March 2022 - 32

CLUB News
Pearl Schechter
By John Torrey
Pearl Schechter was born May 18,
1919. On her 100th birthday, over 200
family and friends attended a celebration
at the Carolina Club in Chapel
Hill NC, where the entertainment
consisted of Pearl stories illustrating
her kindness, intelligence and spunk.
bridge, Pearl had never owned or
used a computer. Her son got her a
Mac and set up a BBO account for her.
She set out to learn to play online and
earned her first BBO points in June
of 2020. A year later, she won first
overall in an ACBL open pair game
with over 250 tables.
My own Pearl story illustrates what
Pearl Schechter on her 100th birthday
For many years, Pearl played at a
small club in Kingston where first
overall paid about one-third of a masterpoint.
When she moved to Chapel
Hill, she gave new partners a list of
conventions she did not play, starting
with key card Blackwood, puppet
Stayman and 2/1.
When COVID closed face-to-face
Naples Bridge Lessons
By Donna Bianco
In October, Naples Bridge Center
held their first lesson in a series
entitled " Bidding in the 21st Century. "
Hosted by master teacher Tony
Cipolla, 60 students began their
journey developing partnerships and
friendships at the newly renovated
club.
Tony's lessons start with the basics;
by the end of nine weeks, each
beginning player will be ready for a
competitive game of bridge. During
these lessons, the participants develop
deductive, analytical and reasoning
skills in a fun, engaging and
32 | Bridge Bulletin | March 2022
made her such a favorite. We had
a standing date to play on the first
Monday of each month. In September,
that fell on Labor Day, a holiday. The
people who normally drove her to and
from the game had the day off, so she
called me the week before to ask if I
could drive her. I had been thinking
that I might do some errands on the
way home, but I could do that anytime,
so I said I would. The next day
she called me back. " I noticed that
you hesitated when I asked if you
could drive me. I can easily get another
ride ... " Who else would notice
my hesitation (barely even a break in
tempo), and then think to call?
Just two days after winning the
open pair game, Pearl suffered a
stroke. She made a good recovery at
first - but never played competitive
bridge again. She died Dec. 15.
stimulating way.
Club manager Jack Brawner
congratulated the participants for
taking the first step to exercise their
brain, noting that scientific studies
have shown that playing bridge has
benefits for mental fitness and brain
health. Specifically, playing bridge is
particularly effective at delaying the
onset of Alzheimer's and other forms
of dementia.
There can't be a better time for new
beginnings. We wish all our participants
success in their educational
journey.
A full house at the Naples Bridge Center
Margie Dawley
By Coleen Grisham
Margie (center), with local directors Coleen
Grisham (left) and Beverly Walker
Fort Phantom Unit 224 in Abilene
TX honored a longtime favorite
bridge player on her 100th birthday.
Margie Dawley was born Jan. 11,
1922. She has not let her age stop her
from playing bridge twice a week. A
popular partner, Margie is always
smiling and laughing and telling
her partners how well they play. Her
bridge-playing daughter, Jeanie Dawley,
came from San Antonio to play
with her mother on her special day.
Jeanie tells us that she feels bridge
has been a factor in keeping her
mother alert and well. We are looking
forward to celebrating 101 next year.
Tony Cipolla in action
March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2022
