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We are all in for a treat. The North American Bridge Championship is scheduled to return to Providence in July!
Do you have fond memories of the last NABC in New England in 2014? The most vivid item in my memory palace concerns the time I spent working at the partnership desk. A gentleman from Italy whom I had successfully paired up grinned broadly when I said goodbye with "In bocc' al lupo!" The phrase means "In the wolf's mouth." (It's like saying "Break a leg" to an actor.)
I also remember being very impressed by the WaterFire event in Providence, although I felt certain that I would have enjoyed it more if I had not been shivering uncontrollably in the brisk late November air. This year I am not fretting about the weather. SWAG bags will not include souvenir blankets. This is how the website Travel Awaits described what we can expect:
The summer weather in Providence is usually perfect. The extreme heat that envelops much of the country just doesn’t touch this city near Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The average high temperature in July is 83 degrees. ... In the summer, the city experiences nearly 15 hours of daylight, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore everything Providence has to offer.
Many of the people in charge of the very successful event of 2014 have been involved for over two years in the planning of this summer's tournament. Only fools still make predictions in 2022, but I know these people very well, and I expect the entire eleven-day event to be a really BIG DEAL.
Here is what you need to know:
• The tournament will be held July 14-24.
• All events will be in the Rhode Island Convention Center, the same location as in 2014.
• The best source for information is the website maintained by the tournament committee: ProvNABC.org. It will be timely, accurate, and comprehensive.
• Hotel reservations can now be made. Information about the hotels and the link for reservations are on the above website.
This would also be a great time to consider sponsoring some portion of the tournament. I can think of no better way to honor someone whom you have admired. Both sponsorships and memorials will be available. Detailed information has been provided at https://provnabc.org/en/sponsorships/.
THIS JUST IN: The ACBL has released the schedule for the 2022 Summer NABC in Providence. It is available at https://provnabc.org/en/schedule/.
Meanwhile, you have a few months to bone up on your slam bidding to get ready for A BIG DEAL in Providence.
Mike Wavada
District 25 Webmaster and Communications Chairman