Fun & Games To Start The New Year

DANBURY — Start the new millennium off with a challenge that will stimulate your intellect and stir your competitive spirit: The 6th Annual Eastern Scrabble Tournament is coming to the Housatonic Valley.

Anyone who would like to prepare for this year’s tournament is invited to attend a free Scrabble training session sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Tourism District and led by New Milford resident and competitor Edward Neugroschl.

The training session begins at 1 pm on Sunday, January 16, at the Inn at Ethan Allen, on Mill Plain Road. Mr Neugroschl will talk about the skills and strategies associated with tournament Scrabble.

“We try to prepare the players, particularly beginners, for the differences in rules between tournament play and playing at home,” he said. “We touch on topics like word challenges and word lists, which tiles they may want to hold onto and which ones they may want to get rid of. We give them the tools to help increase their enjoyment of the game.”

Ron and Susi Tiekert are National Scrabble Tournament Directors who have been heavily involved in Danbury’s past training sessions and have managed the Eastern Scrabble Championship for the past six years.

“The training session is a good way for players to learn the subtleties of the game,” said Mr Tiekert. “In the tournament you’re not only playing against your opponent, but you’re playing against the clock as well. You can experience what it’s like to play against the clock in the training session and adjust your play accordingly before you have to compete.”

Betsy Neuberg of Weston won last year’s five-round mini-tournament, a competition held for those who consider themselves beginners or intermediate players. She also participated in the training session held prior to the tournament.

“People who enjoy Scrabble but have never played on a tournament level will benefit from practicing in a tournament setting,” she said. “Another advantage of participating in the training session is you can get a feel for the competition beforehand.”

No experience is necessary to participate in the training session, and those who attend will have a chance to compete in the mini-tournament or the 20-Round Eastern Scrabble Championship scheduled for February 18-21 at the Inn. There will also be a mini-tournament for novice players on February 20 at the Inn.

Information on the Championship Tournament, entry fees and rules will be explained at the training session, or for more information in advance, contact  the Housatonic Valley Tourism District at 743-0546.