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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 2016)
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 7 Sisters bridge group to offer beginner lessons By Craig F. eisenbeis Correspondent The Sisters Bridge Club, which has a history going back more than 30 years, is thriving. Later this month, the group will be offering free bridge lessons. Just three years ago, how- ever, the organization was in danger of fizzling out. “We had lost some of our older players,” said Susan Sandberg, current co-orga- nizer for the group, “and new people weren’t taking their places.” In late 2012, the group sometimes had a hard time mustering just two tables (eight players); and, occa- sionally, play had to be can- celled when there were not enough players even for that. One long-time member, Ardie Winters, suggested that an article in The Nugget might help revive local interest in the venerable card game. As it turned out, she was quite right. Fast-forward to the pres- ent; and, now, six to eight tables (24-32 players) are routinely showing up for the weekly bridge sessions every Thursday afternoon at The Pines Clubhouse. “I offered lessons a few years ago without any public- ity, and we had four people sign up,” Sandberg said. “I thought that was pretty good. But, after The Nugget story about us, we had 16 new people sign up. I had no idea that the response would be so overwhelming. Recently, I’ve had more people contact me about lessons, so we’re going to do it again!” Sandberg emphasized the social nature of Sisters bridge. “We’re just here to enjoy the game with others that share our interest,” she said. “I think that the game is great because of the mental inten- sity involved in it. It keeps people’s minds sharp and working. “These lessons we’re offer- ing are going to be very, very beginning bridge — counting points, bidding, eventually working up to basic systems and conventions that are pop- ular at this time.” The learning sessions will be held each Thursday morn- ing, starting February 25 at 9:30 a.m. The lessons are free, but there is a nominal facili- ties charge of $1 per session for players who are not resi- dents of The Pines. The lessons will continue for a few weeks, the number of which will be determined by the progress and interest of the students. “Bridge is constant learn- ing,” Sandberg said. “You can never be perfect at it. No mat- ter what level you’ve attained, you’re always learning. It always provides new chal- lenges depending on how the Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben General, Cosmetic, Implant and Family Dentistry ~ Over 22 years Serving Sisters ~ We are preferred providers for Delta Dental PPO and Premier, MODA, Advantage, Pacifi c Source, Cigna and the V.A. 541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. | Sisters ’s Day… T his Val e en pi ti e ne with Share som the appl e of your eye! f sh daily y ! Baked fre B Choose from: ch Dut Apple • Cherry Marionberry • Chocolate Chip Walnut • Key Lime Peanut Butter • Coconut, Banana or Chocolate Cream Breakfast & lunch 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Full-service dining in the bar nightly until 11 p.m. (21 & over) 171 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters | 541-549-2631 cards fall. An added benefit of bridge is the social inter- action. You will meet new people and make new friends. You can’t say that about the games you play on your com- puter, TV, or cell phone.” Long celebrated as a path- way to building and maintain- ing brain power, the game of bridge is descended from a 16th century card game called whist, which was popular among the English nobility of that era. Over the years, the game evolved to its pres- ent form of “contract” bridge. The current method of scoring was developed by the wealthy American Harold Vanderbilt in 1925. New participants are always welcome at the after- noon bridge sessions; how- ever, players are asked to sign up ahead of time to make sure that everyone has a part- ner and that enough tables are set up in advance. Each participant is also asked to photo provided Donna holland claims a trick at bridge play in Sisters. contribute a (very) nominal fee to help defray facility costs and provide token cash prizes for the highest bridge scores. The Sisters bridge group plays in The Pines Clubhouse every Thursday afternoon at 12:30 p.m., except holidays. Sessions usually last about three hours and feature a round-robin play of six hands at each table. For more informa- tion contact Donna Hurd at 541-548-8035.
