<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
Mary Courtney, a freelance writer from Los Angeles and a member of the Celiac
Disease Foundation, has agreed to be our reporter at CSA's annual conference in
Dallas.  Here is her first report.
 
     Thursday's Report, Oct. 3, 1996
     CSA/USA  Conference in Dallas, Texas
     submitted by Mary Courtney
 
     The official opening of the conference is Friday morning, but  for
     those who've never attended a conference for persons with Celiac
     Disease (and that includes me), here's my "color commentary."
 
     Today I met some big names in U.S. celiac circles: Bette Hagman, the
     celiac chef extraordinaire; Jim Lyles, Celiac Listowner and Food List
     Compiler; and Janet Rinehart, incoming president of CSA/USA.  They are
     already making plans for next year's conference which will take place
     in Bette's home turf, the Great Northwest. About a third of the
     schedule at a CSA/USA conference is the planning of future projects
     and events, the forming of committees, and the cultivating of CSA
     leaders from support groups across the country.
 
     Today I sat and talked with some celiacs from the Midwest. One was
     flipping through a recipe book, one was checking out the manufactured
     food guide, and a third had just driven in from Nebraska. "What issues
     are most important to celiacs in your area?" I asked. The consensus:
    "Finding safe food from the store." They mentioned one big advance:
     manufacturers' 800 numbers on packaging. After getting to know them a
     little, I would add this to their priorities:"Finding recipes for
     tasty and easy-to-bake GF bread." At a conference like this, the
     question, "Do you bake your own bread?" is second only to squinting at
     the small print on the other person's nametag and asking, "Where are
     you from?"
 
     I had a nice chuckle with the Nebraskan who'd driven to Dallas. We
     were talking about how, when celiacs check in a hotel, they look like
     lost campers carrying around their coolers (full of baked goods,
     etc.).
 
     When I mentioned the variety of discussion topics on the Celiac
     Listserv, a Minnesotan said she was glad that there are folks who are
     discussing issues like food labeling and medical research. A couple of
     CSA leaders were delighted to learn that you can get a taste of the
     discussion via the Newsgroup, or by requesting files from the
     Archives.
 
     I hope to interview President-Elect Janet Rinehart of Houston (one of
     our very own listmembers). In the meantime, I'll leave you with some
     of her good wishes for the future of CSA.
 
     Janet Rinehart: "I am excited about the prospect of becoming President
     of CSA/USA. . . . I believe I can make a difference and improve the
     feelings of confidence in CSA, with the help of the Governing Board. I
     have a lot of common sense, believe in the goals of CSA, and care a
     great deal about helping celiacs and DH'ers on their journey to good
     health. No one person has all the answers. It takes assistance from
     many committed people . . . . I also believe we can learn from each
     other, and I want to be in friendly contact with all of the celiac
     organizations."
 
     Tomorrow: Drs. Fine, Kingsbury, Dahl, and Schiller.