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Director: David Litke, 050-535-1800, david_sojsc@yahoo.com
THIS WEEK AT THE CLUB…
*** Season 75: Wk 21 of 25 – April 12, 2021 ***
Well… it took a worldwide pandemic to close us down. We resumed last week —Tuesday, April 5. That was 38 years and a day since the Club’s founding; 18½ years since the death of Club founder, Sam Orbaum; and after almost 60 missed sessions. Being back was at once the same but very different, with our masked faces and muffled voices, socially distanced through three rooms. But it’s still the Club — still providing the joy of an unencumbered T on the board that turns A-E-H-L-N-U-Z into HAZELNUT… the frustration of no place for the bingo that puts you back in the game… the comedy of pulling the X in the pre-game draw and playing first when your opponent gets the Z…
Sadly, not all of us came back. During the dark, difficult days of the year behind us, our Scrabble family lost three dear members: Michael (Max) Factor, Jonathan’s wife, Yaffa Wreschner, and former longtime Club player Evelyn Sunray. Of Max, a patent attorney with a PhD in Physics, one associate wrote that: “His vast and shambling frame concealed a sharp, anarchic wit, a keen analytical mind, a phenomenal memory and a magnanimous, hospitable heart.” Yaffa, who fought long and bravely against an implacable illness, is remembered for her grace, her gentleness and, not least, her magnificent flower arrangements. Club members reacted to Evelyn’s passing with sorrow, recalling her warmth, generosity, kindness and positivity. She would comment that there were “certain words” she couldn’t resist putting down, even when higher scores were to be made by playing others. They will all be missed. May the memory of each be for blessing.
I haven’t been counting, but the numbered files on my computer say this is my 187th Highlights. Clearly time for a fresh perspective, and that is to come from JudyMo. So, from now, please channel your Club anecdotes and witticisms, dazzling plays and (humbling) learning moments to her. Judy and I go back a long way: we come from the same neck of the woods, studied together in university, made aliyah within a couple of years of one another and have stayed in touch through the decades. Perhaps more relevant to the Highlights is her years-long history as a Jerusalem Post columnist and editor.
A forum like the Highlights allows a personal slant… and I’m going to use it this one last time. First, I want to thank to Susan, who became Treasurer when Hilda had had enough. Week in, week out, she handles our finances efficiently and good-naturedly, she found us our venue and she remains responsible for it. Second, on behalf of us all, I salute DavidL for continuing to direct us. As is endlessly evident, it’s a thankless task — from the Pairings to the Stats, from sitting out games to adjudicating complaints — yet some five years since Roger vacated the post, he’s hanging in. This past year, he was ahead of the curve as ever, closing us down a week before imposition of the first national lockdown and, as important, bringing us back as soon as safety sanctioned.
A very big thank you to them both, a very big welcome to JudyMo — and here’s looking ahead to good health, good companionship and good Scrabble, all in large measure!! Best to all, Wendy
*** חג עצמאות שמח ***
WWW: Alice, Brenda, Steve
WOW: HAZELNUT(Wendy), HIJACKED/FLATWARE(Roger), TERIYAKI(DavidS), SPUMONI(Alice), COGITATE(Dahlia)
Stats (high win, high loss, high triple):
A: 497(Rena), 444(Joel), 1336(Joel)
B1: 447(Alice), 382(Pamela), 1236(Alice)
Attendance: 28