November 2013 Newsletter

BOLD VENTURES
November 2013

Western PA BOLD (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development) for: Blind, low vision, sighted people

PO Box 8114, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Terri Winaught, Editor

Number for updates: 1-773-597-4222 (Updates recorded each Friday)
Email: wpabold@gmail.com [since updated to boldwpa@gmail.com]
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com with a lot of appreciation to L.J. Zigerell for outstanding technical assistance (more at end of newsletter).

NOT BEING BORED IN NOVEMBER
Regular readers of BOLD Ventures know that I start each issue with a list of the month’s activities. This month I’m doing something different by sharing an extremely well written piece from our President, Tammi Swiantek, about what it has been like to be on BOLD’S Board:

THIS BOARD ISN’T BORING

For many years, I have set aside the first Tuesday evening of each month to attend a BOLD board meeting. It sometimes felt like just another chore, but today was different. On this bitter January day, I was about to chair a meeting for the second time and the first as board president, a term I still can barely imagine in reference to myself. My head buzzed with swirling random thoughts and the sound of my pounding heart. As the others chattered, I wondered how long it would have taken me to improve my computer skills, learn e-mail and the Internet, try public speaking, and face so many other challenges if this board hadn’t given me good reasons for all that hard work.

By mid-meeting, I no longer looked and felt as if I were running a marathon. These days, board meetings are alive with unexpected comments, ideas, interruptions, and opportunities that I rarely noticed before learning to manage it all. I’m grateful for all that I’m learning and for the opportunities I get to give back as a volunteer on this board. If you take a chance, you may be grateful too.

Although Tammi commends the entire Board as a supportive environment in which she has learned new skills and honed others, Tammi feels that she owes her greatest debt of gratitude to Joyce Driben whose gentle, consistent mentoring has made the difference between caution and confidence; and the difference between “I just can’t do this” to “I think I can try.” With elections for the 2014 fiscal year coming up soon, I hope some of you will be inspired by Tammi’s message and consider taking that chance (more in Administrative Add-ons). November’s Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 5th from 6:30 to 8:30 (more in calendar).

When coming to this meeting, remember that there will be many people and voting machines because the 5th is Election Day and United Cerebral Palsy is a polling site.

Additional events include: Mall Walking on the 6th and the 20th; Ice Skating on the 7th and 21st; an all-day outing at Slippery Rock University on Saturday the 9th; a City Theatre audio-described play on Sunday the 3rd; a Tuesday Music Club concert on the 12th along with the opera, The Magic Flute. As a reminder, Tuesday Music Club concerts are currently being held at Calvary Episcopal Church: 315 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232.

If these performances change back to Saint Andrew’s, this Editor will post it in a newsletter and on the Update Line: 1-773-597-4222.

To give sign-up deadlines for the events listed above, let Tammi Swiantek know by 10 p.m. on Sunday the 3rd of your plans to attend the Board meeting by phoning 412-488-6298. To mark your place with Joyce Driben for Mall Walking by Sundays the 3rd and 17th, call 412-521-4385 by 10 p.m. If you need to cancel, Joyce thanks you for doing so as soon as possible. To let Mark Senk know you plan to ice skate on Thursdays the 7th and 21st, contact him at 412-386-6513 by 10 p.m. on Tuesdays the 5th and 19th. If you are blind or vision-impaired and have yet to try ice skating, please consider it since we have plenty of guides, thanks to present and past involvement from Carolyn Thayer, Joyce Driben, Nancy Leverett, and, of course, Mark Senk.

The final sign-up deadline with Nancy Leverett for Slippery Rock is 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 26th. Phone 412-561-3972.

Points to remember are that the cost per person is $20 due on the day of this event; the weight limit, determined by Slippery Rock, for horseback riding is 250 pounds; and the probable lunch option will be pizza, salad, fruit, and a beverage. (Since that was not definite as of this writing but just probable, be sure to ask Nancy closer to the activity date.)

As of this writing, 13 people had signed up for this first-time, all-day outing.

PAST EVENTS

Many thanks to Kirsten Irvin and her well-trained instructors for the Touch Art classes which started on September 20th and ended on October 18th. Because there was so much interest in these informative classes, Kirsten hopes to be able to offer them again in the future. On Sunday, October 6th, there were two hikers at Frick Park with appreciation to reservationist Tammi Swiantek and capable, experienced leader Veronique Schreurs.

(This Editor apologizes for including a reservation deadline for that hike when none should have been given. Had this mistake not occurred, this Editor feels certain that more hikers would have phoned in their interest and then enjoyed a well-led hike, a beautiful day and friendly fellowship.) October’s Board meeting was held on the 8th instead of the 1st as previously scheduled.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Children’s Museum has recently begun implementing adult activities which are also tactile. As she does so well, Joyce Driben is currently researching costs and possible dates, the two being considered are Fridays November 15th or the 22nd. Also check December’s BOLD ventures and the Update line in November: 1-773-597-4222. Any questions, phone Joyce at 412-521-4385. December’s Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 3rd with Sunday the 1st being the deadline for letting Tammi know you will be there.

Cindy Perseo, 412-421-3992, will be the Holiday Party reservationist, that deadline being Wednesday the 11th by 10 p.m.

When signing up, let Cindy know if you need a ride or can give one and the dessert or snack you will bring. (Terri Winaught will help Cindy coordinate rides.) This holiday event will be held at the Church of the Redeemer: 5700 Forbes Ave., (Squirrel Hill), Pittsburgh, PA 15217.

The cost will be $15 per person and the menu will be: chicken romano, beef burgundy, pasta, green beans seasoned with garlic and pepper, fruit salad, tossed salad, rolls with or without butter, tea, coffee, the pop BOLD will provide and the bottled water which BOLD will also bring. It is due to increased food prices, the cost of renting space in the church, and the items BOLD provides that the per person cost of this year’s Holiday Party has gone up. The Downhill Ski Guide Clinic will be held at Seven Springs on Sunday, December 22nd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To reserve with Dom Ceresa by 10 p.m. on Tuesday the 17th, phone 724-527-1857.

If you must cancel, please do so by 8 p.m. on Saturday the 21st.

Another point about marking your place with Dom is being sure to leave your phone number. Without it, Dom will be unable to contact you about rides or if this clinic or any other ski date must be canceled. The Sundays from January through March 2014 when Downhill Skiing will be held have yet to be decided, so check December’s newsletter and the Update Line. Many thanks to Dom Ceresa, Nancy Leverett, and all who work so hard to keep skiing going, this Editor having no doubt that the 2014 season will be successful.

Two final notes about skiing are, first to let Dom Ceresa know if you are interested in cross-country skiing. Because this event is so weather dependent, it cannot be scheduled as far in advance as downhill skiing can.

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

“I want to do a Personal Perspective on this past weekend’s Darts Tournament,” Cindy Perseo told this Editor. Since Pittsburgh and Delaware usually take turns hosting this annual event, this Editor began by asking if this was the first year for it to be held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “Yes,” Cindy replied, and then went on to say that Friday night was pretty noisy and the room where the tournament was held was big and had lots of echo. Cindy was not only used to her surroundings by Saturday but also won her first trophy since 2001. “Joe Wassermann and I placed fourth in Triples and I also won a “ton” event which means that I scored over a hundred points with only three darts. Joe and I also placed fourth in doubles on Sunday, and we both won money and trophies. “When I told Joe how much he has helped me with darts over the years,” Cindy continued, he complimented me for having always been such a serious student.” Cindy concluded by expressing her desire to acknowledge all tournament participants, even those not in BOLD. “The people who went were Pat Turner, Jim Musto, Joe Wassermann, and Dave Papaleo,” was Cindy’s ending statement.

THEY’LL NEVER KNOW: another perspective by Terri Winaught

In addition to BOLD members whose names we hear often and whose hard work we are aware of, there are also those who work behind the scenes with little, if any recognition. Though frequently mentioned relative to Ice Skating, many may not know how hard Mark Senk previously worked on BOLD’S website, and what a big difference his dedication made. One example is two BOLD members having met through our former website. Yet another powerful example is this Editor having had a special reunion on Valentine’s Day 2009 which came about via an E-mail sent through our site. I think this was a long overdue perspective since individuals who work hard behind the scenes can think that what they do is unappreciated. And if they’re not told, how will they know?

To offer a personal perspective, phone 412-263-2022 or 412-552-4793. Personal Perspectives may also be brought to Board meetings.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

The City Theatre will audio-describe VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 3rd.

In addition to a 1 p.m. seminar for persons who are blind or vision-impaired, programs will be available in Braille and Large Print. To ask if there will be a feedback session after this performance, phone 412-431-4900. Location? 1300 Bingham Street in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. For info on the November 12th Tuesday Music Club concert, phone 412-682-0439 or visit www.tuesdaymusicalclub.org. Since Joyce Driben appreciates your interest in the Chamber Music Society tickets, she wants to apologize that there are no tickets left. In fact, the requests were such that there were 4 more people than usual wanting tickets.

What follows are the Pittsburgh Opera performances that will be audio-described on Tuesday evenings for the 2013-14 season: November 12th: The Magic Flute, 7 p.m. at the Benedum Center; Dark Sister: January 28th 2014 the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) 7 p.m.; La boheme: April 1st at the Benedum Center, 7 p.m.; and Ophree: April 29th at the Benedum Center, 7 p.m. For tickets, phone Randy Adams: 412-281-0912, x213. In addition to audio-description, Braille programs are capably transcribed by the Outreach Team led by Tina Wassermann, with Large-Print programs also being available upon request. Marilyn Egan, Pittsburgh Opera’s Education Director, also plays a valuable role in making operas affordable and accessible.

FUNDRAISING FACTS

Although we were considering a pre-Thanksgiving fudge sale, we will instead wait until 2014 to have it closer to Valentine’s Day. We have also postponed the Holiday Party live auction until 2014, when we will tie it into a meeting or a luncheon.

ADMINISTRATIVE ADD-ONS

Although BOLD boldly proclaims having been a self-help presence in Pittsburgh since 1976, we need officers to serve on our Board if this dynamic organization is to continue. The offices up for re-election are: President, First Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, and Recording Secretary, with the following duties:

The President runs monthly Board meetings, fields any questions about BOLD, and resolves event-related conflicts brought to her attention.

In the President’s absence, the First Vice-President performs all of the duties of the President. Should the President be unable to finish his/her term, the First Vice-President would do so until a special election could be held. A final but important duty of this officer is to chair the Programs Committee which involves setting up monthly events and researching new possibilities. (Though the First Vice-President is usually Programs Chair, there have been occasional exceptions.)

The Corresponding Secretary writes, proofreads, and edits the monthly newsletter before sending it to others whose help is crucial. It is also the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to prepare the calendar at the end of each newsletter.

Finally, the Recording Secretary takes meeting minutes and submits them via E-mail after each Board meeting. To say more about this last office, if you would like to consider serving as Recording Secretary but cannot always be at meetings, that would be okay. If interested in one of these offices-or just assisting the Board in some way-phone 412-488-6298 and Tammi will answer any questions and further discuss options.

In addition to dedicated Board members, we also need and value our general members. To enjoy another year of generously subsidized leisure activities and enriching cultural events, please renew your dues by December 31st, 2013. To renew, please send a $12 check or money order to: 2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Although the above address is that of Veronique Schreurs, make checks or money orders out to W PA BOLD. Thank you in advance for remaining a valued member by renewing your dues.

BOLD BITS

Due to the busyness of the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, there will be no November meal at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind. The next meal, which will also be a Christmas celebration, will be on Saturday, December 14th with a sign-up deadline of Thursday the 12th. To sign up with Sherri Crum by 6 p.m., phone 412-682-1800.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

To Cindy Perseo, Pat Turner, Joe Wassermann, Jim Musto, and all who attended the October 11th through the 13th Darts Tournament in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to former BOLD member Bonnie Newland whose husband, Bill, also a former BOLD member, lost his fight with cancer on Saturday, October 12th. Bill was a longtime member of the Golden Triangle Council of the Blind and a strong advocate for improvements in both public transportation and para-transit. Bill is someone whose strong voice and active presence will be very much missed.

BOLD member Maggie Fagliano, who has been ill and whose husband has been battling cancer, has returned to Trichlers, a community near Allentown, PA where she lived before coming to Pittsburgh in 2001. Though it is difficult for Maggie to correspond at this time, she requests both your prayers and hope for recovery.

Get Well Wishes to Margie Singer who is undergoing physical therapy for a problem that will require spinal surgery on October 22nd, and Ashley Winaught.

A warm and hearty welcome to new BOLD member Ernie College from Philadelphia, PA and a classmate of this Editor’s from the Overbrook School for the Blind.

Happy Birthday to Bill Burgunder, Tom Burgunder, Marilyn Hall, Alison Leverett, Mark Pugh, P.J. Zigerelli, and anyone else with a November birthday. To submit a BOLD bit, bring it to a Board meeting or contact Terri Winaught as follows: 412-263-2022, home; 412-552-4793, cell; and t.winaught@verizon.net, E-mail.

OCTOBER CALENDAR

Saturday the 26th: 10 p.m. reservation deadline with Nancy Leverett, 412-561-3972, for the November 9th outing at Slippery Rock University.

Thursday the 31st: Happy Halloween with extra safety for children who will be trick or treating.

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

Sunday the 3rd: 2 p.m. City Theatre Play, VANIA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE 10 p.m. deadline for letting Tammi Swiantek know you will be at November’s Board meeting: 412-488-6298. 10pm on the 3rd is also the time by which to mark your place with Joyce Driben for Mall Walking: 412-521-4385.

Tuesday the 5th: BOLD Board meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 at United Cerebral Palsy: 4638 Centre Ave., Room 301, Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Tuesday the 5th is also the 10 pm deadline for letting Mark Senk know you will Ice Skate on Thursday the 7th: 412-386-6513. Finally and if you choose, take advantage of your right to vote for Pittsburgh’s new mayor.

Wednesday the 6th: Mall Walking with a 9 a.m. starting time and a meeting place of the Monroeville Mall’s food court entrance.

Thursday the 7th: Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center: 900 Cedar Boulevard, Pittsburgh’s Mount Lebanon neighborhood.

Saturday the 9th: All-day outing at Slippery Rock University in Butler County Remember to bring $20 to be given to Veronique Schreurs for this outing, and also keep in mind the 250 pound weight limit for horseback riding as set by therapeutic recreation staff at Slippery Rock University. Horseback riding will be held from 10 to noon; lunch from noon to 1:30 and swimming from 1:30 to 3:30.

Monday the 11th: Wish a veteran happiness on his/her special day.

Tuesday the 12th: Tuesday Music Club concert at Calvary Episcopal Church: 315 Shady Ave. (near the intersection of Shady Ave. and Walnut Street); starting time is 12:30 p.m. and concerts are usually free. To check this before the 12th, phone 412-682-0439, the Tuesday Music Club Office.

Tuesday the 12th is also when the Mozart-composed opera, The Magic Flute will be held. Starting time, 7 p.m.; location, the Benedum Center at 7th Street and Penn Ave.

Sunday the 17th: 10 p.m. Mall Walking reservation deadline with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.

Tuesday the 19th: 10 p.m. time by which to mark your place with Mark Senk for Ice Skating: 412-386-6513.

Wednesday the 20th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall. This event starts at 9 a.m. with walking being followed by lunch for those who can and want to stay for this camaraderie.

Thursday the 21st: Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center from 2 to 3 p.m.: 900 Cedar Boulevard.

Thursday the 28th: Happy Thanksgiving! Since Hanukkah will be celebrated so early this year that it will occur during the Thanksgiving holiday, may our Jewish members and their families have a happy Hanukkah celebration. Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days; involves the lighting of candles in a Menorah (though some now use an electric Menorah), along with a Dreidle and Hanukkah Gelt for families who celebrate with children.

Many thanks to Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs, Tina Wassermann, and the Braille team she leads for the availability of this newsletter in varied formats that promote accessibility.

Tons of thanks also to L.J. Zigerell whose help setting up our new website and e-mail address has been invaluable along with that of Will Simmons, Kirsten Ervin’s husband.

THE END.