From: Luise Shafritz <lushaf@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 20:54:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: melrose ambience
Message-id: <19980119045412.16287.rocketmail@send1a.yahoomail.com>
Wish I was (a) less exhausted and (b) a better writer so that I could convey one half of the Melrose experience. But then again, if I could do that, attendance next year would probably triple and I'm not sure if that's a good idea.
Picture this: cabins, houses and trailers on a lakefront; huge ancient gnarly trees draped with Spanish Moss surrounding a large meeting hall; inside a large comfortable playing room adjacent to a large dining room and kitchen. The weather couldn't have been better -- glorious Florida sunshine tinged with a very slight nip (50ish) in the evenings. Approximately 60+ Scrabble players convened Friday afternoon and after a welcoming supper (reminiscent of the camps we've all known and loved) we sat down to play the first 3 of 14 games.
My first three opponents were Hersom, Luebkemann and Lipton and the fact that I had 7 bingos in 3 games and went to bed at 2-1 might possibly have made me feel slightly wired.
Breakfast the next morning was at 8 (sumptuous Southern hospitality including of course, grits, biscuits, eggs, cereal, fresh coffee -- well you get the idea.) Then we played three games from 9-12; had lunch and played two more. I had to play Randy, John and Bob again in addition to Trip and Sally (we were in a 6 person double round robin format) but was holding on at 5-3.
Then we had the afternoon free! We played ping pong and had a boat ride on the lake, some went to the local flea market or antiquing, others napped or played extra games (anagrams, jumbles, clabbers or whatever). Very civilized! No stress about where to go for meals; who to go with; how to find the restaurant; how long will it take, how much will it cost etc. etc. Just be back at the dining room at 6; play 3 more games from 7-10 (after which I find I'm actually leading the division at 8-3) then repair to the chapel for a fun talent show! A cellist, some piano, a little songfest, and finally some sleep.
Three games were left to play on Sunday (but not until after flapjacks, bacon, hot maple syrup and fresh orange juice.) I play John for the 3rd time and eke it out in the end game 423-416. Next is Bob for the 3rd time and since I've lost to him twice on his board, I invite him to mine. A strange defensive game but I'm happy to win it anyway to go to 10-3 and a lock. Bob and I played a fourth time but this time (with one tile left in the bag) I blocked the wrong line and lost by 27. A great many people stayed for the awards ceremony by the way -- many more than usual -- undoubtedly because we had all gotten to know one another regardless of divisions something that just doesn't happen during the usual hotel tournament experience.
Kudos to Raynie and Max Pate -- an enormous amount of work is behind this tournament and it shows! Can't wait til next year!
Luise :)