November 2015 newsletter

BOLD VENTURES November, 2015
(Blind Outdoor Leisure Development)
BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted, and fully sighted.

PO Box 8114
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Terri Winaught, Editor
E-mail: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Yahoo Group: wpabold@yahoogroups.com
(moderator must approve posts)
Update Line: 1-773-597-4222

NEVERENDING WITH FUN NOVEMBER
November's events will include: The Board meeting on Tuesday the 3rd; Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall on Thursday the 5th; a hike which Veronique Schreurs will lead along South Side trails after lunching at the Steel City Cafe, 1809 East Carson Street, on Sunday November 8; Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall on Wednesday the 11th; Horseback Riding on Saturday the 14th; and a variety of cultural events. Although the date sequence for Monroeville Mall Walking is such that this event could be held on Wednesday the 25th, that is unlikely since the 25th is the day before Thanksgiving.

To say more about horseback riding, the cost is $15 per person payable on the day of the event. Nancy Leverett, 412-561-3972, is the reservationist, with November 7th being the deadline. Since this will be an afternoon activity with a starting time at Slippery Rock University of 1 PM, lunch will not be included. To make horseback riding more fun than it was last year, Nancy has asked that participants be given less time grooming and more time riding.

PAST EVENTS

On September 19th, 28 adults and 1 child attended the Gateway clipper Cruise for which Penny Fleckenstein took reservations. Part of what made this such a well attended event was BOLD'S collaboration with the Pittsburgh Friendship Group. Many thanks to everyone who helped with this popular activity by driving, getting food from the buffet line, and guiding.

On October 4th, 13 BOLD members and many volunteers from the Catholic Alumni club attended the house party which Ray Jablonowski hosted.

"There was all sorts of food at Ray's event," Jim Wiseman told this Editor.

"Ray always does such a wonderful job!" Jim was quick to add.

"Ray and the Catholic Alumni Club do so much," Cindy Perseo said "that I am going to do a Personal Perspective just on Ray and the Catholic Alumni Club for a future newsletter."
Twenty-two BOLD members, including three first-timers, enjoyed a somewhat chilly but still festive weekend at Camp Kon-o-Kwee. (The new attendees were Celeste Compomisi, Janice Miller and Karen Seligman.)

Mark Grasak did a superb job taking reservations and, in general, organizing this fun-filled weekend which went much too quickly. (Someone recently asked this Editor when the spring weekend will be held, but it's just too soon to know. Given how quickly weekends at Kon-o-Kwee fill up, though, it seems likely that this popular outing will soon be in the planning stages for spring.)

LOOKING AHEAD

December's Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 1st, and the Holiday Party will be on Sunday the 6th. The cost will be $15 per person; Cindy Perseo, 412-421-3992, will be the reservationist; and the deadline will be Sunday, November the 29th. Although attendees are asked to bring desserts or sides, this does not mean that everyone has to bring something. The venue for this holiday celebration will be the Liberty Room at One Smithfield Street, downtown Pittsburgh, and the time will be 2 PM to 6 PM.


ADMINISTRATIVE ADD-ONS

In September's and October's newsletters, this Editor outlined the duties of the President and Vice Presidents. In this issue, the Editor will outline the duties of the Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer.

The Recording Secretary takes minutes at board meetings, emails them to Board members, and reads them at meetings. This officer also makes any necessary additions, corrections, and deletions so that minutes accurately reflect what occurs at meetings. Since it seems that Karen Seligman will be the new Recording Secretary, we definitely appreciate her willingness to serve in that capacity, since Veronique has graciously assumed that role for several years.

The Corresponding Secretary writes the monthly newsletter; prepares the calendar which is placed at the end, and emails that document to Tina Wassermann, who heads up the team that does the Braille embossing, and Veronique Schreurs, who formats the email and print editions.

Finally, the Treasurer prepares and submits monthly financial reports to the Board, receives membership dues, deposits checks, allocates disbursements and accepts donations.

Although Tammi Swiantek, Nancy Leverett and Terri Winaught are willing to continue serving as President, First vice-president and Corresponding Secretary respectively, this does not mean that others interested in these offices can't be nominated or nominate themselves. To express interest in any of the above offices, or to nominate someone only after receiving his or her permission, phone current President Tammi Swiantek at 412-488-6298.

A final administrative note is that dues will be due on December 31st, 2015 for 2016. To remit $12 to renew your BOLD membership, send a check or money order, made payable to Western PA BOLD, to 2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Thank you in advance for remaining a valuable and valued BOLD member.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS.
What follows is a creative offering from the Bricolage Theater, with its innovative programming and commitment to accessibility:

1984
Midnight Radio: George Orwell's 1984. This eerie radio-style rendition of Orwell's classic novel is primarily an auditory experience and will feature Braille programs. We are also holding a free, hands-on Foley (sound effect) Workshop before the show on November 5th and a Halloween "End of the World Ball" on October 31st.
Dates: October 29 - November 14
Time: Happy Half-Hour at 7:30pm with free drinks. Show starts at 8pm.
Cost: $35 with a $10 discount for companion seating.
Place: BRICOLAGE, 937 Liberty Ave, 1st Fl • Pittsburgh PA, 15222
Description: Bricolage's Midnight Radio Series enters its 7th season with George Orwell’s 1984. This program takes the form of a classic 1940s radio broadcast where YOU take on the role of the live studio audience. 1984 will transport you into the world of Big Brother, doublethink, and The Ministry of Truth. True to Midnight Radio style, 1984 will feature live Foley (sound effects), commercial spoofs, a seasoned cast of actors juggling multiple roles, and trio of musicians underscoring the entire story.
For Tickets & More Info: http://bit.ly/MDR1984

Accessibility: Midnight Radio will feature large print and Braille programs. Bricolage’s space at 937 Liberty Avenue is designed for wheelchair access, featuring accessible restrooms and wheelchair seating.

To continue by correcting a mistake made in previous newsletters, the City Theatre's first audio-described performance, "Night Alive" will be held on Sunday, November 1st starting at 2 PM. December's performance, "Sunset Baby," will be on Sunday the 13th.

To order tickets for these or any city theatre plays, phone 412-431-4900, and the location is: 1300 Bingham Street, South Side.

For those who have requested tickets and depending on availability, Sanjay Gupta, well-known CNN medical commentator, will speak on Wednesday, November 4th at Heinz Hall. December's presenter will be Dennis Ross, an expert on Russia and the Middle East.

As with any performance or presentation, please use tickets you have requested or pass them on if you are unable to use them.

Offerings from the Pittsburgh Opera include Cosi Fantuti on Tuesday, November 10th at the Benedum Center and their Brown Bag Lunch series from noon to 1 PM on Saturday, November 14th. The venue for the Brown Bag Lunch Series is Pittsburgh Opera's headquarters: 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District. December's Brown Bag Lunch Series will be on Saturday the 12th.

To order opera tickets, phone 412-281-0912, x213 and speak with Randy Adams, the cost being $10 per ticket.

To attend an Opera Up close or sensory workshop for persons who are blind or have low vision, phone 412-281-0912, x256 and speak with Kelsea.


FUNDRAISING FACTS

At BOLD'S Holiday Party on December 6th, Terri Winaught will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets at a cost of $1 per ticket. When we conducted this raffle at last year's Holiday Party, we sold $114 worth of tickets, $57 of which went to the winner, so let's see if we can equal or even top that this year.

Starting immediately and lasting until November 22nd, Terri Winaught will be taking orders for the following twelve flavors of fudge: butter pecan, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate mint, chocolate peanut butter, chocolate coconut, chocolate with nuts, plain chocolate, maple walnut, peanut butter, rocky road, which is chocolate with marshmallows, plain vanilla, and vanilla with nuts.

Because Joyce has raised her price, the cost per pound this year will be $10 with a minimum of 50 pounds being required to make it a fundraiser. (Normally, when Joyce sells her fudge, she charges $12 per pound, and a search on: www.amazon.com indicated that some companies sell their fudge for as much as $19.95 per pound.)

To place an order with Terri, phone 412-263-2022, home; or 412-506-2004, cell; to which you can also send a text. You may also order by emailing t.winaught@verizon.net.

If unable to reach Terri at the above numbers, her work phone is 412-488-4912, but please use that only as a last resort. Fudge will be delivered on Sunday, December 6th between 1 and 2 PM at One smithfield Street, the location of the Holiday Party.

Thank you in advance for making this a successful fundraiser.


BOLD BITS

Get Well wishes to Sam Wagner, who recently had cataract surgery; Carol Platt, who had a second hip replacement on October 23rd; Cindy Perseo, who has bronchitis; and John Perseo, who recently sustained some minor but painful injuries.

CONGRATULATIONS! to Tobi Williams, who placed first in the women's competition in the head of the Ohio rowing races; Tammi Swiantek, who placed second; Nancy Leverett for how well she did in this event; and Eugene Mariani, who placed first in the Men's division.

CONGRATULATIONS! also to Ceinwen King-Smith who did so well and had such interesting adventures while teaching English as a Second Language in Honduras that this Editor is hoping that Ceinwen is willing to write, or be interviewed for a future Personal Perspective.
CONGRATULATIONS! To our webmaster L.J Zigarell and his wife Lin Lin who are the proud parents of a baby girl, named Nova, born on September 15.

A final congratulatory note to Jim Winaught, who will start working full-time for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, November 2nd. There could be no better fit for someone who loves the Pirates as much as Jim does.

There will be no meal in November at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the blind, the next meal date being December 12th. Included in that meal will be a Christmas party. To give volunteers more time to shop for the right amount of food, Sherri asks that you sign up the Saturday before by 6 PM. To sign up by that deadline, phone 412-682-1800 or email director@plcb.net. Although regular meal attendees have probably received a list of policies and procedures, Terri is willing to email them to anyone who didn't receive or misplaced them. Terri's email is t.winaught@verizon.net. For those without email, Terri is willing to read them. If you would like them to be read, phone 412-263-2022.

Happy Birthday to Bill Burgunder, Tom Burgunder, Sylvia Denys, Devon Evans, Marilyn Hall, Mark Pugh, and anyone else with a November birthday. This Editor also extends belated wishes to Jim Musto, whose birthday was in October.

If you have a BOLD Bit, bring it to a board meeting, phone 412-263-2022, or email t.winaught@verizon.net. Feel free also to use the above contact details to give this Editor feedback such as: how you would like to see this newsletter improve and any suggestions you have for making BOLD Ventures the best possible newsletter it can be.

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

Sunday the 1st: The City theatre will present, "Night Alive," for which audio description and Braille programs will be available upon request. The 2 PM start time will be preceded by a 1 o'clock sensory workshop for persons who are blind or have low vision. The City theatre is located at 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, 15203.

Sunday the 1st is also the 9 PM sign-up deadline for Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall, and the 10 PM deadline to let Nancy Leverett know you will be at November's board meeting. Andrea's number for Mall Walking is 724-444-0064, and Nancy's number is 412-561-3972.

Tuesday the 3rd: BOLD'S Board meeting will be held at the Western Pennsylvania School for blind children, 201 North Bellefield Ave., from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and 9 PM is the sign-up deadline with Veronique Schreurs, 412-225-4038, for Yoga. Since Yoga is always canceled if fewer than 4 people sign up, be sure to give Veronique your contact info so she can contact you if this happens.

Wednesday the 4th: For those who requested and were able to receive tickets, Sanjay Gupta will be the presenter at the Robert Morris University Speakers Series. The starting time is 8 PM and the venue is Heinz Hall: 600 Penn Ave., downtown Pittsburgh.
Wednesday the 4th is also the reservation deadline with Penny Fleckenstein for the hike which Veronique Schreurs will lead the following Sunday: 412-415-3871.

Thursday the 5th: Mall Walking will be held at the Ross Park Mall from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Thursday the 5th is also when Yoga will be held at the Schoolhouse Studio: 2215 Murray Ave., from 2:30 PM to 4 PM unless fewer than four people have signed up. The cost per person per class is $15. (Yoga takes place every Thursday at the same time unless reservationist Veronique Schreurs tells you otherwise, and the deadline for marking your place is always the Tuesday before by 9 PM. That being the case, the remaining Tuesdays and Thursdays will not be listed.)

Thursday the 5th is also the 9 PM deadline for marking your place with Joyce Driben if you want to walk at the Monroeville Mall the following Wednesday: 412-521-4385.

Saturday the 7th: 10 PM reservation deadline with Nancy Leverett for Horseback Riding: 412-561-3972. thank you in advance for remembering and understanding that participation in this event is limited to persons who are blind or have low vision. The reason for this stipulation is that the focus of therapeutic recreation is providing services to persons with different abilities, and it is Slippery Rock's therapeutic Recreation Department that facilitates what seems to be turning into a fun-filled annual event.

Sunday the 8th: Brunch at the Steel Cactus, 1809 East Carson Street, south Side, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, followed by the hike which Veronique will lead along South Side trails from 1:30 PM to 3 PM. Persons taking Access should schedule return trips from the Steel Cactus for 3:30 PM.

Tuesday the 10th: The Pittsburgh opera will present Cosi fan Tuti at the Benedum Center, 7th Street and Penn Ave., in Downtown Pittsburgh with a 7 PM start time. Audio description and Braille programs will be available upon request.

Wednesday the 11th: Mall Walking will be held at the Monroeville Mall, starting at 9 AM.

Saturday the 14th: The Pittsburgh Opera will present their free Brown Bag Lunch Series from noon to 1 at their headquarters: 2425 Liberty Ave. Saturday the 14th is also when Horseback riding will be held at 1 PM at a cost of $15 per person, payable on the day of this activity.

Thursday the 19th: Phone Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, by 9 PM to ask if Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall will be held the following Wednesday.

Sunday the 22nd: 10 PM fudge ordering deadline with Terri Winaught: 412-263-2022.

Wednesday the 25th: Mall Walking might be held, but this is uncertain due to this being the day before Thanksgiving.

Thursday the 26th: Yoga will NOT be held due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Sunday the 29th: 9 PM deadline to sign up for the Holiday Party with Cindy Perseo: 412-421-3992.
9 PM on the 29th is also the deadline to let Andrea Schwartz know you want to walk at the Ross Park Mall the following Thursday: 724-444-0064. The final sign-up deadline for Sunday the 29th is the 10 PM deadline for letting Tammi Swiantek know you want to attend December's Board meeting: 412-488-6298.

Thank you to Maurice Johnston, Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs, and Tina Wassermann, all of whom contribute to making BOLD Ventures accessible.

THE END