February 2025 - 35

A safe atmosphere for learning
By Linda Eng and Susan Young
It's like going to a second home ...
attending Supervised Bridge at the
Vancouver Bridge Centre in Vancouver
BC.
Opening in 1992, the Centre currently
operates five days a week. Ken
Lochang, the Centre's owner, does an
outstanding job running the club, hosting
sanctioned games for all levels.
In 2018, Ken and longtime volunteer
extraordinaire, Norma Doucette,
started weekly Supervised Bridge,
providing a welcoming learning environment
for people new to duplicate
bridge. Every Monday, as players
stroll into the room, chatter begins as
people catch up with what has been
happening in their lives. The session
starts with a 30-minute mini-lesson
given by Barry Yamanouchi. Topics
cover bidding items such as doubles
and preempts, hand evaluation,
declarer play and defensive strategies.
This is followed by two hours of
duplicate bridge play. If players have
questions regarding bidding and/
or playing the hand, Barry, Norma,
Ken and volunteers Victoria Silk and
Lana Chow are available to help. All
are very willing to share their bridge
knowledge and are extremely patient!
The atmosphere is very safe for learning:
friendly, supportive and relaxed.
Following the session, Norma emails
excellent bridge notes related to the
session, further enhancing learning.
Linda Eng's carrot cake with figurines of
volunteers Jean Laborie, Barry Yamanouchi,
Ken Lochang and Norma Doucette
As players feel more comfortable,
they have ventured into club games
at VBC and other local clubs. When
the Centre celebrated its 30th anniversary,
Supervised Bridge joined in.
The room was abuzz of conversation
and laughter as a delicious potluck
was enjoyed, followed by a game. In
appreciation of Ken, Norma, Barry
and the volunteers' great work,
Supervised Bridge player Linda Eng
made a carrot cake featuring figurines
of Ken, Norma, Barry and Jean.
Truly, there is " no place like home "
The Supervised Bridge group at the Vancouver Bridge Centre
Dress for success
By Bruce Greenspan
The scariest day of the year became
a great day for the Alzheimer's
Association. The Naples Bridge
Center hosted a Halloween Party
that raised over $6100 to benefit
this great organization. A wonderful
lunch was served prior to the game,
and the club donated all fees to the
cause. In addition, there was a raffle,
the winner receiving a play lesson
graciously donated by Robert Todd.
Naples Bridge Center President
Melanie Schaengold thanked all the
members for their generosity, especially
Barbara Levine and Kathleen
Lewis for organizing and managing
our successful event.
Members of the Naples Bridge Center in their Halloween costumes.
February 2025 | Bridge Bulletin |
35
Muffy Gur won best costume for
her Nurse Ratched outfit. Pictured
second from the left is past club
president Neil Selvin. It was the
unanimous opinion of the members
that he never looked better. 2
- having fun and making friends
while learning this fascinating game! 2
February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025
