Carmen's Story
Every once in awhile a story comes along that warms your heart and gives you hope in the future. Today, we heard such a story and wanted to share it with you. Below is an email that we received from a "proud wife and Nana." Please read it, smile and know that bridge is alive and well.
Tuesday, my husband, Ken Woodard, and granddaughter, Carmen Fort played as partners in the Gold Rush Pairs (300-750) at the ST. Louis Regional. Carmen is eleven years old and attended Bridge Camp in Carlinville, IL, this summer thanks to a scholarship from Unit 143. While there, she earned her first master points. Today she begins sixth grade at Nipher Middle School in Kirkwaod so will not be able to attend any more of the tournament. Our thanks to Bruce Greenspan who played with her in Monday’s 0-20 game for no points. We are indebted to Phyllis Siegal and Deb Keniley for their unwavering support. We would also like to thank all the Bridge players who have welcomed a youngster to their table and treated her with respect and kindness. Because of you, she has no fear of playing against players with thousands of master points. Without interested youth, the future of Bridge is in question, and Carmen has decided to begin a Bridge Club at her new school. She hopes Unit 143 will support her efforts.
Ken is eighty-five and has nurtured Carmen’s love of Bridge since she was just a toddler
watching him play Bridge on his iPad. He has been teaching her Bridge ever since. Ken lives part of the year in Texas but is in Missouri as much as possible to be near Carmen. I suspect they were the oldest/youngest
pair toplay in the Regional yesterday, perhaps ever. A photo of them was taken by the Regional photographer while playing and standing. I’m providing this information because many people were interested in their partnership but did not have the time to chat.
Submitted by Anita Woodard, proud wife and Nana
