On Sunday, May 7, at 11 a.m. is our pro-am unit game. If you have some bridge experience, please come out and share it with newer players who are eager to learn. It’s not only fun, it’s an investment in the future of local bridge. Prearranged partnerships are welcome, but to keep it fair, they are not eligible for overall awards.

STAC week starts May 8. There is a special STAC unit game on Saturday night, May 13, at 7 p.m.

If you haven’t already heard, in mid-April Mich Ravera began a new game at the club, Saturday night at 7 p.m. The focus is on teams. The format will be open handicapped teams or imp pairs, depending on the turnout. Hand records will be available. Contact Mich at (408)-432-1020 or mravera@nubridges.com for more information.

Looking back, at the BER sectional, in pair games Frank Lowenthal took first, Will Watson & Cheryl Mandala had a stratification top, and Kit Humphrey & Henri Fahri had a section top.

At the San Mateo sectional, prevailing in their bracket of the knockouts were Joel Koransky, Michael O’Connor, Mike Carney & Katarzyna Wesolowska. In pair games, Nongu Li had a stratification top; Melanie Kakalec & Ray Yuenger had a section top. Ray, Bruce Luttrell, Tania Moalem & Jack Verson were first in the X flight in Swiss.

Our local Santa Clara Valley sectional is increasingly popular, with a gain of over 20 tables. Thanks to Tania, our sectional coordinator, and all her helpers who put up the tables and contributed extra food for the big turnout. Thanks to Ed Barlow for an informative talk.

Stratification tops in pair games went to Stu Goodgold & Henry Fahri, Erin Gove, Frank Lowenthal, Richard Jacobs & Ron Baron, Kamen Nedeltchev, Peggy Sprague, Irene Shibuya & Paul Nelson, Joan Simpson & Mike Braun, Wendy Dewell, Alice Benyman & Gretchen Podd, Mary Harvel & Randolf Rice, and Nancy & Bob Ward.

In the Swiss teams, tied for first in flight A were Will Watson, Leila Sink & Ed Barlow’s team. Rick Jasper’s team won flight X. Neil Robinson and Kathy Maxfield prevailed in flights B and C, as did Mike Carney in D.

Sadly, Svea (Swannee) McKay recently passed away. Since she preceded my time in the unit, Carole Dietz has kindly contributed these memories. Swannee directed the Tuesday morning and Wednesday night games in our unit for many years. She was loved and respected by all of her players. She and her husband, John, were cherished members of our bridge community and were always friendly and welcoming to new players. Swannee held a regular annual charity game that was a highlight of our unit activities. Through her efforts in having members donate prizes and then buy raffle tickets for the prizes, she raised money for the Crippled Children’s Society in San Jose and benefited many children. On a lesser note, but not an insignificant one, the spread at her Wednesday night game was a true feast. Although everyone will deny attending a bridge game for the food, she always had two sections at the game - and a bunch of full, smiling players.

News or corrections will be appreciated at rayyuenger@comcast.net or (408)379-7717.