CENTRAL CAROLINA BRIDGE ASSOCIATION
ACBL District 7 Unit 169
Latest News
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New Bridge class in June. Rich Peffer is offering a Major Suit Raises class starting Thursday, June 18.
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The Longest Day Unit Game will be on Saturday, June 13 starting at NOON. A longer open team game and TWO 0-500 games. More
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The Silent Auction is now open for the Longest Day Unit Event on June 13. Check out the silent auction items. New items are added regularly.
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Coming up soon - the Winston-Salem Sectional, August 21 - 23. More
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📸At the Mentor-Mentee game, winners of the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney races for 2025 were recognized. See how many you know in the Ace of Clubs gallery or the Mini-McKenney gallery.
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In case you missed it, 2026 News Archives.
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Major Suit Raises with Rich Peffer
For beginners. Points are not the only factor to get to game. Starting
June 18 More details
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Bidding Basics with Gail Reams
For beginners. Fridays starting May 1. More details
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Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction with Barbara Pomer and Andy Symmes
For beginners. Practice sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 and 16. More details.
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The Slam Toolkit with Peter J. Boyd-Bowman
For advanced beginner and intermediate players. Two practice sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, June 10 and 24. More details
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Notrump Play Boot Camp with Judy Hellen
For any level player who wants to improve their notrump play. Mondays starting May 18. More details
Ongoing
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Supervised Play and Learn with Martha Albertson each Monday. More ​​
Spotlight on Members
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Congratulations to Peter J. Boyd-Bowman who was the top masterpoint winner at the Atlanta Super Holiday Sectional.
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Congratulations to Booboo Watkins and Louisa Witten, our new Life Masters, as of April 1, 2026.
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Congratulations to each member who attained a new rank as of May 1, 2026. Changes in Rank.
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FIVE BIG GAMES in May. Take a look 🤩.
Upcoming Events
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​June 13 Longest Day Unit Game.
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August 21-23 Winston-Salem Summer Sectional​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
The Longest Day Unit Game, June 13, 2026
Congrats to all the winners at last week’s hugely successful Greensboro Regional, and a big thank you to our fabulous tournament chairs Debbie Monroe and Peter C. Boyd-Bowman, as well as to our many, many wonderful volunteers.
And now we move on to The Longest Day!
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Our Longest Day Alzheimer’s charity open team game, and two limited pairs games, will begin at NOON on Saturday, June 13, at Fellowship Presbyterian Church, 2005 New Garden Road in Greensboro. Proceeds from these games and the accompanying silent auction will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association to support research, patient care and public policy advocacy.
The six-round open team game, and the first of two 18-board limited pairs games, will begin at noon, with the second limited pairs game starting at 3pm. Non-life masters, come for one or both of the limited games! Team captains, get your rosters to Peter J. Boyd-Bowman this week (peterboydbowman@yahoo.com). Heavy refreshments will be served.
Please visit the full listing of our fabulous silent auction items--with pictures! As usual, a number of our expert players and bridge teachers have offered games and coaching, and our cooks and hostesses have generously contributed their labors. Artwork, crafts, beautiful coffee table books, knick-knacks and other items are available for bids.
If you are unable to attend the game, you can participate in the auction by emailing your highest bid to Fran Tewkesbury at tewkesbury@mac.com by Saturday June 13 at noon.
If you would like to make your own tax-deductible gift to the Alzheimer’s Association, you can send your check made out to Alzheimer’s Association to:
Fran Tewkesbury
1005 Country Club Drive
Greensboro 27408
Your gift will count toward Unit 169’s The Longest Day fundraising efforts, which in the past have landed us among the top bridge unit contributors in the U.S. If you have any questions, contact Fran Tewkesbury at 336-202-3357 (text or call) or tewkesbury@mac.com.
Winston-Salem Sectional, August 21 -23
One of North Carolina's Oldest Bridge Traditions Returns August 21–23
Looking ahead, Unit 169 invites players to continue the excitement at the Winston-Salem Sectional, August 21–23, 2026. The Winston-Salem Sectional is one of the oldest sectionals in the Carolinas and has long been a summer tradition for bridge players throughout the region. For decades, players from the Triad, Charlotte, Raleigh, Boone, and beyond have gathered in Winston-Salem to enjoy great bridge, renew friendships, and earn valuable silver points.
Tournament Location
Neil Bolton Home & Garden Center Building
Gate 9 – Winston-Salem Fairgrounds
421 West 27th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Single-session pair games will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, giving players the flexibility to play one session or make a full day of bridge. There will be a dedicated 0–499 section throughout the tournament, allowing newer players to compete against others at a similar experience level. In addition, all open games will be stratified, ensuring fair and enjoyable competition for players of all skill levels.
Sunday features fun Swiss Team events, including a special 0–499 Swiss Team Game. A delicious lunch is included with the entry fee for all players participating in Sunday's Swiss Team events, making Sunday a day of great bridge, good food, and fellowship.
There are many excellent restaurants located near the Fairgrounds, making it easy to enjoy a meal between sessions. For players who prefer not to leave the playing site, lunch will also be available for purchase at the venue on Friday and Saturday.
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Whether you are working toward Life Master status and need silver points, or simply looking for a weekend of friendly competition and fellowship, we hope you will join us for this beloved summer tradition and one of the longest-running sectionals in the Carolinas. For newer players, this is an excellent opportunity to earn the silver points needed for Life Master status in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Make plans now to join your friends at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds August 21–23. Bring your favorite partner, meet old friends, make new ones, and enjoy a weekend of great bridge in the heart of the Triad.
Host Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Winston-Salem University
3111 University Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
336-727-2778
Ask for the "Fairgrounds Rate" when making reservations. The special tournament rate is $132 per night.
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Questions? Contact Our Tournament Chairs
Robert Powell
336-817-5778
chemistpowell@yahoo.com
Debbie Monroe
336-848-7892
deborahdmonroe@gmail.com
Partnership Chair
Susan Williford
336-978-6800
pwilliford@triad.rr.com
We look forward to welcoming you to Winston-Salem for another chapter in one of North Carolina's oldest and most cherished bridge traditions.
Co-Chairs: Robert Powell and Debbie Monroe
Unit Games
2026 Unit Calendar​s​​​​​​​​
Click HERE for results for all Unit Games available on Live for Clubs under club number 275628.
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Click HERE for Unit Game Calendar and information.
Article submitted by Martha Meyer
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The Unit's third game for 2026 was the Mentor-Mentee game on Saturday, April 18 at Georgia Taylor Neighborhood Center. There were 13 tables and the refreshments were wonderful! Thank you to Donna Hancock for coordinating the program in Winston-Salem and Judy Hellen for Greensboro. Thank you to all of our mentors and mentees who participated this year.
The top North-South scorers were Judy Mendenhall and Kathryn Badorrek, 62.68%, followed by Peter J Boyd-Bowman and Andrea Endriga, 61.70%, then Mark Meyer and Linda Moore, 58.08%,. The top East-West scorers were Rich Peffer and Susan Pinsker, 65%, (top overall). Susan Wesley and Bob Whaling, 59.61%, and Donna Hancock and John Merschel, 55.36%.
The next Unit Game is our Longest Day fundraiser for Alzheimer's Research. It is on Saturday, June 13 at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. THIS IS A TEAM GAME so get your teammates on your dance card. We are making it a Longest Game with six rounds in the Open Game and multiple pair games for our novices. Game time is at 12:00 pm.
District 7 Website
"District 7 News" - April thru June
Per Blondelle Grant, District 7 Growth & Development Chair:
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"District 7 has allocated funds to support local activities designed to grow our bridge community. Funding opportunities are now open to our Clubs." Click HERE for details and guidelines.
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Click HERE for District 7's Goodwill Message
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Click HERE for the list of National Charity Committee Members appointed by D7 Directors. Unit 169 members include: Cindy Wright - Clemmons NC (2019), Bob and Claudia Hale - Greensboro NC (2018) and Marion Secrest - Winston-Salem NC (2002 - deceased)
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ACBL Website
"Bridge Bulletin" Online
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Free ACBL Guest Membership
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Click HERE to get started!
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You’re just steps away from joining the world’s biggest and best community of bridge lovers! Soon you’ll be playing bridge, winning masterpoints, and reading the renowned Bridge Bulletin magazine.
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​Weekly email with tips to boost your game for four months
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Ability to earn up to 20 masterpoints
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Digital access to the Bridge Bulletin
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Whenever you decide to join, your first year membership is discounted at $39 (regularly $59 for one year). There is no expiration date.
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GET A FREE YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP​
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Many Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans recognize the power of social fitness activities, such as bridge, and seek to reward participants. Grouper (formerly Element3 Health) collaborates with these plans to encourage individuals to remain physically, socially, and mentally active. That’s why the ACBL has partnered with Grouper—to encourage more people to play and have fun. Through our partnership with Grouper, any ACBL members who are also enrolled in an eligible health plan can receive a free year of ACBL membership. It’s easy get started. Visit the Grouper website to sign up for the program and check your eligibility with your health plan. (Have your health plan ID ready as you go through the process.) Start here
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