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
Editorial team: Veronique Schreurs, Nancy Leverett, Terri Winaught, Peggy Walsh
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Good bye and good riddance 2020 and here's to a safe and happy 2021!
Admin note: we are keeping the dues for 2021 to $12. Mail your check to
Veronique Schreurs 2269 Tilbury Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15217.
Call Veronique 412-225-4038 if that is a hardship, and you would like to remain in Bold.
DECEMBER EVENTS that brightened the Holiday Season.
Thank you to Ceinwen King-Smith for the phone Holiday sing along!
Thanks to Penny Fleckenstein for hosting the phone Holiday Party! Natasha Brown and guest Zach Rabowski won the Ecco Flexes that were donated by Mark Senk. Even though we couldn't have an in person party this year, Penny felt that we should have food for the members that attended the party and BOLD's Board agreed. Everyone who attended the Holiday Party that wanted got a $20.00 Eat'n'Park gift card from BOLD and a page of coupons from Eat'n'Park.
There are still several braille Christmas Carol Books left. If you know someone who would like one contact Veronique at 412-225-4038.
JANUARY CALENDAR
Reminders
I am happy to report that YOGA KEEPS GOING! It is still free of charge to participate. Thank you to those who sent a contribution. Our teacher, Richard, does not think it is safe for us to resume yoga at the Schoolhouse yoga studio. We will continue doing yoga, which is going very well, by conference call until further notice.
For details on how to dial in, email Veronique at veronik43@gmail.com, or call 412-225-4038.
Every Thursday it starts at 2:45pm, call in at 2:42pm. It is a one-hour session. Don’t call too much before the starting time!
Continuing our popular weekly chat session! Every Tuesday at 7pm, until further notice, we will have a one-hour chat session where our Bold members can tell each other how they are doing during this difficult time. This is also a time you can ask for help if you need it.
Number to call: 1-605-475-6777, passcode 265396# don’t forget # at the end.
If you don’t have free long distance on your phone, call Joyce 412-521-4385 or Peggy 412-683-6070 at least one hour ahead, one of them can tap you in.
Here is how it works best:
Call in and say your name, even if you hear talking. Then mute yourself by pressing *6. The board member who is moderating will check who is on the call at 7:05pm, then will say a person’s name. Unmute yourself again by pressing *6, then start talking about what’s on your mind. It doesn’t have to be Bold related. We are trying to have only one person talk at a time after the initial 5 minutes. Note that the board meeting is now private because we have the chat sessions. The moderators are:
Karen on January 19, 7pm, Veronique on January 26, 7pm, Terri on February 2, 6:30pm, followed by the board meeting which is private. Joyce on February 9, 7pm, Tammi on February 16, 7pm, Nancy on February 23, 7pm.
Monday January 18 at 7pm, Laughter yoga by phone on the conference line, with Veronique and instructor Dave Russell. You heard that right: laughter is a form of athletic activity! We are not going to laugh at jokes, we are going to do exercises to use our vocal cords for laughter! Please reserve with Veronique ahead of time, 412-225-4038.
Number to call: 1-605-475-6777, passcode 265396# don’t forget # at the end.
Monday January 25 at 7pm on the conference line, Ceinwen King-Smith will read a poem she wrote. The reading will last about 1 hour. Ceinwen's description of the poem is, "Reminiscent of the epic journey to the wizard of Oz, written in the style of Dr. Seuss, the poem tells the story of a sorcerer’s quest to regain his lost powers. It is meant as a message of hope and encouragement to anyone facing difficulties." Number to call: 1-605-475-6777, passcode 265396# don’t forget # at the end. Call Veronique 412-225-4038 to say you will be there.
FEBRUARY CALENDAR
Monday February 8, 7pm: Celebration of Life to honor BOLD member Maurice Johnston and the recent loss of family members by Penny Fleckenstein, Peggy Walsh and Janet Jain. Terri Winaught will lead us in a time to remember Maurice and sympathize with Penny and Peggy for the loss of their sisters, and Janet for the loss of her friend and former husband. To participate call 605-475-6777 code 265396 pound key.
Monday February 22, 7pm: Joyce Driben, founding member of BOLD will do a look back at the history of BOLD and reminisce about the people who have been involved and how it grew from a ski club to what it is today. You won't want to miss the opportunity to learn about your organization. Call 605-475-6777 code 265396 pound key to participate. After identifying yourself, everyone should mute their phone by pressing star 6 and the same to unmute. Joyce will allow time for questions and comments at the end.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Prime Theater presents Sojourner, by Richard LaMonte Pierce
Link available February 12-19 with audio description.
Pay what you can per household, with a minimum of $5.
Website: Primestage.com/events
The play talks about Sojourner Truth: the journeys, stories, mind and heart with passion and truthfulness that still needs to be told.
Information for other cultural events for 2021 will be posted here when it is available.
Library events:
Third Thursday of the month, Book Club by Library for the Blind, led by Katie Jackson and Angela Woodard on zoom or phone. Reserve by calling 800-242-0586 or email them at lbph@carnegielibrary.org
Thursday, January 21st from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett DB96739.
Thursday February 18, 1pm to 2pm, Caste: the origins of our discontents by Isabel Wilkerson DB100088
They will contact you by phone or email with the Zoom invite information or phone number a few days before the book club date. In the meantime, please let them know if you need a copy of a book so they can mail it to you as soon as possible.
BOLD BITS
Condolences and compassion to Peggy Walsh, whose twin sister, Penny, died of COVID in December, 2020; and Penny Fleckenstein, whose sister, Darunee died also in December after a hard fought battle with cancer, and to Janet Jain whose former husband, father of her son and good friend passed away in December also.
Peggy Walsh: 200 Holmes Place #3, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Janet Jain: 144 N. Dithridge PH4, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Penny Fleckenstein: 403 Marie Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15202
Contributions in honor of Penny's sister Darunee
Wilson, can be made to American
Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem by mailing
your check to:
AFEDJ
25 Old King’s Hwy North Suite 13
Darien, CT 06820 or online at www.afedj.org/give/give-online
Get Well Wishes and positive thoughts to Kimberly Smythe who has encountered several recent health struggles
Congratulations are extended to Penny Fleckenstein whose book Lessons in love, A Poetic autobiography, and read by her will be available on Audible very soon.
Congratulations and best wishes to Bruce Leverett for retiring as a software engineer from Panasas.
Happy February birthdays to Sherri Crum, Missy Demchak, Mitch Demchak, Jamie Robinson, Aimee Yunt and anyone else with a February birthday.
THE END