Goodwill Committee Honors the Stengers, McMullin

The highlight of the Goodwill Committee meeting at the Summer 2002 was to be a tribute to Charles and Jeanne Stenger.  Jeanne suffered a heart attack last week end and is now hospitalized so only Charley was there to accept it.

Aileen Osofsky, president of the Goodwill Committee and master of ceremonies, first called upon ACBL President George Retek to talk about Charley. "When it comes to dedication and responsibility, nobody could top Charley," said Retek. "There aren't many like him."

Gail Rust, a close friend of both the Stengers, told how she met Jeanne. "I went to a party and was surprised to see all those bridge players jumping up and down all over the place. Somebody told me they were celebrating Jeanne becoming a Life Master. Back in 1957 that wasn't easy.

"I met Jeanne and asked her what a Life Master was. I told her I had just had two lessons about weak two bids. She explained about red points and Life Masters, then she told that it's OK to open one bids as well as two-bids."

Rust pointed out that Charley is one of a set of identical twins. "Can you imagine two Charleys?" she asked. "I'm speechless," said a highly emotional Stenger. He told about his wife being in the hospital, but the emotion overpowered him and he left the podium as the assembled throng cheered for him.

The Stengers weren't the only ones honored. Tournament Director Millard Nachtwey told how novice programs became an integral part of Washington area clubs, then sectionals, then Mid-Atlantic tournaments, then North American Championships. "Years ago a very innovative lady came up with a plan to get more people into the bridge world," said Nachtwey. "Edith McMullin finally convinced our bridge club to try a novice program. Of course everybody knew it wouldn't work. Imagine everyone's surprise when we had 20 tables the very first time. Eventually it worked up to 25 or 30 tables.

"Next she went after the people who were in charge of our sectionals. Again nobody thought she would succeed, but she certainly did. And then she got intermediate and novice games to be a regular part of our regionals.

"When she suggested a novice/intermediate program for the 1984 NABC here, she was told she was out of her mind. But you know Edith – she just kept battling until she got the OK. Reasonable turnouts on Saturday and Sunday didn't impress anyone – those were weekend days. But when 40 tables showed up on Monday, Edith had proved her point. Games for intermediates and novices became a must for all future NABCs."

Charity Sack, McMullin's daughter, said there was never a dull moment in her mother's house. "We had to do all the usual household tasks, but we also had to make boards and caddy. We were very much a project based household." Sack was inducted into the Goodwill Committee by Nadine Wood, district director for District 6, later in the meeting.

McMullin, visibly emotional, thanked everyone for their backing and good wishes. Osofsky told of Jim Wood, a long time Washington enthusiast and worker who was unable to appear because of ill health. "He served three terms as president and was the conscience of the Washington Bridge League." said Osofsky. "He was a maverick but you could always count on him to be helpful. People near and far turned to him because he was a true friend of bridge."

Osofsky also honored Margot Hennings, chairperson of this tournament. When Hennings took the podium, she said, "I've learned the meaning of goodwill -- it means keeping a smile on your face no matter what happens during the tournament."