At the beginning of every month District 25's Director, Mark Aquino, sends out congratulatory e-mails to New England bridge players who have advanced in rank during the previous month. Some of them respond, and Mark selects a few of the most interesting ones to be posted on NEBridge.org. Below are a few memorable ones from players who achieved a new rank in October and November of 2016.

Terry Berenson

I have a great story to tell. I'd like to refer you to my exceptional teacher and mentor, Mark Aquino, who can describe it best. Mark serves as a great inspiration for me pushing me far past anything I could have hoped for. It was a great day when I picked him up in Cromwell! If after contacting him you would like any more input, please don't hesitate to call!

Happy Holidays!

Terry Berenson
Swampscott, MA

Bernice Kramer

I am delighted to be a Gold Life Master. Thank you for your kind words.

I was first introduced to bridge at the age of 12 by a friend's mother. She taught me and 3 friends the basics. I played social bridge weekly from 23 years of age until 21 years ago when I played in my first duplicate game. Margaret Noury was the director at St. Charles Church (now Church Landing) in Meredith NH. It was love a first sight!

Bridge has enriched my life in so many ways. I love my partners, my teammates, and the game itself. The bridge world feels like an extended family to me. Despite all these 20 plus years playing duplicate, my convention card still reads "Standard American".

I do not regret one minute of time that I have spent at the table. Many thanks to my five superb regular partners - Walter Fenton in NH, Leonard Selsky (my brother) in MA, and Al Kober, Barbara Pearlman, and Eli Korisky in FL.

Bernice Kramer
Boca Raton, FL

Rob and Ross Huntington

I retired a couple years ago. My identical twin brother, (Robert), and I used to play bridge with my dad and uncle and then in college, We joined ACBL soon after but then started working, (my brother overseas), so seldom got to play together. We still liked playing though and always kept up our ACBL memberships. Upon retiring we have had more time to play and study the game. It has been fun getting back to the game and we feel like we are now playing better than ever before. (Many district members probably remember playing us in gold rush games lately.)

Not sure what to suggest as far as improving the ACBL and district 25. It would be great seeing more kids playing bridge but not sure how to get that to happen.

I sent a picture with me and my brother. He will be life master soon. He just has had less time to play as he was overseas. He still needs a few black points. In picture I am the one in brown

Ross Huntington
Hampstead, NH