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The American Bridge Teachers Association (ABTA) concluded its 46th annual convention at the Long Beach NABC, and at the awards banquet held on July 17, announced its annual award winners.

The ABTA Book of the Year Award for the Beginner/Novice category went to Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction by Audrey Grant (Better Bridge).

The ABTA Book of the Year Award for the Intermediate/Advanced category went to 25 Steps to Learning 2/1 by Paul Thurston (Masterpoint Press).

ABTA’s Software of the Year Award went to Mike Lawrence’s The Two Over One System. This CD program utilizes Fred Gitelman’s excellent Bridge Base software.

The ABTA’s Applebasket Award for best bridge teaching tip of the year was presented to Leslie Shafer of Silver Spring MD. Four ABTA members were awarded the prestigious “Master Teacher” status: Richard Braunstein of West Hempstead NY; Liz Randall of Point Jefferson NY; Judi Schulman of Albany NY and Peggy Tatro of San Rafael CA.

In other news, the ABTA presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Harry Lampert. Lampert is the author of many bestselling bridge books including his latest, The Fun Way to Bridge Play. He is also a past president of the ABTA and creator of the “Flash” comic book character. When Lampert retired from his career as a professional cartoonist in the mid- Seventies, he found a new calling as a bridge teacher and author. Lampert created the ABTA logo and has served as staff artist for the organization for more than 25 years. He is an ACBL Life Master as well as an ABTA Master Teacher.