Philadelphia Lambda Club of the Deaf (PLCD) hosted GLAD-E 2006 Conference  to welcome GLAD-E Board, delegates and attendees on Thursday evening at Alexander Inn lobby. There was a bunch of people mingled and interacted to greet to each other.

GLAD-E President’s Reception was held in Philadelphia Room at William Way Community Center. There was the registration table to greet some people to get their packets. They chatted to each other. There was a refreshment table to help people to relieve their hunger and thirst.

During the Reception, the GLAD-E Board and GLAD-E 2006 Committee on their tri-cornered hats showed the “Declaration of Independence” performance. They performed introducing themselves what their positions were about.

At the end of the Reception, Lenny Stanton, the Event Co-coordinator, took people out to barhop some bars. The group went to Westbury’s, Woody’s, Tavern On Camac, 12^th Air Command and the Bike Stop. They had a great time drinking and barhopping.

On Friday morning, the delegate meeting and workshop were held at William Way Community Center. The delegate meeting was about the reports from the GLAD-E Board and Committees, old business and new business. They agreed to move the Bylaws to Saturday delegate meeting. The workshop was about Sexy Safer Sex by Mike Canfield and Janessa Carter. People enjoyed watching and learning in the workshop.

After the delegate meeting and workshop, people met together for the Ride the Duck Tour at Alexander Inn. They walked all the way to Independence Mall. They hopped into the car/boat and watched at some historical places as the driver told the stories while the interpreter signed. At the climax, the car/boat splashed into the Delaware River and rode along in the water while the driver told about NJ Aquarium, Campbell Soup factory (now condo), and RCA Factory (now condo) in Camden, NJ and Penn’s Landing. People said that they had a great time riding the Duck Tour.

On the evening of Friday, the Philly Taste Buffet was held in Philadelphia Room at William Way Community Center. On the table, there were cheese steaks, 13-foot long Italian hoagie, 13-foot long American hoagie, soft pretzels, Tasty Kakes, soda pop and water. There was another performance about Gay Dating Game. People really laughed and enjoyed watching some people asking questions to number 1, 2 and 3 and ending with some guys they chose…. either saying “aarrgh” or laughing.

People went out to some bars for the Philadelphia Night Life.

On Saturday morning, the delegate meeting and workshop were held at William Way Community Center. The delegate meeting was about Bylaws that was decided to go back to the Bylaws Committee for more time to clean up. There was an election held. The new 2006-08 officers were: David Rink, President; Dennis Hart, Vice-President, Kelly Kim, Secretary; and Ed Carrigan, Treasurer. There was no bid. The bid will be decided later within two years before the GLAD-E 2008 Conference.

The workshop was about Fetish, Fur and Feathers: Members of the Deaf Leather, Bear and Drag Share Their Experiences. Crystal Sisk, International Ms. Deaf Leather 2005 told her experience in leather and provided some information about leather. Mike Viola told his experience in bear cub and provided some information about bear. There were some people attending the workshop.

After the delegate meeting and workshop, people met together at Alexander Inn for National Constitution Center Tour. They walked all the way to the Independence Mall. They enjoyed watching some performances and video provided by the interpreter.

On the evening of Saturday, people met together at Alexander Inn and walked to the Buca de Beppo restaurant that is an Italian restaurant. They enjoyed eating the banquet dinner that they ate some different courses – salad, two pastas, two entrees, and two desserts along with cash bar.

After the banquet, they walked two blocks to William Way Community Center. The GLAD-E Pageant opened with four contestants for Mr. GLAD-E 2006-08. The judges were Dennis Hart, Mr. GLAD-E 2004-06, Crystal Sisk, International Ms. Deaf Leather 2005 and James Messineo, Mr. Philadelphia Deaf Leather 2006-07. The Master of Ceremonies was David Rink as Miss Finisha. The four contestants were Allan Arble, Mike Oswald, Robert DeMayo and AJ Tellander.

Dennis Hart, GLAD-E 2006 Conference Chair, gave the committee volunteers some certificates of appreciation. He gave Lenny Stanton the Outstanding Member Award certificate for PLCD. He also awarded Mike Oswald the Certificate of Recognition for working hard for Secretary for PLCD, and Secretary and Registration Coordinator for GLAD-E. Dennis gave William Way Community Center and the Bike Stop the Community Service Awards for allowing PLCD and GLAD-E 2006 Committee to use their rooms.

Dennis Hart was awarded the Certificate of Achievement by GLAD-E President, David Rink.

There was an oath ceremony taken place when Ricky Drake was asked to swear for the new 2006-08 officers, David Rink, Dennis Hart, Kelly Kim and Ed Carrigan.

Dennis finally stepped down his reign as Mr. GLAD-E 2004-06 as he gave his farewell speech. The announcement of a new winner of Mr. GLAD-E 2006-08 was Robert DeMayo. Miss Finisha announced that the attendees were 35.

People went out to some bars for the Philly Night Life.

On Sunday morning, the Sunday Brunch was held at Tavern On Camac bar/restaurant. People enjoyed eating their breakfast. They told the GLAD-E 2006 Committee volunteers and me that they really had a great time for the weekend. They said that they would come back again.