- the sheer joy of it all.

Not that Bridge is limited to trick-taking or the implementation of the myriad of Conventions, but what also makes it so enjoyable is the socializing with other players, the mishaps which usually result in much laughter, finding that perfect partner with whom you can silently communicate your 4-Spade hand and lest we forget the constant question:  “What’s the contract, again?”

Yes, those are the small pleasures that result in great gratification.

With Bridge I have found the perfect combination of intense concentration and infinite fun.  It has become a welcomed addiction and I play it whenever I can.

I would also like to share with you where my journey began.  It was at Game Friendzy in Cherry Hill, NJ with my wonderful Bridge teacher, Bernadette Hennessy May.

No matter what the subject or academic setting, a great teacher is a great teacher and that is Bernadette!  To be able to communicate the intricacies of this game with such patience and calmness is a gift in itself considering the variety of students she has to tackle every week, (myself included).  She is truly supportive and encouraging and she gives us the confidence we all need – that gentle “push” always telling us how far we’ve come since that first lesson a year ago.  It was because of Bernadette that I played in my first local tournament only four months after taking my first lesson with her and I even earned some points (or fractions thereof)!  I was in shock at the results and I would have never participated in the tournament if it weren’t for Bernadette and my wonderful partner, Rodica, who is also a student of Bernadette’s.

Bernadette is a knowledgeable teacher to be sure but let’s not forget the humor she also introduces into her lessons.  We all have such a great time when we gather at the tables and all of her students are a testament to her excellent teaching skills and methods.

My fellow students would agree with me as they too are avid and enthusiastic fans of Bernadette.  Rodica and I work full time and always make sure we schedule her lessons into our weekly routines, Mary takes lessons in the morning and evenings throughout the week, Joyce is there almost every day, Cliff, Ron and Rick even give up golf to come and play and Tony comes all the way from North Jersey, every Saturday, just to attend Bernadette’s classes.  This is our way of showing our appreciation for our superb teacher.  We do this because we know how very, very fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary teacher.

I played bridge in college in the early 1970’s.  After college I took a 50-year break from playing.  When my wife passed last year, I needed an outlet, so I had mentioned to a friend I played bridge years ago and she hooked me up with the Dick Bowers Bridge Club in Winchester Virginia. 

One of the members, Milan Majarov, offered a class in bidding.  So, having been away from the game for so many years, I took his class.  I began play with the club in April of this year.  Everyone welcomed me and went out of their way to make me feel at home.  I was able to accumulate a few master points, not because I’m a great bridge player, but because I had great partners.  All the players in this club are excellent bridge players and help me learn more about the game each time I play.