BOLD VENTURES March 2023
Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development
Happy Spring, BOLD Ones!
But let's hope it doesn't arrive in full force until after the last ski day on Sunday March 12th! 😊
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BOLD Membership Directory and Dues, Important Update
BOLD will put out a new Membership Directory based on dues paid for 2023. The last directory was sent out in 2020. To be able to participate in BOLD activities and be included in the directory and get the Newsletter in print or braille, you must now pay your $12 dues for 2023. For membership purposes we need your name, address, email address, home phone, cell phone, and birthdate. We also need your vision status: sighted, partial, or blind, and your newsletter preference: email, print, large print, or braille. If anything has changed since 2020 email your updated membership information to Ryan at ryanjleverett1@gmail.com. If you haven’t paid 2023 dues make checks payable to WPA BOLD and send them along with your membership information to the new address for BOLD listed at the end of the Newsletter. The Membership Directory will contain the following information for each member: Name, email address, Zip Code, Home phone, cell phone, and vision status: sighted, partial, or blind. You can request not to be listed in the Membership Directory; however, we do need you to send us your information for our records. Thank you for your cooperation.
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When the conference line is mentioned in this newsletter, the number to call is 385-799-9487. There is no passcode.
NEWSLETTER RECORDING
Anyone can hear a recording of the newsletter, call 401-252-0029 Access Code: 265365#.
CALENDAR
March
Every Thursday, from 2:45 to 3:45 pm, Yoga by phone with Richard, to participate call the conference line. Cost is $10 per session. You will be billed approximately every two months. If you have any questions, please contact Maggi at 412-613-8592 or mio528@comcast.net.
Sunday, March 5th, from 1 to 3 pm, an afternoon for just playing your favorite card game Screw Your Neighbor, at Ray Jablonowski’s home, 4551 Parade St, Pittsburgh, Pa, 15207. Cost is free. There will be drinks and munchies. There is room for 12 people, so sign up really soon. Make your reservation with Linda at 412-681-9686 by 8 pm Thursday, March 2nd.
Tuesday, March 7th, from 6 to 8 pm, Board Meeting in-person at Human Services, 1 Smithfield St, downtown. Any non-board Members who want to attend must call Nancy at 412-561-3972 by March 5th.
Wednesdays, March 8th and 22nd, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin virtual bingo, via Zoom or phone. Join Zoom Meeting with the Zoom App on your computer or smart device. Important note: this is a new Zoom link as of February 1st. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88378103701 Or use your landline or smartphone to join by your phone's long-Distance plan: 646-876-9923, enter the Meeting ID 883 7811 0370, then press the pound key (#) and wait to be let in. To sign up to play, contact Lion Ray Tweedale at (262) 224-5517 and provide the numbers of your bingo card. Only one card can be played per person, and your card must be registered with Ray. If WPA BOLD members win any of the cash prizes, the funds will go to WPA BOLD as a donation. Ray will be on early at 6:30 pm Eastern for anyone that wants to be sure they can get in or would like to provide the numbers for their card. HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!
Sunday March 12th from 9 am to 3 pm, downhill skiing at Seven Springs Resort. No cost for ski equipment and lift tickets thanks to the continuing generosity of the management of Seven Springs. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch. Make your reservation by 9 pm Sunday March 5th with Nancy at 412-561-3972. When you make your reservation be sure to tell Nancy either that you are a visually impaired skier who needs a ride or that you can provide transportation. Sighted skiers who can guide for these ski days should contact Scotto Gray <scottog@yahoo.com>.
Sunday, March 26th, 2 to 4:30 pm, BOLD Star Party, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church 304 Morewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, in the spacious accessible hall, no charge. Since we are all BOLD Stars, everyone is invited: new members, old members, sighted members, nonsighted members, ski guides, bike captains, rowing and tennis volunteers, and anyone else who is a fan of WPA BOLD. All you have to do is sign up by March 16th with Nancy at 412-561-3972 or nancy.leverett1@verizon.net. This way we will have enough party food, snacks and drinks for everyone. If you are a sighted BOLD Star who can help prepare for the party and help during it, let Nancy know ASAP. Come to the party and show your BOLD Star shine!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mall Walking at the Monroeville mall. Joyce continues to work on organizing the mall walking at the Monroeville Mall. If you want to join the walk or if you are available to be a sighted guide, give Joyce a call at 412-521-4385.
April
Friday April 28th, 6 to 8 pm, skateboarding at an indoor park, Switch and Signal, 7518 Dickson St, Swissvale, PA, 15218, no charge. Helmets, protective equipment and skateboards provided, with one-on-one assistance. If you are ready for a new adventure or even if you have skateboarded before, the enthusiastic folks at Switch and Signal would like to provide an introductory session to skateboarding for us. This session will focus on what the equipment is like, and how to make the board go the direction you want. At first you will stand on a skateboard with no wheels just to get the basic feel of skateboarding. You will try a board with wheels only if you are comfortable with it moving, and it will be move slowly while you are holding on to a guide. Stay tuned for the April BOLD Ventures for sign up information.
May
Nature walk/hike in South Park led by Allegheny County Park Rangers. Be sure to read the April BOLD Ventures for more details.
June
Saturday, June 10th, noon to 5 pm, Picnic in Highland Park, hosted by Ray Jablonowski and friends from the Catholic Alumni Club. More details to come in upcoming BOLD ventures.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Anyone interested in finding out what tickets are available for cultural events such as symphony concerts or operas, please call Joyce at 412-521-4385. Thursday, March 16th, 1 to 2 pm, Book Club by Library for Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians. Join in-person, by Zoom or phone. March book: True Biz by Sara Novic (DB 107579). At the beginning of March, reserve your spot by calling 800-242-0586 or emailing info@mylamp.org.
BOLD BITS
Prayers and get-well wishes to former BOLD member Linda Augustine who was recently hospitalized. She is currently in rehab.
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Send positive energy and prayers to Veronique Schreurs who will be having a medical procedure at the end of March.
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Best wishes to Kimberly Smythe who will be having carpal tunnel surgery.
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Get Well Wishes go out to Jim Winaught who was recently discharged from the hospital.
My BOLD Take, Belly Dancing by Debby Hill
On January 27th, four BOLD members and three volunteers from WPSBC gathered in the multipurpose room of WPSBC to learn some about belly dancing from our really good instructor, Maria. First Maria had us put decorative scarves around our waists. Mine had thin round metal bangles on it, so when I moved I could be heard. Since most of the motion in belly dancing is from the waist down, we first learned about the hip movements. It is quite a challenge to move your hips in different directions especially up and down without moving your shoulders. Then we combined the hip movements with steps and finally we put it all together while playing finger cymbals. Maria was good at describing movements, and it is always fun to try something new even if my lower back did protest a bit. We are hoping to do belly dancing again in the future. I hope you will join the fun!
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On February 11th thanks to some super guides, nine BOLD members went ice skating at the Hunt Armory. Here is Jeff Mulkern's BOLD Take on the experience. I skate, I fall, I (slowly) get up off the ice. This is my idea of a good time ice skating with BOLD. Last year when we skated, my guide was Jon G who is built like a hockey player because he is one. John had no trouble picking me up off the ice and putting me back on my feet. This time my guide was Isabel, who is built like a figure skater because she is one. Realizing Isabel was not going to pick me up off the ice, Mark H and Ryan L were gracious enough to take turns guiding opposite Isabel, keeping my falls to a minimum.
Happy March Birthday to:
Nancy Gilmore, Jeff Mulkern, Diann Popoleo, Ed Reid, Jim Winaught, Terri Winaught and anyone else celebrating a March birthday!
Contact Us
WPA BOLD
PO Box 9101
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Editors: Debby Hill and team
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold