Let’s take a moment to reflect on our good fortune to observe the beginning of a new year and to think of those to whom we’ve said goodbye in the last year.

I’m sorry to report the passing of Glenda Ciochon, a driving force in our unit as director, teacher, and player for many years. She became a Life Master in 1964. After becoming a certified director, she began directing the Thursday morning game in 1965 and the Friday night game in 1969 with her husband Val. She introduced Pro-Am games to the unit in 1969 and single-session team day games. It may be surprising to today’s players, but Glenda was the first to offer nonsmoking games. She credited Jean Power and Olive Tangney for helping her score the games in the days before computers. Tina Pearson remembers Glenda, her longtime friend and partner, always welcoming players with a smile and a special greeting. Glenda’s personality helped build her games up to 18 tables and more. Glenda continued sending birthday cards to players long after she stopped directing. She will be missed.

11 teams showed up for the December board-a-match unit game in honor of Charlie Dorn. Tying for first were teams including Don Nemiro, Panette Talia & Harriel Shea, and Michael Fleisher, Mindy Foos, Derek & Teddi Fiero. The latter team was also first in flight B. First in flight C were Wendy Dewell, Richard Markell, Michael Callahan & Cassandra Leung. Don told us about the valuable lessons he learned from Charlie.

Looking ahead, in mid-January, Lynn Yokel will be starting an advanced beginner/intermediate class at the Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos on Wednesday mornings. She will also be starting a beginning bridge class on Monday mornings. For more information, contact Lynn at (408) 499-2011 or LynnYokel@comast.net.

Looking back, at the Diablo Valley sectional, Jiang Chen and Nongyu Li won the two-session pairs game. Prevailing in their Swiss team brackets were Cheryl Mandala, Yul Inn, & Will Watson; Ray Yuenger; and Amar Chunder.

I’m no longer the only Californian who hasn’t visited Hawaii, since I finally made the trip for the recent nationals. Now I’ll use any excuse to go back. It was a shock to return to a cold snap.

In the bridge events, Lynn and Dianne Shannon had two good enough sessions to qualify for the second day of the Women’s Life Master pairs . . . except for one detail, Lynn isn’t an LM yet. They did let her keep her platinum points.

Rose Meltzer finished 8^th in the Life Master pairs. Her team was 7^th in the two-day Board-a-Match and 4^th in the Reisinger Board-a-Match. Rodica Cailean was in the top 20 point winners for the tournament in the intermediate/novice section. Bruce Scott & Jim Tseng were first in a side game.

Congratulations are due to our new masters: Mary Henderson, Surendra Mandava, and Beverly Nelson (Sectional); Barbara Mash (Regional); Jennifer Gu (NABC); and Sabina Siem (Bronze).

Please provide corrections and suggestions to rayyuenger@comcast.net or (408)379-7717.