November 2024 newsletter

BOLD VENTURES November 2024

Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development

Sponsorship of the November BOLD Ventures is by Terri Winaught in honor of Jim Winaught.

Thank you, Terri, for your generosity!

Important BOLD Dates in November:

First Tuesday the 5th, election day. Be sure to vote. Monday, the 11th, Veterans Day, even if you don’t attend a veteran’s event, take some time to remember all that veterans have done for us. And last but not least, Thursday the 28th, Thanksgiving, let the feasting begin. Have a good November and happy Thanksgiving!

General Membership Meeting: BOLD will be holding a general membership meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 6:30 pm on our conference line. This meeting will be for the election of these board members: Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. Article V Section 1 of the BOLD Constitution states: “The names of all nominees shall be submitted by mail to all members in good standing at least 30 days prior to the election.” This is that notice. The following BOLD members have been nominated: Second Vice-President, Carol Lubecki; Recording Secretary, Karen Seligman; and Treasurer Charlotte Ford. Please join us for this important meeting on the BOLD conference line at 385-799-9487.

Slogan and Artwork Contest: Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry to the Slogan and Artwork contest. The board chose the slogan “50 Years of Being BOLD Together” in honor of BOLD’s fiftieth anniversary in 2025. We are looking for a t-shirt design to go with the slogan, so if you have any ideas, send them to Debby at dm-hill@comcast.net.

Be a 2025 BOLD Ventures Sponsor

Bold prides itself on the fact that our monthly newsletter, BOLD Ventures, is made available to our members in the format of their choice—email, braille, print and large print. But doing this involves various costs. You could help defray some of the cost by being a BOLD Ventures sponsor for a month. The BOLD Board would like to thank all the sponsors for 2024. Your willingness to help is much appreciated. If you would like to sponsor one of the 2025 BOLD Ventures, just make a $50 donation to BOLD. If you wish, for your donation, you will get your name and a short greeting of your choice in BOLD Ventures. For more information and to set up your sponsorship, contact Debby at 412-742-4288 or dm-hill@comcast.net.

A BOLD Event Reminder: If you sign up for one of our events, and find that you will not be able to attend, please, please  let the person who signed you up know that you won’t be attending. Having an accurate count of participants makes an event organizer’s job much easier.

BOLD Pictures: Our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wpabold includes pictures of BOLD events.

November Calendar

Tuesday, November 5, 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 November 3rd.

Thursdays, November 7, 14, and 21, from noon to 1:30, Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15228. Cost is $6.

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.

Tuesdays, November 5 & 19, 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 with Joyce at 412-521-4385. So, to sign up for November 5, call Joyce by 11 am Tuesday, October 29, and for November 19 call Joyce by 11 am November 12.

Wednesdays, November 6 and 27, 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!

Saturday, November 9, from 10 am to 1 pm, Hike and sandwich lunch at Hartwood Acre Park, no cost,  exact meeting place to be announced. Enjoy a moderately fast hike on wide trails with some elevation changes that aren’t too steep while stopping to do hands-on exploration of nature. Sighted guides and visually impaired hikers sign-up with Nancy by Wednesday November 6 by 9 pm at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net and give your lunch choice of Italian hoagie or peanut butter and jelly on wheat or gluten free bread, and bring your own water bottle.

Monday, November 11, from 1 to 2 pm, Swimming at the Athletic Club, Carnegie Library of Homestead. 511 East 11th Ave, Munhall, 15120, no charge. When you arrive, use the elevator on the left to go down to the ground floor to the locker rooms, restrooms and pool. Arrive early, so you can swim the whole hour. Sign up with Marty by 8 pm Friday November 8th at 412-440-4909.

Sunday, November 24th, 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. To make a reservation call Linda at 412-681-9686 by 8 pm Thursday November 21st.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

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

A big BOLD Welcome to Mason Timothy Davin, Alison Davin’s new son and Nancy and Bruce Leverett’s new grandson who was born on Friday, September 27th. He may not know it yet, but he has arrived into a good family!

A big bunch of get-well wishes go out to Diann and Dave Popoleo and Aaron and Sam Wagoner. Both families have been dealing with health issues.

Continue to send positive thoughts and prayers to Kimberly Smythe who is having a slow recovery from recent surgery.

My BOLD Take: A Fall Fun Fest

by Peggy Walsh. On Thursday evening September 26th, a group of BOLD-sters and other writers from the American Council of the Blind gathered on the BOLD conference line to share their work, much of it already published in special-interest magazines. There were many tributes to the beauty of autumn, as well as Halloween stories (one a fantasy in rhyme, another a rollicking tale of a comically haunted house party for very creative costumed kids!) The variety was delightful. Verses ranged from Haiku to sonnet to of-course free verse. A couple poems were even poignantly autobiographical. Several people joined us just to listen. Our next get-together will be in January. All the details will be in January’s BOLD Ventures.

Happy November Birthday to:

Bill and Tom Burgunder, Debby Hill, Donna McKendree, Mark Pugh, and anyone else celebrating a November 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

Donate

Email: boldwpa@gmail.com

Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold

Editors: Debby Hill & friends

October newsletter

BOLD VENTURES October 2024

Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development

Sponsorship of the October BOLD Ventures is by Bradlee Tebbs.

Thank you, Brad for generously supporting BOLD!

Important BOLD Dates in October: 

Of course there’s Halloween, but another date in October to remember is White Cane Day on October 15. Remind all of the drivers you know that when they see someone with a White Cane—or a dog guide—they need to slow down and give the right-of-way.

It’s a BOLD Slogan and Artwork Contest!

BOLD would like to have a slogan and artwork that can be used on t-shirts and other promotional stuff, so the BOLD Board has decided to have a contest. It’s time to put on your thinking cap, fire up those creative juices and create for BOLD. If art is your thing but words are not send in your artwork. If words are your talent, we welcome your slogans. And of course, if you can combine words and art, we’ll be happy to see it. The entries will be judged by the BOLD board, and the winner(s) will receive a BOLD t-shirt and a free membership for 2025. We need your entries by Sunday September 29th at 9 pm. Send them to Debby at dm-hill@comcast.net. Have fun!

Important Reminder: 

By year’s end, Elections will be held for Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. We are still seeking nominations, and in particular for the position of treasurer. To nominate yourself or another BOLD member, contact Jeff, the Chairperson of the nominating committee, by 8 pm Sunday October 6th at 412-487-9469 or going4walk@duck.com.

BOLD Pictures: 

Our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wpabold includes pictures of BOLD events. This month the focus is on the Bayada Regatta and the Pittsburgh Fair.

October Calendar

Tuesday, October 1, 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 September 29.

Every Thursday, in October from noon to 1:30, Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15228. Cost is $6. 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.

Saturday October 5th from 10 to 2, Seventh Annual Braddock Farm Fall Festival, 1000 Braddock Ave, Braddock Pa, 15104. Cost is free including food. The Farm is located at the corner of Braddock and 10th St. Take the 61A bus. Coming from town, get off at 9th and Braddock. You will be across the street from the farm. There will be volunteer guides ready to help you enjoy the fun! There will be fall themed crafts, games such as the fall dessert and monster/best Halloween dressed vegetables contests, the farm olympics, demonstrations, exhibits and then there is good food. For more information, and/or to request a sighted guide, contact Carol by Sunday September 29th by 8 pm at 484-318-9145.

Sunday, October 6th, from noon to 5 pm, picnic at Ray Jablonowski’s home, 4551 Parade St. Pittsburgh, Pa, 15207. Cost is free. There will be indoor and outdoor games and lots of fun! To make a reservation call Linda at 412-681-9686 by 8 pm Sunday September 29th.

Tuesdays, October 8 & 22, 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 with Peggy at 412-683-6070. So, to sign up for October 8, call Peggy by 11 am Tuesday, October 1, and for October 22 call Peggy by 11 am October 15.

Wednesdays, October 9 and 23, 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!

Saturday, October 12, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, tandem biking on the Gap Trail, Meet at West Newton Bicycle Shop, 106 West Main St, West Newton, PA, 15089. The cost is free for the ride and a hoagie lunch from the Subway at 101 South Water Street, West Newton. We need some sighted bikers to captain the tandem bikes and provide rides to and from the trailhead. Scotto will be there early to give tips and instructions of being a tandem captain and pair up captains and stokers. We will provide tandem bikes. However, if you know of a tandem, we can use please let us know about it. If you are a willing captain with questions, contact Scotto at, scottog@yahoo.com. Everyone make your reservations by 9 pm Sunday  October 6th and give your order for either of the hoagie choices of Italian, turkey or Veggie. To make your reservation, sighted captains contact Scotto at scottog@yahoo.com; visually impaired stokers contact Maggi at 412-613-8592 or mio528@comcast.net.

Monday, October 14, from 1 to 2 pm, Swimming at the Athletic Club, Carnegie library of Homestead. 511 East 11th Ave, Munhall, 15120, no charge. When you arrive, use the elevator on the left to go down to the ground floor to the locker rooms, restrooms and pool. Arrive early, so you can swim the whole hour. Sign up with Marty by 8 pm Friday October 11th at 412-440-4909.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

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

Every Saturday in October from 11:30 to 1:30, at the Highland Park Tennis Court, there will be blind tennis. For more information email Lori at info@highlandparktennisclub.org.

BOLD best wishes to Susan Oberlander who recently had cataract surgery, and she will be having another one soon. Susan, we are rooting for you to have clearer vision. Another big bunch of get-well wishes go out to Kimberly Smythe, who has been hospitalized with some serious health problems.

We are very glad to hear that although Veronique Schreurs had to have a medical procedure, it was successful! That’s great news!

Congratulations to the Three Rivers Rowing Association (TRRA) Para and Adaptive Rowing Team that included five members of BOLD, who rowed at the 41st Bayada Regatta held on the Schuylkill River September 14th. All of the BOLD rowers were in multiple races and each received at least one medal. Many thanks to the wonderful coaches and dedicated volunteers from TRRA that make rowing available to disabled athletes via training and practices all year round.

A BOLD Day at the Fair:

On September 15th, BOLD had a booth at the Pittsburgh County Fair. The weather was sunny and warm. Carol, Joyce, and Karen with invaluable help from Ryan and Chelsea had fun judging the Best Tomato in Pittsburgh contest by taste testing 13 tomatoes. Ryan used his math skills to determine the heirloom tomato that was the winner. During the day the group spread the word about BOLD by handing out business cards, and membership applications, and by having many conversations. They also got a chance to enjoy the fair by eating fair  food, visiting other booths, and petting a sheep.

My BOLD Take by Terri Winaught

On Wednesday, September 11th, I attended my first Bingo on Zoom with Wisconsin BOLD. I found Reservationist Tammi extremely helpful when providing the Zoom link and explaining how things work. In addition, I also enjoyed how well Wisconsin BOLD member Ray called the numbers and explained how to play the games with which some of us were unfamiliar. Then, I embarrassed myself by running out of chips; having no time to find more, I used cough drops to fill in the remaining numbers. The bingo event was audio only, and no one saw the cough drops. But, having to come up with such a novel solution made my first Wisconsin BOLD Bingo an evening to remember.

Happy October Birthday to:

Dan Cornell, Norma Caquatto, Cindy Flerman, Mark Grasak, Jim Musto, Kimberly Smythe, and anyone else celebrating an October 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

Donate

Email: boldwpa@gmail.com

Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold

Editors: Debby Hill & friends

September newsletter

BOLD VENTURES September 2024

Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development

Sponsorship of the September BOLD Ventures is by Tom Burgunder. Thank you, Tom for your generous support!

It’s a BOLD Slogan and Artwork Contest!

BOLD would like to have a slogan and artwork that can be used on t-shirts and other promotional stuff, so the BOLD Board has decided to have a contest. It’s time to put on your thinking cap, fire up those creative juices and create for BOLD. If art is your thing but words are not send in your artwork. If words are your talent, we welcome your slogans. And of course, if you can combine words and art, we’ll be happy to see it. The entries will be judged by the BOLD board, and the winner(s) will receive a BOLD t-shirt and a free membership for 2025. We need your entries by Sunday September 29th at 9 pm. Send them to Debby at dm-hill@comcast.net. Have fun!

Important Note: By year’s end, Elections will be held for Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer. If you are interested in being nominated for one of these positions, contact Jeff, the Chairperson of the nominating committee, by 8 pm Sunday October 6th at 412-487-9469 or going4walk@duck.com.

September Calendar

Tuesday, September 3, 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 September 1.

Beginning Thursday, September 5, and every Thursday in September, from noon to 1:30, Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15228. Cost is $5.  Ice Skating is back! 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.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 6 - 8, Pittsburgh Irish Festival, 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd, 15218. (This location is in Swissvale and Rankin in the Monongahela River Valley.) BOLD has been given ten one-day tickets to the festival. There are no charge for the tickets, and they will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. No sighted guides will be provided. If you would like to enjoy lots of Irish music, demonstration of Irish sports, an exhibit describing the 32 counties of Ireland and more, call or text Carol at 484-318-9145.

Monday, September 9, from 1 to 2 pm, Swimming at the Athletic Club, Carnegie library of Homestead. 511 East 11th Ave, Munhall, 15120, no charge. When you arrive, use the elevator on the left to go down to the ground floor to the locker rooms, restrooms and pool. Arrive early, so you can swim the whole hour. Sign up with Marty by 8 pm Friday September 6th at 412-440-4909.

Tuesdays, September 10 & 24, 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 call Joyce at 412-521-4385. Sign up by 11 AM the Tuesday prior to the walk. So, to sign up for September 10, call Joyce by 11 am Tuesday, September 3, and for September 24 call by 11 AM September 17.

Wednesdays, September 11 and 18, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD virtual bingo. For all the fun information leave a voicemail or text Tammi at 412-951-6528 or email at tswiantek@comcast.net.

Sunday, September 15, from 11 am to 6 pm, Pittsburgh County Fair, Allegheny Commons Park West, 601 Ridge Avenue, 15212. This is the 2nd annual Pittsburgh fair featuring homegrown delicious food, crafts, and exhibits from around the city. BOLD will have a booth where we will be telling folks about BOLD and recruiting members and volunteers. During the first hours of the fair BOLD members will be judges for the “Best Tomato in Pittsburgh” contest. What fun! We get to pick the criteria for the judging. For more information about the fair go to https://fermentpittsburgh.com/. If you are interested in attending call or text Carol by noon on Saturday the 14th at 484-318-9145.

Thursday, September 26, from 7 to 8:30 pm, fall poetry and short story reading on the conference line 385-799-9487. If you have written poetry or a short story with a fall theme and would like to share with others, join Penny and Terri on the conference line. If you would just like to listen, that’s fine, too. If you would like to read something you’ve written, please let Terri know by September 23rd by email at terriwinaught2@gmail.com, by phone at 412-441-0925 or by text at 412-595-6187.

October Calendar 

Saturday October 5th from 10 to 2, Seventh Annual Braddock Farm Fall Festival, 1000 Braddock Ave, Braddock Pa, 15104. Cost is free including food. The Farm is located at the corner of Braddock and 10th St. Take the 61A bus. Coming from town, get off at 9th and Braddock. You will be across the street from the farm. There will be volunteer guides ready to help you enjoy the fun! There will be fall themed crafts, games such as the fall dessert contest and monster/best Halloween dressed vegetables contests, the farm olympics, demonstrations, exhibits and then there is good food. For more information, and/or to request a sighted guide, contact Carol by Sunday September 29th by 8 pm at 484-318-9145.

Sunday, October 6th, from noon to 5 pm, picnic at Ray Jablonowski’s home, 4551 Parade St. Pittsburgh, Pa, 15207. Cost is free. There will be indoor and outdoor games and lots of fun! To make a reservation call Linda at 412-681-9686 by 8 pm Sunday September 29th.

Saturday, October 12, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, tandem biking on the Gap Trail, Meet at West Newton Bicycle Shop, 106 West Main St, West Newton, PA, 15089. The cost is free for the ride and a hoagie lunch from the Subway at 101 South Water Street, West Newton. We need some sighted bikers to captain the tandem bikes and provide rides to and from the trailhead. Scotto will be there early to give tips and instructions of being a tandem captain and pair up captains and stokers. We will provide tandem bikes. However, if you know of a tandem, we can use please let us know about it. If you are a willing captain with questions, contact Scotto at, scottog@yahoo.com. Everyone make your reservations by 9 pm Sunday  October 6th and give your order for either of the hoagie choices of Italian, turkey or Veggie. To make your reservation, sighted captains contact Scotto at scottog@yahoo.com; visually impaired stokers contact Maggi at 412-613-8592 or mio528@comcast.net.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

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

Some Sad News: Allen (Al) Schoener, an early BOLD President, passed away on August 3rd. Our deepest sympathy to his wife Pat and daughter Karen. The Schoeners were very involved in BOLD’s downhill ski program, and they hosted some great BOLD Christmas Parties at their home. A memorial service will be held on September 14 at 2 pm  at Friendship Village.

A big bunch of get-well wishes go out to Kimberly Smythe, who is recovering from surgery.

A big welcome home and best wishes to Jim Wagner who is continuing to recover from an injury.

Congratulations to BOLD member Sherri Crum, the director of the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind, on her retirement after 18 years of service.

Happy September Birthday to: Ceinwen King-Smith, Susan Oberlander, Stu Weissman and anyone else celebrating a September 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

Donate

Email: boldwpa@gmail.com

Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold

Editors: Debby Hill & friends