BOLD VENTURES January 2025
Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development
Sponsorship of the January BOLD Ventures is by Bill Burgunder.
Thanks, Bill, for getting 2025 off to a good start.
Can you believe that it has been a quarter century since January 2000 which was predicted
to start with a world-stopping computer disaster. It didn’t happen, and here we are in 2025. Happy New Year from the BOLD Board and may everyone stay healthy in the new year!
Show your support for BOLD, it’s time to pay dues.
The holiday season is here, and this is also the time in BOLD to get ready for the new year, 2025, by paying dues. The dues for the upcoming year are $15. There are two ways to pay your dues. You can send a check payable to WPA BOLD to WPA BOLD, PO Box 9101, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Or if you like you can use either PayPal or a credit card at the donate button at the bottom of this Newsletter or on our website www.wpabold.blogspot.com and use the “donate” button. If you use our website, be sure to write a note saying that you are paying your dues. If you are new to BOLD and paid your dues after September 30th, you are covered for 2025. Also, if there has been any change in your contact information, please send it to our new treasurer Charlotte Ford at charpitt1995@gmail.com
BOLD Pictures: Our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wpabold
includes pictures of BOLD events.
January Calendar
Sunday, January 5, 9 am, Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs Resort.
No cost for ski equipment and lift tickets. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch. If you are interested in being a guide for BOLD’s vision impaired downhill skiers on January 5th, contact Scotto Gray at scottog@yahoo.com by Thursday January 2 to sign up and get more information. For vision impaired skiers for the January 5 ski day make your reservation by 9 pm Tuesday December 31 with Nancy at 412-561-3972.
Monday, January 6, from 6 to 8 pm, Board Meeting in-person at Western PA School for
Blind Children, 250 N. Bellefield Avenue, Oakland. Any non-board Members who want to attend must call Nancy at 412-561-3972 by Saturday, January 4. Note, this day change is not an error, due to board members’ schedules, the BOLD Board will now be meeting on the first Monday of the month.
Tuesdays, January 7 and 21, from 9 am to 12:30 pm,
Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall. Cost is free. Lunch is on your own at the food court. Sighted guides and visually impaired walkers sign up by 11 am the Tuesday prior to the walk by calling Peggy at 412-683-6070 or text her at 412-977-2351. So, to sign up for January 7, contact Peggy by 11 am Tuesday, December 31, and for January 21 contact Peggy by 11 am January 14.
Wednesdays, January 8 and 29, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD
virtual bingo, for all the sign-up information leave a voicemail or text Tammi at 412-951-6528 or email at tswiantek@comcast.net. Good luck and have fun!
Every Thursday in January, from noon to 1:30, Ice skating at
the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15228. Cost is $6. If you’re looking for some exercise in the new year consider Thursday ice skating. The ice is great, and accommodations can be made for all experience levels. If you’ve been thinking of trying skating but are worried about getting a ride, go ahead and sign up, and we may be able to find you transportation. We need sighted ice skaters to be guides on and off the ice. Sign-up by 8 pm on the Sunday before each date by leaving a voicemail or text for Tammi at 412-951-6528 or email at tswiantek@comcast.net.
Sunday, January 12, from 12:30 to 5 pm, snow tubing at Boyce Park with pizza party.
This is a free event thanks to the generosity of the Allegheny County Parks. Come join us for some winter fun at Boyce Park. We will be snow tubing from 12:30 to 2:30 And having a pizza party in the lodge from 2:30 to 5. There will be sighted guide assistance for getting up the hill, at the top of the hill for launching, and once you arrive at the bottom of the hill. There will also be an enclosed bond fire with marshmallows and s’mores. BOLD is partnering with our tennis friends to get rides for our members to and from the event. We are also teaming up to ensure anyone who needs to borrow snow pants, winter jackets, gloves, and hats will have what they need. When making reservations please indicate if you will need a ride and if you need winter gear. Please reserve your spot no later than Sunday, January 5 at 8 pm by calling or texting Carol at 484-318-9145.
Sunday, January 19, from 2 to 5 pm, After the Holidays Party, at
St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, in the spacious accessible hall. No charge. There will be food, music, and BOLD fun! We missed having a holiday party, so this is a chance for BOLD folks to get together and welcome the new year. BOLD will provide a sandwich lunch, but if you like please bring a favorite dessert. Sign up with Jeff by 8 pm Tuesday January 14 and let him know if you will be bringing a dessert at 412-487-9469 or going4walk@duck.com. Let’s have fun!
Thursday, January 23, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, BOLD Game Night on the conference line
385-799-9487. Penny will host, and she has ideas for games to play, but she will be counting on you to choose the fun! You do not have to sign-up for this event, just come and enjoy!
Sunday, January 26, 9 am, Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs Resort.
No cost for ski equipment and lift tickets. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch. If you are interested in being a guide for BOLD’s vision impaired downhill skiers on January 26, contact Scotto Gray at scottog@yahoo.com by Thursday January 23 to sign up and get more information. For vision impaired skiers for the January 26 ski day make your reservation by 9 pm Tuesday January 21 with Nancy at 412-561-3972.
Sunday, January 26, from 1 to 4 pm, card party at
Ray Jablonowski’s home, 4551 Parade St. Pittsburgh, Pa, 15207. Cost is free. Come enjoy an afternoon of playing Ray’s favorite card game Screw Your Neighbor! There will be plenty of snacks. Please note, if the Steelers happen to be in the playoffs and are playing on January 26 at 4 pm, the card party will happen. But, if the Steelers are in the playoffs and the game is at 1 on January 26, the party will be postponed. In any case, if you sign up, you will definitely be kept up to date. To make a reservation call Linda at 412-681-9686 by 8 pm Thursday January 23.
Thursday, January 30, from 7 to 8:30 pm, winter poetry and short story reading
on the conference line 385-799-9487. Hosted by Penny. When you sign up be sure to say if you are going to read a winter-themed poem or story or be a listener in the audience. Sign up with Terri by 10 pm Monday, January 27 at 412-441-0925 or email terriwinaught2@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events
Future downhill ski dates: February 9; March 2 and 16.
What happened to swimming? We do not have swimming in January, but we are hopeful
that it will return in February to a new location.
Toward the end of February, BOLD 50th Anniversary Party, at
Boyce Park lodge where BOLD started skiing in 1975. If you know of a former member blind or sighted that we could invite, contact Nancy at 412-561-3972 and give her the name and any contact information you have. There will be more details about the party in February’s BOLD Ventures.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Wednesday, January 8, 1 to 3:30 pm, Audio Described Movie at LAMP,
4724 Baum Blvd, 15213. No charge. Come enjoy the 1959 movie Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. There will be tactile items pertaining to the movie to explore and of course snacks and drinks. Register at http://www.mylamp.org or just show up.
Anyone interested in getting information about upcoming audio described plays or the
availability of tickets for cultural events such as symphony or chamber music concerts, or operas, please call Joyce at 412-521-4385.
BOLD BITS
Note: If you have any information about BOLD members that you would like
included as a BOLD Bit in a future BOLD Ventures newsletter, Contact Terri at 412-441-0925 before the 15th of the month, so that she has time to get the information in the upcoming month’s newsletter.
Keep those get-well wishes coming for Kimberly Smythe
who is still recovering from serious medical problems.
Happy January Birthday to:
Joyce Driben, Penny Fleckenstein, Nancy Kreuzer, Nancy Leverett, Cindy Perseo, Dave Popoleo, Sam Wagoner, Tobi Williams and anyone else celebrating a January birthday!
NEWSLETTER RECORDING: Anyone can hear a recording of this newsletter,
call 401-252-0029 Access Code: 265365#.
Contact Us
WPA BOLD
PO Box 9101
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold
Editors: Debby Hill & friends