GPCIA News #8, May 27, 2005
The Retreat is (almost) here!
Plans are being fine-tuned for the GPCIA Cochlear Family Retreat, June 10-12 near Chatsworth, Georgia. If you have questions about the site, program, or facilities, call Richard Bowman (706-278-1472) or e-mail him at rbowman@alltel.net.
Our conference site, Cohutta Lodge & Restaurant, is atop Fort Mountain. Nights will be cool (bring a sweater) and days delightful – just the escape you need to launch the summer season.
Remember that registration opens 2 p.m. Friday, June 10, and the first educational session starts at 4:30 p.m.
The site is on Rt. 52 between Chatsworth and Ellijay; we suggest approaching from the west at Chatsworth and driving the mountain road to the Lodge in less than 15 minutes. There are scenic overlooks on Rt. 52 in case you want to stop and admire the view. From Atlanta, take I-75 to US 411, then north on Rt. 411 to Rt. 52 at Chatsworth. You’ll see the heights of Fort Mountain off on the right as you near Chatsworth.
Drive carefully; we’ll see you at Cohutta!
Challenge your ingenuity with scavenger hunt
All the family will delight in the scavenger hunt organized by Stevie Dirst. The “treasures” will be found outdoors and indoors; check at the registration desk for a collector’s sack and instructions.
Assistive Technology
Heidi Thomas, a great friend of GPCIA and a premier captioner, will handle all captioning duties in the Cherokee Room. Danny Jones will furnish FM or infrared listening systems to the nine people who have already requested assistive technology. In addition, we will have a team of ASL interpreters for three individuals who prefer sign language.
Prepare for the Portfolio
Parents and their young children who will participate in Mary Rugg’s Take A Look At Me hands-on portfolio project should bring with them photos showing children with family and friends, in school activities – anything that typifies the daily environment. This nationally-acclaimed program is a great take-home bonus from the retreat.
Meet Miss America
Cochlear Americas has dispatched a national news release about Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995, participating in the retreat and being keynote speaker. Bring your camera and take photos of your children with Heather.
Networking – the name of the game
There are many educational and social benefits to retreat participation but the key ingredient is networking. That’s when we chat informally with other implant users and implant candidates, compare strategies, and learn from one another. Exhibitors support the networking with professional advice and demonstrations.
We’ll eat more chickun’ and other vittles. . .
The Georgia Peach annual fall picnic has a new venue for 2005. Come Sept. 24, we will meet at Rock Ranch in mid-Georgia for a variety of food and recreation.
For the past three years we have enjoyed the hospitality of the Martha Berry Museum in Rome for the annual picnic site. But in our effort to expand cochlear implant advocacy to different areas of Georgia, we have selected the Rock Ranch and its multitude of opportunities for fun.
Rock Ranch? It’s in The Rock, Georgia. Where? It’s located on Rt. 36 between Thomaston and Barnesville. That’s 58 miles south of Atlanta, 38 miles northwest of Macon, or 61 miles northeast of Columbus.
Now if The Rock doesn’t have a familiar ring, Chick-fil-A should. Rock Ranch is owned by Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. It is a 750-acre working ranch for Brangus and Brangus-crossed cattle that doubles as a day park for corporate, school and church picnics. Cathy calls it “agritainment.” There’s fishing, swimming, a petting zoo, hay rides and more. Pavilions dot the picnic area. Check it out at www.therockranch.com and put September 24th on your calendar.
Georgia Peach Cochlear Implant Association
PO Box 1172, Tucker, GA 30085-1172