The Gateway Gazette Volume 2, No. 6
The Gateway Gazette Volume 2, No. 6 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
This is the last issue of "The Gateway Gazette." Many thanks to everyone who helped staff the room, burst, collate and staple braille papers, deliver the newspapers, and make occasional deliveries to the information desk and other places. Thank you to: Deb Cook Lewis, Zelda Gebhard, Katie Frederick, Ron Brooks, Frank Welte, Judy Dixon, Tyson Ernst, Ralph Smitherman, Margarine Beaman, RaLynn McGuire, Marilyn Murata, Gregg Wandsneider, Ricardo Salazar, Matthew Potter, Zach McLean, Jim Kral, Lou Ann Williams, Claire Schultz, Nicholas Frazier, Ren Lovegood, John Mobley IV, James Burgess, EmmaGrace Olech, Oli Collazo (who did one night's newspaper deliveries single-handedly), Philip So, Nancy Becker, Patty Slaby, Tim and Maria Stone (for the delivery of goodies that kept the workers going), and everyone who came in and helped with everything that goes into getting everyone their convention newspapers. Thanks to Cecily Laney Nipper for faithfully sending all the additions for the delivery list. We look forward to seeing everyone in Jacksonville next year.
Announcements
Banquet Table Reservations
Are you planning to reserve a banquet table for your affiliate or group of friends? Have you reserved a table, and submitted less than 8 names to Cecily at the Information Desk? If so, be sure to turn in the rest of the names by noon today, or other people will be seated at your table.
What? Somebody forgot to get a banquet ticket? Get to registration, quick! Registration is open today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and tomorrow from 8 a.m. until noon.
Help Us Share the ACB 2026 Experience!
Attending the ACB Conference and Convention? We'd love your help capturing the excitement, whether you're participating in an ACB tour, attending a special event, or connecting with friends, snap a photo or record a short video.
When posting on social media, use #ACB2026 and #ACB65Years, and be sure to tag @ACBNational so we can follow and share your posts. If it's easier to have us share them for you, send photos and video shorts to [email protected] for possible use in convention coverage, social media, and future ACB publications.
Help us celebrate 65 years of ACB by sharing the moments, memories, and connections that make our convention special!
Visit the MMS Booth!
Stop by the MMS booth in the exhibit hall and speak to Caitlin or one of our committee members. Sign up or increase your donation by the end of convention and be eligible for a prize.
Attending on Zoom? Call 1-888-999-3190 or email [email protected]. Leave us your contact information, whether you're signing up or increasing your donation, how much you're giving, and how you want your money to be distributed. We'll get back to you.
The Winners of the Get Up and Get Moving Contest Are …
During our Leadership Conference the Get Up and Get Moving Committee (GUGM) announced a contest -- we asked people to write about their journey to get to St. Louis. We judged all contest entries by evaluating three criteria:
• Consistency: Walking every day or nearly every day. • Creative storytelling: Bring your journey to life by describing the "landmarks" you'd encounter on your imaginary walk to St. Louis. • Distance walked: Please include the distance you walked in your submission.
We very much enjoyed the stories that all of you submitted, and appreciate the time you took to write them and share them with our committee. We have chosen one in-person winner and one virtual winner. The winners will receive Visa gift cards.
Our in-person winner is Anthony Akamine.
Our virtual winner is Danette Dixon.
Thank you all for your participation in this challenge. We hope you enjoy the rest of the convention.
Updates
Today
In conjunction with a league-wide policy established by Major League Baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals reserve the right to inspect all items entering Busch Stadium. Guests may bring in items such as: bags, purses and soft-sided coolers not exceeding 10" x 8" x 10"; food, non-alcoholic beverages in factory-sealed plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters; empty cups, mugs, tumblers or plastic bottles.
Prohibited items include but are not limited to the following items: • Alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beer • Aluminum containers • Glass bottles/items • Metal cans • Thermoses • Bags larger than 10" x 8" x 10"
Guests are encouraged to limit bags for stadium entry. Exceptions will be made for medical bags and diaper bags with a child. All bags will be inspected upon entry.
Additions
Today, Friends of Bill W will meet in Sterling 5.
Sponsors
Diamond
Waymo
Waymo is a fully autonomous driving technology company with a mission to save lives, improve independence, and create new mobility options.
Accessibility has been fundamental to Waymo's mission since day one, knowing current transportation options weren't designed with everyone's needs in mind. With input and guidance from the American Council of the Blind through the Waymo Accessibility Network, Waymo is dedicated to building a future of safer, more accessible transportation. Learn more at Waymo.com
Newspaper Sponsors
Many thanks to the American Printing House for the Blind for its generous donation of braille paper to produce the convention newspaper. And big thanks to HumanWare for its generous donation of the use of three Juliet 120 braille embossers to produce the newspaper. Visit their booths in the exhibit hall and give them a hearty ACB "thank you!"
Individual Sponsors
Bronze
Kathy Arnold Glenda Blanchard Liz Bottner Ann Brash Deb Brummer Sandra Burgess Toni Burrell Ann Byington Michael Byington Sarah Calhoun Leola Campbell Allen Casey Kathy Casey Anthony Chase Wilma Chestnut-House Marla Chorney Teresa Christian Donna Clarke Pam Coffey Belinda Collins Andrea Conner Anisio Correia Natalie Couch David Cox Patti Cox William Deatherage Michelle Denzer Rita Dilek Danette Dixon Nancy Drawe Becky Dunkerson Toni Eames Kathy Farina Joyce Feinberg David Flament Patty Fletcher Carol Francisco Kathleen Gerhardt Joe Green Constance Griesmer Mary Ann Grignon Doug Hansard Carla Hayes Terri-Lynn Higashi Akamine Bruce Hildebrand Linda Holladay Pamela Holloway Suzanne Howell Samantha Hubbard Karen Hughes Vicki Ireland Kelly James Erin Jarrell Cassandra Jessie Karen Johnson Pamela Johnson Stephanie Jones Jennifer Kasl Barbara Kean Nichole Keck Deborah Kendrick Sarita Kimble Colleen Kitagawa Lynne Koral Jo Ann Kucic Cindy Labon Kevin LaRose Kati Lear Paul Lewis Pamela Loch Cathy Long Celeste Lopes Raymond Marcus Nancy Matulis Elizabeth McClellan Rhonda Mencey Maureen Moscato Marcia Moses Marilyn Murata Cecily Nipper Destene Noller DeAnna Noriega Michael O'Brien Mary Otten Roger Petersen Mary Piccerello Linda Porelle Doug Puetz Bruce Radtke Mary Riley Bonnie Robertson Stephen Robertson Myra Ross Debbie Rozear Sandra Ruconich Michael Russell Diane Scalzi Audrey Schading Janine Schlimgen Delaney Schroeder Matthew Selm Kenneth Semien Sr. Norma Service Koni Sims Melanie Sinohui Alison Smitherman Michael Smitherman Elizabeth Soenen Janice Squires Richard Swan Ellen Telker Andrea Thom Leslie Thom Charley Tipps Ruth Tipps Thomas Tobin Caroline Toews Holly Turri Vicki Vogt Myrna Votta Gregg Wandsneider Colleen Warner Jad Wauthier Andre Webb Mark Webb Frank Welte Robert White David Wilde Lou Ann Williams Janet Wright Linda Yacks
Advertisements
Come Visit IVIE at the Expo!
This afternoon from 12:15-2:30, visit the IVIE Business Expo in Mills 7. You'll get to visit with IVIE members sharing products and services: EZ2See large print calendars, ILA products like recorders, braille/print greeting cards and playing cards, gifts (such as mugs), gift bags, and more. There is no cost to check out the expo, but if you'd like to have a booth, call (818) 209-8684.
ACB Membership Committee Seminar
Come to the ACB Membership Committee's seminar on Wednesday, July 29, 3 p.m. in Regency B. Learn about what outreach mechanisms work for growth, what activities may encourage participation, and much more.
3 p.m.: Welcome: Theme: "What outreach mechanisms work for growth" 3:10 p.m.: Panel 1: "What interactive activities and awards might encourage more participation." Panelists: Becky Dunkerson; Sheila Young; David Kingsbury; Ardis Bazyn 3:30 p.m. Questions. 3:40 p.m.: Panel 2: "What website links or call to action items would draw people to respond." Panelists: Steve Longmire; Sheila Young; Jeremy Johansen 4 p.m.: Questions 4:10 p.m.: Wrap-up
Last Chance to Get Your Convention Discount
It's the last day of the Exhibit Hall ending at 1:00. EZ2See Products will close up even earlier so Edward can display at the IVIE Expo running from 12:15 to 2:30. Today's your last chance to see and get your Convention discounted priced products or flyer with a discount code to use later.
Have you asked Edward about the EZ2See (R) no-risk fundraiser program?
Find EZ2SeeProducts on Amazon. Call the office at (800) 234-8291 or visit EZ2SeeProducts.com.
See More with Case for Vision
Turn your iPhone or iPad into a powerful local and distance magnification system. Read menus, mail, labels, and documents up close — or magnify presentations, signs, faces, and TV screens across the room.
Come try out Case for Vision in the ACB Convention Marketplace Wednesday and Thursday from 7 to 10 a.m. and receive a special 10% conference discount for any purchase.
Learn more at https://caseforvision.com.
Sharon's Tie-Dye Designs
Come visit Sharon's Tie-Dye Designs in the Marketplace on Thursday, July 30th! Designs come in all shades and colors, with sizes from 2T to adult 3X. There are some Americana red, white and blue shirts, along with some spring and summertime designs. Some shirts were patterned after brightly decorated Easter eggs. There's a design for everybody! Won't be here Thursday? Contact Sharon at (571) 225-3925 to set up a time to pick out a shirt.
ACB Lions -- The Affiliate That Roars
Are you interested in becoming a Lion? Are you a member or former member of a local Club?
You are welcome to join ACB Lions. We meet on Zoom the first Thursday of each month. We share tips on ways we can more fully participate in our local clubs and be of service to others.
$15 a year or $150 for a life membership. Connect with us; call (502) 897-1472 to become part of ACB Lions.
Lions International Week of Vision Service
Lions International President Mark Lyon declares his first International Service Project, October 8 – 18, 2026, Lions International Week of Vision Service.
Call your local Lions Club and offer to join them in service to fulfill the call of their International President.
To find a club near you, or for more information, contact WCB & ACB Lions member [email protected] Wednesday morning at Marketplace, Knights of the Blind Display, or (360) 391-5880.
Ready to take the next step in your career? In school? Finding your first job? Recently experienced vision loss?
Envision Workforce Pathways offers individual and group virtual career coaching and mentoring to the blind/low vision community nationwide. We also offer in-person 5-day workforce readiness bootcamp training programs in Dallas, TX and Wichita, KS, helping participants build confidence, connections, and successful careers across the country.
For more details, contact: Mika Pyyhkala [email protected] (617) 202-3497 [email protected]
Find out more at https://acb-convention.pinecast.co