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Dear Listfriends, Steve and I are back home, after the most wonderful three weeks in Australia. I thought Americans might like to know about the PD conference in Perth, so here are a few of my thoughts. We arrived in Perth Wednesday Sept. 10 about midnight, and checked into our hotel -- a beautiful corner room with stunning views of the Swan River, plus a jacuzzi! thanks to Joy Graham. We called Bob and Joy the next day and they came and filled our hotel room with fresh fruit and the incredible fragrant wildflowers found in Perth in springtime. For those of you who may never meet them, Bob Graham is tall, warm, commanding, handsome, and a wealth of information on (I believe) any subject you can name. Joy is petite, energetic, creative, and lovely, a tiny whirlwind, and the guiding light behind the Parkinson's conference. They served as welcoming committee and tour guides, and we got an immediate trip to the King's Park botanic gardens. We found Kangaroo-paw, huge aloes, many varieties of eucalyptus and gums, wildflowers of every color beyond my ability to recount, plus bright-colored parrots, all new to us. John and Robyn Lochore had a party Friday evening, allowing all the listserv members to meet each other. I got to meet Jazznazi and see the incredibly beautiful handpainted porcelain dolls she makes. Also Beth Leslie, Dennis and Jo Greene (Dennis introduced my husband to the intricacies of Australian football or "footie") and America's own John Cottingham. There were many others, but I arrived late and although I met them, we didn't get to talk and their names are lost to me. The conference brought home to me so many aspects of PD that hadn't been clear before, as well as introducing the audience to new medicines, techniques, and treatments. It was an exciting, energizing two days, and I came back resolved to find ways to put my new knowledge to work. I am currently working with the Parkinson's Outreach Program in Denver to incorporate a nutrition component in their program. So far, they seem very receptive. I also spoke to two groups of dietitians in Australia, and several have promised to contact their local chapters of PD support groups for more information. This, I hope, will lead to more enlightened hospital treatment when PWP are hospitalized. It was a wonderful experience for both Steve and me, but I think the highlight was finally getting to meet cyberpals. I wish everyone could meet as we did, it brings another dimension to e-mail. By the way, the next such conference will be in Sidney in 1999 -- and Steve and I are already trying to figure out whether we can make it! Best regards, Kathrynne -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Editor-in-Chief, "Spotlight on Food--nutrition news for people 60-plus" http://www.fortnet.org/~fivstar and NUTRITION TOPICS copy-ready handouts http://www.dietetics.com/class/fivstar/ Tel: 970-493-6532 Fax: 970-493-6538