Comments from our great friend, Cheryl Heppner, NVRC

HI Folks: The one thing I love is Cheryl Heppner and her great convention reports. She is the executive director of the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons. She has been so generous to share her writings with us. And, thanks to the Motorola Foundation for sponsoring this blog.

Here is Cheryl’s report from yesterday’s awards ceremony and breakfast. Thanks Cheryl!

Regards from Reno,

Barbara Kelley, HLAA staff

Annual Award Ceremony and BreakfastBy Cheryl Heppner, 6/14/08

One of my favorite events at every HLAA conference is the annual award ceremony and breakfast.  There is nothing more inspiring than learning more about the accomplishments of extraordinary people and having a chance to thank them for their work. 

On my way to Reno Ballroom for the event, I hooked up with Rosaline Crawford of the National Association of the Deaf, who is here to present on the legislative efforts of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology.  I led her into the ballroom and discovered that all the tables were full, people were sitting on the floor waiting for additional tables to be delivered, others were standing in wait, still more were in line at the breakfast buffet, and others like us were still arriving.  It was thrilling to see how many people had come to support the honorees.

Much earlier in the morning, I had taken Galaxy to the dog relief area outside the hotel and we’d found a deserted hallway where I could toss her soft little frisbee a few thousand times in the usual futile attempt to wear her out a bit.  Jeannette Kanter, the host of the award ceremony, was also up early for some vigorous exercise, and to my delight she stopped for a long conversation.  Last year she received a prestigious award and now I’ve fulfilled one of my wishes to get to know this remarkable woman better.

In addition to the special Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dr. Mark Ross the previous day, these are the 2008 award and recognition recipients:

National Access Award
James Cross, MD, Aetna Insurance National Head of Medical Policy and Program Administration
Presented by Brenda Battat
For providing and improving access in a significant way for people with hearing loss
 
Keystone Award
Kathy M. Borzell, Tampa, FL
Presented by Brenda Battat
For outstanding achievement and/or contribution to the establishment, advancement, and continued success of HLAA
 
Spirit of HLAA
Hollace Goodman, NY
Janet Haines, MI
Mildred Koop, WA
Barbara Tucker, CA
Presented by Anne Pope
For selfless dedication to the development of HLAA and its success

Advocacy
Albuquerque Chapter, NM – Steve Frazier
Whatcom County Chapter, WA – Bert Lederer and Charlene Mackenzie
Presented by Lise Hamlin
For outstanding accomplishment in educating others about crucial issues important to people with hearing loss
 
Family Involvement
Michael Kaplan, CA – Los Angeles County Chapter (husband of Alicia Fernandez)
Presented by Ahme Stone
For contribution to the growth and development of HLAA
 
Professional Advisor
Noreen Gibbens, Au.D. – Macomb County Chapter
Presented by Brenda Battat
For support of the HLAA self help movement
 
Best Chapter Website
Southwestern CT Chapter – Marcia Zola, Editor
Presented by Barbara Kelley
For outstanding education and outreach
 
Chapter Newsletter – Honorable Mention
Central Virginia Chapter – Poppy Lesti, Editor
Saint Louis Chapter, MO – Nancy Dietrich, Editor
Presented by Barbara Kelley
For outstanding education and outreach
 
Outreach Award
Southeastern Colorado Chapter
Augusta, Georgia Chapter
Presented by Barbara Kelley
For outstanding education and outreach
 
Walk Recognition Awards
Atlanta, GA – Cathy Fletcher
Augusta, GA – Dave Welter
Chicago, IL – Kim Mettache, Ann Flannery, Kathy Cortopassi, John Jun
Downstate NY – Anne Pople
Houston, TX – Lois Johnson
Long Beach, CA – Barbara Tucker
Longmont, CO – Debbie Mohney
National Capital – Virginia Crocker
New England – Beth Wilson
Newton Square, PA – Dawn Maniskas, Donna Schumacher
North Texas – Kim Brownen, Joan O’Connor
Permian Basin, TX – Eugene McCumber
Rochester, NY – Pete Fackler
SE Michigan – Janet Haines
West Michigan – Marilyn Knol
Presented by Ronnie Adler
 
Rocky Stone Endowment Fund Grant Recipients
Dan Farfaglia – Albany, NY
Ann Monson – Centennial, CO
Sarah Rose – Larkspur, CA
Presented by Ahme Stone
 
Founder’s Day Recognition
California State Association – $3,000
Los Angeles Chapter – $1,000
Diablo Valley Chapter – $625
Houston Chapter – $592
San Francisco Chapter – $515
San Antonio Chapter – $500
Peninsula Chapter – $500
Lane County Chapter – $500
Sacramento Chapter – $500
Rochester Chapter – $500
Shasta County Chapter – $500
Oklahoma City Chapter – $500
New Jersey State Association – $500
Presented by Christopher Sutton
 
State Leaders
 
State Organizations
  Janet Haines, MI (2005-8)
  Marilyn Finn, CA (2006-8)
  Sue Campbell, WA (2006-7)
 
Incoming State Organization Leaders
  Arlene Romoff, NJ (November 2007)
  Mary Clark, CA (February 2008)
  Carolyn Caughell, MI (January 2008)
  Lona Jennings, WA (December 2007)
 
Outgoing State Chapter Coordinators
  Barbara Tucker, Southern California (2001-8)
  Wayne Benson, PA (2005-7)
  Barbara Bavido, FL (2006-7)
  Gayle Capps, GA (2007)
  Liz Kobylack, MI (2000-7)
 
Incoming State Chapter Coordinators
  Diane Gross, Southern California (2008)
  Kathleen Niemeyer, PA (2007)
  Larry Kavanaugh, FL (2007)
 
Presented by Lise Hamlin

ฉ2008 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030; www.nvrc.org.   703-352-9055 V, 703-352-9056 TTY, 703-352-9058 Fax. Items in this newsletter are provided for information purposes only; NVRC does not endorse products or services. You do not need permission to share this information, but please be sure to credit NVRC.  This news service is free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated.  To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your email address, or report problems, contact cheppner@nvrc.org ?

 

 

More photos still. Fun!

Make sure you click on to find the captions. In case, here is Jennifer, Abbie and Zak.

Other photo is Andy Bopp, Hearing Industries Association, Brenda Battat, and Rep. Dean Heller from NV.

Also, Andy Bopp, Hearing Industries Association, presents the big megaphone to Rep. Dean Heller for sponsoring the Hearing Aid Tax Credit bill.

Saturday Morning: Good Morning Reeeeeno!!

June 14, 2008 — Saturday

I like the comment of the last blogger — I think I know who she is, the great gal who used to be from the great state of Colorado — the Rocky Mountain State. Yes, I get sleep! Ah hem…and glad you liked Baby Mama with open captions last night. (Sponsored by Insight Cinema and Sorrenson IP Relay.)

Have I thanked everyone enough? Deanna Baker and all our real-time captioners? All our wonderful sponsors (check the link on www.hearingloss.org for a list of sponsors!). And, Rep. Dean Heller from the Second District of Nevada (not 20th as I said before — hey, this state isn’t that big!). And, all the members who have attended! I am bound to leave someone out so a blanket thanks to all! (See earlier blogs for more thanks.)

Last night was fun, meeting members, having dinner with a group downtown Reno (it’s like a small town). Andy Bopp, Hearing Industries Association, joined us and chatted about the hearing aid tax credit bill and their work across the country meeting with consumers and legislators. And, we found out he is also a Germanphile (not to be confused with a germaphobe like I am). Not sure that is the right word, but he loves to travel to Germany where his ancesteors are from, hike the Alps. We had a great chat about Bavaria.

Coming back, HLAA staffer Christopher Sutton, took me (along with Executive Director Brenda Battat and husband Joe, and Andy Bopp) on a tour of the casino area to catch the scene. I haven’t had time to see what this is all about. And, what a scene it was.  It’s really not my thing, but I was fascinated to people watch and I will now tune into the Poker Channel with a new eye. On the way out, we ran into Beth Wilson (RI), Theresa Burke (DC) and Lise Hamlin (HLAA staff) who were laughing and carrying on.

Next year this convention is in Nashville at the Gaylord Hotel. I think I will welcome the southern, antelbellum ambiance rather than the casino scene. But, as long as our members are having fun, and I haven’t heard one complaint or seen anyone moping around with nothing to do.

Hey…there is something about the South no doubt. Bring your kids next year and we will do some good ole line dancing and check out Music City USA…oh and some good southern fare. I am there!

Mary Stodden from St. Louis just stopped by while I am blogging and said, “These are some of the best workshops you have ever had! That Ollie Cantos…and the DTV TV workshop…you have some head honchos here!”

Great feedback. Let’s hear both, both positive and, uh, the other. How else will we know what you want?

Today there are more workshops including a hearing aid panel moderated by Mark Ross, Ph.D. Tonight is the banquet –sure to be entertaining. The Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award will be given to Dan Simmons of Lowell, MA.  And some great entertainment from the Dean-o-Holics — all real-time captioned of course.  I’ll have more to say on that tomorrow.

I’ll sign off for now. Off for more, more, more.

Barbara Kelley, HLAA Staff Member