We Were All Beginners Once
Story by Ross Maddock (BBO: Ross68) As one of the “old guys” around here, I ...
Story by Joy Kurt (BBO: Twirlygirl)
Some of my fondest memories of playing bridge happened with my 100-year-old bridge partner. We met in 2003 at the Williamsport Bridge Club, and as I became a stronger bridge player, we started playing together more often. She has so many crazy life stories to tell.
One of her best stories is of how, in 1946, as a senior in college at Susquehanna University, she was punished for playing bridge in the dining hall on a Sunday afternoon. She and her partner, another female student, were grounded to their dorm rooms for a week. They were only allowed to attend meals and their college classes. They were not even allowed to go to church, and definitely no visitors. The boys that they were playing with received no punishment whatsoever.
So, 60 years later, she decided to write a letter to the president of the university and share her story. She had used a post-it note to cover her “crime of the time” and asked him not to lift it off until after he had completely read her story.
She asked him if they had rules like that nowadays. She said that he wrote her a nice letter back, thanking her for so wonderfully sharing her story with him. He even shared it with some of his colleagues. He ended his letter, “For what it is worth, please consider this your official presidential pardon for your sins of 60 years ago. We look forward to seeing you sometime soon.” She, of course, then shared her story with every bridge player she knew. She also sent a copy of the letter to the university, and it has been filed in the university archives.
After she turned 98, I decided to contact an old friend from my college days who was a retired journalist. He met with her, wrote her story, and got it published in Pennsylvania Magazine. I purchased 5 copies of that magazine to give to her. She wrote a note in one and handed it back to me. I was filled with joy to read the words she wrote: “To Joy, my favorite bridge partner. Marjorie Winder.” At that time, she still had lots of bridge partners, including 3 of her 4 kids and ladies at the Woman’s Club. I was so honored to be her “favorite.”
Marge and I still play online 3 nights a week against another couple that we knew from the Williamsport Bridge Club. We celebrated her 100th birthday this past December. She is an amazing bridge-playing lady, and I am honored and privileged to play with her.
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Great story! My partner & I drove 100 miles to a tournament & played against a lady in her late 90s. We agreed it was worth the trip just to meet her. Now I'm 96 & hope I can inspire someone else. I hope to still be playing when I reach 100. My drivers' license is good until then.
My name is Hazel Petersen. I am 97. I play bridge only once a week when I am in NY but at least 3 times a week when I am in Florida. I love to play. I think I play quite well. When I am in NY, I am the “teacher” in Florida I play with some people who have master points. I love it and am always anxious to learn more what a great game!
Playing even at 100?
That's superb.
God bless bridge players.
Wow, what a great story. Reminds me of a chemical engineer from DuPont (went to MIT) named Dave Treadwell.
Sweet.
Nice story dear lady..I am 86...and love to play bridge.||..
That was such a heart-warming story! Thanks for sharing.
wonderful story.
What a great story.
What a great Bridge story!
Sweet story!
Heart warming story of bridge .. loved reading it.
Thank you for sharing your "joy".
Wonderful story.
My mom is 97 & still plays bridge. She too lay plays but often wins! Ladies like this are a true inspiration!
Please publish this wonderful story in the ACBL Bulletin.
Lovely lovely story, thank you for sharing 🥰
I have tears in my eyes. What a lovely story.
I am 93 and still enjoy playing duplicate but cannot get my password and some other requirement to get “on” anymore!
Dear Naomi,
Have you tried clicking the Help button for BBO? If you email the address given, they may be able to help you to get back onlineas they did my partner.
Lovely story - thank you for sharing. Filled my heart with love.
While attending Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado, 1960, I saw a group of people playing bridge in the student center. Noticing a cute guy I decided to join the group the next week. A year later we married and had a wonderful family.
L'avantage du sport cérébral sur celui du sport physique est que l'on a le bonheur de le pratiquer tout au long de sa vie.
A 100 ans, jouer encore au bridge, c'est remarquable et tout à fait encourageant !
This is a beautiful bridge story!!!! The best one I’ve read by far.
I agree, definitely the best one yet. I'm only 84 but hope I can still be playing at 100; but most of all I hope I make it to 100 (or do I?). Wonderful story.
What a lovely story .amazing ladies you two.keep on enjoying this wonderful game of bridge.