Mary Ann and I arrived in Daytona Beach around 5:30 and checked into our room. We were both tired after a busy morning and the trip there. Dan Tillberry had made reservations for us at the Americano Hotel. We were to have a two bedroom, two bathroom condo with kitchen. We got to the room and there was one bathroom, two kitchens, a living room, one bedroom and two closets. We tried to call downstairs and none of the phones were working. My back hurt so Mary Ann went down to the desk to sort it out.

When I travel to the Daytona Regional, I always stay at the old Super 8 Motel. On the beach, blocks from the playing site, reasonable rates. This year, after the senior's game on Tuesday, I got back just after 6:00 PM. The courtyard was dark, and I mean DARK ! I whipped out my wallet and tried my key, every which way, with no luck. I cautiously made my way up to the office, which was in lock down (every night at 6 o'clock I later found out), pounded on the door, and was directed from inside to a bank-type drive up window about 10 feet to the left. I threw my key onto the tray, and exclaimed in an agitated voice "This damn thing doesn't work!" From inside came the reply, "Sir, that's your driver's license."

Arriving at the playing area at the Danbury, CN Regional, I made a note to be very careful about entering the room as the "wall " was made up of several glass partitions which all looked alike, including the entry door.  The usual hospitality break was announced after the first three rounds.  I left the room late, (we were following a very slow pair) and got to the ladies room to find a long line.  There was nothing for me to do but wait in line.

The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer hearts attacks (myocardial infarcts) than Americans and New Zealanders do.  Contrarily, Mexico natives eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans and Australians do.

The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans, but the Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans and Canadians.

Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausage and other fatty food and suffer fewer heart atacks than the British and Americans.

Scientists of repute¹ are now concluding you should eat and drink whatever you like, since speaking English is apparently what kills you.

¹nondescript repute.

Karen Alpaugh forwarded an e-mail about the new bridge at Hoover Dam.  Perhaps you got it.  Unfortunately, I can't use it "as is" on The Daily Recap, and couldn't extract the pictures.  The e-mail is far better than this article, and contains the story of its construction.

However I was able to get some shots of the dam from the internet.  It's pretty impressive.  It has been 38 years since I've been there, but I remember the current, twisting road well, as it descends from a height, revealing glimpses of the dam as you go.

Hi.  Thought you might enjoy some bridge humor.

Richard Wan

The real test of a bridge player isn't in keeping out of trouble, but in escaping once he's in it.  
-Alfred Sheinwold

Mrs. Smith was dismayed as she hung up the telephone.  Mrs. Jones had car trouble and could not attend Mrs. Smith’s weekly Thursday afternoon bridge game.  The other two ladies present convinced Mrs. Smith she could substitute her son, Billy, a bright 10-year-old.

After a 15-minute bridge primer, the game began with Billy as dealer.  Billy studied his hand and bid 4♣.  After two passes, Mrs. Smith, Billy’s RHO, holding a plethora of aces and kings, doubled.  Undeterred, Billy carefully perused his hand and bid 4♦.  After two more passes, Mrs. Smith, becoming quite agitated, doubled again.  Not to be denied and after careful consideration, Billy bid 4♥.  Mrs. Smith was near the boiling point as she doubled again.

But Billy, heeding the advice of his mother to bid the shape of his hand, proudly said, “And 1♠.”

At today's game, Mary Ann duFresne arrived at her next table and found Whit Campbell's convention card had been left behind.  Somebody wanted to know who he was playing with, so she read the top line to see, and noticed it was showing his mother, Donis, who wasn't there today.

But she knew who it was -- Don Bowen, her dear friend, who is half Whit's size.  So she quipped "Oh, its Half-Whit!"

The room burst out laughing.  Good one, Mary Ann!