November 2019 - 29

expected during a time of rapid growth.
But as I like to say, "Viva the growth in
rank-and-file players!!"
Mary Anne Lindsey, a Life Master: "I've
been a resident of SCCL since its beginning
in 2007. During that time, the duplicate club
bounced from 6-8 tables, 2-4 tables and
recently 10-15 tables. We've always tried to
promote bridge to our residents. When Rob
Stell developed his beginner bridge class,
more than 64 newbies signed up. Of course,
they got hooked and wanted more. So Rob
developed intermediate bridge lessons.
Many players are gaining the confidence to
play in our open duplicate bridge games.
Giving lessons, sharing knowledge and
building confidence are keys for developing
newer players."
Len Boyer, vice president and manager
of the SCCL Duplicate Bridge Club: "Rob
Stell conducted beginning bridge training in
2017, followed by practice sessions mentored by experienced bridge players in early
2018. As a direct result of this and follow-up
intermediate classes, the SCCL Duplicate
Bridge Club was able to expand the number
of open games from one a week to two; plus
we added a 0-99 game two Saturdays a
month. Attendance increased from approxi-

mately 36 tables per month to 82 tables per
month."
Pam Saari, Life Master and newly certified director: "When I first moved to SCCL
in 2012, I didn't often play in the weekly sanctioned duplicate game at SCCL because
it had so few participants and was held in a
cramped facility. So I had to travel significant
distances to find games where I could earn
the points I needed to achieve Life Master
status. Eventually the SCCL Duplicate Club
was able to get a better card room in the
community, which helped attendance. But
things really took off after people began taking Rob Stell's lessons. His classes appealed
to those who were playing social bridge but
wanted to learn more about duplicate and
modern bidding systems, as well as those
who had never played bridge before. The
lessons generated interest in the SCCL
Duplicate Bridge Club and more people
began attending the weekly game, including me. The increase in size also attracted
duplicate players from outside the community. Other efforts by the club also increased
attendance, but I am convinced that offering
classes to a demographic ready to learn and
participate in new activities in retirement was
the most crucial reason for our success."

Mindy Barnhart, a newer club member:
"Although I had played social and rubber bridge in the past, I had never played
duplicate. The lessons offered were essential
in giving me a good basis to begin understanding and playing duplicate bridge at
SCCL. The lessons were also a good place
to meet other beginning bridge players and
make new friendships - it's where I met my
current duplicate partner. The experience of
taking lessons and now playing duplicate has
enriched my life in so many ways."
◾

Irene Poonarian
By Irwin Miller
Longtime bridge teacher and club owner Irene Poonarian of
Oradell NJ died Aug. 16.
To say Irene loved the game of bridge would be an understatement. Duplicate bridge was her passion for more than 50 years,
and it was what sustained her after the loss of her dear Randy, her
husband of 64 years. She played every day, sometimes twice a
day. After the game, she checked scores, reviewed hands and recounted events of the day. She pored over bridge books and magazines, always eager
to learn. She had a steel-trap mind, and could recall specifics of a hand for weeks after
it was played. Some bridge friends have described her as a legend, saying that people
waited in line to ask her questions about the game. She was very proud to be a Diamond Life Master.
Irene loved the game so much she wanted everyone to learn it. For many years, she
taught bridge in the local adult education program and to private students, and also at
one time, owned and operated her own bridge club, the Bergen Bridge Club in Teaneck
NJ. She always made sure that everyone had a partner and no one left without being
made to feel welcome. She also provided the best lunches, which she prepared herself
- not a small task when setting up and running a game. Her bridge scrapbook is filled
with numerous awards, clippings from the New York Times, as well as letters of thanks
from administrators, students, partners and friends.
Irene is survived by her children Richard, Dianne and Linda and five grandchildren.
November 2019 Bridge Bulletin

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November 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2019