July and August 2024 newsletter

BOLD VENTURES July and August 2024

Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development

Sponsorship of the July BOLD Ventures is by Charlotte Ford. Sponsorship of the August newsletter is by Karen Seligman. Thank you, Charlotte and Karen, for your generous support!

Writing Help Needed for the Newsletter: If you have a computer, internet connection and can write concise facts you may be the person we need! The Newsletter is a collaborative effort. Visually impaired members, you can do this. There is someone to add formatting and make the Newsletter print ready. Contact President Nancy at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net to get started.

July Calendar

Tuesday, July 2, 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 June 30.

Tuesdays, July 2,16 & 30, 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.  Thus to sign up for July 2, call Joyce by 11 am Tuesday June 25, and call for July 16 by 11 AM July 9 and call for July 30 by 11 AM July 23.

Wednesday, July 10, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD virtual bingo, For all of the fun information contact Tammi by text or voicemail at 412-951-6528 or tswiantek@comcast.net.

Sunday, July 14, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Tandem Biking on the Panhandle Trail. No cost for bikes or lunch. Location of parking lot for access point is across from intersection of Main Street and Station Street Sturgeon.  The landmark is Hunner’s Pizza, 811 Station St Sturgeon, PA 15082. The Panhandle Trail is a very quiet ride, mostly level with some very gentle slopes. Total riding time will be about two hours. Riding starts and ends near Hunner’s Pizza so we’ll enjoy pizza for lunch. If you are a willing captain and/or can provide transportation, reserve by Sunday July 7 with Scotto at scottog@yahoo.com. Blind and visually impaired stokers reserve by 8 pm Sunday July 7 with Carol via phone/text at 484-318-9145.  Scotto will be there early to give some tips and instructions for being a tandem captain and to pair up captains, bikes and stokers. We will provide the tandems. However, if you know of a tandem we can use, please let Scotto know about it ASAP.

Saturday July 27, 9 am to 11 am, Kayaking on North Park Lake, Meet at the North Park boathouse 10301 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park, 15101. Cost is $10 per person. This will be a gentle paddle on a small lake with a choice of one or two person kayaks. The paddling will end by 11 am. Pedalboats and Stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are also available; however, SUP instruction may not be provided. Reserve with Jeff by 8 pm Tuesday July 23, at 412-487-9469 or going4walk@duck.com. You’re welcome to join Jeff & Joyce for a light lunch/beverage at the Cadence Café following the paddle at your own expense.

Saturdays, July 6, 13 & 20 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis clinics, No charge, Highland Park tennis courts (6344-6348 Stanton Avenue).

All equipment provided. All levels of vision accommodated. To sign up or ask any questions contact the U.S. Blind Tennis Association at info@highlandparktennisclub.org.

August Calendar 

Tuesday, August 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 August 4.

Tuesdays, August 13 & 27, 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 with Joyce at 412-521-4385, by 11 AM the Tuesday prior to the walk. 

Wednesday, August 14, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD virtual bingo, For all of the fun information contact Tammi by text or voicemail at 412-951-6528 or tswiantek@comcast.net.

Thursday, August 15, 11:00 am to 1:15 pm, Braddock Farm pizza party. Braddock Farm, 1000 Braddock Ave, Braddock, PA 15104. Cost is $10. The pizzas will feature freshly harvested vegetables from the farm. Farmer Nick will be on hand to answer all our questions about urban farming. The event is rain or shine. WE will be outdoors, so dress for the weather. There is parking available. The PRT 61A bus stops at 9th and Braddock, one block from the farm. Sign up with Carol via phone/text by 8 pm Monday August 12 at 484-318-9145.

Sunday August 18, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, Water Skiing and tubing with the Golden Triangle Water Ski Club and members of Three Rivers Adaptive Sports. We will meet at the Steel City Rowing Club boathouse, 100 Arch St, Verona, 15147, for a short boat ride to the 9 mile island in the Allegheny River where the water skiing will take place and will be followed by a picnic lunch. There is no charge. If you are visually impaired and also have a physical disability, you could have the opportunity to use special equipment from Three Rivers Adaptive Sports, TRAS, that will enable you to water ski while sitting. To use their equipment, you need to call Mark at TRAS at 412-848-8896 or email, mark4tras@comcast.net by August 1 or as soon as possible so they can get the correct equipment for you from storage. Reservations with BOLD are due by 9 pm on August 4 with Tammi by text or voicemail at 412-951-6528 or tswiantek@comcast.net.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Friday, July 26, 2024, from4:30 to 5:30 pm invitation to individuals who are visually impaired or deaf-blind and their companions to preview the tactile art exhibition - Art In Hand: A Tactile Experience presented to you by Radiant Hall, curated with art that is made to be touched, by BOLD member Mónica Ortiz-Menier for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Summer Gallery Crawl. The exhibition will be open to the public from 5:30 to 9:00 pm and everyone is welcome.  The location is downtown at the Cultural Trust Arts Education Center, 4th floor of 807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, no charge.

 July 20 and 28, Cinema In The Park engagements offering headphones for descriptive audio services. You must relinquish some form of ID while using the headphones. Bring your own blanket or chair.

Saturday July 20, 9:00 pm to 11:35 pm, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (PG-13) at Riverview Park, 1 Riverview Avenue. Headphones can be picked up at the visitors center close to where the movie is being shown. 

Sunday July 28, 9 pm to 10:40 pm, "The Peanut Butter Falcon" (PG-13) at Schenley Plaza. Address for Access drop off or pick up is 249 Schenley Drive Extension.  Nathan will be positioned in a tent near the drop off point for Access to make it easier to pick up the headphones. Information about audio described plays or available tickets. Anyone interested in getting information about upcoming audio described plays or what tickets are available for cultural events such as symphony or chamber music concerts, or operas, please call Joyce at 412-521-4385.

BOLD BITS

Condolences to BOLD members Jim & Larry Wiseman on the passing in March of their father, William “Bill” Wiseman. 

A Bold thank you. Many thanks to the Catholic Singles of Greater Pittsburgh for joining us in Highland Park for the June 15 picnic. Your fellowship and service made for a most enjoyable afternoon. 

Be a 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. You could help cover some of the cost by being a BOLD Ventures sponsor for a month by making 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 Nancy at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net.

Happy July Birthday to Bonnie Newland, and anyone else celebrating a July birthday!

Happy August Birthday to John Dern, Connie Elosser, Leslie Gottschalk, Ryan Leverett, Marty Mathews, Randi Shelton, Debi Sterling, Tobi Williams and anyone else celebrating an August 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

Websitewww.wpabold.blogspot.com

Facebookwww.facebook.com/wpabold

Guest editors: Jeff Mulkern & friends

May 2024 newsletter

BOLD VENTURES May-June 2024

Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development

Sponsorship of The May BOLD Ventures is by BOLD’s long time member Delbert Rankin.

Sponsorship of the June BOLD Ventures is by Marty Mathews.  “Many thanks to everyone who has made Bold a friendly fun-filled organization for so many years. I think I'll stay awhile longer.”

Thank you, Delbert and Marty for your generous support!

Thank you to everyone who has paid their 2024 BOLD dues. 

Important Notice from BOLD’s Board:  

In October 2019 the Board established a policy regarding members who sign up for an event but don’t show up. Some recent situations have made the Board decide to enforce this policy as stated in the November 2019 BOLD Ventures.

New policy starting in October (2019) for all activities with BOLD that have no cost to participate.  (Note: not all activities are free. This policy applies only to the free ones). There will be a $15.00 penalty for not showing up or canceling for an event without a good reason.  We have received donations that are making it possible not to charge for some activities.  There are still costs to BOLD.  By not attending an activity that you have signed up for you may be inconveniencing many people or taking the place of someone who did want to attend!

Writing Help Needed for the Newsletter:

If you have a computer, internet connection and can write concise facts you may be the person we need! The Newsletter is a collaborative effort. There will always be help along with a formula used to keep everything standard. Visually impaired members, you can do this. There is someone to add formatting and make the Newsletter print ready. Contact President Nancy at 412-561-3972 to get started!

Attention BOLD rowers who are members of TRRA for 2024. BOLD is offering a $100.00 subsidy to help cover the large increase in cost to participate in the Adaptive Rowing Program. Our Treasurer Ryan will be sending the subsidies. Contact Ryan at 412-592-9487 or ryanjleverett1@gmail.com for questions.

May Calendar

Thursdays in May, from noon to 1:30, Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15228. Cost is $5. We need sighted ice skaters to be guides on and off the ice. Sign-up by 8 pm on the Sunday before each date with Nancy at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net.

Saturday, May 4th, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Tandem Biking on the Montour Trail, no cost for biking and sandwiches or lettuce wrap unwiches for lunch. Choices for both are Turkey with provolone, Veggie with provolone, avocado spread, and cucumber, or Italian with salami, capicola, provolone, onion. All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato and will be ordered without Mayo. We will have sides to be added for each person at the picnic table: yellow mustard, pickles, onion and mayo. Directions to the meeting point: Take the Parkway West to exit 58, Montour Run Road. At the end of the exit ramp turn right and follow signs to Cliff Mine Road. Turn left onto Cliff Mine Road and go less than a mile to the parking lot on the left for the trail. Contact Scotto or Brad for GPS Coordinates for the meeting point. If you are a willing captain and/or can provide transportation, reserve with Scotto at scottog@yahoo.com by noon Tuesday April 30th. Please everyone reserve as soon as possible.   Brad will be taking the reservations for blind and visually impaired stokers by phone at 412-600-9661 or email at bradleetebbs@gmail.com  by the same date of noon Tuesday April 30th.  Scotto will be there early to give some tips and instructions for being a tandem captain and to pair up captains, bikes and stokers. We will provide the tandems. However, if you know of a tandem we can use, please let Scotto know about it ASAP. 

Saturday, May 4th will kick-off the Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis Clinics for the spring/summer season at the Highland Park tennis courts. The address to use for Access is 6701 Stanton Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206. Note that this is the address of a house across the street from the tennis Courts.  Clinics will be held every Saturday, from May 4-July 20, 2024, 11:30am-1:30pm. To sign up or ask any questions contact, Lori, VP, Highland Park Tennis Club 412-951-8223.

Tuesday, May 7th, 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 May 5th.

Wednesday, May 8th & 22nd, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD virtual bingo. For all of the fun information contact Tammi by text or voicemail at 412-951-6528 or tswiantek@comcast.net.

Monday, May 13th, 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, to swim the whole hour. Sign up with Marty by 8 pm Friday May 10th at 412-440-4909.

Tuesday, May 14th and skipping the 28th because of Memorial Day, 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. To sign up for May 14th, call Joyce by 11 am Tuesday May 7th.

June Calendar 

Sunday June 2nd, sunset, Wonka, audio described with listening devices City of Pittsburgh Movie series, Schenley Plaza, no cost 

Tuesday, June 4th and June 18th from 9 am to 12:30 pm, Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall, to sign up for June 4th, call by Tuesday May 28th and for June 18th by Tuesday June 11th. see May entry for details.

Tuesday June 4th, 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 June 2nd.

Tuesday June 4th, and Wednesday June 19th, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD virtual bingo, For all of the fun information contact Tammi by text or voicemail at 412-951-6528 or tswiantek@comcast.net

Thursday June 6th from noon to 1:30, the last ice skating session until fall. See above for details. 

Saturday, June 15th, from noon to 5 pm, Picnic hosted by Ray in Highland Park at the Lake
Point Shelter on Lake Drive, no cost. There will be games, hiking, food, and lots of fun. Reserve with Peggy at 412-683-6070 by 8 pm Tuesday June 11th.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Anyone interested in getting information about upcoming audio described plays or what tickets are available for cultural events such as symphony or chamber music concerts, or operas, please call Joyce at 412-521-4385.

BOLD BITS

Sad news for March. Condolences to BOLD’s former member Penny Fleckenstein for the passing of her Father Fritz Von Fleckenstein.

Get well wishes to: Veronique for her ongoing health issues and many thanks for her years of dedicated service to BOLD. 

Be a 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. You could help cover some of the cost by being a BOLD Ventures sponsor for a month by making 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 Nancy at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net. 

Happy May Birthday to

Bruce Leverett, Joyce Mulkern, Erin Wagoner, and Celebrating a June Birthday, Natasha Brown, Lisa Busch, Linda Davis, Veronique Schreurs, Peggy Walsh and anyone else celebrating a May or June 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: Nancy Leverett filling in for Veronique & friends

April 2024 newsletter

BOLD VENTURES April 2024

Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development

This BOLD Ventures is sponsored by BOLD’s longtime supporter Gerry Blum.

Dues are due: If you haven’t already paid 2024 dues, please do so. The dues for 2024 are $15.

There are two ways to pay. 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. 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 30, you are covered for 2024. If there has been any change in your contact information, please send it to our treasurer Ryan Leverett-Ptak at ryanjleverett1@gmail.com. Thanks!

CALENDAR

April

Monday, April 1, from 1 to 2 pm, Swimming at the Athletic Club, Carnegie library of Homestead. 511 East 11th Ave, Munhall, 15120—this entrance has no steps. There is no charge. When you arrive, use the elevator on the left to go down to the ground floor. The locker rooms, restrooms and pool are on that level. Arrive early, to swim the whole hour. Sign up with Marty by 8 pm Friday March 29 at 412-440-4909.

Tuesdays, April 2 and 16 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. To sign up for April 2, call Joyce by 11 am Tuesday March 26; to sign up for April 16, call by Tuesday April 9.

Tuesday, April 2, from 6 to 8 pm, Board Meeting in-person at Western PA School for Blind Children, 250 N. Bellefield Avenue, Oakland (across from the school in JS building). Any non-board Members who want to attend must call Nancy at 412-561-3972 by March 29.

Every Thursday from noon to 1:30, Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15228. Cost is $5. We need sighted ice skaters to be guides on and off the ice. Sign-up by 8 pm on the Sunday before each date with Nancy at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net.

Wednesdays, April 3 & 17, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD virtual bingo, For all of the fun information contact Tammi by text or voicemail at 412-951-6528 or tswiantek@comcast.net.

Sunday April 7 between 1pm and 4pm, there will be a card party at the home of Ray Jablonowski. The limit is 12 people. The address is 4551 Parade St, Pgh. Pa. 15207. We will play the usual card game "Screw your Neighbor". Ray may introduce a similar game. Refreshments will be served but no meal. Every winner will receive $5.00. Feel free to sign up if you have never played before. The game is very simple.  Reservations will be taken by Linda Davis 412-681-9686 by April 3.  

Sunday, April 14, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Tupperware fundraising party, hosted by Terri Winaught, held in the Community Room on the first floor of the Forward Shady Apartments: 5841 Forward Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Refreshments will be provided. Please bring your friends!  Everyone is welcome. The reservation deadline with Terri Winaught, (412) 441-0925 will be Wednesday, April 10, by 10pm. When reserving with Terri, she will gladly answer any questions you might have about the food to be provided. Regarding distribution, anyone who orders and pays ahead of time can pick up their items the day of the party; otherwise, items will be mailed to each person’s house. To say more about payment, Dina will accept checks, but prefers money orders, debit cards, and credit cards. Finally, if you would like a catalog to be mailed to you, let Terri know and she will see that one gets mailed in a timely manner. 

Saturday April 27, Pittsburgh Party Pedaler ride, from 1:45 until 4:00, no cost, meeting place at 2524 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh 15222, RAIN, shine, or COLD so dress appropriately. There are 10 seats for pedaling and 5 seats for passengers.  Everyone is required to sign a waiver and there is no room on the bike for guide dogs. No cost for bike ride and food, bring your own drink or we will stop for liquid refreshments at your own cost. Go on a guided tour of downtown and the Strip District of Pittsburgh with BOLD on a 15-passenger bike with a top speed of 5 miles an hour rain or shine. Reservationist Nancy, at 412-561-3972, deadline April 11 by 8:00 pm. Limit 15, and there will be a waiting list if necessary. Let Nancy know if you want a non-pedaling seat.

Looking ahead

Save the date for Ray’s picnic on Saturday June 15 in Highland Park at the Lake Point shelter. Details closer to the time. .

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Anyone interested in getting information about upcoming audio described plays or in finding out what tickets are available for cultural events such as symphony or chamber music concerts, or operas, please call Joyce at 412-521-4385.

BOLD BITS

Warm wishes for a rapid recovery as Kimberly Smythe continues to recover from recent hand surgery.

Terri Winaught would like to acknowledge how humbled she feels for recently having had a poem accepted for publication.

Be a 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. If you would like to sponsor one of the 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 Nancy at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net.

Happy April Birthday to Carrie Fisher, Ray Jablonowski, Jim Wiseman, Larry Wiseman, and anyone else celebrating a April 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 (this is temporarily not an option via PayPal)

Email: boldwpa@gmail.com

Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com (but you can donate via the website)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold

Editors: Veronique Schreurs along with friends