Newsletter 20th April 2020

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20th April 2020

Message from the President

I hope that this email finds you all in good health and good spirits, this is our third newsletter – which means we haven’t seen each other for at least 4 weeks.  As the government have said that the COVID restrictions will not be downgraded for at least another 4 weeks, it is very important that we pay special attention to our mental health.  

I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you, how I keep my spirits up – I strongly encourage you to share with me and in turn your fellow Bridge Club members what you do to keep your spirits up.

My Garden – although she is very small, she packs a punch and gives me so much pleasure.  The blooms, the herbs, lemons, butterflies and birds – I cannot help but be in “my happy place” whilst in the garden.

My family – we connect a lot through FaceTime, I have even been “Zooming”, I get daily updates of my great grandchildren and my daughter Sharon is learning bridge – we have daily interactions on the virtual bridge table.

I share with you 2 photos – the first the roses from my garden and the second a mug that my daughter bought me, hee hee!

Onto Bridge Club news…  It is very challenging getting things done in the present environment. The bank has been the hardest. When one phones them, because they are so busy, it takes forever!!

We have money invested and I tried to roll it over, ( of course we get masses of interest!!!😫) although I’m a signatory, from last year, I find I’m not on the form to say what we must do with it. So I ask them ‘who is?’
Answer… I’m not allowed to tell you!!
So I ask ‘ if I mention a name will you say yes or no?’
Answer… I’m not allowed to tell you!!
Frustrating to say the least.
What I can tell you is that we are going electronic!!
It may take time but we are hoping by the time we resume bridge we should have achieved this.
We are even hoping that you will be able to pay table money by card if you so wish to do so. But first we have to handle that bank stuff (no I won’t say it!!) referring to the ad!!

I have to tell you that we have a great committee.

Kerrie as secretary is marvellous. I don’t know what I would have done without her. She has taken to her role like a duck to water.

Cheryl, our treasurer, has her hands full with the snail mail.
She posts cheques to me to sign and then I have to post them on!! How antiquated is that? I can’t wait until we move into the 21st century.

Then we have Lyn, our catering manager, who has been into the club and cleaned the cupboards and the pantry. Thank you Lyn.

Raewyn, is the most supportive Vice President. I’m just reminding you all who is on our committee as it was so long ago and we haven’t been in touch!!

Of course, we can’t leave Mike out. Although not on the committee, Mike has kept us all sane while he has grown whiter!! I’m sure you will all agree that he is very very patient!! He has been on zoom meetings showing us how to go on BBO. It is a bit daunting to us oldies who don’t really like the computer!! It is great to play bridge on line and be able to visualise the person you’re playing with. So Mike a big thank you.

While we are sending out accolades we cannot forget Sharon. She is absolutely fantastic at what she’s done on the website. She has all these ideas and is so good at making us look so professional. She does her Avondale golf club website and has over 100 bridge players signed up!!!  Thank you Sharon.

That’s all from me this week, stay safe.

Challenge a friend on BBO

On Bridgebase online there is functionality where you can challenge a friend, group of friends to a game.  It is like duplicate – you get the same cards and then see who scored the highest.  You have 3 days to play and it is a fun way to improve your bridge and see how others played the boards.  We have some “how to videos” below and on the website.

Create a Challenge using an iPad

Create a Challenge using a Computer

Seeing the results of the challenge

Getting to know your Committee

Cheryl Harding

Born on dairy farm in Mundijong WA. Then moved to a sheep station in the Gascoyne region.  Carnarvon was our go to town and had everything except a school so off I went to boarding school in Perth at the age of 10 after being home schooled by my Mum. From School went to work for the health department.

 Travelled all over the state with the road mobile dental service and was in charge of the emergency department at the Perth Dental Hospital. Then marriage two children, divorce.  Met my new husband and went to live in the goldfields where I went back to study and then worked closely with Mission Australia, Centrelink  and the disadvantaged.

Worked in the goldfields for 10 years and retired to Byford where we had a nearly self sufficient property.  The age thing happened and we could not manage the property anymore so moved to Baldivis.
My top Dislike is having my photo taken and Number 2 is anything to do with the kitchen.
I enjoy puddling in paint walking the dogs and people are very important to me.
Even though my life has had some very big bumps along the way  I have been very fortunate  and really look forward to catching up with everyone a the bridge table .


See you Soon 

A little help surviving self isolation

Here are some videos, images that will hopefully bring some joy.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra

Some peaceful weekend listening.

You can listen along to the all-Beethoven programme we planned to play, including his Fourth Piano Concerto, using the Spotify or IDAGIO playlists below – perfect with a cup of tea. 

The list is scrollable – so scroll down to find your favourite tunes on the list to the left.  Click and they will play.   Ignore the sign up call to actions unless you wish to sign up.  Just press the X in the top right hand corner and it will go away until you click the next song.

(See their guide for how to listen if you’re unsure. )

For a comprehensive list of Classical Music Concert links – Click here.  Thanks Dave.

Enjoy

Member updates

We are in paradise on the top floor with our enormous balcony, in self lock down because of ongoing/old age health issues!!

But loving being in situ – go to the balcony gym morning & evening for a 40 minute walk, 5 minutes on the rower and a cool down and exercises.

Walter cooking up a storm, our son Peter the shopper and delivery truck about once every 10 days and me the mad cleaner!!  I am doing a ‘spring’ clean of everything.  I have also started a tapestry rug in a Klimt ‘sort of’ abstract design and we have square eyes from Netflix, Stan and YouTube.

Dinner at the balcony restaurant tonight is King George Whiting fillets (from our last trip to Albany), with a celeriac and potato mash with cheese sauce, peas and beans.  Followed by a red aeroplane jelly with chopped fresh fruit and ice cream.  To accompany, I have some rose wine and Walter red.  Paradise!

Stay well and keep safe.  Hilary & Walter

Hello to all Members. If you know of any of our members who are not well, please let me know and I will send them an appropriate card.

Thank you.
Betty Philpot.
Welfare Officer.

That’s all folks.  Stay safe, keep healthy and if you have any news, stories, jokes and tips that you want to share – please complete the form below.