BOLD VENTURES February 2026
Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development
This BOLD Ventures is sponsored by Bill Burgunder. Thanks Bill, for helping out BOLD Ventures!
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, at BOLD’s holiday party we had elections for three board offices. As a result of that election here is the current list of officers for the BOLD Executive Board. President, Carol Lubecki; First Vice-President, Stephanie Cataldo; Recording Secretary, Karen Seligman; Corresponding Secretary, Debby Hill; Treasurer, Charlotte Ford; Immediate Past President, Nancy Leverett; and Fundraising and Outreach Chairperson, Terri Winaught. The Second Vice-president position will be filled at the February BOLD Board meeting.
Show your support for BOLD, it’s time to pay dues. If you haven’t already, Please, Please be sure to pay your 2026 BOLD Dues. The dues for the upcoming year are $15. There are two ways to pay your dues. You can send a check made out 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!
FEBRUARY CALENDAR
Sunday, February 1; 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 February 1, contact Scotto Gray at scottog@yahoo.com by Thursday January 29 to sign up and get more information. Low-vision and blind skiers make your reservation for the February 1 ski day by 9 pm Tuesday, January 27 with Nancy at 412-561-3972.
Sunday, February 1, 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 Screw Your Neighbor or word games, your choice! There will be plenty of snacks. There is a limit of 12 people, so make your reservation as soon as you can. To make a reservation call Linda at 412-681-9686 by 8 pm Thursday, January 29.
Monday, February 2, 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 Carol at 484-318-9145 by Saturday, January 31.
Tuesdays, February 3 and 17, from 10:00 am to 1:30 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 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 walking on February 3, contact Peggy by noon Tuesday, January 27. And for walking on February 17, contact Peggy by noon February 10. Be sure to sign up so that if there is any change or cancellation for mall walking, you will get the information.
Wednesday, February 4 and 18, 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 Have fun and good luck!
Every Thursday in February, from noon to 1:30, Ice skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15228. Cost is $7. Accommodations can be made for all experience levels. We need sighted ice skaters to be guides on and off the ice. Sign-up with Tammi by 8 pm on the Sunday before each date and let her know if you need a ride. Contact her by leaving a voicemail or text at 412-951-6528 or email at tswiantek@comcast.net.
Tuesday, February 10; 7:30 pm, Chamber Music Pittsburgh presents Ruckus with Davóne Tines at the August Wilson African American Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, 15222. For more information about the concert go to www.chambermusicpittsburgh.org BOLD has four tickets for the concert. If you are interested call Nancy at 412-561-3972.
Sunday, February 15th, from 10 am to noon, Roller Skating at Switch and Signal Skatepark 7518 Dickson St. Swissvale, PA 15218. No Charge for this event. A big BOLD Thanks to Hana Goodman for coordinating the event. Come join us! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skater or you haven’t been skating for a long time, no worries, we’ve got you covered. Experienced roller-skating instructors will be on hand to offer you whatever you need to just get out there. Although the park has ramps, we will be skating on level ground. When you make your reservation, be sure to include your shoe size so that the correct size of skates will be waiting for you. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Make your reservation with Carol by 8 pm Friday February 6th by calling or texting her at 484-318-9145.
Wednesday, February 18, from 7 to 8 pm, A phone visit with the August Wilson
African American Cultural Center on BOLD’s Conference line 385-799-9487. Cathy Calhoun will tell us about the Center’s exhibits and performances. All are welcome and no reservations needed. Be there to give Ms. Calhoun a big BOLD welcome.
Sunday, February 22; 9 am, Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs Resort. All the details are in the February 1 ski entry. Guides for February 22, should contact Scotto Gray at scottog@yahoo.com by Thursday, February 19. Low-vision and blind skiers make your reservation for the February 22 ski day by 9 pm Tuesday, February 17 with Nancy at 412-561-3972.
Wednesday, February 25, from 5 to 8:30 pm, snow tubing with pizza party at Boyce Park Four Seasons Activity Center, 901 Centerview Dr, Plum, PA 15239. 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 5 to 7 pm and then having a pizza party. 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. When making reservations please indicate if you will need a ride; if you need winter gear such as snow pants, winter jacket, a hat, and gloves; and whether or not you are staying for the pizza party. Please reserve your spot no later than Friday, February 20 at 8 pm by calling Jeff at 412-487-9469 or emailing him at going4walk@duck.com.
MARCH CALENDAR
One more upcoming Ski Date, thanks to Scotto. It is Sunday, March 15, 2026
Sunday, March 15 from 2 to 4 pm, Indoor Wall Climbing, Point Breeze Ascend Climbing, 7443 Thomas Blvd. Pittsburgh, 15208. Cost is $15. Equipment will be provided. Climbers will need to sign a waiver, and our reservationist will help you do that. We will start with some orientation followed by instructors guiding us as we climb. Climbers wear a helmet, and a harness attached to a rope. This activity is somewhat strenuous so we’re allowing time for breaks. Sign up by 8:00 pm Sunday March 8 with Steph by calling or texting 412-200-8092.
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
My BOLD Take by Debby Hill
The BOLD holiday party and business meeting was a success thanks to many folks. First thanks to Nancy Leverett for all of her efforts in putting the event together including getting us really tasty food. Thanks to Rob Stemple for providing good music both holiday and other. Thanks to everyone who brought appetizers and desserts. And thanks to the volunteers from St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh Cares, and our own generous BOLD members. Your help made the event frustration free and enjoyable.
My BOLD Take by Terri Winaught
Depending on the speaker, some presentations can be engaging and enjoyable, while others can be so boring that they make wonderful sleeping pills. The presentation given by Michael Simms from the Counsel of Three Rivers American Indian Center met the category of engaging because it was so interesting and interactive.
In summary, we learned that the Center was founded by Michael Simms’s father in 1968 and incorporated in 1971. The Center’s location is Dorseyville, with satellite facilities in other locations in Allegheny County. The primary reason for starting the Center was to have a place that the American Indians could call home. The Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s also played a vital role in starting the Center. Before then, the Native Americans weren’t permitted to practice their traditions or culture. We also learned about the Center’s various services and activities including the yearly powwow. Michael seemed to enjoy speaking with us and he was wonderfully tolerant of our many questions.
Happy February Birthday to:
Sherri Crum, Missy Demchak, Mitch Demchak, Jamie Robinson, Sam Wagoner, Aimee Yunt and anyone else celebrating a February birthday! Note: Sam Wagoner’s birthday was listed in January’s BOLD Ventures, but his birthday is really in February, and it was your editor’s booboo that gave him two birthdays!
NEWSLETTER RECORDING
Thanks to the great 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: Donate
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold
Editors: Debby Hill & friends
