2007 VAD Conference Photos

2007 VAD Conference
Williamsburg, Virginia
July 19-22, 2007

President's Reception | Jamestown Settlement | Membership Meeting | Awards Luncheon | Miss Deaf Virginia Pageant

Miss Deaf Virginia Kathryn McGhee shows her famous smile that warms your heart.

This certificate proclaims Michael B. Marzolf as the Master Story Teller.

"A line of elephants were crossing a river . . . "
Mike repeats his story after the contest about an experience during an African river cruise.

Mike Marzolf "bested" eight other storytellers to become the Master Story Teller.

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Jamestown Settlement

We took a tour of the Jamestown Settlement. The Visitor's Center was a beautiful building.

Cat Clough interprets as Tour Guide Bill Byrant talks about the history of Jamestown.

Tour Guide Bill Byrant explains what it was like back in 1600's.

The brick tower in the background was erected in 1957 to commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement.
Will there be another tower for the 400th Anniversary?

Walking past the beautiful Visitor's Center to the Jamestown settlement.

Tour Guide Bill Byrant talks about the sea voyage of the three ships, Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery,
which took four and half months to sail from London to Jamestown. Today you could fly from London to Jamestown in a day.

The three ships left London on December 20, 1606.

The three ships made several stops on the way including these islands.

The three ships arrived at Virginia on April 26, 1607, and at Jamestown on May 13, 1607.

We saw some Indian huts.

This is the hut of the tribe chief. President Rachel Bavister seems to think the hut is hers.

Gary Viall and Rachel Bavister discuss a historical question.

The Jamestown Settlement is a living history. You get to see what it was like in 1607.

Susan Constant, the largest of the three replica ships, is a 120-ton ship.

The replica ship in center is Godspeed (40 tons), and the replica ship on right is Discovery (20 tons).
These two ships were ideal for exploring coastal rivers that might not be deep enough for Susan Constant.

Wouldn't you like to sleep in this berth on a four-month transatlantic cruise?

Jeanne Lavelle would take this berth anytime.

The wooden stockade of Fort Jamestown. Those two square holes are rifle ports.

A replica of a church building. The whole building is held together by wooden dowel pins instead of nails.

Discussing what life would have been like back in 1607.

The church building had a thatch roof.

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Membership Meeting

Gary Viall gives a report on behalf of the resolution committee while President Rachel Bavister "listens." The two ladies in front are interpreting for a near-sighted member.

Jill Moebus gives a report on the activities of the T-Shirt Committee.

Fred Yates talks about the 1907 Jamestown Exposition which commemorated the 300th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.
Fred also talked about the 1907 NAD Conference that was hosted by VAD at Norfolk. The 367-acre site of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition was part of the
474-acre tract that was purchased by the US Government for a naval base. The naval base eventually became the world's largest naval base with over 4,000 acres.

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Awards Luncheon

Michael Marzolf presents NAD's Golden Hand Award to Debbie Harris.

Michael Marzolf presents NAD's Golden Hand Award to Bennie Lacks.

Michael Marzolf presents NAD's Golden Hand Award to Sally Thompson.

Michael Marzolf presents VAD's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, to Jill Moebus.

Steve Williams (left) administers the oath to the elected Officers.

New Officers for 2007-09
President Rachel Bavister, Vice President LaDonna Larsen, and Treasurer Tim Lavelle. Secretary Nancy Rarus was not present.

2007 VAD Conference Committee
From left: Ben Harucki, Chair; Gina Harucki; Brenda Carper, Bennie Lacks; Rusty Thompson; Mary King; Sally Thompson; and Gertrude "Geri" Falato.