By Cheryl Heppner
The HLAA convention program book had a two-page spread on the 30th birthday celebration with a photo and quote from Howard E. "Rocky" Stone, the organization's founder and a short bio of Rocky as well as brief highlights of the past 6 years.
As people arrived and mingled for the 30th Birthday Celebration on June 19, 2009, photos of highlights from HLAA history were shown on the big screen. This touching, inspiring, and sometimes surprising "Thirty Years in Pictures" program was produced by Richard McCollough of American Abilities Television Network. The project was coordinated by Hollace Goodman with help from Joan Kleinrock and Ann Liming.
The host for the evening was Ray Wathen of Houston, who had some great one-liners as well as two-liners, three-liners and beyond. In addition to the finery worn by some attendees, we had some added flash provided by the many people wearing hat or guitar magnets with colored lights on their clothing. These magnets were a reward given to people who had made donations of a certain amount to support HLAA during the conference. A couple at the table next to me went beyond just dressing up their clothing and attached the magnets to what appeared to be their cochlear implant magnets. One of them had a flashing magnet on each side of the head.
Toni Acton of AT&T, the corporate sponsor of the birthday celebration, gave a brief presentation. She recognized HLAA for its major role in both national and local level advocacy and said that the organization’s issues are important to AT&T. A gift from AT&T for each attendee had been placed at our seats. I opened the box with mine, and inside I found something sleek and cylindrical. Immediately I fantasized that we were receiving miniature light sabers. They turned out to be flashlights that could be attached to a lanyard. Given the weather we'd had earlier in the week, tit was an inspired choice, though Toni said she was not worried about tornadoes after having lived previously in Texas for four years.
Our host introduced of Ahme Stone, Rocky's widow, their son Michael, daughters Jolie and Melanie and others in the family. Tables 4, 10 and 19 on the left and 3, 11 and 18 on the right were the lucky tables that given the go-ahead to hit the buffet first to fill their plates. The buffet had some more unconventional choices such as fried green tomatoes and corn fritters, both of which I can assure you were delicious. A good-looking dessert is always a pleasure but the special celebration mousse which had the HLAA name and logo imprinted was definitely a highlight.
Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award
Following dinner, Ahme Stone was escorted to the stage by Colin Cantlie of Canada, both wearing country hats similar to the one Rocky always liked to wear. They presented the 2009 Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award to Ann Liming. In accepting the award, Ann said it had special meaning to her because she knew Rocky as a mentor, role model and best friend. The foundation he laid is still there, she believes, because Rocky didn't just talk; the values he brought to HLAA were how he lived.
"Whether you knew him or not, he impacts you personally,” Ann told us. She said that the people in HLAA helped mold and make her into the person she is today and all had earned the award with her.
Past winners of this prestigious award include some greats from our Metro area: Marjorie Boone, Joan Kleinrock, George Kosovich, Paul Hopler, and George DeVilbiss.
Tributes to Rocky
Ann Liming, with the Rocky Stone Remembrance Committee, had organized a tribute to for Rocky by people who had seen him through their eyes.
Colin Cantlie, whose ancestors are Scottish, said Rocky was a very magnanimous person who also loved to tease him. When asked by Colin to sign a copy of his book "The Invisible Condition" for Colin, Rocky wrote "To Colin, what can I say? You are a wonderful example of all that is Irish." On another occasion, Rocky remarked "That's great; Irish young adults are the future of our organization."
Marcia Finisdore reminisced about how she discovered HLAA and Rocky, and one week later a huge carton from him arrived on her doorstep. Among the qualities she valued in Rocky were his love of a good argument, his love of raising a glass often, and that though he was very, very smart she was a better gin player.
Richard Twitchell, who was "not originally from Chattanooga, but got there as fast as he could" started a chapter after his wife lost her hearing and recalled how his wife came back full of ideas after attending a convention in 1978. She also came back very impressed with Rocky. Years later Richard attended a conference and was equally impressed. Rocky, he said, made friends of everyone he met.
Claude Stout recalled Rocky’s challenge to the rest of us to understand that one size doesn’t fit all people with hearing loss. He lauded Executive Director Brenda Battat’s effective leadership “a shining example” where Rocky has excelled for HLAA's survival today. He also viewed the Stone family as an example in continuing to preserve the ideals and values that Rocky Stone envisioned, and he commended Mike Stone for stepping up to serve as HLAA President.
Barbara Hunter's attempts to set up a chapter with Rocky's encouragement brought just one person to the first meeting -- her husband. After more ideas and encouragement from Rocky, she held a second meeting. Two more people showed up and the rest is history. The chapter now has been in existence for 24 years.
Patrick Holkins arrived at HLAA in the fall of 2004, at a time he hadn't yet come to terms with his hearing loss. At HLAA he found the power of community and now 35 young adults are attending an HLAA convention for the first time. "Together we'll help grow the organization but never forget the man who made it all possible," he said.
Last Words
Julie Olson, representing the Milwaukee organizers who will be hosting the HLAA convention in 2010, promised us beer, brats and cheese, possibly with a polka band thrown in. She talked about the highlights we could look forward to in near proximity to the convention site in downtown Milwaukee.
Ray Wathen closed the program, joking that it had been fun to emcee with 15 sub-wives telling him what to do.
Following the program, Bruce and Kristi Cline and the Music City Wranglers provided music and the tables emptied as people hit the floor to do some line dancing.
See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.
