ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 8, 1996 TAG: 9607080136
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BEN MARTIN
ROANOKE MADE a good impression on a lot of people last month, when WVTF Public Radio played host to the National Association of Radio Reading Services Conference here.
About 100 people from across the United States, Japan and New Zealand came to our valley to share ideas about how to improve the services we provide and to discuss the role of these services as technology changes.
At WVTF, our reading service is a "second" radio station that operates on a subcarrier frequency. We provide readings from current newspapers and magazines to print-impaired individuals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A listener requires a special radio designed to pick up the signal, and we provide these free of charge.
When I first considered bringing this conference to town last year, I must admit that, for a brief while, I fell victim to that unfortunate mindset that plagues some Roanokers now and again: I doubted if our small town had enough attractions to pique the curiosity of our members and make them want to travel to Roanoke. I asked myself: "Why here?" Past conference sites have included Tampa, Memphis, Little Rock and Salt Lake City. Is that big metal star on the side of a mountain really all that big a deal? Would Mini-Graceland compare to the real thing?
I am happy to say that my doubts were laid to rest. The conference was one of the best ever.
Every person who attended made an opportunity to tell me that the Roanoke Valley is one of the most beautiful places that they ever had visited. Everyone was enchanted with both the first-class accommodations at the Patrick Henry Hotel, and the inimitable charm of this downtown icon. They were impressed with our historic Market district and remarked that we should consider ourselves fortunate to have it.
And, yes, the big metal star on the side of the mountain was also a big hit; on the first night, we chartered a bus and made two trips to the top of Mill Mountain for an ice cream social.
But it was not the attractions that really grabbed the attention of the conference crowd.
It was the people.
Time and again, I heard the remark, "I just can't believe how friendly the people are here!" Living in what is too often a not-so-kind and gentle nation, these words were the highest compliment that a visitor could make about the Roanoke Valley.
When I addressed the opening session, I told my fellow association members that I was proud of my home and wanted to show it off. I am not well-travelled, but I just know that it does not get any better than this. We live in a city where it's safe to walk the streets. And people here will speak to you.
How do I know that members of the National Association of Radio Reading Services really did have a good time?
They want to come back.
Ben Martin of Roanoke is director of the Virginia Tech Radio Reading Service.
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