 |
1093 South Broadway |
|
1093 South Broadway |
January, February, March 2007 NewsletterExecutive Director's MessageHappy New Year! BGCB is off to a running start in 2007! Working my way backward through the last quarter... On Dec. 26th, we received a nice Christmas gift. The Linda Neville Trust funded BGCB $25,000 for the Director's position (from $20,000) and $9,500 (a new request) for the Administrative Assistant's position. Philip Rose accepted a check from the Lexington Lions Club in the amount of $3,600 for the 2007 rental of our second office unit. We received a donation of $875 from a family wishing to remain anonymous and a $500 donation was designated from a member to BGCB through United Way. Thank you to those members who donated additional funds to BGCB with your membership renewal. An audit for 2005 and a short audit from Jan.1-June 30, 2006 have been completed. BGCB is now operating on a fiscal year. These reports are available to you upon request. The Holiday Luncheon was so enjoyable. We were all charmed by the Lafayette Strolling Strings. Their rendition of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" inspired some our members to get up and dance! We entertained several guests and were pleased Adam Ruschival could make the trek from Louisville with 2 guests. Thank you to Adam and Carla for donating 2- $10 door prizes. Thanks also to Opal Spencer, Patsy and Philip Rose for the gift bags and Linda Stewart for the Braille programs. The Kentucky Council of the Blind Conference, held in at the School for the Blind in Louisville, was attended by seven BGCB members. Thanks to transportation by Max Fiscus, we were able to accommodate members who wanted to attend for the weekend or only one day. The conference was well organized, informative, accommodations were comfortable, entertainment was fun, and food was great! I don't know where we could get "more for our money"! President Philip Rose spoke on behalf of BGCB. My compliments to the organizers of the conference. I have expressed an interest to several KCB Board Members in BGCB partnering with KCB for a future joint conference. I would like to encourage all of you to consider attending the conference in 2007. We'll have information out to you as soon as it becomes available to us. It has been my pleasure to collaborate with other local agencies in an effort to raise awareness of blind/visually impaired issues. On Oct.13, BGCB partnered with nine other agencies to recognize White Cane Day. A program was held at the main branch of the Public Library. Harold White presented the I.D. Mate. Harold stays on top of the I.D. Mate updates making his presentation informative, interesting and well received. Marlene Thompson entertained the audience with her counterpart Dot E Clown. Dot E has a knack for capturing the audience and Linda Sutherland was moved to come on stage and dance with Dot E! After Pam Glisson's (Exec. Dir., Independence Place) presentation, the audience came away from the program with the consensus that losing one's vision did not mean the loss of one's respectability! Plans are already under way for White Cane Day 2007! BGCB has participated in several fundraising activities. The Time for Giving with the Fayette Mall earned $90. Judy Potter set up an Oreck Party for us earning over $325. Thank you Judy, Paul Wiese & Axel, Sharon and Morry LaTour for working these fundraisers. Check out your BGCB website! Jim is so conscientious in keeping the information updated. You will find all events, information, and pictures related to BGCB. You will also find information related to other activities around town that may be of interest to the blind/visually impaired community. I've saved the best till last! BGCB has been invited to try out for a NBC TV reality show tentatively named "FORTUNE". The premise is five of America's wealthiest people will give away millions of dollars on national TV. We have 1 minute to prove our request is worthy. At first, I thought it was a hoax. Upon further investigation, it's legitimate! What've we got to lose? Our initial interview time is Jan.7th at 8:30. If we pass the interview, we would go on to the program which airs Feb.-March. I NEED YOUR HELP! No amount is too big or too small. Give me some ideas and suggestions. I wish we had a building of our own, salaries for more staff to implement the Outreach Program, equipment ,computers, software for a state of the art technology center for the b/vi, funding to get the Independent Transportation Program off the groundÖI'm just brainstorming! On a lighter note, my daughter wants everyone to have a "guide pony" so she wants to start a miniature pony farmÖin my back yard! I'll be back in touch, Paula
From The BoardBGCB Board Members 2007
Past President's MessageI've been honored to serve as President of this organization for the past two years. I will continue on as a Board Member. I want to wish all a very Happy New Year. Philip G. Rose
President's MessageThe new year has begun, and the Blue Grass Council of the Blind is in the midst of its 2007 membership drive. A big Thank You to all of you who renewed your membership at the December holiday luncheon. Your generosity tells us that we are providing the programs and services that are needed in this community and that you stand behind us. The coming year will have a lot of events that should help increase awareness and understanding of vision loss both for individuals and for the community as a whole. Our commitment to education and advocacy is seen in the types of programs we deliver and in the topics discussed at our VIP meetings. Participation is strong in our support group, and last year we gained several new members. Look for upcoming topics on issues of transportation, technology, and safety. Impaired vision does not mean an impaired lifestyle. I am hoping you will come to our meetings and find in them an opportunity to make new friends, meet others who are coping with vision loss, and learn what you can do to make life a little better. I look forward to serving you as president in 2007. Happy New Year! Susan Ament
Thank YouThe Blue Grass Council of the Blind extends sincere appreciation to outgoing Board Officers Philip Rose-President, Joyce McGuire-Vice-President, and Marjorie Robbins-Treasurer for your dedicated service to the Council.
Welcome AboardWe'd like to welcome our newest Board Members Carol Porter and Max Fiscus who will serve as Members At Large.
Membership StatusMany thanks to those Council Members who renewed their membership at our Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 2!
There have been 37 membership renewals so far: Your membership dues help us carry on the many services such as the VIP Support Group, this newsletter, the BGCB website, and the educational and advocacy activities throughout the year. We will be sending out membership renewal forms after the first of the year to all our members who have not yet renewed their membership for 2007. We're also updating our membership database and would appreciate your assistance by filling out the renewal forms and returning them to us when you renew. We use this information to better serve your individual needs, and it is strictly confidential.
Technology InfoCongratulations to Martha Wilhoit on receiving equipment from the Weeks Trust. BGCB has the criteria for the Weeks Foundation funding. Monies are distributed on an individual basis. Contact the office if you are interested in applying. Just a reminder to all of you, the BGCB office is accessible to you at any time. We have acquired equipment you may be interested in trying out. Some of you have service providers come in to read mail and help with finances. We have a piece of equipment that would enable you to read your own mail in private. We'll set you up and assist in any way needed. Please take advantage of the Council resources. If you have a piece of equipment and you are unsure of it's use or want to learn how to use it to it's fullest potentialÖbring it to the office.
Happy Birthday!
We'd like to wish the following Council Members with birthdates in the first
quarter a very Happy Birthday!
In Our ThoughtsBGCB would like to extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Joan Myers. Joan passed away suddenly last month due to complications of a brain tumor. Joan served as the Secretary to Interim Executive Director Joyce McGuire. Joan is credited with setting up BGCB's audio library. Many members have taken advantage of checking out the books on tape and enjoyed the library resources. Our sympathies also to Judy Potter who recently lost her brother.
BGCB Wish List
Dust Buster
Spit Fire and Save MatchesThis is an excerpt from the story Spit Fire and Save Matches written by Paul Wiese and published in a collection of stories by the Lexington Lions Club titled Lest We Forget. The story takes up with Paul, Pete and Pat, better known as the "three P's in a pod," deciding to make their fortune by selling Christmas trees. It was the first Saturday in December and we were ready to make our fortune. I got my US Army hatchet and canteen which fit on my US Army belt with a million brass holes. I bought everything at the Army-Navy surplus store with money I earned from mowing yards. The three of us met that morning and started our walk to the old rock quarry north of town. We knew there were plenty of Christmas trees growing along the top of the quarry near the edge of the wall just outside the woods. Each one of us chopped down two cedar trees and started dragging them back to town. We dragged them for quite a while and decided it was time to take a rest stop. We lay down and were watching the clouds drift across the clear blue December sky. "Want a drink of this?" Pete snickered. He pulled a can of Oertel's ë92 beer from his back pack. "Spit fire and save matches!" I said. "Where'd you get that?" "I took it from my dad's workshop," Pete answered in a shy voice. "Did you think to get a church key?" I asked. "Yup," Pete said as he pried off the top. Just as the top came off, the beer started foaming out of the top of the can like a volcano. Pete stuck the can opening in his mouth and foam came out both sides of his mouth and his nose. "Let me have some," I screamed. I grabbed the can from his hand and placed my mouth over the opening. I couldn't keep my mouth over the can. The beer was foaming out my mouth and I couldn't swallow. I handed the can to Pat but by this time it was empty. Pete and I spit, coughed and laughed and told Pat he didn't miss anything. As we were getting up to leave, Pat pulled a cigar from its pack. "You want a drag off this?" Pat asked. "Well spit fire and save matches," I said under my breath. "Where'd you get a cigar?" "At the A&P," said Pat as he pulled the wrapper off. "Did you get any matches?" asked Pete. "Yup, got ëem at the Texaco Station," replied Pat. Pat tried and tried to light the cigar with the paper book matches but the wind kept blowing the match out before he could get it lit. "Give me those matches," I said as I grabbed them from Pat's hand. I knelt and twisted a hand full of sage grass together and threw a lit match onto the grass. A flame started up and Pat got down on the ground and lit the cigar and singed the hair on the front of his head. He got the cigar going good and passed it back and forth for us to take a draw. After two or three draws each, we started coughing and kept telling each other how dizzy were getting. We picked up our cedar trees and started back home. We had walked a short distance when I heard Pete say, " Spit fire and save matches, the field is on fire!" I looked over my shoulder to see white smoke coming from the ground where we lit the cigar. "We gotta put it out," I shouted. "Come on, take your jackets off and hit the fire." "I'm not using my jacket," said Pete. "My mom'll whoop up on me if I get it dirty." Each of us grabbed a Christmas tree and ran back to the fire. We beat the flames and tried our best to put out the fire but the wind was blowing hard and the sage grass was dry. The next thing we heard was the siren on the approaching fire truck. The truck pulled into the field and three firemen jumped down and pulled out the hose. They had the fire out in minutes. The three of us were sitting on the ground, covered with ash and each holding the skeleton of one of our cedar Christmas trees. We had thrashed all the green off and nothing was left but the stalk. "Well, it's a good thing you boys were in the area when the fire got out of control," said one of the firemen. "Mrs. Sims saw you fellas fighting the fire and called the station house. She thought it was a trash fire out of control. Yes sir, sure glad you boys didn't get hurt. You fellas want a ride back to the station house? I'm sure the Fire Chief'll want to talk to you. Why he might want to make you fellas Junior Fire Chiefs for the month!" "Yeh, Dad," said Pete. His dad was one of the city's firemen. I ran as fast as I could from the fire station to home. As I ran down the street and jumped to grab the street sign pole to swing around the corner, the pole snapped off at the ground. I guess after a summer of grabbing the pole to make my Tarzan swing around the corner, it just gave out. I took off running as fast as I could. Just then, I heard Mrs. Jones, whose house was on the corner, shout, "What's your name, young man, I'm calling your mother!" "Tommy Reed," I replied, "Tommy Reed!" Poor Tommy Reed took the blame for a lot of Paul's mischievous deeds around the town! If you have a human interest story, humorous or other, please send it to the office. Many of you have shared stories at VIP meetings. Let us laugh or commiserate with you!
Upcoming EventsComedy Off BroadwayBGCB is having an evening outing to Comedy Off Broadway located in Lexington Green on Thursday January 11, at 8 PM. More info to follow.
VIP Support GroupThe VIP Support Group meets on the last Wednesday of each month. The next VIP meeting will be Wednesday, January 24 from 12 PM ñ 2 PM. Wheels passes are provided.
Quarterly Membership MeetingThe BGCB quarterly membership meeting will be held in March, date and time to be announced.
Call To RollWould you like to bowl? Max Fiscus and Morry LaTour are doing the footwork to see what would be involved in starting a BGCB team. We could have a unified (one sighted and one b/vi person paired together) team for those needing assistance.
Blind BuddiesThe "Blind Buddies" Group of the Trinity Baptist Church, 1675 Strader Drive, Lexington, KY wishes to welcome blind and visually impaired members of the BGCB to visit their monthly meetings. You do not have to be a member of Trinity. The meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month. For more information contact Trinity Baptist Church at (859) 254-6795. Please come to the rear entrance (the entrance to Fellowship Hall).
News To UseGet Organized With the Help of ExcelThanks to Harold White for sending us this info. Whether at home or at work, Excel spreadsheets can be a useful tool. The Hadley School for the Blind has a new course that will show you how to create and use spreadsheets. This tuition-free course is available in braille, large print and online and enables you to practice working with spreadsheets at your own pace in the privacy of your own home. This course shows how simple it can be to use a spreadsheet, said Amy Salmon, Hadley instructor for the course. You may begin to wonder how you ever did without this program ! This course introduces the basics of working with Excel spreadsheets in five lessons. Before you begin the first lesson, a short section familiarizes you with keystroke orientation and setting up a course folder for storing files. The first lesson describes Excel and introduces some essential commands. Lesson two shows how to enter and edit information, including a quick method for entering the current date and time. Lesson three explains how to use various functions and formulas in calculating results. Lesson four provides practice in cutting, copying and pasting data; inserting and deleting rows and columns; and formatting cells. Lesson five discusses creating and managing databases. Prerequisites for this course include the following: familiarity with the computer keyboard, ability to type, basic math skills, access to a computer with Windows 95 or a later version, Excel software, 1995 version or later and word-processing software (e.g., Word, Notepad, etc.). This course is open to students in the Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs. Contact Student Services today to enroll in this course. To do so, please call 800.526.9909 . Founded in 1920, The Hadley School for the Blind is the largest, worldwide distance educator of persons who are visually impaired. Hadley offers 100 tuition-free courses to eligible students. The school's 10,000 annual enrollments are from all corners of the United States and more than 100 countries. Courses are available to students who are visually impaired, family members, and professionals. Visit us on the Web at www.hadley.edu . The Hadley School for the Blind Contact: Student Services Phone: 800.526.9909 or 847.446.8111 Fax: 847.446.0855 Email: student_services@Hadley.edu
The Purpose Of The Blue Grass Council Of The Blind, Inc,The Blue Grass Council of the Blind, Inc., a United Way Agency, is located at 1093 South Broadway Suite 1220, Lexington, Kentucky 40504. The Council provides the only full-time information and referral service in the Central Kentucky area for individuals and their families who are blind or visually impaired, without regard to age, gender, race, or religion. * * * Those much needed and appreciated cash contributions, which are tax deductible, may be sent to the Blue Grass Council of the Blind, Inc. at 1093 South Broadway, Suite 1220, Lexington, KY 40504. You may wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the continuing work of the Council. Our office will send a special letter of acknowledgment to loved ones for their contributions made in memory of the deceased. Anyone wishing to remember the Blue Grass Council in their last will and testament may do so by including in the will a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you or your attorney may wish to contact the Council. |