I started playing bridge at the age of 40 with my mother, father, and husband. We played rubber bridge together until we lost Dad.

My mother, Lila Gleitman, learned to play bridge at age 9 with her mother. She is now 89.

Mom and I started playing duplicate bridge at District 4 about a month ago. As a school teacher, I had two weeks off over the holidays to play daily with her. Mom is the real card shark. With severe macular degeneration, she can barely see the cards, but that hasn’t changed her ability to play bridge. Give her an extra 30 seconds, and she is able to arrange her hand and start bidding.

Lila Gleitman and I discovered the Valley Forge Bridge Club, emailed them, and were welcomed warmly. I can’t say enough about the people at this club. Everyone is serious about bridge, but not so serious that they can’t stop and say hello and make us feel welcome at every turn. Actually, it was suggested to me last week by another player that perhaps the person who plays south (Mom always plays south at Valley Forge) arrange the cards after playing the hand. In this way, when the cards reach Mom, it will make it a bit easier for her. That will help our game and speed things along.

My parents who still play and love the game of Bridge, became Life Masters when only 300 points were needed. Now the requirements have risen to 500 points. Both numbers seem unattainable at my age, but I continue to play Bridge because it’s fun (especially when you are winning), challenging, and has enabled me to meet and friend new people! I also play on BBO with my mother, who has helped me enormously with the game.

I belong to Berks-Montgomery Unit 121. I was the Board Treasurer for over two years and continue to be a Board member. I began taking Bridge lessons when I read an advertisement in our local newspaper, for Bridge lessons. My husband and I took the lessons as I would be retiring in a couple of years and thought it would be a good retirement activity. That was about six years ago and I have accumulated 89 master points and the new rank of Sectional Master. The thing about Bridge is I can be in the top two on Monday, and in the bottom two on Friday. Both results keep bringing me back. Why? Because of the reasons stated in the first paragraph!

I started playing Bridge about 8 years ago. I had sold my family business (Zinman Furs) a few years before that and was looking for something to do that would keep my attention and that I would enjoy. I had tried a few other things like Real Estate and taking some classes, but I really didn’t want to stick with anything until I found Bridge. I never thought I’d make Life Master. 500 points seemed insurmountable, but little by little they accumulated and low and behold, I finally made it! I’ve made lots of friends and there’s always something new to learn. Thanks to everyone who’s helped me along the way – My partners and teachers.