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Texas Hold 'Em tourney will benefit Association

By Debbie Gardner

PRIME Editor



East Longmeadow If Bravo channel's Wednesday night broadcasts of the World Poker Tour have whetted your appetite for a little play, Chestnut Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center invites you to come on down.

On June 18, the facility, located at 32 Chestnut St., will host a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

Play begins at 12:30 p.m. The entry fee is a $40 per player, with $20 going directly to the Alzheimer's Association, and $20 going to the prize pot. Pizza will be on the house.

Derek Williamson, Rehab Director at Chestnut Hill, said the poker tournament is a new approach to charity fund-raising for the facility, which has held bake sales and other types of events in the past.

But it's one that he hopes will be successful.

"I've been to some of the Lion's Club poker tournaments, which generate a lot of money because of the popularity of Texas Hold 'Em," Williams said.

In fact, he's betting that the current popularity of the game will help Chestnut Hill reach its goal of a $2,000 donation to the Alzheimer's Association.

"We're hoping for 100 players," Williamson told Reminder Publications in a telephone interview about the upcoming tourney. "Right now the list is generating."

He said the June 18 event will be an elimination tournament, with the first through eighth-place prizes going to the last eight players.

"The final table will play out," he said. "I believe the first place will be $800 if we get 100 players."

Williamson said Chestnut Rehab has gone through the proper channels to ensure the tournament is approved by the town. The facility applied for and received a permit for the event, and obtained an OK for the tourney from the Police Department.

Potential players interested in anteing up for a good cause should call Derek Williamson at Chestnut Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 525-8747.