Bernie: This month I chose to spotlight a Gazer that I YANKKK alot, he's an awesome Gazer and no one really knows how long he has actually been in Gazers (not even him) coz he's one of those that withdraws and rejoins on a steady basis YANKKKKK Don!! But with all that he's going thru right now, I am hoping that that will be a thing of the past! donjustasweetie2 is really a great guy! He knows just when to be charming, when to let someone use his shoulder as a crying board, and when to tell someone to buck up and get right! He has had some health issues, but I could have told him, he's too ornery to get really sick! And now that he's retiring from work..I am hopeful that we will be seeing a lot more of him!! Now we don't want him to get a really big head,,,so here is his story:

Don: 1. Tell us about yourself. Your family, your hobbies, your work, anything you would like to know about someone else but in reverse.

I have been married for 33 years to a wonderful woman that knows all my bad points but loves me anyway. I have 2 daughters 33 and 29. The oldest is going to bless me with my first grandchild, a boy, in April. I have worked on the railroad for 39 years and am retiring on Feb 23. I like to play play spades (poorly), golf, hunt, and geocache. If you aren't familiar with it, check out www.geocaching.com

2. Where are you from, where do you live now?

A small town in Nebraska. Population 2800. I have lived here since I was born.

3. After coming into suicide lounge 4, what made you stay? What keeps you in gazers?

I don't remember when I came to Gazers, I know it was more than 3 1/2 years ago because I had the pleasure of knowing Rick, and was his partner once. I wish I had his memory for what cards have been played. If you know me at all you know I always have a smart comment for the lobby and some of the members started talking to me when I first came here and I kept coming back. I didn't join right away but to be a part of the group I did finally. I didn't always stay here though. I have withdrew quite a few times but home is where your friends are, and like a bad check I keep returning.

4. When do you play? Days, or hours?

I don't have a certain time that I play. If I like the style of the tourney I might get in. My work has been very gracious on paying me while I play so during the day I am around more. I'm going to have to play for free after I retire. At night I come in the lobby, more to see my friends than to play. I am the self appointed #1 scrub sub.

5. What is your favorite game?

I really don't like forced bid games but I do better at 5 3 or nil than most of the other games.

7. What advice would you give to a new member or someone wanting to join gazers?

It IS the best league, I have been in quite a few but none that compare to this one. If you would like to join ask for help, we have plenty of people to get you set up. As for tourneys, If someone puts their password in their team name it means they will be glad to have you for a partner. Get here early, not 5 minutes before the hour. Ask for a partner in lobby, if you go auto stay auto unless the TD tells you different, be a good sport, don't criticize or question your partners playing, be kind to the TD's (they work for peanuts), and be prepared to meet a lot of people you will get attached to as friends.

8. Do you have a special memory of something that occurred in gazers that you want to share with gazers?

Special memories have to be of Rick, his jokes, the ladies kidding with him, learning of Ricks passing, his farewell letter to Gazers, and when his caregivers came online and talked to us.

Bernie: Can you all see why Don is special to Gazers? He can be a smart mouth so and so, but I have seen personally his loyalty to Gazers and to a lot of the members! I wish you well in your retirement Don...and I am looking forward to seeing you in Gazers a whole lot more!