BOLD VENTURES
September 2018
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
Editorial team: Veronique Schreurs, Nancy Leverett, Terri Winaught, Peggy Walsh
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Update Line: 1-773-572-3078 (updates recorded each Friday.)
Note: the newsletter for September is coming earlier than usual. Some August events are repeated here. For Mall walking and yoga in August, see the previous newsletter. Note that yoga is cancelled August 9 & 16.
Still available on AUGUST CALENDAR:
Water Skiing with the Golden Triangle Water Ski Club, Sunday August 26th meeting at 8:30 at the Steel City Rowing Club boathouse and launch at 100 Arch St. in Verona for a short pontoon boat ride to the island where the water skiing will be done from 9 to noon followed by a picnic lunch, Skiers should be back to Steel City by 2:30. If you are interested in using TRAS adaptive sit ski equipment they want your registration by August 6th. This activity is free. Reserve with Nancy Leverett by August19th at 412-561-3972
Tuesday August 21st from 1:00 pm to2:30 pm: Come and take a ride on Nautical Nature, a 37-passenger enclosed pontoon boat and Moraine State Park’s premier attraction. While enjoying a lunch of either pepperoni or cheese pizza with pop, ice tea, lemonade and water to drink. The narration will tell us about the area’s natural history and osprey reintroduction, while appreciating the unique scenery and wildlife on an exciting trip around Lake Arthur. Followed by an additional hour of swimming at the lakes’ beach. BOLD’s subsidized cost for the boat ride and lunch is $10.00 for members and $15.00 for nonmembers, children under 12 are $5.00. Reserve with Karen Seligman at 412-715-8382 by August 14th and tell her if you need a ride or if you can drive and how many people you can take.
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
Saturday September 8, 2018: A leisurely walk in Schenley Park, starting time: 9:00 am and ending approximately at 11:00. Meeting point Schenley Park - Bartlett Shelter near the corner of Bartlett and Hobart St. Walking distance of 2 to 3 miles. Easy terrain Trails/roads with crushed limestone surface. Mostly in the shade. Led by City Park Ranger Ernie Francestine, who will share information about trees & plants common to the park, a bit about birds & other wildlife in the park, and some park history and whatever else may be his area of greatest interest/expertise. Reserve with Jeff Mulkern 412-487-9469 by Tuesday September 4.
Saturday September 15, from 12:00 until 5:00, indoor games party, no cost, at the home of Ray Jablonowski, 4551 Parade St., Pittsburgh PA 15207, reserve with Tammi Swiantek: 412-488-6298 by September 9.
Thursday September 6: Mall walking at the Ross Park Mall from 10am till noon. To reserve, call Pat DePasquale by Sunday September 2nd. 412-492-1692.
Thursday September 20 is when Mall Walking will be at the Ross Park Mall from 10 AM till noon. To reserve, call Toni Kelly by Sunday the 16th: 412-965-4443.
Sunday September 2nd by 10pm: deadline to reserve with Tammi Swiantek 412-488-6298 if you will be at September’s Board meeting.
Tuesday September the 4th is when Tammi will chair BOLD’s Board meeting at One Smithfield Street in the Pirates Room on the First Floor. All are welcomed to attend, the approximate times being 6:30 to 8:30 PM. (Bring your ideas and your willingness and energy to implement them.)
Wednesdays the 5th and 19th are when Mall Walking will be held at the Monroeville Mall from 9 to 11 AM. To sign up with Joyce Driben the Thursday before on her cell: 412-216-0930.
Thursdays the 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th: Yoga at Squirrel Hill’s Schoolhouse Studio: 2215 Murray Ave. from 2:30 to 4 PM. Cost, $10 per person ($15 optional if the group is small). Reserve the Tuesday before with Veronique 412-225-4038.
FUNDRAISING FACTS
Remember to save the date: Sunday, October 7th, since that is when BOLD will hold a live auction at One Smithfield Street from 2 to 5 PM. Setup at 1pm. If you are unable to help set up the room and come early, please wait in the lobby till the room is ready. To donate a new or gently used item; sign up to attend the auction, or both, phone Terri Winaught: 412-263-2022, with Thursday the 4th being the reservation deadline. Donations will be checked before the auction. Anything that cannot be used will be returned to the donor.
Donations so far are: a donut maker which makes four donuts; a juicer; a gift card from Salonikas; a talking meat thermometer; homemade fudge, homemade zucchini bread; water bottles from Tupperware, and additional Tupperware items a representative will be donating.
Terri is happy to report that the fundraising Committee she chairs now has the following eight members: Bill Burgunder, Norma Caquatto, Linda Davis, Penny Fleckenstein, Nancy Leverett, Carol Platt, Peggy Walsh and Terri Winaught. This committee met for the first time on July 26th, and will meet again before the October auction. Terri thanks and appreciates each committee member and his/her unique talents and abilities.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday November 10: Holiday shopping at Grove City, $15. We will arrange guides to meet us there. But we need to know as soon as possible how many people want to make this trip. Please call reservationist Peggy 412-683-6070 no later than October 1 if you are interested so we can decide on the feasibility. We will charter a bus, going from Human Services if enough people are interested.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Pittsburgh Opera: their two September events will be held at headquarters: 2425 Liberty Ave., 25th street entrance, Pgh 15222. Reserve in advance with Marilyn Egan, 412-281-0912, X242.
Sunday September 16, 6pm: Rising Stars concert. Come early. It’s popular and open seating!
Sunday September 23, 2pm: Opera up Close discussion of “Madam Butterfly”.
Sunday September 30: “The Revolutionists” (with all female cast) at the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., South Side 15243. Time: 1pm: Blind/Visually impaired workshop, 2pm audio-described performance of. For more information and to order $22 ticket with or without companion call the Box Office at 412-431-4900, Option 3.
Tuesday October 9, 7pm at the Benedum Center, downtown: audio-described performance of Madam Butterfly. Braille/large print programs available. To learn about the length of the performance and to order $10 tickets for blind/vision impaired patron with companion call Regina Connelly, 412-281-0912 X213.
Wednesday October 10: Pittsburgh Public Theater, free city performance of “Pride and Prejudice” at 6:15PM for the Blind/Visually impaired workshop and 7:00PM performance. Location: The O’Reilly, 621 Penn Ave., Pgh 15222. Admission passes are sent in advance. To have your name added to the mailing list call Shaun Hall: 412-316-8200. To learn more about the full subscription season call the box office: 412-316-1600.
BOLD BITS
On Saturday September 22, first dinner of the season at the Pittsburgh Lutheran center for the Blind. Time 4-7pm, dinner at 5pm; Address: 535 North Neville Street, Rear entrance, Oakland. To sign up phone Sherri Crum: 412-682-1800 by September 22, 6pm.
Get well wishes to Joyce Driben who broke two bones in her left wrist, Carol Platt and Jim Winaught continue to need prayers and well wishes as they strive to recover from a variety of physical health challenges.
Happy birthday to Ceinwen King-smith, Stu Weissman, and anyone else with a September birthday.
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES
From Penny Fleckenstein: “Two cancellations later, and we finally hit the perfect day in July for kayaking on the lake at North Park. The problem was, my friend Beth who is my tandem bike captain was unable to be my tandem kayak captain on the new date. I trust and depend on Beth's athleticism to get me through anything sports-related. I asked my friend Jean who had never been kayaking before to be my partner. I felt very nervous as our trip on the water approached.
Mel and Ashley, our leaders from Venture Outdoors, got us suited up in our life jackets, showed us the paddles, and answered our questions. They helped us get into our kayaks with Jean in the back. Ashley talked us through as she went ahead of us making sure we paddled properly and in the right direction. My arms were hurting when we got to the turn around point. I overheard Mel tell Tammi to paddle from her torso not her arms. I felt relieved as I paddled back having learned this new and improved technique. I felt joy as we arrived on shore, and heard Jean exclaim, "I did it! I did it! I just did it!"
Jean and I were helped out of the boat. I felt so happy to have brought her so much joy. I had overcome my anxiety and now feel confident enough to paddle a single kayak with a Venture Outdoors guide on my own. That's what I love about BOLD!”
From Tammi Swiantek: “Now, I know why they call it fishing and not catching. On BOLD’s recent fishing trip, we caught some sunshine, a few raindrops, a bunch of seaweed, and, in my case, half of a flying worm, which led to plenty of laughter and a bit more caution when handling rods. Unfortunately, the one thing no one caught was a fish. Still, I enjoyed the relaxing day out on a comfortable boat with a fun group of BOLDsters. I look forward to similar outings on water in future seasons. Thanks a bunch to Captain Bob and all of our volunteers!”
THE END