Dear HLAA Convention 2008 Fans:

Yes, all the photos taken by our friend and HLAA member, Jim Montgomery, will be posted on the HLAA website. Give us a few days, say by Monday, June 30th?

Thanks all and thank you Jim!

Barbara Kelley

Cheryl Heppner, executive director of NVRC, writes a lively narrative each year about the Hearing Loss Association of America Convention. She has welcomed me to use her entries. So, without further ado, here is Cheryl.

HLAA Convention Opening Session

By Cheryl Heppner, 6/18/08

Brenda Does the Honors

An opening night crowd streamed into the Reno Ballroom at the Grand Sierra Resort to hear Brenda Battat give the official opening of the convention on Thursday, June 12, 2008. It was her 106th day as Executive Director of Hearing Loss Association of America.  She ran through an impressive list of recent advocacy activities and the inspiring accomplishments of the Walk4Hearing, which has not only raised an astonishing amount of money but also a great deal of public awareness.

Brenda also recognized the many contributions of the state organizations and local chapters. “We are having a big impact with a small staff and thousands and thousands of volunteers,” she said, noting also the generosity of many companies. Brenda challenged the audience to go home and be ambassadors to eradicate the stigma of hearing loss.

Anne Pope, President of the HLAA Board of Trustees, also welcomed the attendees on behalf of the board.  She talked about arriving at her first convention after floundering for four years with severe hearing loss.  That first convention was a turning point for her; she realized she could take some control of her life and manage it.  She left energized by the things she had learned.

A Surprise for Mark Ross

Barbara Kelley, HLAA’s new Deputy Executive Director, said she had a surprise for someone in the audience who deserved an award so much that one had been created.  She called a very stunned Mark Ross to the stage for a Lifetime Achievement Award as the crowd gave him a standing ovation and the big screen showed the great photo of him that will appear on the next cover of Hearing Loss magazine. 

“The Father of Audiology,” as Barbara calls him, said he was sandbagged and had no idea he was receiving an award. Barbara talked about his first entry into the field of hearing loss as a patient and how he has become an aggressive advocate of aural rehabilitation, contributing in so many ways as both an audiologist and consumer. She rattled off some highlights of his bio (“a million miles long”), and noted that in 18 years of writing a column for Hearing Loss magazine he has never missed a deadline. Mark has also been honored previously with the board’s Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award.

Mark, in his turn at the microphone, said he was completely overwhelmed, “maybe for the first time at loss for words.”  Then he dug deep and found a few.  He said that the most gratifying time of his life has been since retirement and expressed amazement that his wife had been in cahoots with the people planning the award.

Ollie Cantos Wows the Crowd

Brenda Battat introduced keynote speaker Olegario D. Cantos, VII, who is better known as simply “Ollie”.  His official title is Special Counsel to the Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Justice.  The convention program book says he’s well known for his engaging personal style and ability to convey thoughts.  Those of us here in the Washington area who have had the pleasure to know and work with him can attest to that.  Now hundreds of HLAA convention attendees will too.

Ollie, who has been blind since birth, has received numerous honors. In addition to his work at the Department of Justice, he has served as an Associate Director for Domestic Policy at the White House. Ollie also has a very interesting personal life which includes being an assistant scoutmaster, a three-time finisher of the Los Angeles Marathon, rollerblading, ice skating, and horseback riding.

I’ve known Ollie for years but have only talked with him up close or in small groups.  This was the first time I’ve seen him give a presentation to a large audience, and I was stunned by his booming voice, dramatic choice of words, and cadence that brought visions of Martin Luther King.  As always, he made his speech very personal and powerful.  He talked about civil rights in general and about cases in North Carolina and Florida where the rights of people with hearing loss had been violated and but they victims had ultimately won. 

What really blew many people away was a segment where Ollie talked about how the act of one person in HLAA building up another would build a positive impression, and could spread and become more and more powerful for HLAA’s message and mission. To better illustrate the concept, he took a marker and began drawing on a large whiteboard.  First he drew a circle, then put letter within it, then more circles and letters and lines to connect them, showing how the network starting with one person would build.  It was a great tour de force from an individual who is blind who did not even face the white board as he wrote. As if for an encore, he erased that diagram and started drawing another.  And then another.

Ollie said he is eager to have email contact from all the attendees “as a way of opening our two-way conversation”.  He gave his email address: Ollie.Cantos@usdoj.gov.  His position, he explained, gives him a good level of access to pass on concerns of people with hearing loss and share what the Department of Justice is doing. 

©2008 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

– Barbara Kelley

Photo: Executive Director Brenda Battat gets in the spirit with HLAA banquet entertainers Frank and Dean.

The Last Entry

by Barbara Kelley

HLAA Convenntion 2008, June 12-14, is over. Thanks to all those who came and joined the fun. Thanks to sponsors (see www.hearingloss.org) who made the convention a hit. Thanks to the Motorola Foundation for sponsoring this blog you have enjoyed the past few days.

Did you know HLAA conventions are totally communication accessible? Thanks to Deanna Baker and her team of CART reporters. Thanks to Max McCarthy, Les Calloway and Ted Simons for the ALDs, and thanks to the sign language interpreters. Thanks to Jim Montgomery, member from California for taking photos. Thanks to volunteers across the country who work tirelessly on behalf of people with hearing loss, Thanks to the national staff and board of trustees. And, thanks to you, the attendees who traveled far and wide to come.

Thanks to our presenters, keynoter Ollie Cantos (was he a hit or what?) and to the staff from NTID and PEPNet who put on a first-rate research symposium. And, to Rep. Dean Heller (Nevada) who signed onto the tax credit bill. (He visited the exhibit hall and we were featured on the NBC-affiliate on the eleven o’clock news.) And, to the exhibitors from companies who showed their products and talked about what is ahead for people with hearing loss in the service, technology and telecommunications industry. No where else can one find these reps all under one roof!

Next year we are in Nashville in late June. Watch www.hearingloss.org for updates. Nashville should prove to be an easy place to get to and full of wholesome, southern fun…not to mention the ever-popular Exhibit Hall and educational workshops. Let us know what you want to see and do there. We will try to make it happen.

I will leave you this year with a tune from the Frank Sinatra songbook:

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.

I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

Cheers!

Barbara Kelley

Barbara Kelley is deputy executive director, editor, Hearing Loss Magazine, Hearing Loss Association of America. www.hearingloss.org

Cheryl Heppner, executive director of the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People once again adds her comments.

Thanks to Motorola Foundation for sponsoring this Convention 2008 blog.

I will report in one last time when I get some photos from the banquet. I hope all of you out there have enjoyed the reports and want to come next year in Nashville.

– Barbara Kelley, HLAA deputy executive director and editor, Hearing Loss Magazine

People, and the Banquet

By Cheryl Heppner 6/14/08 and 6/16/08

People

On Friday night Galaxy and I went to Sparks Marina with two other graduate teams from Canine Companions for Independence — Cara Miller and Maya, Don Detrick and Cali.  We were joined by two puppy raisers, one soon-to-be puppy raiser and three pups.  All of us trekked around the lake to a dog park, where the Galaxy spent a blissful 90 minutes tearing across the sand and churning through the sand and water to retrieve tennis balls.  Then we trekked around the other side of the lake to a restaurant, where the dogs slept in a heap under the terrace table as we ate in the fading light.

Oh how I love spending time with people at the HLAA conventions!  I always come home with so many great stories and so many reasons to return the next year.  Go now and mark your calendar for June 18-21, 2009 for Convention 2009 at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

HLAA convention goers are so stimulating to be around.  There’s the lovely grace of Ahme Stone, Rocky’s widow and the dynamic Tina Childress who keeps adding new talents. 

There’s Roy Kulick, MD., brilliant, insightful, and a certain future HLAA leader who grows constantly as an advocate and resource person.  I could talk to him all day. Or Dana Mulvany, who I often refer to as a tech goddess, and the only person I know who comes to conferences pushing a shiny green catmobile. When she’s in any audience you can always count on penetrating questions.

And there are the stories.  Did you know Flo Innes teaches gambling?  She came to the aid of a certain prominent female politician from one of our northern states and initiated her in the art of playing slots at the resort’s casino. 

A local man talked to me for almost an hour on Saturday. He had learned about HLAA through a local news article during the week and came to the convention to find out more. He was so impressed and thrilled to see all the information and support that he’s told me he’s starting now to save money and plan for next year’s convention.

The Banquet Program

The Saturday evening reception and the banquet in the Reno Ballroom were very well attended. Following dinner and dessert, the program began with the passing of the presidential gavel.  Anne T. Pope, President of the HLAA Board of Trustees, handed off to new president Michael Stone, the son of founder Rocky Stone.

Next was the presentation of the Howard E. “Rocky” Stone Humanitarian Award, presented by Ahme, who has also been a recipient of the award. This award is given to a past trustee “for extraordinary contribution to the furtherance of the objective and personal exemplification of the philosophy envisioned by Howard E. Stone, founder of HLAA.” 

Previous honorees are Dorothy Allen, Clyde Black, Marjorie A. Boone, John M. Centa, William B. Cutler, Marcia Dugan, Marcia Finisdore, Jerry Honbaum, Paul Hopler, Joan C. Kleinrock, George Kosovich, Mina “Sis” Lelewer, Suan L. Miller, Julie Olson, and Mark Ross, Ph.D.

The 2008 recipient, Daniel R. Simmons of Lowell, Massachusetts, told a touching story about Rocky’s visit to his home and how his hard of hearing daughter, Danielle, took an immediate liking to Rocky. Danielle now has two degrees from Boston University as well as a law degree from Suffolk Univeristy. She works for a top firm in Boston.

Danielle is the reason he first became active in HLAA. Mr. Simmons said he always believed that not providing the needs of hard of hearing children in education is tantamount to child abuse. He also believes that HLAA members are natural role models and that no one deserves HLAA’s help more than hard of hearing children.

He quoted one of Rocky’s famous sayings, “people helping people help themselves.”  Years ago, Mr. Simmons set up a support group for parents with hard of hearing children, and eventually hard of hearing adults joined the group as well. This, he said, strengthened the group as they learned from the experiences and wisdom of hard of hearing adults. 

Mr. Simmons believes that people in the HLAA chapters are having an important impact, and HLAA must think nationally but act locally.  Without HLAA, he said, Danielle would not be where she is today, and thousands of other Danielles need HLAA’s help.

Entertainment by Dean and Frank

At Saturday evening’s banquet, I had the pleasure of sitting at Barbara Kelley’s table.  Barbara, the Deputy Director of HLAA and editor of Hearing Loss magazine is not only relentlessly cheerful but the hostest with the mostest.  You can imagine her stealing into your room at night to fluff your pillow.  But who knew that she was a comedian and a showgirl? 

Following the program, mistress of ceremonies Barbara went to the podium and announced that she’d just had a phone call with the distressing news that the entertainers hadn’t yet arrived. But wait!  Our friend Colin from Canada was going to save the day by singing for us!  To the stage came our hero, who burst into the first verse of “I’ll Be Seeing You”…except that the words were “I’ll be sueing you, in all those favorite courtrooms.”  At this point we began to suspect our collective legs were being pulled.  Sure enough, Barbara’s cell phone rang and wouldn’t you know the entertainers had arrived?

Those in the audience who can hear say that Chris Gardner’s voice was exactly like Dean Martin’s, and that Rick Ellis was a dead-on Frank Sinatra.  They soared through a hit parade of Rat Pack songs, solo and as a duo.  It was quite a sight to see Dean leave the stage and take an impromptu spin around the dance floor with Ahme Stone. Unable to resist, Barbara and Colin joined them.  A few songs later, quite a few of us joined in the silliness and went to the front of the stage to do some extremely poor “high stepping”.  We were sad to see these talented reps of the Rat Pack go, but they remained outside the banquet room for a few minutes to give those with cameras lots of photo ops.

Nashville, Here We Come!

Once again, get those calendars out!  HLAA Convention 2009 is in Nashville, Tennessee from June 18-21, 2009.  At the close of the evening, Jennifer Thorpe and Debbie Devone came onstage to give a personal invitation.  The Country Music Festival will be taking place in Nashville the week prior to the convention, so it’s a great family vacation opportunity.  

The site of the conference is the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center.  I googled it at http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/. It boasts of nine acres of indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls and an indoor river with its own Delta flatboat, a 20,000 square foot resort spa and fitness center, Fuse Nightclub. Restaurants include Old Hickory Steakhouse Restaurant, Ristorante Volare, Cascades Seafood Restaurant, Water’s Edge Marketplace Buffet, Jack Daniels’ Saloon.

I can picture it now.  I’ll be on the flatboat holding my plastic-protected laptop and heading for the spa, with Galaxy swimming alongside.

©2008 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 

Association Banquet: Saturday evening, June 14, 2008

After a day of workshops and exhibits, people gathered for the banquet.  I’m just going to touch on some hightlights. Oh, and I got to be the emcee for the evening and had a blast. I never met a microphone I didn’t like.

• Board President Anne Pope passed the presidential gavel to new Board President Michael Stone, son of Founder Rocky Stone.
• Dan Simmons of Lowell, MA, received the Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award. Ahme Stone presented the award. Dan’s service on the SHHH Board and his work on advocating for access in the classroom is unparalled. His daughter, Danielle, was the impetus for his involvement. Born hard of hearing, she is now a Suffolk University law graduate and works for one of the top firms in Boston.  Dan turned the MA public school system upside down with his advocacy work on behalf of children who are hard of hearing.
• Sue Miller, member from New York, reported on funds raised during the convenetion for the Annual Fund and the Rocky Stone Endowment Fund.
• Dinner was delish! Chicken stuffed with Boursin cheese, fresh steamed veggies, salad, mashed potatoes and a yummy apple strudel dessert. (Thanks to Nancy Macklin back in the HLAA national office for this culinary choice!)
• The entertainment was “Frank and Dean” (Sinatra and Martin). The audience sang along, danced and had a blast.  You know, they really did look and sound like Frank and Dean. The lyrics to the songs were captioned, sign language interpreted and, of course, hearing assistive technology. Thanks to Verizon for sponsoring the communication access at this event.
• Next year’s convention is in Nashville, June 18-21. Jennifer Thorpe and Debbie Devone came to the podium to welcome all and reminded us that the country music festival takes place in Nashville the week before the HLAA Convention, so bring your families and make it a vacation.

Okay, folks, I’m outa here! I’ll be flying back to the Washington, DC, area today. I will come back on soon when I get photos from last night’s banquet. Give me a few days to wrap it up. Thanks to all of you for reading and commenting.

I hope these entries whet your appetite and you’ll join us next year in Nashville. And, join HLAA and receive the Hearing Loss Magazine.

Regards from Reno,

Barbara Kelley, deputy executive director, editor of Hearing Loss Magazine.

The Hearing Loss Association of America is based in Bethesda, MD, and the nation’s leading consumer organization for people with hearing loss, their families and friends. Visit www.hearingloss.org to find out more about programs and services.

Research Symposium This Morning

9 am-Noon

Lifelong Learning for People with Hearing Loss

The 2008 Research Symposium focuses on the importance of Lifelong Learning for individuals with Hearing loss. Presenters from NITD and Pepnet are sharing the latest research and information on lifelong learning  and how people with hearing loss can access opportunities. The program is sponsored by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, RIT, and PEPNet.

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 ?

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.

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

Top, left to right, captions: Rachel Trask, HLAA staff; Ahme Stone receives the Founder Rocky Stone stamp framed.

Bottom: Colleen Reeping, HLAA staff; Brenda Battat at the annual meeting