June 2010
June 2010, the month I have been eagerly awaiting and dreading at the same time. The Annual Meeting and Voice Institute is fast approaching. Every day and night for months now have kept me on my lap top trying to ensure that the Louisville/ Clarksville convention goes off smoothly. On Thursday June 3, I took my niece, Lesley, and my mother to a beautiful winery on top of a small mountain in Wallingford Ct. We had a nice relaxing lunch and sampled some very good local wines. On Tuesday we took Lesley’s sister Cheryl to her favorite Seafood restaurant for lobster and drinks. The next day I had to take a stress test, which my legs and heart passed without much problem. On Thursday June 10 we packed the car for our road trip to Louisville.
On Friday June 11 we left New Haven CT. and made it as far as Fairmont West Virginia. On Saturday morning we left for Louisville drove 426 miles and arrived at the hotel around 5:00pm. On Sunday June 13, I made about ten trips around the hotel and only got lost about 8 times. The Place was huge and had 4 wings and 3 to 9 levels. In the afternoon we drove through Louisville and into Southern Indiana. Monday and Tuesday consisted of all day committee meetings and preparation for the main events. Wednesday began with the start of the Voice Institute program and ended with an excellent Meet and Greet poolside. The food was good, abundant, and there was an open bar for the duration hosted by Inhealth.
Thursday morning brought us to the opening ceremonies, which started with Floyd Central High School ROTC Color Guard, followed by the National Anthem sung by Aimee McGinnis and the invocation also read by Aimee from WTRC (West Texas Rehab Center). Mary Jane Renner, Susan Reeves, myself, Terrie Hall and Jeff Searl all made opening remarks. The Key Note address was presented by Dr. “Uncle” Jim Shanks. Dr. Jim gave us an over view of IAL history from 1952 to the present. It was an excellent historical presentation. Following the opening Ceremonies a Town Hall meeting was also held in the Ballroom. I gave an hour plus Power Point presentation of where we are and how we got here focusing on finance. I promised that we would put a budget on our web site and make our financial information public, and I am working on that as we speak. The rough budget is done, and now we will fine tune it and break it down into more finite detail.
Thursday Evening was the WW Reception and Banquet. Pat Sanders made it fun, informative and serious all at the same time. Herb Simon read the Laryngectomee prayer and I had the honor of ringing the bell for our recently deceased brothers and sisters. During the days the Voice Institute continued its educational programs as well as the Annual Meeting programs. On Friday from noon to 1:00pm an informal swimming demonstration took place at the indoor pool. There were the usual suspects Pat S, Elizabeth F, Bob H, Tony T, last years newbie Terrie H and a gaggle of first timers Jeff Vander Hogan, Tom Herring Belinda and others. It was the best hour of the convention for those of us in the pool. In spite of some coughing there were endless smiles, and feelings of accomplishment and pride. It was priceless. That Afternoon a bus trip to Churchill Downs home of the Kentucky Derby was enjoyed by all attendees. It was hot but exciting and fun. I got Lesley and Terrie to bet on the favorites to show. They did not make much money but were at the winning window 4 out of 5 races. It’s amazing how much fun you can have with a two dollar bet on a horse that only has to come in third to put you at the winning window. Yee haw
Saturday from 8am to noon was the Delegates meeting. I ran a Readers Digest version of the Power Point presentation and we had a friendly, mostly uneventful and constructive meeting. After the delegates meeting both programs continued until 3:pm. At 3:30 we held our raffle and pronounced the Annual Meeting closed. At 6:30 Saturday evening the IAL Banquet reception began. Dinner was buffet style and was pretty much complete by 8:00pm. At this point Tony Talmich and ELVIS (David Morin) took to the stage. Elvis sang his early songs and Tony played drums behind him. Richard Crum was looking antsy so I had them take a break and Elvis changed costumes to sing his hits from later in his career. Jeff Searl handed out some scholarships, then
Mary Jane Renner read the oath of office to the newly elected BOD and Richard Crum did a great job auctioning off donated items, considering what he had to work with. At this point Tony Talmich and ELVIS retook the stage. At most IAL Banquets (with the exception of San Mateo) the ball room usually starts emptying out by 9:30. Not this year. The event was to end at ten, but there were still people on the dance floor at 11pm. Tony and Elvis were fantastic. I never saw David Blevins, Joe Marasco or Phil Doyle move that fast or well in my life.
On Sunday we held perhaps the most productive Board meeting in years. After much discussion on many topics we agreed to make getting our finances in order, priority one. After the meeting I took Les to Huber’s farm market and winery. It is so beautiful, that I wish we all could have had the time to experience it. That night we ate at Buckhead’s on the Ohio River, good food and not at all expensive. On Monday traveling through the gorgeous mountains of West Virginia the brakes on my caddy were sorely tested. Hour after hour and mile after mile of 5 and 6 degree down hill grades had me continually pumping my brakes. I was flying down hills between tractor trailers, riding the bumpers of other cars looking for a chance to pass while pumping the shite out of my brakes. Les kept saying slow down, and I was yelling I’m trying, I’m trying. My GPS topped out at 96.2 MPH on one down hill. When we finally hit the flats I had to pry my fingers off the wheel. We stopped the night in Frostburg Maryland. Who knew Maryland was also mountainous. Tuesday night June 22 we pulled into our driveway after the 1908 mile round trip. Two days later I had all new brakes and a bill for $610. 00.
On Friday I had blood work done and my triglycerides were back over 1200, I’m told that 150 is normal. I have been on medications like Tricor for years. Other than that I seem to be pretty healthy. On Monday I took my son Adam out to dinner at a Ristorante named Goodfellas a Mafia themed restaurant, filled with customers that could be movie stand ins. They have great food and big screen TV’s playing not sports but films like Donnie Brasco, The Godfather, A Bronx Tale, and Goodfellas, Fugetaboudit. Tuesday Les and I had dinner at our friends and neighbors Walter and Karen. Walter was the grill man grilling corn on the cob (with water soaked husks to steam the corn) and Ferraro’s steaks. Karen made miniature twice baked potatoes (two delicious bites and they are gone). Then she came out with a fresh strawberry pie, with home made crust to die for. It was a great evening.
Wednesday June 30 was the last day of the month. Lesley and I try to have a Lost Cord Club picnic every summer at our home and today was the day. From noon to 3:30 we had 25 people, 12 of whom were laryngectomees. Arlene Quinlan our ACS representative and friend joined us after just starting her retirement. Frank, 2 Pauls, Larry, Nick, Brooks, Sal, Noah, Walter and Gerald all came with family members. A special Guest appearance was made by Tony and Laura Talmich all the way from Miami. The weather was perfect, the food and beverages were delicious the tide was high and the garden tour was pretty and relaxing. Now I can go back to working on the IAL 2010 Budget. Bob
