May 2014 newsletter

BOLD Ventures (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development)
May 2014
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
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Yahoo Group: www.wpabold@yahoogroups.com (moderator must approve posts)
Update Line: 1-773-597-4222 (updates recorded each Friday)

AN END TO APRIL
Children's Museum on the 24th: To enjoy the many tactile activities and exhibits at this venue, sign up with Joyce Driben by 10 p.m. on Monday the 21st: 412-521-4385.

Address: 10 Children's Way, North Side, Pittsburgh, 15212; arrival and start times: between 1 and 1:15 p.m. for a prompt 1:30 start. End, 4:30. Cost: $5 per person with BOLD paying the rest.

Schenley Park Hike: Saturday the 26th at 12:30 p.m. with a meeting place of Bartlett Grove and Ray Jablonowski as the leader. Sign up with Tammi Swiantek by 10 p.m. on Monday the 21st: 412-488-6298.

MERRY MAY
May will bring many great events (See calendar.)
Reservationists are still Tammi Swiantek: Board meetings, 412-488-6298; Mark Senk: Ice Skating, 412-386-6513; and Joyce Driben: Mall Walking, 412-521-4385. Deadlines: Board meetings, Sundays before by 10 p.m.; Ice Skating, Tuesdays before by 10 p.m.; and Mall Walking, Thursdays before by 9 p.m. To clarify the Mall Walking deadline, it is for everyone--not just persons using OPT. Joyce thanks you in advance for understanding that just one deadline makes it fair for everyone.

For the May 9th Kon-o-Kwee weekend, arrive at Moorhead Towers no later than 5:45pm. Also, be sure to bring a folding chair or mobility aid with a seat since there will be few, if any chairs. Remember, too, that - due to extensive remodeling - you are asked to stay outside or in the lobby. (Building manager Janice White gave those directions, and asked resident and fellow BOLD member Pat Turner to monitor them.)

Sunday, May 11th between 11 and 11:30 a.m. the bus will arrive at camp.

Arrival back in Pittsburgh: Between 12:30 and 12:45 p.m.

Starting in May, Penny Fleckenstein would like to host cooking classes every other Saturday. If interested, phone 412-415-3871 and say which Saturdays are best.

Saturday, May 31st live auction and pizza social has been changed to Saturday, June 7th. Phone Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022 by 10 p.m., Saturday May 31st to mark your place and say what you will donate to the auction. (See Fundraising Facts.)
Looking ahead, we are working on having a birding hike, and a fishing outing later in summer.

PAST EVENTS
There were 16 BOLD members and 3 guests when Ray Jablonowski hosted Indoor Games and a sing-along with Jim Musto on March 16th. (More in Personal Perspective.)

The ski season-which ended on March 23rd-went well, with tons of thanks to Dom Ceresa and Nancy Leverett for making this yet another successful season.

Only one hiker and three guides were at Frick Park for the hike Veronique Schreurs led on March 29th. Thanks, Veronique, for being willing to lead that hike, and Tammi for taking reservations. If you've signed up for an event and then can't come, call the reservationist to cancel.
April's Board meeting on the 8th was the last one at United Cerebral Palsy, with May's meeting being at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children: (address in calendar).
On Wednesday, April 9th, Joyce Driben, Ed Reid, and Veronique Schreurs represented BOLD at a career and interest fair. That event was held at the Squirrel Hill branch of the Carnegie Library.

LOOKING AHEAD
June's Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 3rd at the South Side Carnegie Library: 2205 East Carson Street; (see June BOLD Ventures).

To ask about prices for the Rowing Season, Dragon Boating, or both, call Joy Nix: 412-298-2315. Rowing will start on Thursday, June 5th, and Dragon Boating will start on Saturday the 7th.

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
If there's anyone who knows how to host a fun event, it's Ray Jablonowski. The minute we arrived at Indoor Games, Ray was right there- along with his sister, brother, and other helpers- to guide those of us with vision impairments and offer numerous refreshments. I say "numerous" because Ray had every snack imaginable.
Later in the day, Ray ordered several pizzas.

Ray and helpers ended this delightful day by getting people's coats and making sure that no one missed Access.

What Ray does is truly based on group-mindedness and a spirit of giving.

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
"I want to tell all the things I like about BOLD," Jim Musto began his Perspective.

"I joined BOLD in 1998, and the things I like most are going to Camp Kon-o-Kwee; pool parties; Christmas parties; live auctions; and any event Ray Jablonowski does," Jim continued.

Jim also shared how much he likes playing his accordion at BOLD events. "And these are the things I like about BOLD," Jim concluded.

To be interviewed for a Personal Perspective, phone 412-263-2022 or email t.winaught@verizon.net. You may also write your own perspective and email it.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Tuesday, April 29th is when the last opera of the season, Orpheus, will be held at the Benedum Center, with audio-description and accessible programs available upon request. The Benedum Center is at 7th Street and Penn Ave., Downtown Pittsburgh, 15222. Since the Cultural Trust has provided new headsets, patrons who benefit from audio-description are encouraged to use the new devices and give feedback.

May 13th is when the Tuesday Music Club will perform at Church of the Redeemer: 5700 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh 15217. The start time is 12:30 p.m., with more information available by calling 412-682-0439 or visiting www.tuesdaymusicalclub.org.
The Pittsburgh Youth Symphony will perform their last concert until fall on Saturday, May 17th. Heinz Hall is the venue: 600 Penn Ave. Downtown Pittsburgh, 15222 and the time is 4:30 pm. Though this concert is free, tickets are required, which can be obtained by calling 412-392-4872 or printing them from www.pyso.us.

The last audio-described City Theatre play for 2013-14 will be Gravity and Space, on Sunday, May 18th. To order tickets and ask if there will be a feedback session, phone 412-431-4900.

This play will be presented at 2 p.m. and preceded by a 1 p.m. sensory workshop. Address? 1300 Bingham Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, 15203.

To ask Joyce Driben about Pittsburgh Symphony tickets, phone 412-521-4385. If you get a ticket and then can't use it, call Joyce ASAP.

FUNDRAISING FACTS
The Fundraising Chair received $293.95 in Victoria's Fudge-a-licious orders, for which she thanks everyone who supported the sale. BOLD earned $88.19 of the proceeds.
On Tuesday, May 6th, BOLD will be a participant in the Pittsburgh Foundation's Day of Giving. The Day of Giving is an online donor event that will be held from 6 a.m. to midnight. Since the Pittsburgh Foundation accepts donations online only, go to www.pittsburghgives.org and follow the prompts. The minimum donation the Foundation requires is $25, and they will match donations up to $1,000. As many BOLD members as can are encouraged to donate.

Finally, the location of the June 7th pizza social and live auction is the Human Services Building: 1 Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15222. When entering the building, sign in with the guard at the front desk who can also direct you to the Liberty Room on the lower level. (Pizza will be free.)

As of this writing, 10 BOLD members have signed up.


BOLD BITS
Condolences to Cindy Perseo whose older brother died suddenly on March 20th. Also condolences to Nancy Leverett on the death of her Aunt Lucile – (Nancy’s Mom’s twin sister).
Get well wishes to Peggy Walsh who has been experiencing several health challenges, and Margie Singer, who recently had a bad fall.

Congratulations to Allison Madeline Leverett who will be graduating from Slippery Rock University on Saturday, May 10th. Allison will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Therapy.

Kudos also to this Editor who was accepted into Pittsburgh's Civic Leadership Academy, and is also honored to have placed second in a poetry contest. This Editor also thanks the four BOLD members who attended the April 4th singing competition she was in.

May's meals at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind will be on Saturdays the 3rd and 31st. To sign up by Thursdays the 1st and 29th before 6 p.m. with Sherri Crum, call 412-682-1800. The May 31st meal will be the last one until September: There will, however, be an ice cream social in August (see July's BOLD Ventures).
A belated Welcome Back to BOLD to Sylvia Denys.

Happy Birthday to Aubrey Lowry, Joyce Mulkern, Gerry Penfield, Benjamin Povilaitis, Rege Sullivan, Carolyn Thayer, Erin Wagner, and anyone else with a May birthday. Also, very belated wishes to Jamie Robinson whose birthday was in February.

Contact Terri Winaught with any BOLD Bits or newsletter feedback at 412-263-2022, home; 412-737-8004, cell; or t.winaught@verizon.net.


APRIL CALENDAR Note: (just basic info given here)

Monday the 21st: 10 p.m. Schenley Park hike reservation deadline with Tammi Swiantek and same deadline with Joyce Driben for the Children's Museum.

Thursday the 24th: Children's Museum tour at 10 Children's Way.

9 p.m. on the 24th is the Mall Walking sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben. (Remember that this deadline applies to all.)

Appreciation also to Karen Good for helping Joyce.

Saturday the 26th: Hike at Schenley Park with Ray as the leader.

Sunday the 27th: Grounded, at the City Theatre.

Tuesday the 29th: Orpheus: audio-described opera at the Benedum Center. 7 p.m. start time.
Tuesday the 29th is also the 10 p.m. Ice Skating sign-up deadline with Mark Senk.
Wednesday the 30th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.


MAY CALENDAR (See phone numbers at the beginning of the newsletter)

Thursday the 1st: Ice Skating: 900 Cedar Boulevard from 2 to 3 p.m.

Sunday the 4th: 10 p.m. Board meeting sign-up deadline with Tammi Swiantek.

Tuesday the 6th: Pittsburgh Foundation Day of Giving from 6 a.m. to midnight: www.pittsburghgives.org

Tuesday the 6th is also the Board meeting: Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children: 201 North Bellefield Ave., Oakland, Pittsburgh, 15213. The meeting will be held in Conference Room A on the first floor near the lobby.

Thursday the 8th: 9 p.m. Mall Walking deadline with Joyce Driben.

Friday the 9th: Departure from Moorhead Towers: 375 North Craig Street, Oakland, Pittsburgh, 15213, to Camp Kon-o-Kwee (see details at the beginning of the newsletter)

Sunday the 11th: Return from Kon-o-Kwee to Moorhead.

Tuesday the 13th 12:30pm: Tuesday Music Club concert at The Church of The Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave in Squirrel Hill.

Also Tuesday the 13th 10 p.m. reservation deadline for Ice Skating.

Wednesday the 14th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.

Thursday the 15th: Ice Skating at the Mount Lebanon Recreation Center.

Saturday the 17th: Pittsburgh Youth Symphony concert in Heinz Hall.

Sunday the 18th: Audio-described play, Gravity and Space at Pittsburgh City Theatre.

Thursday the 22nd: 9 p.m. Mall Walking reservation deadline with Joyce Driben.

Wednesday the 28th: Mall Walking.

Saturday the 31st: 10 p.m. auction sign-up deadline with Terri Winaught: 412-263-2022. Note: The auction was moved to June 7th.

To review any of the above events, phone the Update Line closer to them: 1-773-597-4222.

Thank you, Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs, and Braille Outreach Team for a great job on this newsletter.

THE END