A view of San Diego from Coronado
Mary Alice Gettings, Amy Virus and Jan Little at a restaurant in Coronado.
Why did you attend?
Mary Alice Gettings - I am a secretary for a DPG and this is the year they sent the secretary.
Jan Little – It was required for state President-elect. I wanted to learn how to motivate PADA members to get involved and take responsibility for moving our agenda ahead. I was happy Amy Virus, incoming President-elect, attended, too
Amy Virus- Each state is permitted to send a representative in addition to the President-elect. The Board of Directors invited me to attend this year. I was honored to be selected and I appreciated the oppertunity to learn.
Deanna Segrave-Daly - As future Chair-Elect of Food & Culinary Professionals DPG, I attended with the future Chair. Also thought I learn information that I could apply to my position at Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and career.
From Suzanne Bertocchi - I attended the recent Leadership Institute on behalf of my practice group, Dietetic Technicians in Practice.
Pat Harper discusses issues with the President-elect of the Florida Dietetic Association. The FDA recently donated their diet manual to a dietitian from Louisiana for whom PADA was encouraging ADA members to help replace materials.
Did you gain new and valuable information?
Mary Alice Gettings - Absolutely
Deanna Segrave-Daly – Absolutely!
Amy Virus- It was great, lots of information was shared.
Jan Little - Yes, the ideas for motivating members to join and lead our strategic plan.
Suzanne Bertocchi - Although the meetings encompassed the majority of the days, they were informative, and gave new insight into how to be a better leader. Mark Levin was wonderful as well as Jim Sorenson, whose topic was "Fierce Leadership". Skills learned here will help me to recruit qualified volunteers, set goals, and run better meetings among other things.
Susan Yakes from Washington State and ADA President Rebecca Reeves meet in the lobby of the Loewes Hotel, waiting for the bus to the airport.
Have you applied the content to advance your skills?
Mary Alice Gettings - Yes
Deanna Segrave-Daly – Working on “having the conversation” to develop the relationship with both Co-workers and family. Working on listening skills. Will apply many of the “gift of leadership” gems while recruiting new members (ie. Knowing the difference in generations, asking the right questions to get people involved, “paying” volunteers, etc.
Amy Virus- I bought the book "Fierce Conversations" by Sysan Scott to continue my learning.
Jan Little – Understanding the difference between the generations was valuable. I have already contacted members through the list serve and just emailing individuals asking them to be involved. I met students at our Dietetics Day at the Capitol and three were receptive to writing about how they became dietetics students for our website. It’s true; “Millenials” do seem to be “respectful!” I won’t mention the other generations, LOL.
Many of the sessions involved group projects later presented by a spokesperson appointed by the group.
Which speakers would you recommend for future ADA Leadership Training?
Mary Alice Gettings - Jim Sorenson, Mark Levin, Cynthia D'Amour
Deanna Segrave-Daly – Jim (of Fierce, Inc.) and Mark Levine were hands-down the best speakers. They were able to bring their theories down to practical levels with humor, examples and inspiriting messages.
Amy Virus- Jim Sorenson made an impression with his practical examples and relaxed presentation style.
Jan Little – Jim Sorenson, Mark Levin, Cynthia D'Amour. Many people found Gary Shepard appreciative conversations to be a bit esoteric, but I’ve used his ideas since! Nothing like good dialogue. Cindy taught me that I have to watch how I present issues we on the board of directors have dealt with for years to someone new to these issues.
Dynamic leaders led the sessions.
What have you implemented since returning that you learned at the Conference?
Mary Alice Gettings - Conference Call Management and having a difficult
conversation with a boss who is causing poor morale in the office.
Amy Virus- I am on many conference calls for work- I'm trying to better manage the conversations by allowing people to be "heard" without monopolizing the conversations.
Jan Little – I always knew to just telephone and email people directly to get things done. I actually appointed three people to my bod I never spoke to or met before, but, if anyone replies immediately to my emails and uses polite salutations, they’re in! Many people found Gary Shepard appreciative conversations to be a bit esoteric, but I’ve used them since. Nothing like good dialogue. Cindy taught me that I have to watch how I present issues the board of directors have dealt with for years to someone new to these issues. Soon, I will implement the ideas for leading a board meeting.
We met Bob Maloof of Michigan at FNCE through Mary Alice Gettings, a member of the DPG, Nutrition in Complementary Care. Bob is a sole practitioner and specializes in sports nutrition.
Did you meet new people?
Mary Alice Gettings - YES Providing us with numbers that required us to sit with different people at different events and meals. Very good idea.
Deanna Segrave-Daly – Yes – this was one of the extra benefits of attending. As we were assigned new tables for each meal, we were able to meet so many more attendees than if just left up to a networking reception – it was so wonderful meeting colleagues from across the country and learning from their experiences.
Amy Virus- Everyone was in a similar situation so people were very approachable and willing to get to know each other.
Jan Little – I met Aiysha Johnson from the ADA office. She and I have communicated since about diversity issues.
Suzanne Bertocchi - A big part of attending meetings like this is the networking - I know this word is a cliché, but networking opens the doors to opportunities. Finally, more members should apply to attend the Leadership Institute- the association does a good job of bringing excellent
speakers who can help to further your career goals and develop improved leadership skills that will help you in all areas of your life.
The schedule was designed for each attendee to meet as many different attendees as possible. We were given a unique table number for each session, even the dinner. However, some people began to stand out. Florida Dietetic Association Member at Large, Mary Herrstrom and
President-elect Molly Gladding attended many sessions with me.
Suzanne Yake of Washington has received an ADA Legislation award
Susan Yake met Rebecca S. Reeves, ADA President in the lobby. At the dinner, Rebecca requested songs by the Beach Boys
Lush landscaping was the hallmark of this hotel
One reason the hotel was so sprawling was to give every room a courtyard. . .
. . .and view of the bay.
The other side of the hotel had a view of a small harbor. If you walked out of the front door and across the drive, you had a great view of these boats.
How did you like the hotel?
Mary Alice Gettings - Very nice, would have been nice to have
been more in the town of Coronado so we could walk to restaurants and
shops when there was free time. Excellent service and food.
Deanna Segrave-Daly – The hotel was beautiful – wonderful facilities and meals. The only downside (very small!) was it was removed from the rest of the city.
Suzanne Bertocchi - The hotel in Coronado was beautiful, with wonderful heated pools and hot tubs scattered throughout.
Jan Little –I enjoyed it but when I became President-elect, I was looking forward to flying to Chicago (one of my favorite cities) for training in the ADA office with those from other states. Instead, a conference call and the Leadership Institute now take the place of this. Wouldn’t it be less expensive to fly (if necessary) 51 people to Chicago in the spring, stay at the Hilton in the middle of the airport, and train with other state presidents and fly back the next day? The money saved could be shifted to training for the different state board positions, particularly the Media Relations, Public Relations, Career Guidance and Diversity Task Force Chairs. I think more members would run for state positions if training in Chicago were offered. It would be a lot easier to be state president if these board positions were trained that well. Maybe more members would run for state president. Also, the many ADA personnel and Illinois members that attended, 32 total, 10% of the attendees, would not have to incur airline travel and hotel expenses. Offering a field trip to the ADA office in the Loop would be meaningful, not to mention Second City sights and shopping on Michigan Avenue. There’s a train from the airport to downtown Chicago, so we wouldn’t have to rent and park cars and spend money on cabs.
The Loews Coronado Bay Resort was several miles south of the town of Coronado on Coronado Island. You can see that Coronado was an attractive, clean town.
Were you able to see sights outside of the hotel, San Diego, the Zoo, Coronado, Hotel del Coronado, and the beach?
Mary Alice Gettings - Yes, stayed three extra days.
Deanna Segrave-Daly – No, did not have time.
The Horton Plaza is a big shopping mall located in downtown San Diego, at the end of the city bus line.
Jan Little – I didn’t go to the zoo even though I love animals. I stayed after the end for the Strategic Planning session. Them, Amy and I went to the pool and the salon. But, the morning of the evening kick-off, the incoming President-elect and I took a bus into center-city San Diego and did some shopping Horton Plaza. Later, we got off at the Hotel Coronado. This hotel meant a lot to me as two wonderful films, were filmed there.
The Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, CA is famous for being magnificent and the filming location of six motion pictures. There is more about this amazing hotel at the end of the article.
Amy Virus waits for city bus with Jan Little. They took the bus twice, once to go into San Diego and later, to go to Coronado to go souvenir shopping.
Were you able to get physical exercise?
Mary Alice Gettings - A little bit. What type? Walked in the beach
Deanna Segrave-Daly – Took advantage of down time by running along the road – great views!
Jan Little – Amy hit the gym every day at 6 am. I didn’t. But, we walked to and from the city bus stop, as well as around San Diego and also Coronado. Plus,the hotel was pretty spread out. We usually took the stairs.
Amy Virus- I took advantage of California weather in February and swam laps in the pool as well as utilized the gym.
The spacious lobby was beautiful. The logo projected on the ceiling was for the next conference. The projector’s lens cap was hot and heavy and as Jan Little discovered when she tried to pick it up. It almost missed hitting Jan when it fell off the projector positioned on the second level onto the floor of the lobby.
Did you go to the Salon at the hotel?
Mary Alice Gettings - NO
Deanna Segrave-Daly – No, unfortunately.
Jan Little – Not for beauty; I went to my local salon to get ready for the trip. But, I did use the sauna.
Amy Virus- Yes! I treated myself to a massage. It was great!
This singer/guitarist/comedian had a phenomenal songbook to lampoon. His favorite group was The Traveling Wilburys, as each of the five members, George Harrison, Jeffrey Lynn, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison has a distinctive vocal and performing style, making him easy and fun to mimic. I think the Quiet Beatle would take it well.
How was the entertainment at the final dinner?
Mary Alice Gettings - Very good. Enjoyed it much.
Deanna Segrave-Daly – OK – not really my cup of tea but others definitely enjoyed it.
Amy Virus- It was fun. I didn't know all of the songs but he was really entertaining.
Jan Little – A comical musical performance! The performer, an excellent guitarist and singer, basically deconstructed top hits (by men) from Herb Alpert’s “Lonely Bull” from Whipped Cream and Other Delights to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” from Eight Mile and it was a stitch. Country music was a target, naturally. R & B standards were totally overlooked – Prince and Michael Jackson do not count! I think the performer was as diverse as he could be while lampooning an incredible number of recognizable hits from the past 40 years.
This was the salad at the final dinner.
The chefs get a well-deserved round of applause after three days of top-notch food.
The sponsors were Silk Tofu, Kelloggs and 3-A-Day Dairy. Silk Tofu sponsored this lunch of tofu products served outdoors on the bayside terrace.
How was the food?
Mary Alice Gettings - Excellent, even the box lunches were good.
Deanna Segrave-Daly – Very good – something that I always take note of!
Amy Virus- Great! I enjoyed the Fresh Fruits and Veggies.
Jan Little – Excellent with lots of fruits and vegetables; we practiced what we preach. I loved the breakfasts.
There was plenty of room for breaks for a crowd of people, which, at 300 attendees, we were
Cindy Gay, RD, LD represented WVDA at the Institute in the role of Secretary.
In the work place, at West Virginia Univeristy Hospitals, she is the Retail Manager of a cafeteria that offers numerous healthy food choices. "My vision is to entice people to make healthy choices."
How was the weather?
Mary Alice Gettings - Cold for San Diego.
Amy Virus- It was a little chilly but the blue skies, green grass and blooming flowers made me feel like it was spring.
Jan Little – Cold, many days. Two food-related events were held outdoors and sometimes the heat lamps were not enough. I concentrated on how beautiful it was. My black felt hat absorbed the heat!
Suzanne Bertocchi, Jan Little and Amy Virus say goodbye at the end of the Leadership Institute.
We saw these beautiful flowers everywhere; these were right next to the pool at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort.
These flowers were everywhere, too. These were right next to the Hotel del Coronado.
Jan Little’s Favorite Side Trip: The Hotel del Coronado
This was the beach as seen from the Terrace at the Hotel del Coronado.
Here, in 1959, Marilyn Monroe made what many consider to be her best motion picture, Some Like It Hot, with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. When two Musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band, headlined by Marilyn Monroe. Even though the two are disguised as women, further complications set in. Gangster and film noir fans will recognize other cast members such as George Raft and Mike Mazurki. Director Billy Wilder chose this location because the hotel, built in 1888, was a little down on its luck, therefore cheap. Since then, the hotel has been renovated and was bustling with activity the day Amy and Jan visited it. In the film, Tony Curtis climbed up this side of the hotel to get into his room. Why? You have to see the film.
Jack Lemmon and Joe E. Lewis had a scene in front of this Dragon Tree. Why? You have to see the film.
S’true!
The Hotel del Coronado also provided the setting for a surreal film, The Stunt Man, with Peter O’Toole, Steven Railsback and Barbara Hershey, that was released in 1980. It was a fanciful film set in modern times about the making of an anti-war film set in WWI Europe. A fugitive stumbles on a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out, and falls for the leading lady. (This plot has some details in common with that of Some Like It Hot.) The film showed the crew staying at the Hotel and a few scenes of their “movie” were shot there and three other locations.
Here is a list of all movies filmed at this location. Have you seen any of them?
1. Ghosts of California (2003)
2. K-9 (1989)
3. Married Virgin, The (1918)
...aka Frivolous Wives (1918)
4. My Blue Heaven (1990)
5. Some Like It Hot (1959)
6. Stunt Man, The (1980)
(www.imdb.com)
This was Amy Virus’s destination at the Hotel del Coronado as the Moo Time Creamery was highlighted in a program on the Food Channel.
When you see Some Like It Hot and The Stunt Man, you can’t imagine it is close to a downtown area, but it is. This is the view of the hotel from the bus stop.
|
