NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #18/NN_1992_18.iso/spool/misc/handicap/5914

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From: [e-mail] (Karen Keil)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: SHHH report 9 of 13
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Date: 12 Aug 92 21:33:26 GMT
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Index Number: 23915

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Part 9 of the SHHH convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

June 28, 1992 (cont.)

Iowa Hawkeye Picnic at Usher's Ferry Pioneer Village...

" A collection of 25 restored buildings recreate a turn of the
century small Iowa town.  Buildings are furnished much as they
might have been when occupied by area residents.  The historic
Usher home, a train depot, a doctor's office and a working
blacksmith shop are among the highlights.  Usher's Ferry is
located in Seminole Valley Park in northeast Cedar Rapids.  SHHH
members will enjoy a special Heartland Picnic featuring
spectacular midwestern cuisine. hayrides and fun for all..."

There was a schoolhouse, a courthouse and town hall, a church, a
dentist's office, a lawyer's office and even a saloon complete
with bar.

When I headed toward the hotel with Julia, there were three tour
buses waiting.  When I got back, there was only one bus left,
full of people with the door closed, the motor running, looking
like it was ready to leave.  I thought I was going to
miss the picnic and so I banged on the door and it opened.  Just
then, George Khal, the chair of the convention, came running up
and told me that there were more buses coming--there were not
enough buses for everyone so some buses were coming back to pick
up the rest.  I felt a bit foolish!

While waiting for the buses, I talked to many conventioners who
all raved about the Denver convention.  I had to be honest and
said that I didn't get involved with SHHH on a local level until
after the convention was over so I had no part in it.  They all
said the Colorado members did a great job, Ann Pruitt in
particular.

This happened all through the convention...once people saw my
name badge with the location, Denver, CO, on it, they would talk
about the convention, the tours and all the activities.
Everything they said about it was positive.

They said having everyone booked in the same hotel made it more
friendlier with more camaraderie. They loved the tours that were
put together, for instance, the double decker bus to Boulder.
One said the view of the mountains from the hotel room set the
atmosphere for the convention--excitement, interesting locale,
etc.

One lady told me that her old college roomate was living in
Denver so she had the pleasure of see her old friend at the same
time.  One person told me she got sick during the convention (!!)
and had to spend some time in the hospital.  Another person said
the high altitude took a little while to get used to.

A couple from New York State (I think), consisting of a retired
Presbyterian minister and his wife, told me about their tour to
the Field of Dreams, a tour that I had cancelled.  They said the
field used in the movie was everything it was cracked up to
be---just like the movie, with the cornfields in the background.

Now for the village--

It was quiet and peaceful in the village in the early evening
sun.  Seeing all the old furniture and the things in the kitchens
made one think about the times back then--no air conditioning, no
conveniences, no quick dinners---just a lot of work.  Many of the
houses had bedrooms in the attics and they were uncomfortable
warm--just try to sleep there on such a hot summer evening!  Not
to mention tending a very hot stove!

Some of the SHHH staff members toured the village together, even
trying on some fashionable ladies hats in one of the homes.  I
took a photo of them chatting among themselves wearing those hats
on the porch of the house!  Some of them were staffers on the
SHHH Journal.

The dentist's chair looked 'painful'.  It made one think about
teeth problems they had then!   The chair itself looked too much
like an electrocution chair, complete with straps.

The church had a huge pulpit Bible on the podium.  A bug was
squashed between two of the pages.  It was quite informative to
see what was printed in an 1876 edition.  It had all kinds of
study helps in the front and in the back of it and was printed on
heavy paper, complete with 'woodcut-style' pictures.

The school house came complete with a 'dunce' hat and stool in
the corner!

There were other things too numerous to mention.

The picnic was served in a tent with a large gazebo nearby.  A
long line formed to get their plates full of barbecued beef,
fried chicken, corn on the cob, fruit salad, etc.  I spent my
time touring the village and then waited in line near the end
when most of the people had been served.

I sat at a picnic table talking to a young woman, Joyce Scott,
who I later found out was a presenter for one of the sessions, "I
Don't Believe My Hearing Aids!  Using Humor to Cope with Hearing
Loss."  I had trouble understanding people this evening (probably
due to being quite tired) and the discussion at the table was no
exception.

Rocky Stone and his family sat at the next picnic table.  Some of
his grandchildren were with him.

Thus wound up Sunday.

To be Continued.....
--
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