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Unit 201 -
2012: Life Masters and Beyond

December 2012

Catching Up With the New Life Masters

2012 was a big year for Unit 201. Seven unit members earned Life Master or higher status. Here's a little about each:

Pat Schiwart earned her Life Master qualifying points at the Beaumont Gusher Regional held on October 15-21, 2012, with partner Sarah Smith and teammates Frankie Hall and Connor Smith.

Jan Niederstadt earned her Life Master qualifying points at the 499er Sectional in Beaumont in August 2012 with partner, Pat Bell, in the Sunday Swiss Team event.

At the conclusion of the event, John Smalley, Tournament Director, announced that Jan had won her Life Master. The entire body - members and guests - rose and gave her an ovation. She was thrilled, excited and filled with joy to be so honored.

Jan had played very competitive social bridge with Arlene Meyers and Joan Hataway for years before coming to the Bridge Studio. Her first few games proved her to be a formidable contestant. She finished very regularly at or near he top of most games she played.

It took Jan a long time to get her Life Master because she valued caring for her husband, Ron, higher than her need for Gold points and chose not travel to distant tournaments to obtain the necessary colored points. She obtained almost all of her points in the Houston/Beaumont vicinity. Jan is a wonderful person, a great competitor, and a good friend for all. Well done, Jan.

Earl Johnson earned his qualifying Life Master gold points at the Houston Regional in January 2012 with partner Robert Mainord. Earl began his quest about three years ago at the suggestion of his friend, Liz Karnicki. He is known for his thoughtful consideration of every bid and play. Congratulations, Earl!

Frankie Hall met Sharon Mershon Theriot when playing party bridge at the Senior Citizen Center in Port Neches. Sharon invited Frankie to the Beaumont Bridge Studio, and that's when her journey began. Over the past 10 years Frankie has enjoyed bridge at the BBS and has also spent many hours playing online via OKBridge games and tournaments. Frankie earned her qualifying Life Master gold points at the Houston Regional in January 2012 with partner, Pat Schiwart.

Frankie credits her partners with her success. Partners over the years included Pat Schiwart, Connor Smith, Juinez and Don Moss, Ann Montgomery, and Earl Johnson.

Congratulations, Frankie, for a job well done!

Photos from Frankie Hall's Life Master Party

Pat Bell retired in 2004 and began playing party bridge in Silsbee about 5 times a week. When party bridge lost its challenge, she began playing duplicate bridge. In August of 2010, Pat had accumulated 5 master points. By October 2011, she had earned 300 points, including the requisite red, gold, and silver points for Life Master. The celebration of her achievement was short-lived, however, when she learned that she fell under the 500 point requirement due to a lapse in ACBL membership.

Not to be deterred, Pat continued to earn points at an amazing rate and earned her 500th point at a Mentor Swiss Team game in September 2012 at the Beaumont Bridge Studio. Pat's partner was Martha Sigler, and teammates were Susan Mandel and June Eddingston.

Congratulations, Pat!

Dana Burnett earned his Life Master at Gatlinberg years ago playing with his wife, Joan. Dana recently received his Bronze Life Master (Life Master with 500 MPs), but that's not the main reason for recognizing him here. Dana spends most of his play time helping new players in non-Life Master Games where he is disqualified from receiving masterpoints or has a slim chance of winning. For years he has selflessly served new players, and that is his reward. That is why he deserves a big thank you, Dana!

Liz MacKenzie began playing duplicate bridge in about 1976 and earned her Life Master in 1979. Having reached that goal, she moved on to pursue other goals that included teaching Middle Eastern dancing (aka belly dancing), dancing professionally in an Arabic band, and scuba diving! Until recently she was part owner of MacKenzie's Pub in Beaumont. Several years ago Liz returned to bridge and earned her Bronze Life Master in 2012. Liz is an excellent player who seems to see right through the cards of her opponents. We're glad to have you back, Liz!

Unit 201 Duplicate Bridge in Southeast Texas

Unit 201 - 2012: Life Masters and Beyond

Unit 201
Duplicate Bridge in Southeast Texas

Unit 201 -
2012: Life Masters and Beyond