May 2020 - 11

slate of events when the League added
a third national tournament to its
schedule in 1958.
Like several of the older events on
the ACBL calendar, the nationally-rated mixed pairs has a somewhat convoluted history.
In 1931, Olga Hilliard, a New York
heiress, donated a trophy recognizing the winners of the National Mixed
Pairs. The Hilliard Trophy and the
event were awarded to the Western
Conference in 1946. But it returned
to the ACBL circuit in 1958 with the
creation of the Spring nationals. It was
contested until 1962 as a three-session
NABC+ event.
The ink was barely dry on 23-yearold Olga's divorce papers when, in
1914, she married the twice-divorced
matinee idol, Robert "Handsome Bob"
Hilliard. He was 34 years her senior.
Mrs. Hilliard won the Mixed Board-aMatch Teams in 1932 and the Women's
Knockout Teams in 1942.
In 1946, a new national mixedpair event was begun when Helen
Pendleton Rockwell put the beautiful,
Tiffany-designed Rockwell Trophy
into play. The daughter of Maj. Gen.
Joseph Henry Rockwell, for whom
Camp Pendleton is named, Helen
served as the president of the ACBL
Women's National Committee. A
member of the winning 1934 Women's
Knockout Teams, she was also a foodie,
famous for finding new and unusual
places to eat. As she traveled, she
collected recipes from famous chefs,
food experts and women's clubs -
recipes that eventually found their way
into two cookbooks.
Formerly played at the fall championships, the Rockwell Mixed Pairs
became part of the Spring NABC
schedule in 1986.
After a continuous run of 91 years,
there is no Vanderbilt Knockout Teams
this year, and for the first time in 88
years, history will not record a winner
in the nationally-rated mixed pairs.
The streak begins anew next spring in
St. Louis.
◾

The Producers

The Columbus NABC Committee extends heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary groups, clubs and individuals who contributed financially to our
efforts to make the 2020 Spring North American Bridge Championships a
success. Their generosity reflects the spirit of our Columbus-based group
and many others in District 11.

PLATINUM
Central Ohio Bridge Association
Unit 122 - Your host in Columbus
Friends of Juanita Chambers
Central Indiana Bridge Association Day:
Recognizing contributions to their bridge
community by Dr. Aslam and Sandy
Siddiqui, Bettey Markey and the
Indianapolis Longest Day Team
Tom and Ann Hoaglin recognize Cheryl
Schneider of Columbus Bridge Center
Family of John Westinghouse shares
Goodwill Day: Reminding players to
always be nice. John was such a nice guy!
Tom and Ann Hoaglin honor Marsha
Reall, teacher and coach extraordinaire
Joyce Penn Memorial Day celebrated by
her many partners, friends and students
Larry and Trish Jones - For the love of
bridge in our life
Barth Royer Memorial Day honored by
his friends and partners
GOLD
Jill Gasper in recognition of George and
Eileen Huskey
Barth and Ellen Royer share their appreciation of the 2020 NABC committee and
also remember partner and friend, Richard
(Rudy) Rudolph
Friends honor George St. Pierre and
recognize his accomplishments playing in
each of the last eight decades
Linda Cronkleton remembers her wonderful
bridge player and brother, Kent Cook
Members of Unit 164 of The Bluegrass
Doug Millsap for his first bridge partner, his
dad, Frank Millsap
Jill Gasper for teacher and friend, Bob
McConnell
Ricki Rosen and brother John remember
their mom's lifelong love of bridge
Bridge buddies, partners and teammates
of Laurie Kranyak
Marlene Stein, Patricia Hartman and Gerald
Greitzer share a laugh when they remember the fun of partner Harold Feldheim

SILVER
The Marion Bridge Club honors former
players Leslie Weichenthal & Nell Klingler
Phyllis Allmacher for her husband and
bridge partner, Kurt
Michelle Ruf for her bridge inspiration, mom
Mary "Mac" McAndrew
Longtime friends remember Jim Wisemiller
Tom Fletcher in memory of his son,
Nicholas
Cincinnati Bridge Club remembers
Mike Lipp
Chrissinger family siblings in memory of
their mom, Betty
Cleveland Whist Club Unit 125
encouraging team play
Cheryl Schneider for her grandmother
Byrd Gardner, who taught her to play!
Longtime friends and admirers of Frank
Cordray, "the Boy Wonder" of bridge
Kensington Wealth Partners
BRONZE
Alan and Christie Coupland
Family and friends of Dave Spitler
Pat Cowan for her special bridge friend,
Joyce Penn
Learning Bridge Club of Cincinnati encouraging Intermediate/Newcomer players
Franklin Club of Columbus acknowledges
longtime board member John
Westinghouse
Past students and longtime partner Terry
James remember contributions of
Paula Justl
Mary Kay Fletcher for her sister and first
bridge partner, Nan Novotny
Students of Anita Torrence

May 2020 Bridge Bulletin

May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2020