BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted and fully sighted.
May 2015 newsletter
BOLD Ventures (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development)
May, 2015
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: wpabold@yahoogroups.com (moderator must approve posts)
Update Line: 1-773-597-4222 (updates recorded each Friday)
Editor's Note: If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time as a courtesy, and are wondering how to join BOLD, send a $12 check or money order made payable to Western PA BOLD to 2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
This newsletter's formats are: Print, Extra-Large Print, Braille, Audiocassette and E-mail.
MERRY MAY
May's events are: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall on Wednesdays the 13th and 27th; Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall on Thursday the 7th; Yoga every Thursday unless four or fewer people sign up; the Board meeting on Tuesday the 5th; and several cultural events.
To let Tammi know you will be at May's meeting, phone 412-488-6298 by 10 PM on Sunday the 3rd. If you mark your place with Tammi and then can't come, thank you for calling as soon as possible. (See calendar for addresses, reservationists and phone numbers for remaining events.)
PAST EVENTS
On March 22nd when the Ski Season ended, Nancy Leverett brought it to a creative close by showing the video that fellow skier Brian Lunt produced. This educational video features Ann Lapidus, Nancy Leverett, Eugene Mariani, and Tammi Swiantek-all skiers who are blind or have limited vision. Since this video was to have been shown at the March 14th Fundraiser that had to be canceled, Fundraising Chair Terri Winaught apologizes for the emotional upset to the featured skiers but especially to Nancy Leverett who worked so hard to have this video completed and invite ski guides.
On March 24th, everyone who attended the Children's Museum thoroughly enjoyed that tactile adventure, about which Peggy Walsh wrote a Personal Perspective.
When Ray Jablonowski hosted a House Party and Game Day on March 29th, between 15 and 20 people attended. (See more in our first Personal Perspective.)
Penny Fleckinstein reported that Mall Walking held on April 2nd at the Ross Park Mall went well.
Twenty-four people signed up for the April 24th through 26th Camp Kon-o-Kwee weekend, with Cindy Perseo writing a Personal Perspective which will be in June's BOLD Ventures.
Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall and attendance at cultural events continue to go well.
LOOKING AHEAD
June's meeting will be on Tuesday the 2nd; July's will be on Tuesday the 7th.
Mall Walking and Yoga will continue in June, July and August, with any changes given in future newsletters and on the Update Line: 1-773-597-4222. To be part of the activity planning process, please bring your ideas to a Board meeting with member input always being encouraged.
To ask if starting and ending dates have been set for the Summer Rowing Program, phone Tammi Swiantek: 412-488-6298. Also see future newsletters for BOLD subsidies, dates and opportunities for competitive rowers.
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
"Ray's party was a great time as always," Linda Davis began when asked about that popular activity.
"There were plenty of snacks, pizza and hoagies," Linda continued. Linda went on to share how the card game, "Screw Your Neighbor" was played.
"Jim Musto also played the accordion," Linda concluded.
PEGGY'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Six blind/visually impaired BOLD members attended. Thanks to our dynamic docent, Maria, and to guides Devon and Don from the Library for the Blind for helping us around the spacious facility, and to Veronique for driving two of us who could not come in by Access.
My favorite exhibit was the light and music display which did ever-changing tricks whenever someone touched another who was near the "controls." I also enjoyed the section where one constructed odd shapes into mysterious structures by fitting different-shaped pegs into various blocks. The goal was to connect the pegs and blocks without letting them fall, which could happen at any time (I was lucky that day).
There was also a sandbox; clay to play with; and even the trolley from the Neighborhood of Make Believe.
The cafe was wonderful with great coffee and tasty healthy snacks.
The Museum offered plenty more than what I told you, so we could have fun going there again and again.
Thanks to the Museum for their hospitality; BOLD will be back!
To write or be interviewed for a Personal Perspective, phone this Editor at 412-263-2022, E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net or bring a written perspective to a Board meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE ADD-ON
Since dues for 2015 were due by December 31st, 2014 Thank you for renewing and remaining a valued BOLD member. It is also worth noting that Veronique has begun working on the 2015-2016 Directory.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
On Tuesday, May 5th, the Pittsburgh Opera will present, "Daughters of the Regiment." The starting time will be 7 PM and the venue will be the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. This is also the Opera with which the 2014-2015 season will end.
Thanks to Kirsten Ervin and Joyce Driben, this Editor is sharing the following information:
My name is Shanae and I work for City of Asylum, a nonprofit arts organization in Pittsburgh's Northside. Although I've included a brief overview below of our upcoming performance, I'd still love to chat with anyone who's interested.
About the project:
City of Asylum is seeking people with disabilities, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers, to participate in the Pittsburgh production of A (micro) history of world economics, danced. The production, which has been performed in over 10 international cities, explores our collective economic history through a blend of dance and theater. The Pittsburgh performance will involve approximately 50 members of the local disability community. Participants will share their stories through writing and movement, and perform alongside professional actors. Workshops and rehearsals will be held from May 25 through June 4. The performance will be held June 5 & 6, 2015 in the New Hazlett Theater.
We are looking for individuals of all abilities to participate in the production. No experience with theater or dance is necessary. All participants will receive an honorarium, with individuals having disabilities receiving $400 per person. Friends, family members, and caregivers will receive $200 per person.
Shanae Phillips, Project Coordinator, City of Asylum Phone: 432.288.5328
sphillips@cityofasylumpittsburgh.org
There will be no Tuesday Music Club concert in May, with performances resuming in the fall.
The City Theatre season will end with the play, "Midsummer" on Sunday, May 31st. The setting of this play is Edinburgh, Scotland; the main characters are a divorce lawyer and a small-time crook; and their story about second chances will entertain audiences with the weekend adventures of this unlikely pair.
FUNDRAISING FACTS
The new date for the Fundraiser that was to have taken place on March 14th is Saturday, June 6th; the time is 1 to 5 PM; and the venue is One Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh.
When signing up by 10 PM on Saturday, May 30th, let Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022, know if you want to perform in the Talent Show.
The cost per person is a minimum donation of $5, with persons being able to give more being encouraged to do so since BOLD will have to pay for food for which there would have been no cost on the original date.
We will be getting a sandwich ring, humus, potato salad, a dessert item, pop and water.
BOLD BITS
This Editor is delighted to report that the surgery Peggy Walsh had went well and she has recovered completely.
Get Well wishes to Carol Platt, who had hip replacement surgery on April 28th, and Joyce Driben, who will be having surgery on May 6th. With surgery never being pleasant, we also wish Joyce quickness and comfort in her recovery along with prayers.
CONGRATULATIONS!! to Diana and Tony Rock who have been the proud grandparents of twins Jack and Mackenzie, born January 26th, 2015.
Congratulations also to Jim Winaught who was in a bowling tournament on April 28th, with more in June's newsletter.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is providing free currency readers to persons who are blind or have low vision. To place an order, phone toll-free: 1-844-815-9388. If you misplace this number, you can get it from the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: 412-687-2440.
HarmonEyes is a singing group, many of whose members are blind or have limited vision. For more information or to join this group, call Karen Good: 412-422-4331. Karen can also be reached by E-mail: kg417@verizon.net.
The Lutheran Center for the Blind will host their monthly meal on Saturday, May 30th. Since this will be the last meal until September, this will be their annual Indoor Picnic.
Although the sign-up date is often the Thursday before, Sherri asks that you sign up the earlier the better. To mark your place for this meal, phone 412-682-1800 or E-mail director@plcb.net.
Welcome to new BOLD members Ethel De Iuliis and MaryEllen Mulvihill, a good friend of Karen Good's. Also, a hearty WELCOME BACK!! to Sue Etters.
Happy Birthday to Aubrey Lowry, Joyce Mulkern, Jerry Penfield, Benjamin Povalitis, Rege Sullivan, Carolyn Thayer and anyone else with a May birthday.
If you have a BOLD Bit, phone 412-263-2022, bring it to a Board meeting or E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net. You can also use the above information to give the Editor newsletter feedback.
MAY CALENDAR
Note: To save space, contact information will be given only once.
Sunday the 3rd: 9 PM sign-up deadline with Andrea Schwartz for Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall: 724-444-0064, and 10 PM deadline to let Tammi Swiantek know you will be at the Board Meeting: 412-488-6298.
Tuesday the 5th: Board Meeting at the Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children: 201 North Bellefield Ave., from 6:30 to 8:30 PM;
Also the Opera, "Daughter of the Regiment" starting at 7 PM at the Benedum Center, Downtown Pittsburgh, and 9 PM deadline to sjgn up for Yoga with Veronique Schreurs: 412-225-4038.
Thursday the 7th: Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; yoga at Squirrel Hill's Schoolhouse Studio: 2215 Murray Ave. from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM; and 9 PM sign-up deadline with Marty Mathews, 412-440-4909, for Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Tuesday the 12th: 9 PM sign-up deadline for Yoga with Veronique.
Wednesday the 13th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall, starting at 9 AM and meeting at the Mall's Food Court entrance.
Thursday the 14th: Yoga at Schoolhouse Studio in Squirrel Hill from 2:30 to 4:00 PM.
Tuesday the 19th: 9:00 PM sign-up deadline for Yoga with Veronique.
Thursday the 21st: Yoga from 2:30 to 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM deadline to sign up for Mall Walking with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.
Tuesday the 26th: 9 PM Yoga sign-up deadline with Veronique.
Wednesday the 27th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Thursday the 28th: Yoga at Schoolhouse Studio.
Saturday the 30th: 10 PM reservation deadline for the June 6th Fundraising event with Terri Winaught: 412-263-2022.
Sunday the 31st: "Midsummer" at the Pittsburgh City Theatre: 1300 Bingham Street. This play starts at 2 PM and is preceded by a 1 PM sensory workshop for persons who are blind or have limited vision.
Sunday the 31st is also the 9 PM deadline for Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall in June: 724-444-0460, and 10 PM deadline letting Tammi Swiantek know you will be at June's Board meeting: 412-488-6298.
THE END