BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted and fully sighted.
July 2015 newsletter
BOLD Ventures (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development)
July, 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)
JOYFUL JULY
July's events are: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall on Wednesdays the 8th and 22nd; Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall on Thursday the 2nd; Yoga every Thursday unless fewer than four people sign up; the Board meeting on Tuesday the 7th; Dragon Boating every Saturday except the 4th; and Rowing at various times throughout the week.
For more information about rowing-including scholarship opportunities-call Stephanie at 412-231-8772.
To be reimbursed half of the cost of Rowing, call Veronique Schreurs at 412-225-4038.
PAST EVENTS
Of the 25 people who attended BOLD'S June 6th Fundraiser, 23 were BOLDSTERS and 2 were guests. (See Penny's Personal Perspective and Fundraising Facts for more info.)
LOOKING AHEAD
The Gottschalk Swim Party and picnic will be on Saturday, August 1st from noon to 5 PM with Sunday the 2nd being the rain date.
To sign up for this popular event by 10 PM on Saturday, July 25th, phone Terri Winaught at 412-263-2022. When reserving, let Terri know what you plan to bring, Leslie's preference being more sides and salads, fewer desserts and snacks. Also, tell Terri if you need a ride or can give one, understanding that BOLD members get preference. Although Terri will do her best to get rides for everyone who requests them, she can't guarantee a ride for everyone. (As of this writing, six people have signed up.)
On Sunday, August 30th, Waterskiing will be held at the Steel City Rowing Club's facility. In addition to Waterskiing, there will also be a picnic lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs.
To mark your place with Nancy Leverett by 10 PM on Sunday, August 23rd, call 412-561-3972.
If you want to ski but are unable to stand long or steadily enough, ask Nancy how to contact an adaptive sports group. Persons needing adaptive equipment, will need to sign up with both Nancy and the adaptive sports group. The latter group will require a waiver to be signed, and may require membership in their group.
Final points to keep in mind are that the skiing location has no restrooms or indoor plumbing. All of that said, participants in this event are encouraged to wear a bathing suit underneath clothing, and bring hand sanitizer. Given the pollutants in river water, you are encouraged NOT to ski if you have open or infected cuts.
Two more planned activities are a Gateway Clipper cruise and buffet picnic lunch on Saturday, September 19th, and a Fall Camp Kon-o-Kwee Weekend with Mark Grasak as the reservationist and October 9th as the departure date.
An August 8th event on which Terri Winaught is working and for which she will be the reservationist is a Pittsburgh Pirates game. The starting time will be 4:05 PM and the concert to follow will feature a group called O.A.R. The details which Terri is researching are group pricing and seating in the same area.
Two final events being planned are kayaking-possibly at the North Park Boathouse, and Horseback Riding, which will be held at Slippery Rock University, and for which Nancy Leverett will be the reservationist.
To conclude, August's Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 4th and September's on Tuesday the 2nd.
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
What follows are thoughts on-and thanks from Penny Fleckenstein to all who attended and participated in BOLD'S recent Fundraiser:
On Saturday June 6th, BOLD held its first ever talent show fundraiser. In one word it was amazing. In two words it was incredibly awesome. In a few words: who knew our BOLD members were so talented.
Before the start of the show, we had a delicious light lunch of sandwiches, potato salad, and macaroni salad. Those who desired to eat vegan fare were treated to Veronique's homemade roasted vegetable and hummus sandwiches as well as gluten free vegan cupcakes. She also made a regular cake for those who desired regular cake. What a terrific showcase of talent to begin an
entertaining Saturday afternoon.
Don Ciccone was our funny and creative emcee. Joyce Driben told funny guide dog stories about her first guide dog, Spot. There was beautiful singing from Ashley and Terri Winaught, Terrible Terri stories as told by Jim Winaught, a joke from Maurice Johnston, melodic harmonica playing from Marty Mathews, skilled accordion playing from Jim Musto, a reading of two poems from Penny Fleckenstein which she wrote for the show, and an unforgettable recitation by Devon Evans of The Hiway Man written by Alfred Noyes. To end it all, Ceinwin King-Smith, despite having trouble with her voice, did an excellent reading of Edgar Allen Poe's the Raven. You had to have been there. Thank you to all theparticipants for making this Talent Show so memorable. Thank you to all who came to enjoy the show and for all your financial contributions. Also, thank you to Terry Lane who makes it possible for BOLD to meet free at the 1 Smithfield St. location.
Everyone left feeling uplifted. What a success!
To write or be interviewed for a Personal Perspective, phone 412-263-2022, E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net or bring a perspective to a Board meeting. (Since there has been no Perspective on Rowing for some time, Terri is hoping to interview Nancy Leverett, Tammi Swiantek or both in the near future for an outlook on this competitive event).
FUNDRAISING FACTS
In addition to Penny's perfectly written perspective, the Fundraising Chair would also like to thank Veronique for bringing all of the refreshments, especially the homemade goodies Penny mentioned. Thanks also to Bruce Leverett for collecting everyone's generous donations while Veronique was setting up the goodies. A lot of appreciation also to Ed Reid, Ashley Winaught, and Jim Winaught for rearranging the tables, and it was great to see new member Mark Lee at his first BOLD event.
Finally, after Veronique reimbursed herself the $135 she paid for refreshments, there was still $135 left, with still more money on the way.
Tons of thanks also to the Delta Gamma Sorority for their recent $1,000 donation.
Finally, Terri Winaught will sell 50/50 raffle tickets at the Gottschalk Swim Party if she can get sighted assistance, and the Fundraising Chair thanks Penny Fleckenstein for the information that Moe's Southwest Grill does Fundraisers, with nonprofits getting 50 percent of the proceeds.
MARKETPLACE
Jim Wiseman is generously giving away a pair of Nordic Downhill skis that are like new, and 58 inches long. Jim is also giving away ski poles, Nordic boots, which are size 7-1/2, a ski bag and a boot bag. The boot bag has compartments for gloves and hats. Like the boot bag, the ski bag is also canvas. The bindings are also in good condition, having been used only four or five times.
"I have never done anything like this for BOLD before," Jim explained, "but I really want a young person or anyone just starting out as a skier or ski guide to get the break I got. When I started skiing, I had nothing and didn't even know what kind of clothes I needed. When a fellow skier saw that during a Hidden Valley weekend, he gave me lots of really nice ski clothes."
If you could use Jim's donation, call 412-682-1926. (The Editor is including this again because Jim got no response from the June posting.)
BOLD BITS
Jim Wiseman would appreciate your prayers and Get Well wishes for recovery from the many health challenges he has been experiencing. (Jim was recently in the hospital and has also undergone several procedures.)
If this Editor gets permission from two BOLD members whose loved ones recently died, she will extend condolences in August's BOLD Ventures. (The Editor NEVER shares anything about someone without his/her permission.)
Congratulations to Tobi Williams who has become such an excellent rower that she recently received a full scholarship to participate in a rowing competition at Boston University.
"I was really surprised to receive that scholarship from a national association of blind athletes," Tobi told this Editor with justifiable pride in her voice. (Such a first-time honor truly speaks to Tobi's competitive spirit and excellent skills.)
To ask when the deadline is to sign up for the August 2nd Ice Cream Social at the Lutheran Center for the Blind, contact Sherri Crum as soon as possible: 412-682-1800.
Happy Birthday to Bonnie Newland, Carol Platt, Joe Steiner, Pat Turner, Joe Wassermann, Ashley Winaught, and anyone else with a July birthday. Belated Wishes to Erin Wagner whose birthday was in May, and this Editor's apologies for failing to mention it sooner.
If you have a BOLD Bit, phone 412-263-2022, bring it to a meeting or E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net. You can also use this information to give the Editor newsletter feedback.
JUNE CALENDAR
Tuesday the 23rd: 9 PM sign-up deadline with Peggy Walsh, 412-683-6070, for yoga.
Wednesday the 24th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall, starting at 9 AM and meeting at the mall's food court entrance.
Thursday the 25th: Yoga from 2:30 PM to 4 PM at Schoolhouse Studio: 2215 Murray Ave.
Saturday the 27th: Dragon Boating from 11:00 AM to 1 PM at the Millvale Boathouse: 90 Riverfront Drive.
Tuesday the 30th: 9 PM Mall Walking deadline with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385 (this early deadline is due to the July 4th Holiday. Also, please check the Update Line, 773-597-4222, closer to the 30th since the reservationist might change.
JULY CALENDAR
Thursday the 1st: Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and Yoga from 2:30 to 4 PM at ,schoolhouse Studio: 2215 Murray Ave.
Sunday the 5th: 10 PM deadline for letting Tammi know that you will be at July's Board meeting: 412-488-6298.
Tuesday the 7th: Board meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the W PA School for Blind Children, 201 North Bellefield Street, and 9 PM deadline to sign up with Veronique for Yoga: 412-225-4038.
Wednesday the 8th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Thursday the 9th: Yoga at Schoolhouse Studio from 2:30 to 4.
Saturday the 11th: Dragon Boating from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Tuesday the 14th: 9 PM deadline to sign up with Veronique for Yoga.
Thursday the 16th: Yoga from 2:30 to 4, and 9 PM Mall Walking sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben.
Saturday the 18th: Dragon Boating at the Millvale Boathouse from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Tuesday the 21st: 9 PM Yoga reservation deadline with Veronique.
Wednesday the 22nd: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Thursday the 23rd: Yoga from 2:30 to 4 at Schoolhouse Studio.
Saturday the 25th: 10 PM deadline to mark your place with Terri Winaught for the Gottschalk Swim Party: 412-263-2022.
Tuesday the 28th: 9 PM Yoga sign-up deadline for Yoga.
Thursday the 30th: Yoga from 2:30 to 4, and 9 PM deadline for Mall Walking with Joyce Driben.
Many thanks to Maurice Johnston, Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs, and the Braille Team led by Tina Wasserrman for making and keeping this newsletter accessible and available.
THE END