by Berl Colley
Come to the 2003 ACB convention in Pittsburgh and join us on ACB tours. We have something for everybody.
If you have an interest in our nation’s history or want to learn more about the area of Johnstown, Pa., then you will want to join us on one of our pre-convention tours. On Friday, July 4, we will ride buses eastward to Johnstown where we will experience the sights and some sounds of one of the real tragedies of the late 19th century. Over 2,200 people were killed when a dam burst and a 90-foot wave of water inundated the town. At the Johnstown Heritage Museum, where you will be able to choose to be one of eight characters as you travel through the various cultural settings of this facility, you will experience the sights, sounds and smells of the community of late 19th century Johnstown.
After lunch at the museum, we will travel back to Pittsburgh, and on the way we will be stopping at the Flight 93 memorial. This is the site where the fourth hijacked plane of Sept. 11 crashed after its passengers heroically overpowered the hijackers and prevented them from crashing United Flight 93 into another unsuspecting target. What a fitting way to spend part of Independence Day, HONORING American heroes for the freedom we all share.
If you are coming in early, but don’t want to be on a day-long trip, ACB tours has arranged to go to an early evening ball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros.
Both these tours will be completed in plenty of time for you to experience Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July fireworks.
If you don’t think you have the stamina for both these tours, and the fireworks as well, don’t worry. There will be another chance for you to attend a Pirates-Astros game on Sunday afternoon, July 6.
ACB convention attendees have always enjoyed knowing more about our convention cities. Once again, we will offer two city tours, on Saturday and Sunday mornings. These three-hour bus tours will feature a top-notch docent explaining the areas that we travel through.
Like to play the slots? Saturday afternoon, July 5, we will be wheeling it over to Wheeling Island. Those who go on this tour will be able to choose from 3,000 slot machines or choose to go to the dog races. You will be back at your hotel in time to grab something to eat before you attend the Pennsylvania party.
Want to know about the ethnic makeup of Pittsburgh? On Sunday afternoon, while some go to the Pirates game, others will want to go to the University of Pittsburgh and visit the 27 separate rooms which celebrate the 27 different communities of our host city.
Watch for future articles in “The Braille Forum” where I can discuss many other tour events which await you during convention week. Let me whet your appetite by saying that our current plans include: the Vocal Group Hall of Fame; the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center; a two-hour walking tour of downtown; a micro-brewery and city tour in a vehicle that goes on streets and water; a blind services presentation by service providers in Pittsburgh; the Carnegie Science Center; a bus trip of several steel mill sites that are now part of the city’s past; a Lewis and Clark theme cruise on all three of the city’s rivers; a trip to a French/Indian battle fort and community; and the fragrant Phipps Conservatory. Once again, Friends-in-Art is planning an evening of dining and show tunes, at a performance of My Fair Lady.
Please check the ConventionScope to read detailed descriptions of these tours, to find out whether the tours you’re interested in require a lot of walking; do or do not include food; spend the bulk of their time on the bus; and which tours include opportunities for shopping or time to go to a gift shop. The ConventionScope will outline policies that apply to each specific tour. We encourage you to read these carefully as you make your plans and decide among many tempting alternatives.
We have been busy exploring the city of Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities. There is truly something for everyone among our list of tours and attractions, so get set for an exciting time as you take advantage of the convention tours of summer 2003.