BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted and fully sighted.
January 2014 newsletter
BOLD VENTURES
January 2014
Western PA BOLD (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development)
BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted, and fully sighted
PO Box 8114, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Terri Winaught, Editor
Number for updates: 1-773-597-4222(Updates recorded each Friday)Email: wpabold@gmail.com
Website: wpabold.blogspot.com.
BOLD group on Yahoo: wpabold@yahoogroups.com.
JINGLING INTO JANUARY
I hope that everyone had a blest Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year filled with good health and a peaceful spirit. Speaking of a peaceful spirit, I would like to bring joy to Joyce Driben by extending an apology. Having not been in the December newsletter listing of Board members, Joyce understandably wondered if she was no longer on the Board. As has been the case for so many years, Joyce remains a crucial Board member, serving in her current capacity as Past President. As Tammi has previously commented, Joyce has been the best mentor she could possibly have.
Moving on to this month’s events: Board meeting on Thursday the 2nd; Downhill Skiing on the 12th and 26th; a Tuesday Music Club Concert on the 14th; free symphony performances on various dates; an audio-described opera on the 28th; Ice Skating; and Mall Walking.
Regarding Mall Walking, the Wednesdays are the 8th and 22nd since the 1st is New Year’s Day. To be sure that these dates haven’t changed for any reason, Joyce Driben recommends phoning 412-521-4385 closer to the January dates.
To say more about Ice Skating, this Editor has yet to receive the dates for 2014, so phone Mark Senk, 412-386-6513to confirm the Thursdays this event will be held at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center: 900 Cedar Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. (Although Mark will be requesting Saturday dates, it’s possible that he will continue to get the first and third Thursdays of the month which would be January 2nd and the 16th.)
For skiers and anyone wishing to try this activity for the first time, the reservation deadline with Dom Ceresa is always the Tuesday before by 10 p.m.; the cancellation deadline is always the day before by 8 p.m.; and skiing is always held on a Sunday at the Seven Springs Ski Lodge unless Dom tells you differently. The Tuesday reservation deadlines for January are the 7th and the 21st; the cancellation deadlines are Saturdays the 11th and the 25th; and Dom Ceresa’s phone number is 724-527-1857. The meeting times will always be at 9 a.m. at the old ski school desk, and this outing will always last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If Dom needs to cancel because the weather is not conducive to skiing, he will call you, so be sure always to leave your number when signing up.
For those who prefer indoor events, Penny Fleckinstein will be hosting Indoor Games on Friday, January 10thfrom 4 to 8 p.m. To mark your place with Penny by 10 p.m. on Wednesday the 8th, phone 412-415-3871. Penny lives in Bellevue and will give her address when you sign up. When reserving, let Penny know what snacks/games you will bring. Also ask if she wants attendees to bring money for pizza or whatever everyone might want to order.
PAST EVENTS
Though this Editor doesn’t have an exact count, she was told that a very large number of persons signed up for Mall Walking held on Wednesday, December 4th. Many thanks to Joyce Driben for having gotten Mall Walking started; for taking reservations; recruiting guides; and to Cindy Perseo for signing walkers up when Joyce is unavailable.
As of this writing, 35 people (both guests and BOLD members) have signed up for the Holiday Party.
LOOKING AHEAD
February’s and March’s Board meetings will be on Tuesdays the 4th; February’s ski dates will be the 2nd and 23rd; and March’s ski dates will be the 9th and the 23rd.
Probably in May but possibly in April, BOLD will host a Membership Party and a live auction, since we excluded the auction from the 2013 Holiday Party so people would have more time just to socialize and maybe even sing a carol or two.
Although the Sno Zone where we have enjoyed Snow Tubing several years ago has closed, we will bring up at January’s Board meeting where we could go tubing in late January or in February.
Though we may not get a date for several months, we will also start planning a spring weekend at Camp Kon-o-Kwee with up-to-date information in future newsletters and on the Update Line closer to the date we choose or the camp gives us. Update Line? 1-773-597-4222.
ADMINISTRATIVE ADD-ONS
If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2014, they are still $12, with your check or money order to be made out to Western PA BOLD. Address? 2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Tons of thanks to Veronique Schreurs for the great job she does as Treasurer and has done for several years. To Make Veronique’s job a little bit easier when sending your dues, please write the word “dues” in the memo section of your check or money order.
Though it will be several months before we compile another Membership Directory, keep in mind that our database is strictly confidential since no one sees members’ contact info but others in BOLD. Though it is certainly your right not to list your number-and several members routinely choose that option-please know that unlisted numbers make it harder to get you rides for events.
Regarding BOLD Ventures, Second Vice-President and new Board member Penny Fleckenstein has already begun contacting cassette recipients. Though the cassette format of our newsletter will continue to be available for at least another year, keep in mind that there may come a time when cassettes will become harder and harder to get. It is for this reason that Penny has begun exploring with cassette users whether CD’S would be a viable future option; whether having an audio version of BOLD Ventures on the Update Line would be better; and what cassette users yourselves could do to help with this process. We will address this issue again when audiocassettes become harder to find, which shouldn’t be for another year.
Another aspect of the newsletter worth noting is the possibility of Marty Mathews, Penny Fleckinstein and Terri Winaught taking turns reading the cassette format so that this task won’t belong just to one individual. Also being considered is several Board members taking turns duplicating tapes. (A lot of appreciation to Marty Mathews who performs many newsletter tasks each month even though she is no longer a Board member.)
Finally, if you would like to help BOLD but are unable to attend meetings, you can still assist with the following tasks:
Fundraising. Terri Winaught chairs this committee, and she is looking for members and new ideas. If interested, phone 412-263-2022, home; or 412-737-8004, cell. You can also text Terri on her cell and E-mails are welcomed at t.winaught@verizon.net. Although our main fundraisers have been an annual fudge sale, an annual live auction, and lunching at the Getaway Café from time to time, we would also like to write letters to local Lions Clubs and to our members. Many Lions Clubs are so familiar with us that they donate without being contacted, but doing more formal letter writing campaigns can never hurt and hopefully would only help. Though not recently or often, we have also sold Pirates tickets.
Because we produce our monthly newsletter in so many formats, this is also a task with which we could use your capable and valuable assistance. To discuss this with Terri Winaught, phone her at the numbers given above. (In February’s BOLD Ventures, we will discuss Programs, Reservations, and their respective contacts.)
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Joyce Driben is continuing to take names and phone numbers of individuals interested in free symphony tickets. To indicate your interest and ask about dates, call 412-521-4385. As has been mentioned in previous newsletters and on weekly updates, 1-773-597-4222, there are too many dates to list in newsletters or weekly updates.
Although there will be no audio-described City Theatre plays in January, there will be a Tuesday Music Club concert and an audio-described opera. The Tuesday Music Club concert will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church: 315 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Concerts are usually free and almost always start at 12:30 p.m. To confirm these details for January’s performance, contact the Tuesday Music Club at 412-682-0439 or by visiting their website: www.tuesdaymusicalclub.org.
Dark Sisters is the opera which will be audio-described on Tuesday, January 28th and held at CAPA (School for the Creative and Performing Arts). CAPA is located at 111 9thStreet in Downtown Pittsburgh; operas begin at 7 p.m.; and last about 3 hours with an intermission. To order tickets, phone Randy Adams at 412-281-0912, x213. In addition to the availability of headsets upon request for audio-description, Braille and Large Print programs are also available. Many thanks to the Braille Outreach Team capably led by Tina Wassermann for the Braille programs. For more details about January’s opera, Dark Sisters, visit www.pittsburghopera.org.
FUNDRAISING FACTS
At January’s Board meeting, we will have a representative from Victoria’s fudge-a-licious, a South Hills company which Tammi Swiantek suggested contacting. In addition to fudge, they also make caramel popcorn, other types of candy, and have nuts for a more healthful option. By attending January’s Board meeting, with members and guests always being welcomed, you will not only be able to learn about this new company whose products we might be trying but will also get a chance to sample their goodies and ask any questions. To let Tammi know you will be at January’s meeting, phone 412-488-6298 by 10 p.m. on Sunday, December 29th. If you Google Victoria’s Fudge, Pittsburgh, you will find their Facebook page but they seem to have no website.
BOLD BITS
Margie Singer continues to ask for best wishes and prayers as she is still recovering from back surgery she had in October, 2013 and for which she is still undergoing physical therapy. Warm Wishes for rapid recoveries also to Cindy Perseo, Carol Platt, and Jim Winaught who has pneumonia for the second time in six months.
January’s meal at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind will be on Saturday the 25th. Below you will see a list with the remaining meal dates, and policies.
To sign up for January’s meal by Thursday the 23rdno later than 6 p.m., phone Center Director Sherri Crum at 412-682-1800. You can also sign up via email at director@plcb.net.
Happy Birthday to Joyce Driben, Penny Fleckenstein, Missy Folmer, Nancy Leverett, Cindy Perseo, and anyone else with a January birthday. Belated warm wishes to Tina Wassermann, whose birthday was in December, and Charles “Chuck” Buzon, whose birthday was in October.
To provide a BOLD bit, phone this Editor at 412-263-2022 or 412-737-8004.
MEALS, DATES, AND POLICIES: LUTHERAN CENTER
February the 22nd; March the 29th; no meal in April; May 3rd; May 31st; and an ice cream social on August 4th.
The deadline to sign up for meals is always by 6 p.m. the Thursday before; the cancelation deadline is always no later than 2 p.m. the day of the meal; seating is given on a first-come basis; and preference is given to persons who are blind or vision impaired since this is a ministry to the blind.
Finally, if you fail to cancel your meal attendance and do not show up, you will receive three warnings, after which you will be suspended from meals for a length of time Sherri Crum will determine.
Thank you for adhering to these policies, and enjoy all of the delicious meals which Center volunteers so capably prepare and serve.
DECEMBER CALENDAR
Sunday the 29th: Let President Tammi Swiantek know by 10 p.m. that you will attend January’s Board meeting. Phone? 412-488-6298.
Tuesday the 31st: Deadline for sending dues to 2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Make $12 check or money order out to
Western PA BOLD and write “dues” in the memo section.
Have a safe and fun-filled New Year’s Eve. The above events will also be on the Update Line: 1-773-597-4222.
JANUARY CALENDAR
Wednesday the 1st: Happy New Year, and the last day of Kwanzaa.
Thursday the 2nd: Board meeting at United Cerebral Palsy: 4638 Centre Ave. Room 301, Pittsburgh, PA. Time? 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday the 5th: 10 p.m. Mall Walking sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.
Tuesday the 7th: 10 p.m. Downhill Skiing reservation deadline with Dom Ceresa: 724-527-1857.
Wednesday the 8th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall. The meeting time at the food court entrance is 9 a.m.
Wednesday the 8th is also the Indoor Games sign-up deadline with Penny Fleckenstein: 412-415-3871 (call by 10 p.m.).
Friday the 10th: Indoor Games from 4 to 8 p.m. at Penny’s Bellevue home.
Saturday the 11th: 8 p.m. Downhill Skiing cancellation deadline with Dom Ceresa: 724-527-1857.
Sunday the 12th: Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday the 14th: Tuesday Music Club concert at Calvary Episcopal Church: 315 Shady Ave. in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood.
Sunday the 19th: 10 p.m. Mall Walking reservation deadline with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.
Monday the 20th: Federal holiday celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. If you will be off from work or school that day, enjoy!
Tuesday the 21st: 10 p.m. Downhill Skiing reservation deadline with Dom Ceresa: 724-527-1857.
Wednesday the 22nd: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Saturday the 25th: 8 p.m. Downhill Skiing cancellation deadline with Dom Ceresa (number above).
Sunday the 26th: Skiing at Seven Springs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(The above events will be on the Update Line: 1-773-597-4222.)
Many thanks to Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs, and the Braille Outreach Team led by Tina Wassermann for their hard work making each month’s newsletter accessible.
THE END