BOLD VENTURES January 2026
Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development
This BOLD Ventures is sponsored by Debby Hill.
Another BOLD year is almost over, and it has been a good one. From our Fiftieth anniversary celebration to our recent trip on Molly’s trolley. From snow tubing to tandem biking. There’s been activities for everyone. Let’s continue the trend and have a good 2026. Happy New Year!
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, at BOLD’s holiday party we will be having elections for three board offices. Here is the list of offices to be filled and the people who are running: President, Carol Lubecki; First Vice-President, Stephanie Cataldo; Corresponding Secretary, Debby Hill. We hope you can be there on January 18 for this important meeting and fun event. The details are in the January Calendar of this BOLD Ventures.
Show your support for BOLD, it’s time to pay dues. In BOLD part of our getting ready for the new year is 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 10307, Pittsburgh, PA, 15234. 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 2026. Also, if there has been any change in your contact information, please send it to our Corresponding Secretary Debby Hill at dm-hill@comcast.net. Thanks for paying your dues!
JANUARY CALENDAR
Monday, January 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 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 3.
Tuesdays, January 6 and 20, from 9:45 am to 1:15 pm, Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall. (This is a slight change in time.) Cost is free. Lunch is on your own at the food court. Sighted guides and visually impaired walkers sign up by noon the Tuesday prior to the walk by calling Peggy at 412-683-6070 or text/call her at 412-977-2351. So, to sign up for January 6, contact Peggy by noon Tuesday, December 30, and for January 20 contact Peggy by noon January 13. Be sure to sign up so that if there is any change or cancellation for mall walking, you will get the information.
Wednesday, January 7 and 21, 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!
Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22, & 29, from noon to 1:30, Ice skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15228. Cost is $7. If you’re looking for some exercise, 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 you 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 18, 2026, from 2 to 5:30 pm, BOLD Holiday Party and board election. St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, in the spacious accessible hall. Catered dinner by The Chef and I Catering at 3:00 followed by membership meeting to vote on Board Officers. Optional, bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Our dinner menu is mixed greens salad; Chicken Marsala; vegetable lasagna; smashed red potatoes; a vegetable medley of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots; and rolls and butter. Drinks are coffee, water, and pop. Make your reservation by Sunday, January 4, at 8 pm by calling Linda, at 412-681-9686.
Wednesday, January 21, from 7 pm to 8 pm, A phone Visit with the Counsel of Three Rivers American Indian Center (COTRAIC), on BOLD’s Conference Line 385-799-9487. Mike Sims from COTRAIC will be describing the activities held at the center including a pow-wow held in September. No reservation needed but join us and give Mr. Sims a BOLD welcome.
Sunday, January 25, 9 am, Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs Resort. Enter the lodge near Emo’s Pit. 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 25, contact Scotto Gray at scottog@yahoo.com by Thursday January 22 to sign up and get more information. Low-vision and blind skiers make your reservation for the January 25 ski day by 9 pm Tuesday, January 20 with Nancy at 412-561-3972.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Note: All the details for these upcoming events will be in February’s BOLD Ventures.
Upcoming Ski Dates, thanks to Scotto. They are:
Sundays, February 1 and 22, 2026
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Sunday, February 8 from 3 to 5 pm, Roller Skating at the Western PA School for Blind Children, 201 N. Bellefield Avenue, 15213.
Wednesday, February 25, from 4 to 6 pm, mark your calendar for snow tubing.
Touch and Taste Sensory Experience is coming in February. Christina of CoNectar has offered BOLD a special class on bees and honey. There will be models to touch and information about and tasting of various honeys.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Anyone interested in getting information about the availability of tickets for the Pittsburgh Symphony or chamber music concerts, please call Tony at 412-310-2508 or email tony.diana.rock@gmail.com.
BOLD BITS
Our heartfelt condolences to Penny Fleckenstein whose mother passed away on December 6.
BOLD thanks to Joyce Driben for leading the holiday stress discussion on December 10 on the BOLD Conference line. The crowd was small, but Joyce made it a good hour for attendees.
Brad would like to know if anyone is interested in doing wall climbing at Ascend. If you are interested, be sure to send Brad an email at bradleetebbs@gmail.com.
Congratulation to Penny Fleckenstein who recently passed an exam and is now a Certified Peer Specialist. And congratulation to Terri Winaught who has received certification as an Ombudsman.
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
Thanks to the fine work of Marty Mathews, anyone can hear a recording of this newsletter by calling 401-252-0029 Access Code: 265365#.
CONTACT US
WPA BOLD
PO Box 10307
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
DONATE
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold
Editors: Debby Hill & friends