At the beginning of every month District 25's Director, Rich DeMartino sends out congratulatory e-mails to New England bridge players who have advanced in rank during the previous month. Some of them respond, and Rich selects a few of the most interesting ones to be posted on NEBridge.org. Below is one of his favorites from January of 2015.

My LM husband, Al Muggia, introduced me to bridge over 50 years ago!

Both family and work careers kept me from concentrating on the game until the last year or so. Playing with more experienced and very patient players, like my husband, son and local members Jeanne McKenzie, Reid Fleming, Rich Stevens and others I gradually progressed until deciding to play, at least twice a month with top player, Haven Sharaf – a wonderful and even more patient teacher!! His guidance has been key for me.

I much appreciate the Zero Tolerance policy and would urge all top players to model their behavior on other top players such as Haven, Lloyd Averdon, Mel Marcus, Tom McBeth, Mark Aquino and many others who have been willingly helpful to me at local games where my partners and I meet them in competition. With thoughtful, good manners at the table, we will all attract more and more players!

Finally, I play bridge for fun - it is a game after all, but I am competitive by nature and at my rather advanced age, it's both wonderfully stimulating and social as well. The best part of receiving the Bronze LM designation, was winning the Gold with regular partners, Joanne Megna-Wallace and Rich Stevens.

The ACBL continues to grow and change for the better and I find the Bulletin first rate!

Judie Muggia
Winchester, MA