The Los Angeles Bridge Unit held its Annual Christmas Party/Game on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Not only does Edna Eldridge do a wonderful job year-round keeping the bulletin boards up to date with interesting and informative postings, she also did a great job of decorating the clubhouse for the Christmas season. The decorations and tree were beautiful and put everyone in a festive and celebratory mood (the wine and eggnog might have had something to do with it as well). The hospitality committee festooned the bridge tables with colorful Christmas centerpieces, and lacy placemats. Most of the nearly 100 members and friends in attendance wore the traditional Christmas season colors of red and green. There was a virtual sea of red splashed around the clubhouse, which enhanced the decorations. Aha’Nah Chapman, granddaughter of Ruby Luke, handed each guest a Christmas gift as they entered the clubhouse. She takes her responsibility seriously, and in a few years we expect to see her at the bridge table. During the program we were served hors d’oeuvres, punch, eggnog and wine by Jimesa Ellington and Ronginae Davis, Ms Young‘s niece. Josephine Duenas and James Pruitt busied themselves taking photos of the guests.
Stephanie Young, president of LABU, kept the festivities moving smoothly. The major attraction was the new players who were in attendance. Each one introduced themselves and let us know what piqued their interest in learning the game. A few of the new players took the classes, offered by Shirley Lee, Ruby Luke and Gayle Dennis, in order to brush up on their skills after a long absence from the bridge table. It was such a delight to have them present. Their excitement was contagious. Pat Barnes, chairman of the new players committee, did an excellent job of encouraging them to come out and join in the fun.
Ms Young presented a certificate to each member of the Executive Board, and to committee members who have contributed their time and effort in keeping our Unit going strong. Our Unit directors, Doris Ayers, Gayle Dennis, Shirley Gray, Willa Johnson, Gloria Lee Ray, Ida Simms, Agnes Snowden, and Gloria Webb, all received a special gift from the Unit.
And the winner is!! We had our own ‘virtual red carpet’, on which walked the winners of the “LABU Oscar”, awarded by our President and presented by our most capable emcee Shirley Lee, bridge instructor extraordinaire. We have several members who have accumulated many points throughout the year in their respective categories and were recognized for their achievement. Each category had three nominees. William Johnson, our top point earner in the LABU, won the Platinum Diamond category; Pat Banks, Golden Diamond; Sherry Polk, Silver Diamond; John Lyddon, Diamond; Celestine Tillman, Ruby; Stephanie Young, Senior Life Master; Clara Harris, Life Master; Barbara DeGrafenread, Master; and Susan Coggins, Asterisk. Congratulations to this select group of individuals, and also to the other nominees.
I would be remiss if I didn’t let you members who were not in attendance know what you missed. In addition to a great awards program and game, we enjoyed classic Christmas tunes while feasting on turkey wings, ham, corn bread dressing and giblet gravy, corn pudding, okra, collard greens from Nancy Diggs’ own personal garden, jello mold, rolls, cakes galore, and the best sweet potato pie this side of the Mississippi. I must give Ubirdia a plug here. There were also some potent little cupcakes laced with “with eggnog”. Don’t know if too many people could handle these, but I did see a few brave souls trying them. The meal was prepared and served by a great group headed by Clara Harris as the Hospitality chairperson. Thanks to Doris Ayers, Pat Banks, Mignon Benjamin, Cathy Carter, Nancy Diggs, Doris Dunn, Jimesa Ellington, Clarissa Hamilton, Ubirdia Holmes, Shirley Lee, Ruby Luke, Janet Wingfield, and Stephanie Young for a job well done. The guys, Bill and Bill, (that’s Crockett and Johnson) really pitched in and helped with the cleanup along with Mr. Brown, not the Tyler Perry TV “Mr. Brown”, but our own special friend who helps us from time to time.
Andreda Pruitt was on her job with the 50-50 raffle. Andreda is the perfect chairman for the Ways and Means Committee. She never lets an opportunity slip by whenever there is a chance to raise funds for the Unit. Not only does the Unit benefit, but a few lucky members get a bonus. As usual, for these special games, Gloria Webb and Agnes Snowden graciously donated their time and service to direct the game.
Until next year. Hope we have as great a turnout as we did this year and more. May each one of the LABU members and their families have a very Merry Christmas and a happy 2012! Peace on earth!
Submitted by Gloria Shannon
Thursday, November 11- Monday, November 21, 2011. We are looking forward to having players in our fair city. We hope participants can join us for our regular Wednesday game. Please note that the time has changed. The game time is 11:30 AM. Same location. Contact J. Lee at (702) 897-6990.
Kudos to new member James Childs, with partner Myrtis, had success at the Summer National Tournament in Scottdale. Also congratulations to Joan Maxwell and Julia Ann Lee who made the Century Club there. Way to go!!!
Get well wishes to recent surgical patients Virginia Ingram, Delphine Wilson, and Julia Ann Lee. We are pulling for your complete recovery and hope you can join us very soon.
Desert Wins Bridge Club
enthusiastically
supports the nomination of our
president, James Lee, for Western
Section
Vice President. James has proven his
dedication to the ABA through his
endeavors
to increase membership, his zeal
in teaching members at all levels,
and his participation and attendance at
national and sectional tournaments.
We pledge to ardently promote his
election to this position.