June 2008 - 60

Winsome & Loathsome
Tales of the Trail

Zeke Jabbour
jabbour@comcast.net
Beauty at the blast
(apologies to W.s. gilbert)
Through the kind indulgence of
the South Palm Beach branch of the
National Parkinson Foundation, I
finally got something other than a
dog named after me: The first annual
(?) Zeke Jabbour Parkinson Charity
Luncheon and Tournament took place
on March 30 at St. Andrews Country
Club in Boca Raton. Although
"Zeke" may be a bit bucolic for so
elegant a venue - the many fine
dogs magisterially bearing that appellation notwithstanding - I couldn't
feel more honored.
This affair was no dog. It was,
indeed, a blast. I lack the vocabulary
for an effective description. Suffice
it to say that, thanks to the efforts of
event coordinator Marilyn Perlin and
her committee, this was surely among
the most impressive such events ever
staged. Ask around if you think I'm
exaggerating any more than usual.
After mimosas and champagne and
an incredible gourmet repast, director
Rich Waugh distributed pre-dealt
boards (hand analyses courtesy of
Barry Rigal). The donors could play
with one another or, for an additional
donation, with any of an awesome
list of volunteer experts that included
many world and national champions,
some of whom traveled a long distance to participate.
60

Joanne Antoniou and husband Jack
Weingold were among the sponsordonors. That gave them options.
Wisely, they chose to play with one
another. During lunch, Joanne was
already on a roll. First, she and Jack
won one of the gorgeous table centerpieces of blood-red roses. Then the
foundation raffled dazzling jewelry
provided by local jewelry shops.
Joanne's friend had given her a gift
of a single raffle ticket. Naturally,
Joanne won. Finally came the coup de
grace: She and Jack won the event!
Now let's see. Joanne won the
roses, the raffle and the tournament.
A trifecta! Without a raffle ticket,
Jack couldn't match that. The old
adage says if you want to win the lottery, you gotta buy a ticket.
"Some days are lucky, I guess,"
Joanne explained. "On those days,
you just wait for good things to happen. They say winners make them
happen, but sometimes it's right to
just let them happen."
Foundation President Irving Layton
presented each with a prize provided
by the famous designer Kenneth Cole
and his family, some of whom were
in attendance.
Second place went to Arlene
Bushell and John Diamond. Frances
Platzer and David Berkowitz were
third, followed by Molly O'Neill and
Ernest Moore.
We were proud of the event. It was
a financial and artistic success. When
engaging an enemy as insidious as
Parkinson's, it is comforting to know
that you are flanked by such a "happy
band of brothers" - and sisters.
Fully aware that there are other even
more lethal enemies lurking - cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's etc.
- we should all be inspired to stand
with those who must face them.

all levels. A world championship
need not be at stake for competition
to be intense. Sharon Brown is one
of Sharon Jabbour's kindest, warmest
students. The Little Despot has very
appropriately nick-named Sharon B.
"Sweet Sharon."
Recently, Sharon Brown needed a
few silver points to become a Life
Master, and there was a STaC in town.
The LD was tied up and asked if I
would pinch-hit. I did, and we were
rolling along when two elderly -
well, ancient-gentlemen came to the
table. They had a rather bizarre and
convoluted auction to arrive at 3.
In the middle of the play, the
declarer looked confused and asked,
"Can I ask what's trump?"
Startled, Sharon answered, "No!"
A touch of panic crept into the old
gentleman's eyes.
I chuckled, thinking, there but for
the grace of L-dopa go I!
"He's entitled to know the contract," I offered.
"Three!" came the uncharacteristically sharp interdiction from Sharon.
I laughed again and said, "Spades
are trump."
For the record: The final contract is
the one piece of the auction to which
all parties are always entitled to
know. How did Sweet Sharon do? A
picture is worth a thousand words. r

Three!
The concept of triumph transcends
Bridge Bulletin
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2008
