CAPE MAZ COUNfr MAGAZINE /

NAMENT playing, the Owens groomed dogs in their garage and Helen-joe taught bridge to fledging players. “We clipped dogs nights, weekends and summer so we’d have enough money to travel to tournaments," said Bob. As they accrued points toward their goal, every win became a victory. "For eight years, we talked bridge over dinner, debating vigorously, discussing systems. Bridge is an articulation of communication. It’s basically a system of signals between two people to communicate the shape and size of their hand the 13 cards they hold. There is a limited vocabulary in bridge so the idea is to bid accurately. It is more precise than verbal communication and usually a person who is attracted to cerebral conditions enjoys bridge. It's a strenuous mental exercise. After a two-day tournament, I’m exhausted. To me bridge parallels life. You have to be able to take a risk. You have to have stamina to win,” Bob said. WHILE BOTH OWENS allow there should be ladies and gentlemen at the bridge table, they have seen and heard their share of caustic comments exchanged. And they've heard plenty of stories about players who were playing a winning hand and reused to give up, even during crises. “There was the story of a man who had a heart attack at the bridge table. A doctor was summoned and even then, the player called out his cards from the floor. But it didn’t happen here,” Bob said. While bridge has been a bridge between them, the Owens are

each versatile personalities. Helen-joe is a talented quilter, seamstress, avid reader and handywoman. She will spend hours taking apart a broken appliance and refitting it until it works. Bob is supervisor of adult education at the Vo-Tech School in Cape May Court House. He enjoys wood refinishing, raising plants and making clocks. But even the chiming of the several clocks in the Owens house, do not disturb concentration of the players who join the Owens in their cerebral sport. WHEN THE OWENS FIRST came to Cape May 17 years ago, they played bridge at the club that ,was then in existence at the Community Center. There was also a club that time at the Wildwood Golf & Country Club. Now, a player who wants to play under the auspices of the ACBL while in Cape May County plays at the Owens or gt the firehouse in Ocean City on Wednesday nights. A player ihust accrue 300 points to become a Life Master and in order to reach that goal at least 25 gold and 25 red points must be won at tournaments. When you think that only black points can be won at the club level land only a 'h. point is given if you win), you have some idea of the Owens's achievements. "It's a union, a bond between us,” Bob Owens says of the passion for bridge he shares with his wife. “As we go along, we grow stronger and stronger. All the ing redients needed in life apply in ridge. Only the strong survive." Libby Demp Forrest is a freetance writer living in Cape May.

SURROUNDED BY tables and chairs for the playing of bridge, the game room of the Owens' home Is no place for kibitzers.

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