Northern Arizona Unit #355 Bridge Clubs - Wing 100th Birthday Celebration

REPLAY - For those who missed the party or want to see it again!!

Introductions: Malin Wing, Beatrice Wing, Friends
Jim and Carol Keller of Sedona

Regina Kramer lead us in a blessing

Presentation by Marsha Helton:
We are here today to celebrate. Specifically, the 100th Birthday of Malin Wing. As well as the upcoming 99th birthday of Beatrice Wing. And, the couples 73rd wedding anniversary.

However, we have more to celebrate than the lives of Malin and Bea. We have our wonderful Bridge Community to celebrate, the core of which brings us together five days a week, 52 weeks a year. Without the friendliness of the Sedona Bridge community in a spirited competitive environment, we would not be here today. Until you have traveled around the country and played at other bridge locations, you just do not appreciate this special club that we have in Sedona.

Malin and Bea are examples of the finest part of our bridge community. In his younger years, Malin used to arrive early and set up the tables and chairs for the game.

Beatrice greets our members, and assigns player seating.
For many years, the couple would celebrate their wedding anniversary by hosting a luncheon for the bridge club.

I’m sure we all have stories about Malin and Bea. Darryl and I had just taken up bridge in July of 2002. The club was having a team game and it was Malin who came up to ask Darryl and I if we needed Partners. We felt so relieved and we partnered with Malin many times after that.

Now, for some history about Malin & Bea.

Malin Wing was born July 25, 1908 in Vicksburg, Michigan. Beatrice was born on August 7th, 1909 in River Falls, Wisconsin.

After High School, Malin Wing had worked at a paper mill in Michigan for four years. He had decided to learn everything about paper that he could. He wanted to run the company. However, upon learning that the company founder had two children in college that were likely to take over the business, Malin made a decision to leave Michigan and go out on his own to find a company with better prospects.

Malin decided to go to Chicago to attend a school to learn more about the paper business. Also, he would be closer to Wayne King who conducted an orchestra at the Aragon ballroom in Chicago. Malin very much enjoyed the music of Wayne King and he loved ballroom dancing.

It was during the Great Depression. Jobs were hard to find but Beatrice worked as a secretary and was great at short hand. She lived with a friend but found it was too far from work and the Aragon ballroom, so she found an apartment closer to the Aragon’s location. Beatrice was also a wonderful dancer and enjoyed the Sunday evenings at The Aragon.

Let’s let our imagination take us back to Chicago in 1932. Let’s visit the Aragon Ballroom.

The Aragon Ballroom

The enormous and extravagantly decorated ballroom had opened in 1926 in the heart of Chicago’s booming Uptown district. The Aragon was built at a cost of $2 million (the price of admission at the time was only 90 cents) by brothers Andrew & William Karzas. With its stylish interior décor, its courteous but watchful staff, and its strict policies against alcoholic consumption, the ballroom was an instant success. Built to accommodate 8,000 people, even during the Great Depression, attendance regularly topped 18,000 for a week.

The second-level dance floor was reached by a thickly carpeted grand staircase guarded by large plaster dragons.

Once upstairs, patrons entered another world. The ballroom

was designed to resemble the courtyard of a Moorish castle. Palm trees and twinkling lights in the ceiling were added to give the dancers the feeling they were spending the night under a clear, Spanish sky. The all-maple dance floor rode a cushion of cork, felt and springs that vibrated to the music of the Aragon’s bands, including those of the ballroom’s most regular band leaders: Freddy Martin, Wayne King and Dick Jurgens.

Huge crowds flocked to the Aragon, including many out of town visitors who listened to the ballroom’s music six nights a week over radio station WGN from 10:05 p.m. until 11 p.m..

The Aragon maintained high standards of conduct among patrons. Men were obligated to wear jackets and ties, women semi-formal evening wear. Smoking was prohibited on the second level.

It was here, at the Aragon ballroom that a gentleman, Malin, was introduced to a Lady, Beatrice in 1932.

At this point, Ronne Roope and Rene McLeod dance

The rest is history. Malin married Beatrice on August 10th, 1935. The couple danced every Sunday from 3 PM until Midnight. Four years later, Malin was transferred to Iowa to take a new promotional opportunity as a Representative for Remington Corporation. While in Iowa, Malin and Bea adopted their son, Phillip. Later, Malin was transferred to Palos Verdes, California with another promotional opportunity. The couple lived in California for 30 years.

Malin and Bea eventually retired to Sedona, Arizona where they have lived for 35 years. They joined the Sedona Bridge Club immediately after moving here.

Malin and Bea learned to love Duplicate Bridge in Sedona. Bea first played bridge as a High School student in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Malin took up the game after meeting Bea. They have played for over 70 years. Malin decided to suspend play three years ago, but Bea is still a worthy opponent.

The couple attributes Duplicate Bridge with keeping their minds healthy for so many years. In addition, Malin walks a mile daily.

Malin and Bea are approaching the Guinness World Record for oldest married couple – aggregate age (see attached). The Guinness recognizes Thomas & Elizabeth Morgan, born in 1786 in the UK as the record holders with a total aggregate age of 209 years, 262 days. The Wings need five more years to eclipse this record.

Malin and Bea still live at their original home in Sedona without assistance. Their son, Phillip lives in Cottonwood.

The Sedona Bridge Center Congratulates Malin and Beatrice on their success in life.

Before our champagne toast, I would like to conclude by thanking our organizing committee (Marcia Stearns, Jan Birkett, Francie Cody, Marie Lazar, Edna Klein, Mimi Esser, Marsha & Darryl Helton) who donated time and funds for this event, as well as the club members who donated food and other contributions. A Special Thanks to our dancers, Mr. Ronne Roope, who professionally danced in the past, and Ms. Renee McCleod, niece of Sedona Bridge player Loleta McCleod, both of Cottonwood Arizona.

Now for our Champagne toast, Mr. Rollin Brewer.