Everett Lewis

Unit 172 is pleased to recognize Everette Lewis as the 2021 Texas Star Winner.

Everette served 12 years in a 14-year span on the Unit 172 Board of Directors. He served as Secretary, Vice-President, and President at various times and Caddy-Master for many years. Always willing to lend a helping hand, whether on the board or not, he could be found setting up and tearing down before and after unit games, Sectionals, and Regionals. He’s been caught washing many dishes at the clubs after club games, unit games, etc. He has volunteered to give lectures in between sessions at tournaments, helped out at partnership, prize desk, etc. He’s answered many questions from novices with a smile. His main goal in life is to try to be the nicest person you ever met.

Sam Khayatt

When it comes to volunteers, Sam Khayatt has been a super volunteer for years. Her generosity to Unit 174 includes chairing numerous Regional and Sectional Hospitalities, co-editing the Unit Newsletter and teaching a director’s course. She always receives praise for the excellent job she does and for being a team player.

Sam was instrumental in helping BCOH move to their wonderful new location and has served as an officer on their board. She is passionate about promoting bridge and has taught mini bridge at BCOH and various other locations.

As if her bridge activities were not enough to keep her busy, Sam is also active in charitable work and has walked for the arthritis foundation. Thank you, Sam, for all you do.

Ed Yetter

The Texas Star Award is given to those who have been of great service to the Unit, and few have served better than Ed Yetter. Ed is truly Unit 176's jack of all trades. He has worked and continues to work for our Unit in many ways.

Ed served on the Unit Board for several years, then transitioned to our Business Manager. In this capacity he manages our contracts, pays our bills, prepares our sanctions and much more.

In addition to his duties as business manager, Ed has chaired 2 Regional tournaments and was preparing for his 3"! He manages our website. Ed has worked through many issues, provided great guidance and is always at the table with a smiling face! Unit 176 is proud to present Ed Yetter with the Texas Star Award.

Jacqueline Montgomery

Jacqueline (Jacque) Montgomery is Unit 183's current President and has had to deal with some unusual concerns during th is pandemic year. Jacque had served the Unit in many capacities including Vice President for a number of years, Chair of Disciplinary, Nominating, Membership, and Publicity Committees. She is currently writing the Unit 183 newsletter. Jacque is a n excellent cook and provided meals for several years for our Mentor/Mentee games while being a participant. For several years she helped out in a tremendous way on both the Unit and Tournament Hospitality Committees. Jacque was instrumental in overseeing the Studio renovations that began in 2014 and were completed in 2016. Actually, it might be easier to say what Jacque hasn't done! Jacque more than deserves the Texas Star and Unit 183 is appreciative of all that she has done. We look forward to the time when we can once again enjoy our home base.

Tom Neagli when he was here in Corpus was one of the most popular players we have ever had. He always was first in line to do any work that was needed - repairs, carrying boxes, cold drinks, setting up for tournaments, decorating the club, etc. Also taking home the recycle and anything else that was needed. He also often gave rides to any players that had problems getting to the club. He was elected to our Board of Directors but we were so sad that he moved away last year - he was a great asset to the club and he is certainly missed. Wish we had several "Toms".

Sandy Potts

Who has spare time or even thinks about spare time with teaching full time, running a household, managing children, and walking pets?? Sandy Potts ~ that is who!! How fortunate we are in Unit 207 that Sandy needed something to fill her time after retirement and found bridge.

Her story begins in Texas. After receiving degrees from the University of Texas at Austin (Education/Teaching Certifications in Math and English) and Texas Woman’s University in Denton (Educational Supervision with Math and Computer Science minors), Sandy taught middle school, high school, and community college, actively participating in the education world. After retirement, the springboard from school was natural; Sandy decided to learn to play bridge and has been going gang-busters ever since.

Sandy’s bridge journey began when she enrolled in an informal intro bridge class, commenting that after the five (5) weeks’ course, she thought she knew how to play. Wow, what an eye opener! Jumping from classes to duplicate bridge, Sandy soon realized she was the tad pole in an ocean of sharks. Yet she persevered because she knew bridge meant learning for the rest of her life! It was fun; it was thrilling; it was challenging, but it was finding bridge’s social component that enticed her to stay. The perfect combination – bridge and people.

As soon as Sandy earned 20 Masterpoints, she was assigned a mentor who laughed at her at the table, putting her head into her hands, shaking it, and saying she had no idea where to start with Sandy. This turned out to be a wonderful thing for the bridge community because Sandy immediately swore if she ever became a mentor or worked with a mentoring program, she would be different. So, after crying in the restroom, Sandy forged on, becoming not only an excellent mentor to many, but starting several Mentor/Mentee Programs over the years.

Sandy Potts is absolutely hooked on bridge and plays as much as possible. Eventually, she was asked to be the Partnership Chair by our local club, serving for two (2) years. From here, an opening presented to organize and manage the Novice Mentoring Program where she jumped at the chance to give back chairing this program for four (4) years, adding a luncheon and free plays for the mentors. With teaching deeply rooted in her blood, another opportunity for sharing bridge occurred with Sandy co-teaching a series of bridge classes at the local club and for three more years at the Austin Parks and Recreation Senior Activity Center. Sandy often comments on how rewarding it is watching people learn to play and then participate in the first duplicate game, with many becoming active members in the bridge community she treasures. For now, Sandy continues to mentor people and hopefully inspires all to value playing bridge. Her personal delight is reaching 3000+ Masterpoints and being a Gold Life Master.

In 2014, Sandy was invited to run for Unit 207’s Board where she served for six (6) years and contributed as GNT/NAP Coordinator, Co-Chair of numerous tournaments, Scorecard contributor/writer, and Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Unit’s Board. During these terms, Sandy developed an intermediate level mentoring program and identified people to run for the Unit Board. Currently, she helps transition newer officers by giving an historical perspective as well as fostering volunteers on various committees and serving as a Committee Chairwoman. For her tremendous efforts, Sandy has received the Unit’s Goodwill Award and the District’s Goodwill Award. Additionally, Sandy presently serves as Membership Chairwoman for District 16. Under the Membership Task Force, chaired by Sandy, two Bridge in a Day workshops with Zoom and an ACBL teaching on-line certification program was initiated.

Unit 207 Board of Directors are proud to recognize and honor the achievements of Sandy Potts, 2020 STAR AWARD recipient.

Lonnie Yee

We at unit 209 are proud to introduce our District 16 Star for Unit 209 for year 2021. His actions made our choosing a simple one. He makes himself available for any task at any time.

We introduce Mr. Lonnie Yee.

Lonnie is a 64 year old software developer who owns his company in Midland, Texas. Lonnie came to our duplicate club in 2014 when a member asked him if he can 'play bridge' because they needed a 4th 'at the church'. He has been with us ever since and we are grateful with his being there and with all what he accomplishes. He has been president in the Permian Bridge Club for couple of years, going above and beyond the call of duty in Midland, Odessa and the Country Club. He always makes himself available with any need a club has including his technical skills, his generous giving of his assets and time. Congratulations Lonnie and thank you for all what you do.

Jeff Lewis

Ft. Phantom Board of Directors Unit #224 proudly announces our Person for the 2020 District Star Award. Jeff helps in every way at all our clubs – Legal; Cleaning; Air Conditioning; Heating; Supplies; Elections; Repairs – Everything. He takes the initiative to make sure our clubs run like a “well-oiled machine.” Jeff is not an “ole timer” bridge player, but in the short years he has played, he’s been the asset we wish every player could be. I wrote Jeff’s story, but I put it in first person. I hope you enjoy.

As a small kid, I knew people who played bridge but never paid any attention to the game. Then in college some of my classmates would ask me to play and I turned them down because I did not have time and I did not know how. After graduation from college, I went to work; married and had children. For my recreation, I played a little golf. That was my life, and it was a great life. My wife played duplicate bridge, but I never paid any attention.

I retired early in life. By that time, my children had grown up and left town. I played golf but I found I had a lot of time on my hands. One day I saw a notice announcing beginner bridge lessons starting soon. I signed up. How hard could they be? I was a lawyer😊 And this was just a little ole card game!!

On the first night there were 16 of us. Four tables. The teacher was very nice and started out with an Ace equals 4 points. A King equals 3 and so on. I once again thought – how hard can this be?

Then she started talking about “Opener” and “Responder” and “Bidding” and I was lost but I acted like I understood. She gave us homework. I worked it and maybe understood a little of it. I talked to my wife a lot about this “easy” game and she helped me. I would go back to class. The teacher would talk about leading fourth from your longest and strongest. What was she talking about? When was I to do this? I went to lessons for 6 weeks. I went online and found literature on bridge. I studied at least four hours a day. I went to the games and kibitzed. I was lost. I was confused, but I can tell you one thing – I was NOT going to let this “Easy” game beat me down. So I would study some more.

Now I wanted to play but none of the “Good” players asked me. Sure I could play with some of the original 16 beginners but they didn’t know any more than I did. We could not help each other, but I kept studying feverishly.

I went to the “Real” bridge game. It was 0-299 (whatever that meant) and I played. I was terrible and I knew it. But I was not going to quit.

Then one day one of the “Good” players asked me to play. I was so happy. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was not ready for the “Big Time.” I called and cancelled. A couple of weeks later, I called that “Good” bridge player back and said I could play, and we so we did. We had an OK game, but after about 16 boards, I was just plain confused.

Still, that one “Good” player had opened the door for me. Then several of the “Good” players asked me to play and I played with them. I realized then that bridge was not “Black and White.” Each player had different lessons to teach. Some conflicted with what another player had taught me, but I was beginning to make some decisions on my own.

The plea I have for all of you “Good” players is to ask some of the new players to play with you and help us learn this “Not So Easy” game. We need your expertise. We need you. Maybe just maybe this might be a big reason bridge is falling off. A good lesson might be that after a dedicated person teaches a series of lessons that “Good” players ask the new players to play.

It has been a great few years for me. I get frustrated, but each time I play, I am getting better. I see a few of my mistakes on my own and I have had a few games in the 60% range. I can still remember the first time I used Blackwood! And Mr. Kanter is still teaching me how to count the hands and defend.

My “Good” player says I have a lot of talent. I just want to thank the “Good” players for playing with me and helping me learn and improve my game.

Charles Ford

Charles Ford, a Ruby Life Master, has been dedicated to bridge for 30+ years. His love for bridge began while watching his parents play. In 1990 he was able to start on his own bridge career.

Having completed the necessary classes to become an ACBL certified teacher, Charlese enjoys teaching bridge and sharing his love for the game. He has held Junior Bridge Camps in the summer and, along with Sandy Hilliard, has taught bridge to 3rd through 6th graders in Canton. He also teaches bridge at the Senior Center in Mabank. Classes he has taught include: beginner classes, 2/1, Jacoby transfers, play of the hand and others. He is always ready to help players improve.

In the past, Charles served 6 years on the Unit 225 board and was President his last year on the board. He worked as co-chair with Ginger Rhamey to bring a regional tournament to our area and ensuring its success.

Charles participated as the Unit’s spokesperson to the Tyler City Council regarding the Unit’s rental fee at the Tyler Senior Citizens Center. Charles has run the Tuesday games in Athens for several years. He is always ready to do whatever he can for the game of bridge from tournament setup/breakdown to teaching classes and much, much more.

Dale Allen

Dale Allen became Club Manager and Director twenty-five years ago. He resigned this past year because of health issues, but still played bridge several times a week until the Covid virus caused the Bridge Studio to close. He is going to play online bridge as soon as he can get it set up with his partner.

He is a very humble person and one who appreciates the game of bridge. Everyone who met him thought he was a great club manager and director. He was well known though out the bridge world as being fair, but strict about the bridge rules.

He had a mentoring program at his club where the A players would mentor the C players. This was enjoyed by many new players to bridge.

Several quotes about Dale and this is his favorite quote “A players don’t pay the rent” and a quote “he was like a papa bear defending his cubs when some of the more experienced would make the C players uncomfortable either by their comments or demeanor”. Another quote from someone from another Unit quoted “we love to play at this club, because there is no fussing”.

He kept the Bridge players informed about what was going on within Unit 233. He would let everyone know about tournaments, special games and if someone became ill, he would keep the Unit informed. He also made it a point to attend the Unit’s tournaments. He reached out to people from different Units to encourage them to attend the tournaments.

He would bring snacks to the club because he knew that bridge players loved to eat.

Phyllis Culp

Phyllis Culp, retired certified public accountant and GTE and Verizon financial manager, has been living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico since 2005 with King Culp, her husband of 55 years. She has always been active in fundraising and accounting for local non-profits. Phyllis became a certified ACBL bridge director in 2007 and has conducted all her games as 100% charity events. In 2009, she established Bordello Bridge at Casa de la Noche B&B and has been directing fundraising games for Jovenes Adelante, A.C. ever since. This non-profit provides university scholarships for accomplished local students. Phyllis currently directs three online bridge games each week to support the San Miguel bridge community and Jovenes Adelante. Phyllis is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende, which is also active in serving the local community.