Dorothy Black
Copyright 2002
Alexandria Con is over, and we who attended are trying to concentrate on getting back to our day-to-day lives while our thoughts insist on hanging on to our many conference experiences instead.
This account is being written for my family, SayWhatClub members - especially those who did not get to the conference, and myself. This was my second Con, the first being last year's Chicago event.
Last year, Elaine Procida of Connect was my roommate and this year we repeated the alliance! Elaine invited me to first visit her in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, from where we would later journey to Alexandria. And so, on Saturday July 27th hubby drove me to Ottawa and at 3:28 p.m. I flew via US Airways to Philadelphia. It was a short flight, arriving at 5:00 p.m., and when I arrived at the luggage carousel there was Elaine. She had expected my luggage to arrive at a different carrousel, however, and had a long run to the correct one but beat me anyway! Then we waited for my luggage to thump into view, and waited, and waited, and all but gave up on it when finally it came through.
Then off we drove to Cherry Hill and I got my first impressions of Philadelphia and enjoyed the various views of river and trees, which continued on through charming old Haddonsfield and shortly, to Elaine's apartment. From her 6th floor location it was a pleasant view over treetops.
The following day, Sunday, we drove to my main interest in the area, the Brandywine River Museum at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The Museum, located in a renovated 19thcentury grist mill, is beautifully located on the tree river bank and we took a few minutes to enjoy the location, right down to delighting in the fly fisherman busy in midstream. I tossed into the water a leaf for each of my family to say "wish you were here!" and then we entered to enjoy the art.
This Museum displays art mostly of the Brandywine region with a strong representation of the three painting generations of the Wyeth family. There was an obvious family influence in the art styles used by the family members - all generally used brown/grey/black extensively, for example, with surprising effectiveness.
That evening we joined with Elaine's brother Phil and sister-in-law Sandra for an enjoyable dinner "out" in celebration of Phil's shortly anticipated birthday.
So concluded a very hot but mostly overcast Sunday.
Monday took us to Philadelphia by train and by Phlash bus we did the city's scenic route past points of interest and along part of the Schuylkill River. The very hot day discouraged much walking but we went through the dramatic Kimmel Center for Interpretive Arts and spied the very top of the Liberty Bell over the heads of the folks waiting to visit it. The Center is a huge building with great arches of glass overhead, extensive spaces, four levels of paneled wood, open areas and dining areas. The two large galleries were closed but there were fine models of both, the larger one with an interior shaped like a violin.
Tuesday was another very hot and humid day. With Sandra Procida we went for a pleasant tea house lunch, saw her Mexican folk art collection, and had a drive around the luxurious area. Next, a visit to Elaine's fitness club and after dinner to a local park, site of an old farm, where one could walk around, listen to music, and observe a community vegetable garden topped by many towering sunflowers.
Wednesday came, as did more extreme heat and humidity. I am beginning to acknowledge the benefits of air conditioning!
Now - off to Alexandria! Leaving Elaine's car at the Cherry Hill station, we took the train to Philadelphia and then went by Amtrak to Alexandria. From that end it was not far by taxi to Sheraton Suites Alexandria.
The hospitality room was across the hall from ours and was a busy one that evening. We got our name tags and our bags with Con information and a fine SayWhatClub mug, and nibbled and chatted. It was great fun meeting and greeting folks met at Chicago, and others not previously met. Bob and Ling soon came in sight. Ling greeted me but Bob looked puzzled when I asked him who I was. "Bonnie!" he exclaimed, as Alan and Jane Sprague looked on in amusement!
Thursday morning, Cheryl Heppner, who wears many hats, gave the Opening Remarks and after a break for bagels and coffee, our first workshop was "Coping Strategies" by Dr. Janet Pray. It was excellent. Dr. Pray is a Professor of Social Work and Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning at the Office of the President at Gallaudet University and she too wears many hats.
Lunch was a personal event in that I met a cousin and her husband, now in their eighties, whom I had never met before. I had always been aware, however, that they led very interesting lives. Herb had been in the U.S. Diplomatic Service and Helen had a demanding role to play as well as being involved with Sister Teresa for several years, writing booklets, and other activities. They had lived in India, Australia and other exotic countries.
Thursday evening was the Ice Cream Social, held in the Hospitality Suite. This gave everyone a chance to visit at length and enjoy the treats.
The first workshop on Friday was "Sex and Hearing Loss". This was well presented by Dave Crocker, a young father involved with SHHH and HOH and Deaf communities, and it focused on communication dynamics between people who are dating, in love, or married. Dave immediately announced that there would be no bedroom scenes and I was impressed that the subject was treated by all with good humour and good taste, proving that this can be done. Neil and Diane Bauman, who met and married on SWC, volunteered to do a couple of romantic skits which they pulled off so well that Diane even produced an obvious blush for each! This workshop produced many a laugh and helpful hints as people recounted various experiences.
After a break came the Family and Relationships Panel, involving four young adults, children of SWC members. Moderated by our own Jane Schlau, this panel was a fine addition to the Conference. Jane's daughter, Heather, Susan Dohne's two daughters, Jen and Mindy, and Cathy Hilden's son, Jon, impressed me by their sensitivity, thoughtfulness, respect and love concerning their parents with hearing loss. They shared their feelings, their strategies, their concerns. They even shared their secrets - Mom didn't know everything that went on in their lives all of the time! Until now!
Friday evening we had our banquet. The speaker was Dr. Sam Trychin. A psychologist, Dr. Trychin works with the hearing impaired in many capacities and is Director of Training at the Mental Health Research and Training Center for Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened Adults, California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego.
On to Saturday, and a helpful workshop on Speech Reading by Dr. Scott J. Bally, an
Associate Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech at Gallaudet University. Finally, there were Cochlear Implant workshops presented by Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas and Med-El.
Suddenly we were aware that the Conference was all but finished. Already? It seemed to have just started!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons were available for sightseeing as we wished. The heat made it difficult to sightsee but many did so. I was pleased to get to the Torpedo Gallery in Old Alexandria on Saturday. This is a large building where torpedoes were once manufactured and it now houses a large number of artists whose studios are open to the public. Nearby, our group of seven had a fine and leisurely lunch in a pleasant waterside restaurant. The last bit of the afternoon was spent watching the passing scene as we waited for a bus that would not come! The area is attractive and the brick building materials so extensively used here make for handsome buildings, set off by abundant trees. Saturday evening many of the members visited around and also enjoyed Karaoke.
Sunday morning started off with a breakfast buffet. Then we listened to an interesting history of the SaywhatClub given by Alan Sprague, one of the founders. That was followed by a few words from our Bob Elkins, with comments about his recent adventures including a visit to the Grand Canyon. Arthur Veen had been accompanying Bob and Ling, and the consequent repartee gave us more laughter. Bob: I waited for Arthur for five hours!" Arthur: "That was three and a half hours!"
Suddenly, people started heading for the door and to the hotel foyer. There was a last-minute group photograph (following one at night on a previous day) and then we all hugged and promised and waved and dropped a tear or two as we heaved our luggage into bus and taxi and - disappeared.
Alexandria Con was over.
Elaine and I taxied to the Amtrack station and in due course were headed for Cherry Hill - on a full train. Elaine's car, contrary to her expectations, awaited us
The next day, Elaine drove me back to the Philadelphia airport for my 1:35 p.m. flight (a bit delayed) to Ottawa and a waiting husband. It seems I was missed!
BACK to Table of Contents