American Contract Bridge League
Unit 484   District 20

Two of the crucial volunteer positions at our local clubs are performed admirably and faithfully by the folks who collect the entry fees, and those who make table assignments assuring a balance in stratification. Two of these volunteers are Erma Neal and Joyce Irvine, members of Phil Selby's Rogue Club.

Erma began playing duplicate about fifteen years ago when she took lessons from Elois Evans, a regular at our clubs until she moved to Vancouver, Washington. Erma, Rita Sheppard, Grace Martin and Carol Ellis started the Monday Rogue Bridge Club at the Presbyterian Church, 2000 Oakwood Drive, in Medford in 1992; Troy Dean was director. Erma not only arrived early to take in the fees, but she made delicious sandwiches every week for the crowd who played bridge. "I never want to make another egg salad sandwich," she asserts. The Rogue Club was sold to Phil Selby eight years ago. Erma continues, to this day, as cashier for Phil.

She doesn't bring sandwiches any more, but she always brings snacks or sweet treats to make our bridge afternoons more enjoyable.

Joyce Irvine became a qualified director twelve years ago. She substituted for director Ron Vincent when he was owner of the Riverside Club. Joyce took over the job of assigning pair numbers to players at the Rogue Club about ten years ago. She says it is necessary to know players' current skill levels (total master points) in order to balance the field evenly so that the game is as fair as possible—an awesome task.

Joyce lives with her sister. She is an avid reader, and she shares the novels she has read with fellow bridge players.

These two ladies, along with all the volunteers in like positions at other clubs, are absolutely necessary for the smooth operations of a duplicate game. Many of these volunteers have been steadfastly, skillfully and cheerfully accomplishing their duties for many years. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for their service.