November 2009

 

PAST EVENTS

·        Fourteen of the fifteen BOLDSTERS who signed up for the Camp Kon-o-Kwee weekend attended and enjoyed a variety of activities.  Campers who deserve extra thanks for helping the weekend go smoothly are:  Joyce Driben, Victor (a guest), Jim Winaught and Aimee Yunt.  (See BOLD BITS for camper basketball achievements, and PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES for Peggy Walsh's thoughts.)

·        When bocce ball, hiking, picnicking and tandem biking took place at North Park, there were 27 participants as follows:  twenty-one BOLD members, two guests and five Catholic Alumni Club members, two of whom were also BOLD members. Jamie Robinson enjoyed this outing so much that she told this Editor, "I hated having to leave early because I could have stayed there all day."

o       Tons of thanks to Ray Jablonowski, members of the Catholic Alumni Club, Jamie Robinson and Tammi Swiantek.  (Jamie did an excellent job providing directions to and numbers of various North Park facilities, just as Tammi did her always great job as reservationist).

·        When Veronique Schreurs capably led a hike through Frick Park on October 10, six BOLDSTERS and about five volunteer guides were there to enjoy a crisp, sunny autumn day.  Veronique deserves a special Thank You, not only for leading the hike but also for having recruited some new volunteers.

 

BOARD MEETINGS

·        Four Board, two general members and one guest attended October's meeting on Tuesday the 6th.

·        November's meeting will take place on Wednesday the 4th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Moorhead Towers.  To be on November's agenda, call Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, by 10:00pm on Sunday, November 1.  All BOLD members may attend meetings and ask to be put on agendas.

·        An example of the impact that general member input can make is suggestions which Penny Fleckenstein made that are in the process of being implemented. Penny suggested ways to better publicize BOLD, and a publicity committee is being formed.  To serve on this committee, phone Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385.

·        Also, Terri Winaught will be using one of Penny's suggestions by having a 2010 Bingo and hoagie Fundraiser, with a date yet to be decided. So come to a BOLD Board meeting and let your voice be heard.

·        Thank You to Jane Royal for reserving the CR, and Rege Sullivan for having it unlocked.

 

OOO!! IT'S OCTOBER

·        On Saturday the 17th, The Golden Triangle Council of the Blind will sponsor a low-vision expo where BOLD will have an information table.  (See September's newsletter for details.)

·        On Tuesday the 27th, Terri Winaught will wreak some Halloween havoc at Indoor Games (previously known as Board Games).  WHERE?  The Moorhead Tower Community Room; WHAT TIME?  5:00 to 8:00pm; RESERVATIONIST AND DEADLINE?  Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022 by 10:00pm Saturday the 24th.  When reserving, let Terri know if you will bring a game, a snack or both.  Also remember to bring $5 toward the cost of pizza in case we order it.  Terri hopes that having had to change Indoor Games from Halloween to the 27th poses no inconvenience.

 

NEWS FOR NOVEMBER

·        On Saturday the 7th, skilled skaters and those just starting out may come to the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center, 900 Cedar Boulevard, where BOLDSTERS will have exclusive use of the ice from 8:30 to 9:30pm.  To reserve with Nancy Leverett by 10:00pm on Thursday the 5th, call 412-561-3972.

·        For some good food-and even finer fellowship-come to 1889 Cafe, 2017 East Carson Street, from noon to 2:00 on Saturday the 14th.  To reserve your spot with Peggy Walsh, call 412-683-6070 by 10:00pm on Thursday the 12th.  If the weather permits and a leader is available, brunch will be followed by a hike.

·        On Saturday the 21st, BOLD will offer double the enjoyment with Indoor Games from 5:00 to 8:00pm and Ice Skating from 7:00 to 8:00pm.  Indoor Games will be held in the Moorhead Tower Community Room, 375 North Craig Street, and Ice Skating will be held at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center with exclusive use of the ice and a cost of $4 per vision-impaired skater.  To sign up for Indoor Games, phone Penny Fleckenstein, 412-415-3871, by 10:00pm on Wednesday the 18th.  For Ice Skating reservations, phone Nancy Leverett, 412-561-3972, no later than 10:00pm on Thursday the 19th.

 

FUNDRAISING FACTS

·        Remember that the fudge Fundraiser will continue until November 3rd, by which time Terri Winaught needs your order and Veronique Schreurs your payment (see last newsletter for Terri's number and Veronique's address).  Tuesday, November 17 is when the fudge will be delivered to Moorhead Towers.

o       Thanks in advance to everyone who made the fudge-o-rama successful, with extra gratitude going to Jane Royal, Tammi Swiantek, Peggy Walsh and Jim Winaught.  (As of this writing, Terri has 47 pounds in fudge orders.)

·        Remember that you can shop online and help BOLD raise money through the purchase of skin care, home decor and many other items.  To browse products and shop, visit www.oneworldblueportals.com/bold.  If you have trouble accessing BOLD'S portal, feel free to phone Terri Winaught at 412-263-2022. 

·        Also regarding One World Blue, Terri Winaught will be hosting a combined home party and Gold Rush event.  WHEN?  Sunday, December 6; WHERE?  The Moorhead Tower Community Room; WHAT TIME?  7:30 to 10:00pm; RESERVATIONIST?  Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022, by 10:00pm on Thursday, December 3rd.  Partygoers will be able to feel the sizes of and smell Dead Sea skin-care products and shower gels, with home decor items also being passed around and described.  Joel Pirchesky from One World Blue will also make every attempt to have product info in alternate formats.

o       Regarding the Gold Rush aspect of this fundraiser, feel free to bring not only gold and silver jewelry--for which you will be paid top dollar--but also cups, plates, flatware, tea services and much, much more.  For a complete list, call Terri at 412-263-2022. (BOLD will receive 30 percent of One World Blue product proceeds, and 12-1/2 percent of the Gold Rush sales.)

·        Two final fundraising facts are that the Fundraising Chair would like to have names of family members and friends who might donate to BOLD.  Everyone who calls 412-263-2022 with a name will have his or her name entered into a drawing for prizes to be given at the Holiday Party.  If unable to attend the party and your name is drawn, we will send your prize.

·        To conclude this column, Terri is also looking for items for the December Holiday Party auction.  When the first live auction was held at the 2008 Holiday Party, the $265 raised were 100 percent profit for BOLD.  (See Holiday Party for more info about donating.)

 

CULTURAL CONNECTION

·        The speaker at Heinz Hall on Monday, November 23, is Laura Bush.  8:00 pm is when the presentation will begin, with this being the only time that a Speaker Series will be on a Monday. 

·        October's opera, Falstaff, will take place at the Benedum Center on Tuesday the 27th.  To attend this audio-described performance at a cost of $10.50 per person, call Randy at 412-281-0912, x13. If the cost of tickets is a hardship, discuss this with Randy when making reservations.

 

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

Camp Kon-o-Kwee Weekend - Friday-through Sunday September 11-13, 2009

 

Despite detours, we arrived on time for snacks, introductions and a quick night walk. 

 

On Saturday, amid generous meals, there was a whirlwind of activity choices:  Nature Walk, canoeing, wall climbing, basketball and of course, for the adventurous BOLDSTERS, golf carts driven by blind and/or visually impaired (with a guide, of course).

 

The evening included Bingo, a campfire with the traditional s'mores and a good night's sleep and packing to depart for home.

 

After Sunday's delightful brunch, we gathered around for a group picture, then boarded the bus to home.

 

This trip was a bargain because of the camp's charging half the cost per participant, the discount on the bus, having "borrowed" it from the Pittsburgh Public School System, and BOLD'S subsidy for members in good standing. I encourage more participation for these twice-a-year weekends; to keep it going we need eighteen to twenty-five (not the fourteen who came and enjoyed this great time). Come try it if it's new to you, or come back if it's been awhile--to prevent the possibility of these weekends becoming a fond, wistful memory.--

Peggy Walsh

 

NOMINATIONS

·        Would you like to run for a BOLD office?  Is there a BOLD member you'd like to nominate?  The offices that need to be filled for 2010 are:  President, First Vice-President, and Corresponding Secretary.

·        The President conducts monthly meetings, fields inquiries about BOLD, and responds to member concerns.

·        The First Vice-President performs all of the duties of the President in his or her absence.  In addition, the First Vice-President has often - but not always - chaired the Programs Committee.

·        The primary responsibility of the Corresponding Secretary is to write BOLD'S monthly newsletter.  Writing BOLD Ventures involves compiling and organizing activity-specific information for the body of the newsletter and the calendar.  (If you are someone who loves to write and be in the know about all things BOLD, Corresponding Secretary is the perfect office for you.)

·        To nominate yourself or another BOLD member, call Joyce Driben by 10:00pm on Monday, November 2nd, at 412-521-4385.  When nominating a fellow BOLDSTER, be sure that he or she is willing to be nominated.

 

DUES BEING DUE

·        December 31, 2009 is the deadline for renewing BOLD dues for 2010.  Send your $12 to Veronique Schreurs:  2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217.  Thank you for renewing your dues and remaining a part of the BOLD family.

 

LOOKING AHEAD

·        On Saturday, December 5, come celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa with fellow BOLDSTERS and friends.  WHERE?  Church of the Redeemer:  5700 Forbes Ave., in Squirrel Hill; WHAT TIME?  6:00 to 10:00pm; RESERVATIONIST AND DEADLINE?  Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022 by 10:00pm on Tuesday, November 24. 

o       When reserving, let Terri know the following:  what dessert or snack you will bring; whether you need a ride or can give one, and if you have any donations for door prizes or the live auction. 

o       The caterer will be the Tugboat Restaurant, with the menu to be in December's newsletter.

·        For those who are set on skiing, there will be a Downhill Ski Guide Clinic on Sunday, December 20.  To reserve your spot with Maggi Ostrowski by 9:00pm on Tuesday, December 15, call 412-766-0312.

o       The Downhill Ski Dates for the 2010 season are on the following Sundays:  January 10 and 24; February 7 and 21, and March 14.

 

BOLD BITS

·        Researchers at the UPMC Eye Center are conducting a study of a device they have named, "the BrainPort” (tm).  The purpose of this study is to determine how successfully the BrainPort (tm) can convert visual images from a camera mounted on a pair of sunglasses into tactile sensations on the tongue that would enable a blind or nearly blind person to "see." 

o       All study-related exams and tests will be free to participants who will be paid $75 upon completion of each of the sessions this study has been divided into.  

o       Sighted individuals may also participate in this study as a control group.  

o       For more information, or an assessment of eligibility, call 412-383-9033.  Work has already begun with sighted individuals as controls, and more controls are needed. 

o       Regarding blind participants, the researchers report being especially in need of more women.

·        Jamie Robinson wants BOLDSTERS to know that Lindsay Fauth, Marketing Coordinator at the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and vision-impaired is looking for photos of people who are losing their sight and remaining active.  The ideal photo will show persons doing something active.  

o       Since the Association's Large-Print calendars are distributed throughout most of Pennsylvania, and because BOLD will be given 50 calendars, this project has the dual benefits of a Fundraiser and publicity. 

o       To ask Jamie how you can submit photos, call her at 724-569-8132.  If E-mailing is easier, Jamie's address is:  jamiearobinson@hotmail.com.

·        Tracy O'Neill has the new E-mail address of tconnelly16@comcast.net.

·        Some member renewals and new members are as follows: 

Amy Bookmiller, partial, large print

195 Canterbury Rd

McMurray PA 15317-2836

724-941-9244

bookmillerbear@yahoo.com

 

William Wagstaff, casette

133 Third St

Neville Township

Pittsburgh PA 15225

412-329-6873

billanddang@gmail.com

 

William Hamilton, sighted, e-mail

7146 Steubenville Pike

Oakdale, PA 15071-9110

412-787-7551

hamilton.w@att.net

 

Renewals:  Holly Dick and Dave and Carol Sommers

·        The November Convention of the American Council of the Blind will be in Tannersville, the Poconos.  The bus for this convention, to be held from November 6 to 8, will leave on Thursday the 5th.  Each room at the hotel will be $92 per night, and a meal plan will also be offered.  For more info, phone Bill or Bonnie Newland at 412-487-4995. 

·        CONGRATULATIONS! to Tammi Swiantek for placing first in singles at the Bayada Rowing Competition that was held in Philadelphia recently.  Tammi is a very experienced, capable and competitive rower.

·        KUDOS also to Ceinwen King-Smith for several concert performances where she accompanied herself on the piano and sang in eight different languages.  One of Ceinwen's solo performances was in China, where she teaches English as a second language every summer, and the other in Ohio.

·        GREAT JOB! to Jim Musto who celebrated his fifth anniversary in September as an employee of the South Fayette Steak 'n' Shake Restaurant.

·        Congratulations to Dave Sommers on the milestone of baptism, his grandson, Shane Philip, having been baptized on Sunday, October 3rd.

·        Condolences and compassion to former BOLD member Mike Zukiewicz, whose wife, Joan, passed away on October 3.  Though Joan and Mike were in BOLD for only a year, we were happy to have them.  

·        Get Well Wishes are offered to Debbie Troutman who is currently in Shadyside Hospital.

·        October's meal at the Lutheran Center for the Blind will be on Saturday the 24th, and November's meal will be on Saturday the 21st.  To sign up for October's meal, phone Sherri by 6:00pm on Thursday the 22nd, and to sign up for November's meal, phone Sherri Crum, 412-682-1800, by 6:00pm on Thursday the 19th.  You can also sign up by E-mailing director@plcb.net.  Sherri conducts a Bible study at 4:00pm; the meal is served at 5:00; a Vespers service takes place at 6:30, and this evening of fellowship ends at 7:00pm.

·        Happy Birthday to Sylvia Denys, Marilyn Hall, Allison Leverett, Jim Musto, Mark Pugh, and anyone else with a November birthday.

·        Finally, as a weekly supplement to the newsletter, be reminded about upcoming events by phoning 773-597-4222.  Terri Winaught records updates every Friday on the Philmore Productions Voicemail System.

·        This Editor thanks the following helpers:  Annette Brown and volunteers, cassette edition; Marty Mathews, Print edition; Tracy O'Neill, E-mail edition, Kathryn Wassermann, Braille edition, and everyone involved in the Braille Project.

 

OCTOBER'S CALENDAR

 

Friday the 16th:  phone update.

 

Saturday the 17th:  Low Vision Expo at Saint Paul Cathedral (Fifth and Craig).

 

Sunday the 18th:  Mall Walking reservation deadline.

 

Wednesday the 21st:  Mall Walking.

Thursday the 22nd:  6:00pm reservation deadline for the Lutheran Center meal.

 

Friday the 23rd:  phone update.

 

Saturday the 24th:  Lutheran Center meal and programs from 4:00 to 7:00pm at First

Trinity Lutheran Church.  Saturday the 24th by 10:00pm is also the reservation deadline for Indoor Games.

 

Sunday the 25th:  Mall Walking Reservation Deadline.

 

Tuesday the 27th:  the Opera, Falstaff with audio description; 7:00pm at the Benedum Center; also, Indoor Games at Moorhead Towers from 5:00 to 8:00pm. 

 

Wednesday the 28th:  Mall Walking.

 

Friday the 30th:  phone update.

 

Saturday the 31st:  Happy Halloween.

 

 

NOVEMBER'S CALENDAR

 

Sunday the 1st:  10:00pm Mall Walking Reservation Deadline with Joyce Driben, and also the deadline with Joyce to be put on November's agenda. 

 

Monday the 2nd:  10:00pm reservation deadline with Joyce Driben to nominate yourself or a fellow BOLDSTER for an office.

 

Tuesday the 3rd:  10:00pm deadline with Terri Winaught for ordering fudge, and sending money to Veronique Schreurs. The 3rd is also Election Day, and this Editor encourages everyone to vote.

 

Wednesday the 4th:  Board meeting from 6:30 to 8:30pm; also, Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.

 

Thursday the 5th:  10:00pm Ice Skating reservation deadline with Nancy Leverett.

 

Friday the 6th:  phone weekly calendar update.

 

Saturday the 7th:  Ice Skating from 8:30 to 9:30pm at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center. 

 

Sunday the 8th:  10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline.

 

Wednesday the 11th:  Mall Walking.

 

Thursday the 12th:  10:00pm reservation deadline with Peggy Walsh, 412-683-6070, for 1889 Cafe.

 

Friday the 13th:  Phone update.

 

Saturday the 14th:  Brunch from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at 1889 Cafe (possible hike afterward).

 

Sunday the 15th:  10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline.

 

Tuesday the 17th:  Fudge delivery in the Moorhead Tower lobby between 6:00 and 6:30pm.

 

Wednesday the 18th:  10:00pm Indoor Games Reservation deadlines with Penny Fleckenstein, 412-415-3871

 

Thursday the 19th:  10:00pm reservation deadline with Nancy Leverett for Ice Skating;  also, 6:00pm reservation deadline with Sherri Crum for the monthly meal.

 

Friday the 20th:  Weekly update.

 

Saturday the 21st:  Ice Skating from 7:00 to 8:00pm; also, Indoor Games from 5:00 to 8:00pm at Moorhead Towers and the Lutheran Center meal from 4:00 to 7:00pm. 

 

Sunday the 22nd:  10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline.

 

Monday the 23rd:  Heinz Hall 8:00pm Speakers Series, featuring Laura Bush.

 

Tuesday the 24th:  10:00pm Christmas Party reservation deadline with Terri Winaught. Remember to tell Terri what dessert or snack you will bring, and to send your $12 to Veronique.  (Thank you in advance for doing your best to pay dues and party money ahead of time because of how confusing it can get when everyone is trying to hand Veronique money at the Holiday Party. 

 

Wednesday the 25th:  Mall Walking.

 

Thursday the 26th:  Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Friday the 27th:  Weekly update.

 

Sunday the 29th:  10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline with Joyce Driben.

 

   THE END