Western PA BOLD

PO Box 2574

Pittsburgh, PA 15230

E-mail: info@wpabold.org

Website: www.wpabold.org

Membership Application

Number for updates: 1-773-597-4222

• BOLD Fundraising Website: www.oneworldblueportals.com/bold

PAST EVENTS

• On December 10th, 2009 when Ice Skating was held at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center, 6 BOLDSTERS and 7 guides were there. Thanks again and as always to Nancy Leverett for coordinating this event and recruiting guides. Nancy also made Ice Skating festive by providing cheese, crackers and homemade Christmas cookies.
• December's final Ice Skating outing was held on the 30th, with two BOLDSTERS and five guides having attended (more about Ice Skating in BOLD BITS).
• When the Downhill Ski Guide Clinic was held on December 20th, fifteen guides were ready to learn new skills or refresh previously learned techniques. Many thanks to Coordinator Pat McCloskey, Reservationist Maggi Ostrowski, and everyone willing to guide. (See PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE for more info.)
• On Sunday, January 10th, when the first skiing event after the guide clinic was held, some skiers were cross-country, while others were Downhill. (Cross-country was held at Laurel Ridge State Park, and Downhill was held at Seven Springs.) For coordinating and recruiting guides for Cross-Country skiing, Tons of Thanks to Dom Ceresa, a dedicated instructor who has shared his expertise with BOLD for years.

BOARD MEETINGS

• Five Board, five general members and one guest attended January's meeting on Tuesday the 5th. The February meeting will take place on Tuesday the 9th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Moorhead Towers.
• To be on February's agenda, call Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, by 10pm on Sunday the 7th. Even if you do not want to be on the agenda, still let Joyce know that you are coming so that she can call you if the meeting is canceled or replaced by a teleconference.
• Finally, regarding Board meetings, if there is no guard to let you in, you may buzz Jim Winaught, Apartment 308; Jane Royal, Apartment 907, or Marilyn Hall, Apartment 901.
• Come and learn lots about BOLD.

FUNDRAISING FACTS

• Thanks to BOLD member Jamie Robinson, we received 84 free calendars from the Susquehanna County Blind Association. BOLD is selling these Large-Print calendars for $2 apiece, or a free-will offering, with all of the proceeds going to BOLD. (We received these calendars because several BOLD members are featured in them (see BOLD BITS). How much money BOLD makes on the calendars will be in a future newsletter once they have all been sold.
• Sales from the first One World Blue/Buy for Good Now Fundraiser were $125.50, with the following breakdown: For running the business from which she donates to BOLD, Terri Winaught received 12 percent of $125.50 which is $15.06. Thirty percent of $15.06, which is $4.52, plus $10 of Terri's earnings went to BOLD, for a total of $14.52. Terri thanks everyone who attended and supported this fundraiser.
• The next Buy For Good Now Fundraiser will be held on Sunday, March 7th from 6:30 to 9pm. LOCATION? Bnai Emunoh Synagogue: 4315 Murray Ave.; RESERVATIONIST AND DEADLINE? 10pm on Thursday, March 4th with Terri Winaught: 412-263-2022.
  • Since the main entrance to the Synagogue is NOT physically accessible, greeters will be available to escort those who request help to the rear entrance.
• To conclude by sharing more of how BOLD spends some of the money you help us raise, the Tugboat Restaurant, which catered BOLD'S 2009 Holiday Party, prepared food for 40 people and charged BOLD $680.

CULTURAL CONNECTION

• Clockmaker, a City Theatre audio-described play which combines mystery and love in a way that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the surprise ending, will be held at 2pm on Sunday, January 31st, with a sensory workshop taking place at 1pm.
• The next City Theatre play, When January Feels Like Summer, will be performed on Sunday, March 28th. Please make your reservations with City Theatre at least a week in advance; and, if you are blind, indicate that to get a discount the theater gives to blind- and vision-impaired patrons. Payment is due with a credit or debit card when the reservation is made.
• On Tuesday, February 2nd, the Pittsburgh Opera will present an audio-described performance of The Rape of Lucretia. This opera will take place at CAPA (School for the Creative and Performing Arts) with a starting time of 7pm. CAPA'S address is: 111 9th Street (at the corner of 9th and Fort Duquesne Boulevard, (entrance on Fort Duquesne).
• On Tuesday, March 23rd, the audio-described Opera, Carmen will take place at the Benedum Theater with a starting time of 7pm. To order tickets at $10.50 each, call Randy at 412-281-0912, x213. In case of financial hardship, some scholarship assistance is available.
• The next Chamber Music Concert will be held on Monday, March 1st. The Carnegie Music Hall, in Oakland, is the location, with an 8pm starting time. For free tickets, phone Joyce Driben at 412-521-4385.

ONE MORE TIME FOR JOYFUL JANUARY

• On Tuesday the 12th, there will be a group conference call to get member input on BOLD'S newsletter. To be part of this teleconference, which will take place from 7 to 9pm, call 218-844-3377 and enter code 31782. If you don't have unlimited long distance but would like to participate, call Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022.
• Tuesday the 12th is also the reservation deadline for an Ice Skating event Nancy Leverett has scheduled for Thursday the 14th from 1:30 to 2:30pm. To reserve with Nancy by 10pm, call 412-561-3972.
• Tuesday the 19th by 9pm is the Downhill Skiing reservation deadline with Maggi Ostrowski (more in calendar).
• Tuesday the 26th is the 10pm Reservation deadline with Nancy Leverett for an Ice Skating session to be held on thursday the 28th from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Each skating session costs $4 per vision-impaired skater, and skate rentals are $2.

FEBRUARY FUN

• Penny Fleckenstein will host Indoor Games on Saturday the 6th from 5 to 8pm. WHERE? The Moorhead Tower Community Room; RESERVATIONIST? Penny Fleckenstein: 412-415-3871; DEADLINE? Wednesday the 3rd no later than 10pm; WHAT TO BRING? An Indoor Game--which can include cards--a snack, or both. Also, bring $5 in case attendees want to order pizza.
• Skiing at Seven Springs will be held Sunday the 7th and Sunday the 21st (see calendar for reservation and cancelation deadlines).
• Ice Skating will take place on Thursday the 11th and Thursday the 25th, with two days before each session being the reservation deadline. To save your spot with Nancy Leverett by 10pm, call 412-561-3972. Each Ice Skating event will be held from 1:30 to 2:30pm.
• On February 16, we will use music and an audio-described DVD to remember the history and musical legacy of Ray Charles by watching the movie Ray. The reservation deadline with Terri Winaught is Saturday the 13th by 10pm; the time of the Movie Night is 6 to 8:30pm, and the location of the event, which will include refreshments, is the Moorhead Tower Community Room.
• February will end on a soft, snowy note with Snow Tubing on Tuesday the 23rd from 5 to 7pm at Boyce Park. BOLDSTERS will pay $10 per person at the event, with BOLD subsidizing the remaining amount. To reserve with Tammi Swiantek by 10pm on Monday the 15th, phone 412-488-6298.

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

• This month's column contains two items: the first written by this Editor about the 2009 Holiday Party, and the second about the 2009 Ski Guide Clinic, with information from Jamie Robinson:

The winter holiday season was filled with angels topping Christmas trees, Hanukkah candles lighting Menorahs, and Kwanzza candles, gifts, principles and stories being combined to form rich displays of ethnic pride.

Another important tradition was the BOLD Holiday Party where we welcomed diversity by celebrating all of the cultural and religious traditions of the season.

Though the party was lightly attended, celebrants were a lively, spirited group--especially when it came to a live auction that has been part of holiday parties since last year.

This Editor was initially disappointed by the light turn-out, but she now thinks that the lively camaraderie just might have made this one of BOLD'S best Holiday Parties.

When Jamie Robinson told this Editor about the Ski Guide Clinic, she said that, according to Downhill guide Bill Webber: "Jim Wiseman has been able to ski on every trail I have ever taken him on."

Jamie also reported that longtime skier Fred Siget--in his eighties and still skiing--would like to write a book to teach sighted individuals to guide blind skiers. "If you see that I need a guide," Fred began, "but you don't know how to guide, I'll teach you," he offered. (Fred, who became blind as a young adult and firefighter, began skiing at a time when BOLD was possibly the only organization encouraging the blind- and visually impaired to ski. Perhaps this is one of several reasons that skiers refer to Fred as "the legend.")

Jamie concluded by stating that Ila Sensenich, one of Western PA BOLD'S founders, attended the 2009 clinic, which speaks volumes to this Editor about dedication and commitment.

• If you would like to suggest or write a PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE, please phone this Editor at 412-263-2022.

WHAT ABOUT DUES?

• Though December 31st, 2009 was the dues renewal deadline, you still have time to pay. Anyone who has not renewed by March, though, will receive an envelope with X's instead of a newsletter, with E-mail recipients receiving a reminder instead of a newsletter. So please renew your dues by making a $12 check or money order payable to Western PA BOLD and sending it to: P.O. Box 2574, Pittsburgh, PA 15230. Thank you for remaining a valued BOLDSTER.

LOOKING AHEAD

• From Friday, April 23rd to Sunday the 25th, interested BOLDSTERS will again be able to enjoy the varied activities and welcoming atmosphere of Camp Kon-o-Kwee.
  • Although Camp Kon-o-Kwee is still charging $45 per camper, they are asking that at least 20 people sign up.
  • The reservation deadline with Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, will be Monday, March 29th, by 10pm. That is also the deadline by which your payment is due at the P.O. Box address above.
  • Though the camp is charging $45, BOLD is charging $55 per person to cover the cost of the bus.
• Jim Winaught would like to start organizing outings to Pittsburgh Pirates Games again. If interested, phone Jim at 412-417-4942. Also, let Jim know if you want to go to the April 5th home opener.
• In March's CULTURAL CONNECTION, this Editor will give City Theatre dates which have changed. Info will also be given in March's BOLD Ventures about attendance at skiing events, including the ratio of guides to BOLDSTERS and combinations of Downhill and Cross-Country dates.

BOLD BITS

• Debbie Troutman continues to recover from several health challenges.
• In an effort to reach out to BOLDSTERS who have recently lost their sight, or are in the process of losing it, the Board wants to explore the idea of forming a discussion group. If interested, call Joyce Driben at 412-521-4385.
• Compassion and condolences to Cindy Kudes Flerman, whose mother died at the age of 86 on December 17th after a series of health challenges this past fall. (Early BOLD members may remember that swim parties used to be held at the Kudes home, with Cindy's Mom making her "famous lasagna.") Mrs. Kudes is survived by her daughter, Cindy; Tom, a son who lives in Pittsburgh, and Gary, a son who lives in Phoenix. When her mother's viewing was held on December 20th, Cindy was supported by family and friends, which included three longtime BOLD members.
• Deepest sympathy also to Maurice Johnston, whose niece, Yvonne, died on December 17th.
• Happy Birthday to Sherri Crum, Ruth Dittman, Maurice Johnston, Jammie Robinson, Aimee Yunt and anyone else with a February birthday.
• You may call Sherri Crum at 412-682-1800 to sign up for February's Lutheran Center meal, which will take place on Saturday the 27th (see calendar for reservation deadline).
• Welcome to new BOLD member Jesse Barker, and CONGRATULATIONS to Lisa from Uniontown, who is shown snorkeling in a picture on calendars BOLD has been selling. Also featured in these calendars are Norman Armstrong and Paul, a volunteer, riding with Norman on a sidekick quadracycle which has been used at some of BOLD'S North Park biking events. Appreciation is extended to Donna Myers and the Dunbar Historical Society for having obtained a grant to build a storage shed for these bikes.
• Nancy Leverett has done such an excellent job recruiting guides for Ice Skating that we could really use more blind skaters. "One woman who called about guiding," Nancy told this Editor "is on a women's professional Hockey team and wants her team members to be guides, too." Nancy also said that BOLD'S Ice Skating Program wouldn't exist so successfully without Carolyn Thayer, who started the program and gave years of commitment and hard work.
• Best Wishes to Jim Winaught on his recent move to the Moorhead Tower Apartments. Jim's new contact information is: 375 North Craig Street, Apt. 308, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
• Congratulations are extended to Dave Sommers and Jim Winaught for being on a volleyball team which won their 2009 season.
• To say more about Dave, he can use your Warm Wishes for a rapid recovery from a recent surgery.
• Get Well Wishes, also to Ruth Dittman who recently broke her ankle in multiple places and has had several surgeries. Ruth, who is currently recovering at Seneca Place, would like well-wishers to contact her by cell phone: 412-436-5113.
• Maurice Johnston is also on the Get Well list as he recovers at home from gallbladder surgery, and Carol Platt could use plenty of prayers as she recovers from one surgery, with two more planned for the near future.
• To end on a positive note, HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS!! to BOLD supporter and One World Blue business owner Joel Pirchesky on his recent engagement and marriage plans for later this year.
• This Editor thanks the following newsletter helpers: Annette Brown and volunteers, cassette edition; Marty Mathews, Print edition; Tracy O'Neill, E-mail edition; Jamie Robinson, Contributor of Ski Guide Clinic information; also, Kathryn Wassermann and the Braille Team, Braille edition.

JANUARY 2010 CALENDAR

Sunday the 17th: Mall Walking reservation deadline.

Monday the 18th: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Tuesday the 19th: 9pm Downhill Skiing reservation deadline.

Wednesday the 20th: Mall Walking.

Saturday the 23rd: Downhill Skiing cancelation deadline.

Sunday the 24th: Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs, starting at 9am and Mall Walking reservation deadline with Joyce Driben by 10pm.

Wednesday the 27th: Mall Walking.

Thursday the 28th: Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm, and 6pm reservation deadline with Sherri Crum for the Lutheran Center meal.

Saturday the 30th: Lutheran Center meal and related activities from 4 to 7pm.

Sunday the 31st: 2pm Play, Clockmaker, at the City Theatre, preceded by a 1pm sensory workshop. Mall Walking reservation deadline with Joyce Driben by 10pm

FEBRUARY'S CALENDAR

Tuesday the 2nd: Audio-described Opera, The Rape of Lucretia, at 7pm, and Downhill Skiing reservation deadline by 9pm.

Wednesday the 3rd: Mall Walking at 9am, The Speakers Series featuring Actress Mia Farrow at 8pm, and 10pm Indoor Games reservation deadline with Penny Fleckenstein: 412-415-3871.

Saturday the 6th: Indoor Games from 4 to 8pm, and 8pm cancelation deadline for the following day's Downhill Skiing.

Sunday the 7th: Skiing at 9am; Mall Walking reservation deadline by 10pm, and letting Joyce Driben know if you will be coming to February's meeting just to attend or also to be on the agenda.

Tuesday the 9th: Board meeting from 6:30 to 8:30pm, and 10pm Ice Skating reservation deadline with Nancy Leverett.

Wednesday the 10th: Mall Walking.

Thursday the 11th: Ice Skating from 1:30 to 2:30pm at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center.

Saturday the 13th: 10pm reservation deadline with Terri Winaught for the movie Ray.

Sunday the 14th: Happy Valentine's Day, and 10pm Mall Walking reservation deadline.

Monday the 15th: Presidents' Day and 10pm Snow Tubing deadline with Tammi Swiantek: 412-488-6298.

Tuesday the 16th: The movie Ray being shown from 6 to 8:30pm in Moorhead's Community Room, and 9:00pm Downhill Skiing reservation deadline.

Wednesday the 17th: Mall Walking.

Saturday the 20th: 8:00pm cancelation deadline for the next day's Downhill Skiing.

Sunday the 21st: Downhill Skiing at 9am, and 10pm Mall Walking Reservation deadline,

Tuesday the 22nd: Snow Tubing at Boyce Park from 6 to 7pm, and 10pm Ice Skating reservation deadline.

Wednesday the 24th: Mall Walking.

Thursday the 25th: Ice Skating from 1:30 to 2:30pm, and 6pm reservation deadline for the Lutheran Center meal.

Saturday the 27th: Lutheran Center meal and events from 4:00 to 7:00pm.

Sunday the 28th: 10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline, and deadline with Joyce Driben for being on March's Board meeting agenda.

THE END