January 2016 newsletter

BOLD VENTURES
January, 2016
(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

JOYFUL JANUARY
For some, January is a downer because it signals the end of holiday festivities and the beginning of winter's coldest weather. Here's hoping that BOLD can put some joy in your January with the following events: Board meeting on Tuesday the 5th; Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall on Wednesdays the 6th and 20th; Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall on Thursday the 7th; Yoga every Thursday-the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th-at Squirrel Hill's Schoolhouse Studio unless fewer than four people sign up. There will also be a variety of cultural events including an audio-described opera, a Speakers Series presentation, Pittsburgh Symphony concerts at Heinz Hall, and a free Brown Bag Lunch recital at the Opera's Strip District headquarters (see calendar for complete reservation info).

Since BOLD'S founders in Aspen, Colorado founded this organization with teaching persons with vision loss and low vision how to ski and persons who can see to serve as guides, this Editor would be remiss if she failed to mention the Downhill Ski Dates at Seven Springs. January 10th and the 24th are these ski dates as long as weather permits or there is no other reason for Seven Springs to cancel.


PAST EVENTS
The December 6th, 2015 Holiday Party was the most amazing celebration we have ever had, with more than 50 in attendance.

Many thanks to reservationist Cindy Perseo, and all of the drivers, guides, and helpers, without whom this event could never have taken place or been so successful.

LOOKING AHEAD
February's meeting on Tuesday the 2nd will be the last one at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Starting in March, monthly Board meetings will be at the Human Services building: One Smithfield Street, Rachael Carson Room, Lower Level, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15222.

Ray Jablonowski will be hosting his next house party and Game Day at his Greenfield home in March, possibly on March 13th (see February's and March's BOLD Ventures for final details).

The two weekends being discussed and considered for a spring Camp Kon-o-Kwee Weekend are the 20th and Mother's Day Weekend (more in future newsletters once a definite decision has been made.).


ADMINISTRATIVE ADD-ON
The following individuals will serve on the Board in 2016: President, Tammi Swiantek; First Vice-President, Nancy Leverett; Second Vice-President, Penny Fleckenstein; Recording Secretary, Karen Seligman; and Treasurer, Veronique Schreurs. Extra kudos to Karen Seligman who stepped up to the plate as Recording Secretary even though she joined BOLD only recently. Since Veronique Schreurs has been interim Recording Secretary in the absence of that officer for several years, Karen was so willing to help that she began attending meetings and taking minutes even before her secretarial position became official.

Additional BOLD members to be commended are Jim Winaught and Missy Folmer, both of whom offered at the 2015 Holiday Party to serve on the Programs Committee which Nancy Leverett chairs.

Finally, remain a valuable and valued BOLD member by renewing your $12 dues. To do this, send a check or money order made payable to Western PA BOLD, to 2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Thank you in advance for making Veronique's job easier by indicating in the memo that your payment is for 2016 dues.


PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
As mentioned above, the 2015 Holiday Party was so well attended that the number exceeded 50. The last time we had attendance was in 2007 or 2008 when we held our Holiday Party in Crafton with an attendance of 62.

Yet another positive aspect was the delicious food catered by Lynne's in McKees Rocks. This Editor hopes that we will use this company again.

Finally, Ray Jablonowski's presence was so uplifting that Linda Davis told this Editor, "He is so funny and so much fun that I can't wait until the next party at his house." Cindy Perseo concurred by adding, "I haven't forgotten that I said I would write a Personal Perspective on Ray. He is so nice and does so much for BOLD that I'm still going to call you with a Perspective just on him>"

If you want to be interviewed for or write a Personal Perspective, please phone 412-263-2022 or E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net. If your Perspective is one you plan to write, you may also bring it to a Board meeting.


FUNDRAISING FACTS
At BOLD'S Holiday Party, we sold $210 worth of raffle tickets at $1 per ticket. The winner of half the pot ($105), was Mark Grasak.

Although Ray Jablonowski won the second prize, which was a lucky lotto calendar, he generously donated that calendar to BOLD so that we will receive any proceeds from it if the three-digit number on the calendar comes out during 2016.

Last, but far from least in importance, Erin Wagner won the third and final prize which was a pound of plain chocolate fudge.

In addition to the lucrative raffle, we also sold 51 pounds of fudge on which BOLD earned $5.50 per pound. This meant that the revenue the fudge sale generated for BOLD was $280.50. Fundraising chair Terri Winaught can't thank enough the many people who made this fudge Fundraiser so successful.

Finally, Terri Winaught will be bringing to January's Board meeting the suggestion of having a Bingo Fundraiser either in February or March, so see future newsletters and phone the Update Line at 1-773-597-4222.


BOLD BITS
Compassion and condolences to Mike Gravitt whose mother died in December, 2015. Although the death of a loved one is always difficult and painful, it is often even more so when it occurs during the holiday season.

On a recovery-oriented note, this Editor is happy to report that Carol Platt has been doing well since her last hip replacement surgery in October, 2015. Carol was even out and about doing lots of walking and holiday shopping at the Monroeville Mall.
Congratulations to Jim Winaught who was hired by Landmark to provide game-day security for Steelers and Pitt football.
"I will be able to work year-round," Jim shared, "since they also provide security for all events at Heinz Field, events at Stage A.E., games at Duquesne University, and sporting events at Penn State University.
Through their sharing at the December, 2015 Board meeting, Nancy Leverett and Tammi Swiantek proved that having fun can also make someone a winner.
"We may have come in last at the Head of the Charles Rowing Competition," Tammi explained "but we couldn't have had more fun."
On another great health note, Sam Wagner recently had cataract surgery which restored sight he had previously lost. (It doesn't get much more heartwarming than that.)

The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped continues to host fun and educational events at their Baum Boulevard facility and at the Downtown branch. To learn more, or be put on their E-mail list, phone 412-687-2440.

All are welcomed to attend Golden Triangle Council of the Blind meetings which are held on the third Saturday of each month, which means January's meeting will be on the 16th. To join this grassroots advocacy organization geared to persons with vision loss or low vision, dues are $15, which you can pay to Treasurer Judy Zaken at any meeting. The meeting venue is One Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh.

January's meal at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind will be on Saturday the 30th from 5 to 6:30 PM, preceded by a Bible study and followed by a Vespers Service. To sign up with Sherri Crum, phone Sherri Crum at 412-682-1800 during the week of January 16th through the 30th by 6 PM on the 30th.
Since Diane Popoleo is a frequent attendee at Lutheran Center meals, this is a good of a time as any to congratulate her on having successfully completed yet another Seeing Eye(R) training for a new dog. Although this Editor does not know this new fur person's name, she will be more than delighted to share it in next month's BOLD Bits

Happy Birthday to Joyce Driben, Penny Fleckenstein, Nancy Leverett, Cindy Perseo, Dave Popoleo, and anyone else with a January birthday.

To submit a BOLD Bit, bring it to a Board meeting or phone 412-263-2022. You may also E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net. You may also use this contact info to give this Editor newsletter feedback.

DECEMBER CALENDAR
Signup deadline for yoga is always on Tuesday at 9pm with Veronique 412=225-4038. Yoga instruction costs $15 per person per class payable on the day of instruction.

Yoga is always canceled if fewer than four people reserve, so it is important to let Veronique know if you are planning to come. This will not be repeated.

Sunday the 3rd: 9 PM deadline with Andrea Schwartz to sign up for Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall, and 10 PM deadline to let Tammi Swiantek know you will be attending January’s Board meeting. Andrea’s number is 724-444-0064, and Tammi’s number is 412-488-6298.

Tuesday the 5th: Board meeting from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind children: 201 North Bellefield Ave.

Tuesday the 5th at 9 PM is the Downhill Skiing reservation deadline with Dom Ceresa: 724-527-1857

Wednesday the 6th: Mall walking at Monroeville Mall from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by lunch in the food court or at a nearby Monroeville restaurant. (Due to holiday closures, I am unsure when the reservation deadline with Joyce Driben is, so you might want to phone her at 412-521-4385.)

Thursday the 7th: Mall Walking at the Ross Park and yoga from 2:30 PM to 4 PM at Squirrel Hill’s Schoolhouse Studio: 2215 Murray Ave.

Saturday the 9th: Brown Bag Lunch Opera series from noon until 1 at Pittsburgh Opera’s Headquarters: 2425 Liberty Ave. in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, and 8 PM Downhill Skiing cancelation deadline with Dom Ceresa: 724-527-1857.

Sunday the 10th: Downhill Skiing from 9 AM to 3 PM at Seven Springs. (Skiing will never be canceled unless the weather is prohibitive or Seven Springs cancels.)

Also Sunday the 10th opera up close of “Little Women”, 2PM at Pittsburgh Opera’s Headquarters: 2425 Liberty Ave. in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

Thursday the 14th: Yoga from 2:30-4PM , and 9 PM Mall Walking reservation deadline with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.

Tuesday the 19th: 9 PM Downhill Skiing reservation deadline with Dom Ceresa: 724-527-1857.

Wednesday the 20th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall, starting at 9 AM and meeting at the food court entrance.

Thursday the 21st: Yoga from 2:30 PM to 4 PM at Squirrel Hill’s Schoolhouse Studio.

Saturday the 23rd: 8 PM Downhill Skiing cancelation deadline with Dom Ceresa: 724-527-1857.

Sunday the 24th: Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Tuesday the 26th: opera “Little Women”, 7pm at CAPA, 911 Fort Duquesne blvd.

Thursday the 28th: Yoga as long as four or more people signed up, and 9 PM deadline with Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, for the first Wednesday in February.

Sunday the 31st: 9 PM deadline with Andrea Schwartz for Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall the first Thursday in February, and 10 PM deadline to inform Tammi Swiantek that you will attend February’s Board meeting. Andrea’s number is 724-444-0064, and Tammi’s is 412-488-6298.

THE END