BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted and fully sighted.
August 2013 Newsletter
JULY IS JUMPING BOLD invites all fishing enthusiasts to be at Byers Lake on Sunday, July 28th, from 3:00 to 7:00pm. To mark your place with Lisa McManus, phone 412-531-5685 by 10pm on Sunday, July 21st. "Though it may not be as much fun as fishing on the river, we can still have a good time," Nancy Leverett said. (The Armstrong County property where fishing will be held was Nancy's mother's home.) Friday, July 26th by 5pm is the deadline to sign up for free rowing and paddle boating to be held Sunday, August 4th from 2:00 to 4:00. To mark your place with Joy Nix, phone 412-231-8777. ALL ABOUT AUGUST Thursday, August 1st by 10pm is the sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben for the August 11th Gottschalk Swim Party. Sign up with Joyce by calling 412-521-4385. If you are able to give rides, thank you in advance. Also, thank you in advance for adhering to picnic etiquette. For persons who are blind or vision impaired, this includes being sure sighted cooks and servers have eaten before requesting seconds. For sighted members and volunteers, this involves helping to the extent that you are able by cooking, guiding, and serving. To all event participants, thank you for keeping BOLD inclusive to persons with all degrees of vision as indicated in our mission statement If you plan to attend August's Board meeting on Wednesday the 7th, please phone BOLD President Tammi Swiantek, 412-488-6298 by 10pm on Sunday the 4th. All general members are encouraged and welcomed to attend our monthly meetings. Bring not only your great ideas but also your willingness to make them a success through your hard work. Mall Walking will be held on Wednesdays the 14th and 28th, and-based on this Editor's information-there will be no Ice Skating in August. To be sure that the above information is correct, phone Mark Senk: 412-386-6513. Too mark your place for Mall Walking the Sunday before each date, phone Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385. When the Gottschalk Party and picnic are held on Sunday the 11th from noon to 5:00, the location will be 15 Cherrington Lane, the Moon township home of Warren Gottschalk, Leslie's father. As stated in previous newsletters, it is essential that Access and other ride pickups be scheduled for no later than 5pm so Leslie has enough time to clean up and get her Dad's home back to the good condition in which she found it. If you need directions to the Swim Party, please let Joyce Driben know when signing up with her. If a map would also be helpful, be sure to let Joyce know that as well. On Sunday, August 25th from 4:00 to 7:00, a Knit the Bridge Pittsburgh celebration will be held on the Andy Warhol Bridge (formerly the 7th Street Bridge). In addition to enjoying great food and music, partygoers will also have the opportunity to feel the knitted panels and maybe even recognize their own work in the process. So that everyone will be safe, the Warhol Bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic. More info? Kirsten Ervin: 412-576-6254. Thursday the 29th is when our rowing program will end for another year, with appreciation to all whose hard work keeps this summer event successful. As regular rowers know, you can be reimbursed at the end of the season half of the amount you spent if you attended at least half of the sessions. To be reimbursed, contact Tammi Swiantek: 412-488-6298. Anyone failing to phone Tammi to let her know how many sessions he/she has attended will receive no reimbursement, so thank you in advance for tracking your participation. PAST EVENTS Because so few people signed up, Mall Walking scheduled for July 3rd was cancelled. In addition to thanking reservationist Joyce Driben for her hard work, this Editor also acknowledges Cindy Perseo for her help with the July 3rd date. Due to bad weather, the July 10th Board meeting was held via teleconference with a great deal having been accomplished. As President, Tammi did her always excellent job running this meeting. The introduction to Touch Art workshop, held at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts on Saturday, July 13th was a sensational success as indicated by at least 20 BOLD members, guests, and volunteers attending. Thanks especially to Kirsten Ervin and Aimee Yunt about whom there will be Personal Perspectives later in this newsletter. Finally, although this Editor does not have specific dates, rowing had to be canceled several times due to unsafe river conditions. When not canceled, it was replaced by indoor rowing, also known as erging. LOOKING AHEAD Though Waterskiing usually is held on the last Sunday in August, no date has been confirmed, so be sure to call the Update line regularly, 1-773-597-4222, since Terri will record this information once she receives it. If Waterskiing takes place this summer, Terri will also give the reservationist and sign-up deadline. If Waterskiing will not be held this year, Terri will also indicate that on the Update Line in August or as soon as she receives that info. From Friday, September 20th to Friday, October 18th, 6 Touch Art workshops will be offered at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts: 1047 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232. With a limit of 10 participants per class, everyone interested is encouraged to phone Kirsten Ervin as soon as Possible: 412-576-6254. (In September's BOLD Ventures and on the Update Line closer to the starting ddate, this Editor will give the sign-up deadline about which she is currently unsure and therefore awaiting clarification.) Although a $10 donation per class is requested, no one will be turned away if unable to pay. September's and October's Board meetings will be on Tuesdays the 3rd and 2nd respectively. These meetings continue to be held in Room 301 of United Cerebral Palsy: 4638 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The Sunday, 10pm deadlines for notifying Tammi at 412-488-6298 of your plans to attend are September 1st and September 29th. When phoning, Tammi also welcomes your agenda items. PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES After July's introduction to touch art event, this Editor sat down with Aimee Yunt. Since Aimee was a past BOLD member who was away from the group for a few years and then recently rejoined, this Editor's first question was what motivated her to rejoin. "I really missed being in BOLD and around all of the friends I have made," Aimee began. Aimee continued by explaining that she had kept meaning to rejoin BOLD but got caught up in her busy schedule of working at Giant Eagle, cantering at Sacred Heart in Emsworth, taking guitar lessons, and knitting for various projects. When asked about her experience helping with touch art Aimee said: "I was only needed to guide one person, but I still enjoyed it because of how much I like helping others. Also, I am comfortable guiding anyone who is blind." Aimee concluded by saying how glad she is to be back in BOLD and among the friends she has made in this group. All who know Aimee are just as happy to have her back. Kirsten Ervin, a driving force behind making art inclusive to persons with vision impairments, also had great perspectives to share. "I am really passionate about making art accessible to everyone," Kirsten informed this Editor. Those who know Mrs. Ervin are also aware that she was previously employed at Pittsburgh Vision and Rehabilitation Services (PVRS), then the Pittsburgh Blind Association. To make the classes mentioned above both affordable and accessible, Kirsten applied for and was awarded a grant from the Sprout Fund, part of the Pittsburgh Foundation. "Even though instructors at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts had never taught art to persons who are blind, they were at least open and willing to try," Kirsten explained. Kirsten concluded by emphasizing that the instructors who will be teaching with her have all been extensively trained on how best to make the arts they will be teaching accessible. Tactile arts to be taught are: paper making, bead making, using differently textured fibers, and clay sculpting. If the July introductory workshop is any indication of how successful the classes will be, this Editor has no doubts that the workshops being offered in September and October will be smashing successes! This Editor would love to hear from anyone who would like to offer a Personal Perspective. If interested, phone Terri Winaught at 412-263-2022, home; 412-552-4793, cell; or via E-mail: twinaught@comcast.net. Since group members are always encouraged to come to our monthly Board meetings, please feel free to mention at a meeting that you have a Perspective to offer. Whether you write your perspective and submit it to Terri or prefer to be interviewed is equally fine with Terri. ADMINISTRATIVE ADD-ONS Because compiling each year's Membership Lists and keeping the database up-to-date are such large undertakings, only some of the formats have been mailed. The Board apologizes for any inconvenience, and assures everyone that the remaining 2013-2014 Directories will be mailed as soon as possible. Much appreciation to Membership Chair Veronique Schreurs who is kept busy performing many important tasks for BOLD, which is just one of many things that makes Veronique such a valuable asset. CULTURAL CONNECTIONS Fall will bring with it not only cooler temperatures but also varied cultural events, one of which will be chamber Music concerts. Because the chamber Music Society gives fewer tickets each year, all who want to receive tickets are encouraged to start contacting Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385. By phoning Joyce as soon as possible, she will put you on a list of persons to receive tickets on a first-come, first served basis. Given the reduced number of tickets distributed each year, please be aware that anyone who consistently fails to use his/her tickets or arrives at concerts very late will be removed from Joyce's waiting list. To say more about Cultural Events to start up in the fall, the Pittsburgh City Theatre will begin its season of audio-described plays in November. (All performance dates will be listed in September's BOLD Ventures.) You can also learn about upcoming plays by visiting www.citytheatrecompany.org. City Theatre is located at 1300 Bingham Street in Pittsburgh's South Side, and the Box Office phone number is 412-431-4900. FUNDRAISING FACTS Fundraising chair Terri Winaught continues to explore whether Pamela's has a fundraising program. Since Terri will know this by the September newsletter publication date, definite details either way will be in that month's newsletter. Also remember how eager Terri is to hear about and help you implement any fundraising ideas you might have, so don't hesitate to phone 412-263-2022, home; 412-552-4793, cell; or E-mail twinaught@comcast.net. BOLD BITS Compassion and condolences to former BOLD member Linda Davis whose husband died at the end of June. Like Jim, Linda was also in BOLD and has a history of providing great music with her husband at Kon-o-Kwee. Congratulations to Kirsten Ervin who was featured in a July _Post _Gazette article about touch art and the fall workshops. Kudos to other BOLD members who were also interviewed for the _Post _Gazette article. Great job!! to Ceinwen King-Smith who knitted many of the Knit The Bridge panels. Though Pittsburgh's Knit the Bridge initiative currently has enough panels, they are still seeking railing covers. For info on size of covers, suggested colors, and submission deadlines, phone Kirsten Ervin: 412-576-6254. On Sunday, August 4th, the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind will host their annual ice cream social. In addition to delicious ice cream and decadent toppings, there will also be hot dogs, hamburgers and yummy sides like macaroni or potato salad. The ice cream social will start at noon or shortly after 11:00 services, and will last until 2:30 or 3:00 depending on attendance. To sign up with Center Director Sherri Crum, phone 412-682-1800 by 6pm on Thursday, August 1st. To sign up via E-mail, send a message to director@plcb.net. Though unsafe river conditions prevented Marty Mathews and Tammi Swiantek from competing in a paddle boat race scheduled for July 4th, they still deserve pats on the back for the great jobs they would have done. Also, more congrats to Ceinwen King-Smith for spending part of the summer teaching English as a Second Language in Hondorus. Happy Birthday to Leslie Gottschalk, Bonnie Granger, Ryan Leverett, Marty Mathews, Debi Sterling, and anyone else with an August birthday. To submit a BOLD Bit, please contact this Editor at the numbers or E-mail address given above. JULY CALENDAR Friday the 26th: 5pm deadline with Joy Nix for free rowing and paddle boating: 412-231-8777. To sign up online, visit www.threeriversrowing.org. Saturday the 27th: Paddle Boating at the Millvale Boathouse: 90 Riverfront Drive, from 11am to 1pm. Sunday the 28th: Rowing at Washington's Landing from 9:15am to 11am; fishing at Byers Lake from 3:00 to 7:00, and Mall Walking sign-up with Joyce Driben by 10pm: 412-521-4385. Tuesday the 30th: Rowing at Washington's Landing from 6 to 8pm. Wednesday the 31st: Mall Walking with a 9am start time and a meeting location of the Monroeville Mall's food court entrance. AUGUST CALENDAR Thursday the 1st: Rowing from 6:00 to 8pm, and Gottschalk Swim Party reservation deadline with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385. When reserving, let Joyce know what you will bring, if you need a ride, and if you can give one. Since this event is so driver intensive and drivers are at such a premium, BOLD members will get preference when arranging rides. Saturday the 3rd: Paddle Boating at the Millvale Boathouse from 11am to 1pm. Sunday the 4th: Rowing from 9:15am to 11am; free rowing and paddle boating from 2:00 to 4:00; and 10pm deadline for letting Tammi know you will be at August's Board meeting. Number? 412-488-6298. Tuesday the 6th: Rowing. Wednesday the 7th: Monthly Board meeting from 6:30 to 8:30pm at United Cerebral Palsy: 4638 Centre Ave., Room 301, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Thursday the 8th: Rowing. Saturday the 10th: Dragon Boating. Sunday the 11th: Rowing; Gottschalk Swim Party at 15 Cherrington Lane from noon to 5:00; and 10pm sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben for Mall Walking: 412-521-4385. Tuesday the 13th: Rowing. Wednesday the 14th: Mall Walking, with a 9am start time and a meeting location of the Monroeville Mall's food court entrance. Thursday the 15th: Rowing. Saturday the 17th: Paddle Boating. Sunday the 18th: Rowing. Tuesday the 20th: rowing. Thursday the 22nd: Rowing. Saturday the 24th: Paddle Boating. Sunday the 25th: Rowing; Knit the Bridge Pittsburgh celebration from 4:00 to 7:00; and 10pm sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben for Mall Walking. Tuesday the 27th: Rowing. Wednesday the 28th: Mall Walking. Thursday the 29th: Rowing (end of another successful season). To be reimbursed, phone tammi Swiantek to let her know how many sessions you attended. Saturday the 31st: Paddle Boating (end of season). This Editor thanks Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs, and the Braille Team led by Tina Wassermann, without whose hard work and dedication this newsletter would be neither possible nor accessible. THE END