by Berl Colley
A month has passed since the 2004 ACB convention in Birmingham ended, and we blasted away from the Space and Rocket Center to Ivy Green and the wonderful outdoor pageant about Helen Keller. Since, with Nextel’s assistance, we rode around the NASCAR oval at Talladega. Since Linda Fryer, an excellent city tour docent, informed us about the city of Birmingham and some folks went over to Birmingham Southern’s Environmental Center and flushed themselves down a simulated toilet. Since lots of ACB convention folks visited the Heart of Dixie railroad museum, or went on the Southern Belle historical tour. Since visiting the Jazz Hall of Fame, the Botanical Gardens, or experiencing some of the settings from the United States Revolutionary War. Since experiencing the emotional visits through some very thought-provoking civil rights settings with a docent who lived through it, visiting the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. And since we finished the week yucking it up at the Stardom Comedy Club. The good memories prompted me to express my appreciation to all ACB members and friends who went to Alabama’s largest city and, especially, those of you who went on one or more convention tours.
After Pittsburgh and getting to work with Jay, Gene, Marie and others from Pennsylvania, I didn’t think I could get a better working relationship while setting up tours. I can now say that this year’s experience was as good, if not better than last year. David and Rhonda Trott were so helpful that I probably took more advantage of their offers than I should. Joan Ridgeway was a great help as we traveled around Alabama, investigating various tour possibilities. Ron Eller was also helpful during his visits.
The AIDB was very helpful in providing transportation and opening up its facilities, and the school for the blind, for us. Thank you to Gail, Cathy and Horris for taking time out of your busy schedules to show me your great state.
It is great when you can do something that is fun and make good friends in the process. How good? Well, Rhonda Trott has agreed to be my assistant tour coordinator in 2005. Let’s see if she is still a friend after Las Vegas.
Speaking of Las Vegas, last weekend, Cynthia Towers and I made our first visit to Sin City to work on next year’s convention. We had the opportunity to meet with members of the Nevada affiliate and I am here to tell you they have some great and exotic ideas that I will be looking at for tours.
What might they be? All I can say, since we are talking about Las Vegas, is to be sure and read upcoming issues of the Forum, where I will be revealing the exotic details. Oh, and be sure to call the Riviera Hotel soon to reserve your room. The convention in 2005 is going to be a big one.