THE WHITE CANE BULLETIN
FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, INC.
July - August 2005
FCB OFFICERS, 2004 - 2006
President:
Paul Edwards
20330 N. E. 20th Ct.
Miami, FL 33179
(305) 692-9206
E-mail: edwpaul@comcast.net
First Vice President:
Debbie Grubb
4215 17th Ave. W.
Bradenton, FL 34205-1418
(941) 749-6178
E-mail: debbiecg@verizon.net
Second Vice President:
James R. Warth, Jr.
1859 N. Washington Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 461-7067
E-mail: james.warth@verizon.net
Treasurer:
Patti Davis Land
6933 Alpert Dr.
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 521-9047
E-mail: pattianne1@cfl.rr.com
Membership Secretary:
Linda Jacobson
2915 Circle Ridge Dr.
Orange Park, FL 32065
(904) 272-8405
E-mail: jacobsli@bellsouth.net
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Ave.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail: sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Immediate Past President:
Robert Miller
2201 Limerick Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
(850) 906-9821
E-mail: easytalk@earthlink.net
Editors of White Cane Bulletin:
Elizabeth Bowden
1919 Leone Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 574-6252
E-mail: esbowden@nettally.com
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Ave.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail: sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Articles for the White Cane Bulletin must be submitted to Sally Benjamin no later than the 20th of the month before it is published.
Sally's E-mail is: salbenjamin@comcast.net. If you do not have access to a computer
and E-mail, please find someone in your chapter to help send it. We would like to hear from anyone who wants to contribute to our
newsletter.
Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of 1996.
This law allows authorized entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized formats,
including Braille, audio or digital text that are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any further distributing of such
articles in another than a specialized format is an infringement of copyright.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARE YOU MOVING? - by Linda Jacobson
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - by Paul Edwards
THE BEGINNING: ARTICLE ON RALLY - Submitted by Jesus Garcia
2005 FCB AWARD WINNERS - by Sila Miller
HUMOR QUIZ - Submitted by Jack Varnon
TALES FROM AN AMTRAK TRAVELER - by Barbara Grill
EDITORIAL - Submitted by Sharon Youngs
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - by Sila Miller
TIME - Submitted by Jack Varnon
HURRICANE SURVIVAL CHECK LIST - by Nicole Hugues
LOST WITHOUT GPS - by Matt Roberts
LABELS FOR LITERACY - Submitted by Sharon Youngs
BLIND GET BETTER ACCESS TO MOVIES - Submitted by Rosanna Lippen
CHOCOLATE CHUCKLE - Submitted by Sharon Youngs
TECH TIPS - by John Richards for the FCB Technology Committee
FUNDRAISING IDEAS: DINING IN THE DARK - by Barbara Ross (Submitted by Sally Benjamin)
SETTING GOALS - by William Benjamin
CHAPTER NEWS - Tallahassee Council of the Blind, Venice Chapter, Pinellas Chapter
RECIPE CORNER
HANDY TELEPHONE NUMBER REFERENCES
ARE YOU MOVING? - by Linda Jacobson
If you are moving, please notify me of your new address so you will continue to receive your White Cane Bulletin. Also, if you know of
anyone interested in joining FCB and would like to receive the White Cane Bulletin and the Braille Forum, please contact me at (904)
272-8405 or E-mail jacobsli@bellsouth.net.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - by Paul Edwards
LOOKING AHEAD
It is difficult for me to write this message. As many of you know, my wife Gayle died on April 16th, 2005, after a short illness. It is amazing
what something like this can do to the way you think and to your sense of what is important. One of the things I noticed afterward was
how little time we had managed to make for ourselves and how much both of us had allowed our obligations to others to become more
important than what we should have owed each other. I vow that, whatever else I do, I will not make that mistake again. I will value the
friends I have and find the time to celebrate them and to fill my life with the joy of fun and sharing. Of course, at this point, I don't feel much
like fun but I am hopeful that will change.
I want to thank all of the officers of FCB for their support during this difficult time and all the members of FCB for their kindness and
sympathy. It helped a lot. At our recent convention, I was truly honored to hear the tributes that were offered to Gayle and want to thank
FCB for the $500 donation to the ACB Scholarship Fund that was made in her name.
My last message focused on the dangers we face as blind people. These dangers come not only from bureaucrats and politicians
eager to alter the supposed cost of serving the disadvantaged but also from our own unwillingness to accept responsibility for our own
salvation. If services to people with disabilities are to survive, we must all stand up and be counted. It is not enough to expect that others
will do the work for us. We have to take seriously the very real threats that exist at all levels to service delivery for people of all ages who
are disabled or disadvantaged. This year, the legislature failed to allocate a modest increase for the Division of Blind Services despite a
budget surplus of sorts. Many of us made our voices heard but we were speaking to a legislature that had its own agenda, which,
thankfully, was not quite so obnoxious as that of our current governor.
Please know that this is not a political statement. It is a reflection of my concern that the focus of this administration seems to be to save
dollars that have, in the past, been applied to serving the very poor and the severely disabled by gutting programs that are crucial. We
barely averted seeing medical services drastically cut for Florida's poor children. We saw a Medicaid bill passed that will limit the
availability of drugs to the people with mental disabilities who desperately need them to remain sane. But, thanks to effective lobbying,
even this measure was not nearly as bad as the Governor proposed.
So, where do we go from here? At our convention, we passed a resolution committing FCB to work collaboratively with other
organizations of and for the blind to see a commission bill introduced and passed in the next session of the Florida legislature. This bill
would create a private, Governor-appointed commission, the majority of whose members must be blind, which would have the
responsibility of overseeing services to people who are blind in the state. I hope that each and every member of FCB will make this effort
a priority. We must find a way to distance service delivery from absolute state control and to create a form of governance that will allow
blind people to oversee service delivery to their fellows.
I have asked each chapter to name an E-mail liaison so that the officers of FCB can communicate with each chapter quickly and
effectively. I will also be proposing that we hold some forums in our new chat rooms.
What are our new chat rooms? I thought you'd never ask! Talking Communities is a company that is interested in creating virtual places
where people can meet and talk. They also sponsor a number of opportunities for organizations to make use of their technology. Florida
was fortunate enough to receive a wonderful donation from that company. We have a spot on the Talking Communities server where we
can operate a chat room or two or more. We now have two rooms set up on our FCB web page. One we hope will be used by our
members just to chat. The other room has been set aside for meetings of committees or task forces or, perhaps, for our officers to
share ideas and concerns with our membership through regularly scheduled meetings. To start with, let's plan that some of FCB's
leaders will be in one of our chat rooms on the third Monday of each month at 8 PM. On some of these days we will have a specific topic
that we will focus on. At other meetings we will just be there to answer questions you might have. If we find that our members are
coming, we may well invite guests to our chat room so they can share their views with FCB.
One of the things our officers are also considering is holding regular meetings with our chapter Presidents. If you are a President and
you think it's a good idea, send me an E-mail at edwpaul@comcast.net with a promise that
you'll turn up. We have a lot to do! We also have some new tools we can use to get things done! The future for me and for FCB will be as
bright as we are prepared to make it!
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THE BEGINNING: ARTICLE ON RALLY - Submitted by Jesus Garcia
I write this sitting waiting to leave the gate at Baltimore Washington International (BWI) after an exhausting but very inspiring day. I am
speaking of the protest or rally held in front of the Department of Education by 44 disability groups, one of which is the American Council
of the Blind.
All these organizations, the National Federation of the Blind, American Council of the Blind, and all the other organizations representing
disabled Americans, came to Washington to loudly proclaim to the Bureaucrats, that the destruction of the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA) along with the destruction of our rights will not be tolerated. We began with a meeting of all ACB marchers; at 8:30
we were given signs, press releases, and to map out our marching strategy. Let me pause here to state, there were close to 80 plus
ACB members from all over the country. I met two gentlemen from Mississippi, Fred Moores and Ken Maddox, along with a Californian,
Bryan. I will say that by the end of the day Bryan had an idea as to why gravy must be thicker than heavy oil, and pork, fried chicken,
biscuits, black eyed peas, and tall cans of beer are necessary to a proper meal.
Once the preliminaries were taken care of, we marched as a group to the front plaza of the Department of Education Washington
headquarters. Everyone marched before the plaza for over 90 minutes chanting and waving the multitude of signs and banners. The
press, both print and electronic, was in attendance. Once the marching was over, the stage was mounted by one speaker from each of
the sponsoring organizations, Melanie Brunson did the honors for ACB and gave a 30-second introduction. The crowd responded very
loudly and favorably to Melanie as representing ACB. This was followed by each of the living commissioners since the Nixon
administration addressing the crowd, finishing with a very good speech delivered by Mark Maurer, President of NFB.
This was followed by what may have come across as silly to someone listening online. I certainly thought so when it first began, but
according to those who were able to see the tableau, it was very well done. Basically, a representative of the Department of Education
was announced, this being a very convincing grim reaper, who proceeded to take all of our services and rights and place them in a coffin,
until naturally, in the end, he was overpowered by members of the crowd and shoved in to his coffin.
The message was clear, as it was during the entire day: blind and disabled Americans will not be tricked in to giving up more than 80
years of progress towards building independent, self-sufficient lives without one hell of a major fight. We will not gently go in to the world
of block grants, one-stop shopping, and hundreds of millions of dollars in funding cuts to programs which produce employable taxpaying
consuming blind and disabled members of society.
This message was delivered loud and clear to the Bureaucrats who wish to destroy our lives, and to secretary Speldman who, by the way,
chose not to occupy the chair saved for her. The rally was just the beginning; now it is time for all of us to send the same message to our
representatives in Congress. The citizens of our country, elect these, unlike secretary Speldman. Citizens who are our co-workers,
friends, family members, and all of us, members of ACB. We need to ask of all our fellow citizens how this elimination of our services
and rights would affect them. We need to ask them to think about these issues the next time they step into a voting booth. And we, the
blind citizens of this country and state, need to remember we get the government we vote for, and remember this fact the next time we
cast a ballot. If we do not stop this disaster in the making, we need to begin reading what books may be out there on the best art to
begging, because you can be certain that the beginning of the 21st century will be remarkably like the beginning of the 20th century.
So, in closing, I wish to challenge all of you to please pay attention to the announcements on the many blind and disability lists out there
regarding legislative moves to implement these plans. We must remember that many of our members have no access to a computer;
chapters must designate a contact person, who can spread the word and do so quickly and affectively. We do not have the option of
failure; otherwise, we better find tin, sorry plastic cups and pick a corner.
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2005 FCB AWARD WINNERS - by Sila Miller
It is with pleasure and pride that I relay the FCB 2005 Award Winners’ names. Patti Land, FCB Treasurer and longtime member, took
home the W.A. Ouzts Award, while Lillian Reilly, a true advocate from Venice, was awarded the R. Henry P. Johnson Award. The Dolly
Gamble Award was presented to Alice Warth, a helper with a heart of gold; and the Cooke Chapter President's Award went to Barbara
Brown, former President of the Jacksonville Council. Our Outstanding High School Senior Award was given to John C. Kimbrough; a
senior attending the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind; and Kathy Dent, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections, took home the
Legislative Award.
Bobbie and Bill Probst were presented a special Award of Appreciation for all their outstanding efforts as co-editors of the White Cane
Bulletin. "This award was presented with our heartfelt thanks from all the readers of the White Cane Bulletin."
The President of FCB, Paul Edwards, presented 2 special awards to Jesus Garcia and Robert Miller for their extraordinary assistance
and dedication.
Our Chapter Awards winners are as follows:
Greater Miami: James and Pat Kracht
Venice: Gloria Kelleher
Miami Metro: Maria Alegre and Carolyn Dwarica
Halifax: "Big John"
Clay: Jennifer Thomas
Mid-Florida: Nicole Hugues
The Pensacola Chapter was awarded "The Golden Gavel Award" for an increase of 20 members and the Council for Concerns of the
Totally Blind was presented The Silver Gavel Award for a membership increase of 40 percent.
My time on the Awards Committee has been vastly enjoyable. I absolutely love recognizing good and deserving people and applauding
their hard work and dedication. My fellow Awards Committee members, Sharon Youngs and Sally Benjamin, have been a dream to work
with and I regret that my time on the committee has now drawn to an end.
I sincerely thank both Ms. Youngs and Ms. Benjamin for their assistance and follow through. I would also like to say thank you to those
who submitted valuable nominations for folks who truly are deserving of FCB’s gratitude and recognition. Please keep those
nominations flowing!
"Just Bill"
Back in November, 2004, at a board meeting of the Florida Council of the Blind, a motion was made and approved to develop an award in
loving memory of Bill Ferrell. Below is the criteria and information regarding this award.
The William (Bill) Ferrell
(Just Bill) Humanitarian Award
Bill Ferrell worked at the Tennessee Agency for the Blind for many years. He was first employed there as a counselor, and proceeded up
the ladder to hold the position of Director.
Retiring did not mean stopping for Bill. He helped to organize the Brevard chapter in 1981. Although he was a simple man in his
estimation, he had a huge impact on the forming and continuation of FCB.
Bill was involved in visual impairment issues for much of his life. He was a Project Insight peer advisor since that program’s inception.
He worked endlessly, both locally in Brevard County and at the state level, serving as a member of several vital FCB committees and
representing his chapter to the FCB Board of Directors for many years.
Bill was a calm, introspective man, yet nothing got by him without thorough examination. If the need arose, he would give his view of an
issue with an informed politeness and in a politically correct manner.
When addressed as Mr. Ferrell, he would invariably respond, "I’m just Bill." So Bill, our tribute to you is to try to be more like you. "We will
communicate, educate, facilitate and update to ensure equality, independence and dignity for all!" Bill, we will always love and respect
you!
The recipient of this award may be blind or sighted but must have gone to great lengths to improve the quality of life of people who are
visually challenged. The recipient should have demonstrated a sincere concern for their fellow human, just as Bill always did. Prime
candidates for this award are those working in the social services/blindness field for a minimum of 5 (five) years as this award is
intended to honor such individuals. Membership in Florida Council of the Blind is not a prerequisite for this award.
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HUMOR QUIZ - Submitted by Jack Varnon
World's "EASIEST" QUIZ (Passing requires 4 correct answers)
1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get catgut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
7) What was King George VI's first name?
8) What color is a purple finch?
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?
All done? Check your answers below!
Answers To The Quiz
1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?
116 years
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
Ecuador
3) From which animal do we get catgut?
Sheep and Horses
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
November
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
Squirrel fur
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
Dogs
7) What was King George VI's first name?
Albert
8) What color is a purple finch?
Crimson
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
New Zealand
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?
Orange, of course
What do you mean you failed?!
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TALES FROM AN AMTRAK TRAVELER - by Barbara Grill
Standing on the train platform in Winter Haven, I sensed the familiar excitement in the air as the sound of the train whistle drew closer
and closer. The excitement built and anticipation mounted as, slowly, the mighty Amtrak diesel engine lumbered into the station. Kids
with parents, senior citizens, and seasoned travelers all prepared to board the Silver Meteor bound for New York City.
Although I have traveled on the train many times, I can’t help but feel the surge of anticipation and awe. Traveling on Amtrak is one of my
all time favorite things to do. Memories of past trips flash through my mind as I carry my heavy bag to the open door and am greeted by
the sleeping car attendant named John. Before long, my traveling companion, Ed, and I, settle in our room and hear the conductor call
“all aboard.” The whistle toots as the train departs the station.
It was 6 o’clock in the evening and we were thinking about what good things would be on the dinner menu. Our reservation in the diner
was called and we made our way through the rocking train. A pleasant aroma of food came from the dining car as the host greeted us.
Dinner on the train is a wonderful experience because community seating is the order of the day, which gives one an opportunity to meet
new people from around the country. You can tell how much I love train life. I look forward to sleeping on the train, eating meals in the
dining car, exploring the train and meeting passengers.
This is what I do as an Amtrak Customer Advisory Committee (ACAC) member. My job is to report back to Amtrak about what is on
passengers’ minds and how the crews are performing. The trip between Winter Haven and Washington, D.C., takes about 20 hours.
Don’t be in a hurry when you take the train!
Time goes by slowly as the scenery outside the train window changes. Late afternoon on the following day, we are packing our bags and
preparing to detrain. But, there is one more wonderful experience to enjoy.
Arrival into the Washington, D.C., area never ceases to thrill me and never disappoints. The train crosses the Potomac River and the
Jefferson Memorial comes into view. There is the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument! Sometimes, I am able to see these
great national treasures. And, each time, my nose is pressed against the train window to catch a fleeting glimpse, if the light is right.
Later that afternoon, we had an opportunity to walk to the White House to stand with other tourists for a view of another or our nation’s
treasures.
I was in Washington, D.C., to meet with AARP officials at their national headquarters. There I represented the ACAC to seek AARP
support for Amtrak and to propose that AARP and ACAC work together to learn about senior citizens’ views concerning train travel. Train
travel is safe and secure for older folks. I also realized that the AARP meeting represented an excellent opportunity to inform the AARP
officials that older persons with disabilities (especially those who are blind) need this safe mode of travel.
After the meeting with AARP, there was time for sightseeing before boarding the train to Charlottesville, Virginia. We learned about an art
exhibit by Toulouse Lautrec that was being shown at one of the Smithsonian Museums of Art. As luck would have it, after making our way
to the exhibit, a tourist from Britain who had noticed my white cane approached Ed. He told him that he had rented an audio descriptive
device and offered it for my use because he was leaving the museum. He explained how it operated and where to deposit it when our
tour was complete. This thoughtful person made my visit to the gallery meaningful. The device was simple to use and without it, I would
not have known what each work of art was because I couldn’t see in the dim light.
Time for departure from Washington was fast approaching and we made our way to Union Station. Union Station is an exciting place.
The station is always crowded and busy. There are many stores to shop, kiosks and a food court. Train announcements fill the air as
people rush around to and from their trains. We bought a frozen yogurt and settled into seats to await our boarding call. Soon we were on
our way to Charlottesville.
This time we sat in the coach. Again, pleasant attendants came through the car to take tickets and make sure that passengers were
comfortable. Announcements were heard about good things in the lounge car. There we met passengers purchasing refreshments and
passing time. Our destination, only three hours away, came quickly. We traveled to Charlottesville to visit the Merewether Lewis (of
Lewis and Clark fame) house and to revisit the University of Virginia library designed by Thomas Jefferson.
Two days later, we were on our way to the Charlottesville Amtrak station where we boarded the Cardinal to Chicago. The Cardinal’s
route takes the train through beautiful West Virginia mountain scenery. The afternoon was overcast and, unfortunately, there were few
opportunities to see any views from the train window. But, there was train life! Ed and I ate our supper and breakfast the next morning in
the dining car. We met more interesting travelers and heard many stories. Little did we realize that it would be snowing when we arrived
in Chicago the next morning.
Chicago was cold! But outdoor activities were not important because our stopover was planned to visit family. During the early spring
days of our visit, I thought of growing up in the city. We visited a few familiar places of my youth. Four days passed quickly and, once
again, we were on our way to the Amtrak station. We joined the hustling and bustling crowds who were traveling that day. That old
feeling of excitement came over me as we rode down the train platform on the accessible cart to the open door of our sleeping car. This
time, our trip on the famous California Zephyr would take two days and go over the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, over beautiful Donner
Pass and into the San Francisco Bay area.
I had changed my original travel plan to include this trip to San Francisco because I could not resist the opportunity to try out the Remote
Infrared Audio System (RIAS). I learned some months early about RIAS, developed to assist blind persons with their mobility. Over
several months prior to our trip, I had been in contact with Ward Bond of Talking Signs, Inc. I learned that this technology was installed in
several facilities, including the CalTrain Station in San Francisco, California. Ward Bond made a RIAS device available for me upon my
arrival at the Fourth and King Street CalTrain Station one early Saturday morning.
Saturday was the perfect day to do this demonstration tour. The station was quiet. Few commuters who normally travel on the train to
their Monday through Friday jobs were around when I arrived and met another member of the ACAC. The next hour turned out to be both
exhilarating and enlightening for me.
But first, I had to convince my ACAC colleague and Ed that I could be "trusted" by myself to navigate throughout the station. I wanted to
use this device to learn whether or not I could travel independently. After a few missteps, I nervously listened as the device announced
the King Street Entrance. I went inside and walked with my white cane in one hand and the RIAS device in the other.
Pointing and pressing the button on the device, I hoped to pick up something, anything. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, I heard
"platform 5." Well, I knew that there had to be platforms 1 to 4. Then I heard the device announce, "women’s restroom" and then
"telephones." I spent about half an hour learning where the ticket machine, the waiting room, the refreshment stand and other amenities
were located.
I would have preferred to remain to use this device much longer than I did. But I had two sighted people following me around like
mother hens. I asked for a few moments more to locate the exit. After walking and pointing the RIAS device from side to side, I heard,
"Fourth Street."
I can’t tell you of the overwhelming emotions I felt. It was thrilling for me to walk independently through that door and to realize that with
only a brief orientation session, any blind individual, including myself, can use this system to enhance their mobility! Stay tuned for next
segment.
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EDITORIAL - Submitted by Sharon Youngs
If you asked most elementary school-aged children what the name of the holiday we celebrate on July 4th every year, they couldn’t tell
you. It is sad to me that so few people acknowledge just what that date signifies.
Unfortunately, the holiday has become a day to have a day off from work and have a picnic. Or go to the ACB Convention. Very few
people realize that the fireworks that are burned up every year are to symbolize the war and the cannon fire that heralded the making of a
brand new country. Our wonderful country was born, as most babies are, in pain and sacrifice. Because our ancestors were willing to
make sacrifices and hold to their beliefs, we can celebrate however we wish to. It has been said that the beginning of the Revolutionary
War was "the shot heard 'round the world."
I don't want to spoil your picnic and I like to watch the fireworks as much as anyone. All I'm asking is that you take a few minutes during
your celebration to thank God for those who made it all possible. And just maybe we could take a minute to sing "Happy Birthday" to the
best nation in the world. So, I will wish Happy Birthday to the USA and Happy Independence Day to you all.
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TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - by Sila Miller
In early June, Robert and I embarked on a trip with great anticipation. Ironically, not so long ago, I would have viewed this same trip with
much dread. The trip I'm speaking of was to The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, where we held our annual former
students and friends get-together weekend.
There were many familiar faces and lots of things to do. On Thursday, 14 of us went Parasailing with a company by the name of "Smile
High." We were definitely smiles high as we floated 1000 feet above the water with the wind in our face and the feeling of freedom in our
chest. That evening we went to dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant, where we got stuffed but managed to save some room for spumoni
and tiramisu.
Friday morning began very early with a few folks going on a fishing trip on the Sea Love. Robert brags that he caught the most fish but
came back empty-handed. Said he "gave them all away." Yeah, likely story… St. Augustine has an extensive outlet mall with hundreds
of name brand stores and so later Friday morning others took advantage of the shopping opportunity that afforded.
Much of the rest of the day Friday was spent catching up with old friends and getting settled in the dorms. Later that evening, there was
fried chicken, Robert’s collard greens, green beans and "my mashed potatoes." I am ashamed to say they weren’t very good. Have you
ever tried making mashed potatoes for 70 people? It's not easy! My friend Sally Trayer and her husband Larry kidded everyone by telling
them I mashed the potatoes with my feet. I told 'em sure tasted like it! A lively Bingo game ended the evening with the winners getting
half of the funds raised.
Saturday was the annual business meeting. We raised $295.00 for "Jerry’s Kids." This has become a tradition where money is raised to
assist the under-privileged children attending the school. Among the topics of discussion at the meeting were amending the constitution
to specify the purposes of our organization, starting an address/contact book, which will be sold to raise money, and future plans for
alumni and friends get-together weekends.
That afternoon, there was a wonderful sightseeing boat cruise that afforded me some much needed time to relax and enjoy the beautiful,
old city scenery. Then it was back to campus and a barbeque on the biggest grill I've ever seen. Ribs, chicken, coleslaw, potato salad,
baked beans and banana pudding! I’m still full!
A descriptive movie night followed with a raffle drawing at about the stroke of midnight. There were 2 clocks and a 50-50-split drawing.
The winners were proud of their prizes and I was proud to see my bed!
Next morning, we went to the International House of Pancakes for a buffet breakfast and then it was time to pack up and make our ways
to bus, car and home. The parting was a little poignant and brought back old childhood memories and that stomach-churning dread of
separation.
I attended school in St. Augustine from age 4 through my graduation in 1985, a total of 13 years. Times are very different now, I have a
permanent home, not home in the summer and school in the fall and my parents have long since gone to heaven. I still struggle with
leftover separation anxiety as an adult, compliments of my school days. However, I know what it is now and that it will pass and won’t kill
me.
When people ask me what I think of residential school, I have a difficult time with my answer. A part of me truly believes in the concept
and I will always be grateful for the discipline and training I realized from my time there. Perhaps the best answer I could give is keep the
babies at home a little longer then send them off to school.
So, with all of this said, I would encourage any one who is interested in an inexpensive and fun-filled weekend to think about coming to
St. Augustine next year. You don't have to be a former student to attend. You'll be warmly welcomed, put to work and overfed! Also, if you
or anyone you know is interested in having their address and contact information added to our book, please let me know by E-mailing me
at sila@easytalkcomputers.com or call (850) 894-9203 and I'll make sure you're
added.
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TIME - Submitted by Jack Varnon
To realize
The value of a sister
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one?
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to Meet.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane?
To realize
The value of one second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
To realize
The value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend:
Lose one.
The origin of this letter is unknown!
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HURRICANE SURVIVAL CHECK LIST - by Nicole Hugues
I had received this list and found it to be very interesting.
Have a two week supply of each item for every person in your home.
Water: 18 half gallons of water [per person (1 half gallon for drinking 2 gallons for bathing, store water in clean plastic containers.
Food: Purchase foods that require no refrigeration and little preparation Ready to eat canned foods: canned juices, milk, soup (if
powdered store extra water)
Snacks: cookies cereals etc. Soft drinks, instant coffee, tea lots of ice (you can freeze your water supply)
For the baby: formula, bottles, powdered milk, jarred baby foods, diapers, moist towelettes and special medications.
Pets: newspapers, or cat litter, moist canned foods (to preserve water) plastic sheets to cover floor of pet's room.
Medicine: First aid kit, rubbing alcohol, aspirin non-aspirin pain reliever, antacid. Extra prescription medication (especially for heart
problems or diabetes) Ask your physician how to store prescription medication.
Personal Items: toilet paper, towels, soap, shampoo, personal and feminine hygiene products, denture needs, contact lens and an
extra pair of eyeglasses, sun protection, insect repellent.
Other supplies: Battery operated radio, flashlight, non-electric can opener, extra batteries. Charcoal, water proof matches, extra propane
gas for grills (use grills outside only). ABC-rated fire extinguisher in a small canister, portable cooler, plenty of absorbent towels,
non-electric can opener, plastic trash bags, wind up or battery operated clock, tarp or sheet plastic, duct tape, hammer and nails (for
temporary roof repairs), cleaning supplies such as chlorine bleach, aluminum foil, paper napkins and plates plastic cups, can of spray
paint (can be used to identify your home by insurance adjusters in case it is damaged.
At least one change of clothing per person, sturdy shoes, hat and work gloves. Pillow and blanket or sleeping bag.
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LOST WITHOUT GPS - by Matt Roberts
Taking buses is a fact of life if you're blind. You learn how to get to the bus stop, which bus to take, where to change buses, and to rely
on the bus driver to tell you when you have reached the stop. Up until October 2003, I had done all this without any navigation system for
the blind. I had to rely on a sighted person to show me what I needed to know or get information from bus drivers or a passerby. All that
changed when I got the Braille Note GPS. I could go anywhere I wanted, when I wanted and didn't have to rely on anyone. I have even
learned some routes so well that I don't need GPS at all. I still carry it in case a route I know can't be taken, or if I get lost.
On a Sunday, I decided to go to church by bus. This place is one I have been to many times. So I know exactly where it is. My route is
simple; take bus 41 to Colonial and 436, transfer to bus 28 or 29, and take it to Amelia and Orange where I could walk one block to catch
the Lymmo. I have taken this route many times, because I go other places on the Lymmo as well.
I set out from my apartment and got to bus stop 41. When the bus arrived, I got on and told the driver I wanted to get off at Colonial and
436. Usually, when you tell them that, they'll let you off before the corner. When getting off the bus, you walk down the sidewalk until it
ends. You follow the grass until you get past the second driveway and the bus stop is right after that. The driver didn't call out the stop
where I wanted but I heard the automated announcement say, "Highway 436 and East Colonial Drive, Transfer to links 28, 29, and 30." I
thought that I was where I needed to be so I got off the bus.
I walked in the direction where I thought that Colonial Drive would be located. Wrong!!! I had the GPS with me, but I was not running it at
that time. Where I was didn't look right so I turned the GPS on. The GPS information told me I was on 436, but near Santa Rosa. "Oh,
no!!! Colonial Drive is behind me. Where is the bus stop?" I have this bus stop marked as a point of interest and set that as my
destination.
I started following the GPS. Not only had I gone past Colonial Drive, but I was also on the wrong side of the road. Colonial and 436 is the
third most dangerous intersection in Florida, but I had to cross the street if I was going to catch the bus. I found the place to cross, waited
for the traffic on 436 to start moving and ran quickly across colonial, praying that no vehicle would hit me. Arriving at the bus stop, I waited
for the 28, because I had missed the 29. The other bus that runs in that area is bus 30, and that was the bus that arrived. I can take this
bus as far as Colonial and Magnolia, so that's what I did.
My plan was to walk from there to Livingston Street and Orange Avenue, where I can catch the Lymmo. I got to the bus stop, got off the
bus and began walking to Orange Avenue. On Orange Avenue, I began looking for the Lymmo. I didn't set that as a destination because
I knew where it was. When I got to the Lymmo stop, I decided I could probably get there faster if I just walked.
The route that the GPS gave me was to just go down Orange Avenue to Pine Street. Though I got a bit disoriented, the GPS kept me
going in the right direction. I didn't know that there was construction between Central Boulevard and Pine Street on Orange Avenue. No
problem; I knew I could get to the church from Central Boulevard if I followed it to Magnolia, so that's what I did. I made it to the church,
even though I was 8 minutes late for service, but I arrived!
I have had situations in the past where I needed GPS and have decided I knew where I was going, so I left it at home. I got lost and had
to struggle to get myself out of the situation. That Sunday trip to church would have been one of those times. There was nobody around,
and who knows how long it would have taken for someone to find me. That Sunday trip to church was one example why I carry GPS with
me all the time, because if I get lost I can still get where I want to go.
About the Braille Note
The Braille Note is manufactured by the HumanWare Group of Concord, California. In Florida, it is distributed by Florida Reading and
Vision Technology. For more information, visit http://www.humanware.com or
http://www.braillenote.com. The company also manufactures the Voice-Note; that is the same
device as the Braille Note, without the Braille display.
About Braille Note GPS
Braille Note GPS is manufactured by Sendero Group of Davis, California. You can learn more about the product by visiting
http//www.senderogroup.com.
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LABELS FOR LITERACY - Submitted by Sharon Youngs
Labels for Literacy is a program designed to place more Braille on mainstream products in order to increase the usage and
understanding of Braille. The program will also bring equality of access to brand and product information for the blind and
visually-impaired consumers.
The Labels for Literacy program will accomplish this by producing sheets of self-stick labels that identify common brands and products
in large print and in Braille. These labels will then be distributed to blind and visually-impaired consumers nationwide at no cost to them.
Get Free Labels and info from the website at: http://www.labelsforliteracy.com.
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BLIND GET BETTER ACCESS TO MOVIES - Submitted by Rosanna Lippen
Sunday, April 24, 2005
By Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - On about 2,000 copies of the "Ray" DVD, a narrator's Deep voice is heard as the movie opens.
"A brilliant sun shines through brightly colored bottles as they dangle from a tree's leafless branches," the voice says. "A white sheet on
a clothesline flaps across our view revealing a short-haired African-American woman pinning up laundry. She stares defiantly at us."
This is descriptive video, or DVS, and it has revolutionized the way the visually-impaired enjoy movies. Between natural pauses in
dialogue, a narrator details the scenery, facial expressions and costumes. "Ray" is not the first movie to get a DVS edition, but for obvious
reasons, it is one of the most important.
"Ray Charles, even though he was blind, didn't really use a lot of blindness skills," says Bob Burns, a lawyer in Omaha, Neb., who is
blind. "He didn't use a cane or a dog. He didn't really fit the mold because he was a superstar and he was able through the use of
entourages and that kind of thing, to do things that a regular blind person wouldn't be able to do."
But "Ray" was still a seminal film for the blind community. Burns, also the President of the Omaha chapter of the National Federation of
the Blind, led his group to a screening at the Omaha AMC theater. Years earlier, Burns had raised half the money (with AMC matching the
other half) for the theater to be outfitted for DVS.
In movie theaters, DVS works with the captioning technology produced for the hearing impaired. A moviegoer is given a headset that
plays the audio of the movie with a described narrative. Others in the audience might not even notice if it was being used. "Ordinarily,
when a blind person goes to a movie, they generally have a person with them who gives them a running description of things that are
visual and not dialogue," Burns says. "It makes the viewer experience of the side-person a labor intensive thing. For the blind person, you
get some description, but it's made up on the fly and doesn't contain a lot of detail."
There are currently about 170 theaters in North America outfitted for DVS, says Mary Watkins, the outreach director for the Media Access
Group, a nonprofit organization that is a joint effort of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and WGBH, Boston's public broadcast
station.
The Media Access Group at WGBH was the world's first captioning agency – and while closed captioning has become so widespread
that it's now taken for granted, it is a relatively new service for the hearing impaired.
The first closed captioned TV program was Julia Child's PBS cooking show in 1972. In 1996, the Telecom Act established that by 2006
nearly 100% of TVs will have the CC option. Now, the hope is that DVS will become just as prevalent.
The same act declared that the networks and major cable networks had to broadcast four hours of description a week, but the Motion
Picture Association of America took the Federal Communications Commission to court claiming the FCC didn't have jurisdiction. The
MPAA won, but recently the Video Description Restoration Act has been introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Ed Markey
(D-Mass.) to re-establish those regulations.
Currently, there are only a few TV programs described. ABC offers description for the new "Blind Justice," a drama about a blind police
detective, and CBS does "CSI," "Jag" and several children's programs. Fox makes description available for "The Simpsons," which
Watkins says "is quite an interesting experience."
WGBH began developing description in the late 1980s after getting the idea from a blind woman who did a similar service for a
Washington D.C. play called "The Washington Ear." By 1990, PBS was broadcasting episodes of its American Playhouse series with
description on a secondary audio programming (SAP) channel that is off unless switched on. As TV began to use DVS, movies were the
next logical step.
"Like you or me, people who have disabilities are also exposed to all the same advertising campaigns that come out of the studios,"
Watkins says. "I mean, they're everywhere. So people want to go with their family and friends when the movies open."
Right now, over 80 movies are captioned a year, and of those, about 50 are described. Recently two studios - Universal (which produced
"Ray") and 20th Century Fox - announced that they will create descriptions for all of their wide releases.
Though describing movies costs relatively little compared to the budgets of Hollywood productions (usually around $12,000), few of
those movies that have a theatrical run with description make the transfer to DVD. "It's kind of like the doughnut budget, I would think,"
says Watkins. "We push for captioning to be a standard part of the post-production process ... and now we're pushing on the
description," Watkins says. "It's a smaller audience, you're talking maybe 12 million people who are blind or have low vision versus an
excess of 28 million who are deaf or hard of hearing."
Universal produced approximately 2,000 DVS DVDs of "Ray," 800 of which have been sold to consumers. The studio worked closely
with the American Council of the Blind in creating it.
"The challenge is how you distribute the product," says Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of marketing for Universal's home
entertainment department. "It's in limited places that a blind person can get these."
"Ray" has been available at both Wal-Mart and Amazon.com, but distribution relies mainly on WGBH and the ACB to lead people to the
movies.
The description tracks are typically produced by groups like WGBH with studio money. Using software that tells describers how much
time is in between each bit of dialogue, the writers try to insert as much information as possible without making judgments or drawing
conclusions.
"There are so many details that you want to put in and there's just not enough time," says Carrie Canning, who has been describing for
the five years since she graduated college. "In a period piece like 'Ray' set in the fifties, you want to get the sets and costumes in."
Other hurdles include 15-minute dance sequences as in "Hello Dolly" or the pacing of an animated movie like "Robots." "There's so
much visual comedy," Canning says, "but Robin Williams is talking the whole time!" On the Net:
http://ncam.wgbh.org.
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CHOCOLATE CHUCKLE - Submitted by Sharon Youngs
"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces." - Judith
Viorst
There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles. Man cannot live on chocolate
alone; but woman sure can.
In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips. Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll
get one thing done.
Stress wouldn't be so hard to take if it were chocolate covered If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories
are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.
If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other? I could
give up chocolate but I'm not a quitter.
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TECH TIPS - by John Richards for the FCB Technology Committee
Have you ever updated software on your system or, while you stepped out for a few hours, let a friend use your equipment to browse the
net, only to discover later your home page had been changed when you launched Microsoft Internet Explorer? To restore your favorite
web page as your home page, make sure you are connected to the Internet and do the following:
1. If you are not already there, bring the focus to your desktop by pressing Control M "Ctrl+M."
2. Press the letter I until your screen reader says "Internet Explorer" then press the Enter key to launch your browser.
3. When the page loads, press Control O "Ctrl+O"; then type the web address of the web page you want to use for your home page (for
example, "google.com"), then press the Enter key; wait until the page loads.
4. Pull down the tools menu by pressing Alt T "Alt+T"and use either the Up arrow or Down arrow key to arrow to options; then press the
Enter key. You will then be in a properties sheet containing the web address of the web page you wish to change.
5. Then press the Tab key and your screen reader will say, "use current button"; press the Enter key and the current page will become
your home page.
6. Press Alt A "Alt+A" to apply the settings; then press the Enter key. Your new home page is now set.
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FUNDRAISING IDEAS: DINING IN THE DARK - by Barbara Ross (Submitted by Sally Benjamin)
Editor’s Note: Sally Benjamin, Chairperson of Publications, collected the next article. Sally would like to gather other fundraising ideas
from around the state, and have this section “fundraising ideas” part of future White Cane Bulletin issues.
Dining in the Dark - Coming to Tallahassee October 16th, 5-9 PM
If you are sighted, have you ever thought about what it would be like to be blind? Or if you are blind - have you ever wished your loved
ones could know what you experience, just for a short while? On October 16th, the local not-for-profit serving the blind, the Florida
Institute of Rehabilitation Education or "FIRE," will bring an extraordinary event to Tallahassee's University Center Club. The
three-course meal, served in complete pitch-black darkness, will allow you to get in touch with all of your senses as you savor the
smell and taste of your dining experience.
Music and conversation becomes more intimate and immediate. Sensations are stimulated. It will expand your imagination and
understanding of what individuals who are blind experience throughout their lives.
In addition to giving everyone a whole new way to think about darkness, vision, and the power of perception, FIRE's goal is to raise
$10,000 in order to provide blindness-specific aids and supplies. Most of the people FIRE serves have recently lost their vision and are
in need of items to assist them in their adjustment to blindness. Funds raised at the Dining in the Dark event will "light up" the lives of
our clients by providing many of the essential tools they need.
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SETTING GOALS - by William Benjamin
There is a philosophy that I share with my students. It is: "My goal is that you will turn out to be more successful than I am." If my
students turn out to be more successful than myself, doesn't that make me a success? I am successful on my own; if my students go
on to be more successful than me, it is not going to be any money out of my pocket.
There is a difference between goals and dreams. Goals have a plan for success. There is a step-by-step process for achievement
with a clear path to follow. Goals also have an end in sight and when they are reached, they bring great satisfaction.
Dreams have no limitations. They are a state of euphoria and bliss beyond reality. You can never reach your dreams, because they
are always changing in front of you.
If you have not thought about it before, you could sit down and set some goals. Notice that we are talking about more than one goal. If
you have just one goal, it is like a huge step and almost fits into the category of a dream. If you have a succession of small goals, then
they are like small steps that will take you to the top.
You could sit down with a piece of paper and write down your goals. This is a step that most people forget. When you write things
down, they are rooted in your brain. You are physically performing an act, and your entire thinking and physical self is involved.
We have all heard that if you want something, you should make two lists. One should be all the reasons why you should achieve the
goal, and the other list should be all the reasons why you wouldn't want to make this a goal to strive for. Listing goals gives you the
opportunity to prioritize or change the order of the actions necessary to accomplish the end result. The more you work with your lists,
the more you become familiar with them.
As mentioned before, writing goals and having them available is extremely important. Persons who believe this step is trivial or not
necessary often end up floundering because they do not have an action plan. You should keep your list of goals where it can be visible
to you daily. Some keep a day planner and keep the list on the front page. Some people like to keep their list in a file on the computer
at the top of the files list.
To get started, you should put your ultimate goal at the top of the page. Experts say then you should list the objectives or tasks needed
to accomplish that goal in reverse order. You will find that you will put a reasonable goal that needs to be accomplished at the top of
the page, and then list secondary goals below that goal. Later, you may find that your list needs revision before secondary goal
accomplishment.
Let's take the goal of being successful. In order to reach that goal, you want to own your own business. Now to reach the goal of
becoming a business owner, you need a business license, seller's permit and, of course, a business location.
Take time to take stock of your accomplishments and when you achieve a goal. You are going to have small successes along the way.
When you do, savor the feeling. It is a goal reached, and you deserve to feel good about it.
What about your first sale? This is one of the most important goals you can ever achieve. We all know the story about the person who
hangs the first dollar they ever made on the wall in their store. There are many businesses that have a one-dollar bill proudly displayed
behind the counter; there is always a story behind it, and that dollar is a symbol of having reached a goal. The goal was to have their
own business that would support them in life, and they are proud that they achieved that goal.
You can have this feeling of success, too. You can set your goals and achieve them. This is not something that everyone except you
can achieve. You are a normal person, and you can achieve whatever anyone else achieves.
I have heard it said, “The measure of a person is the lack of distance between where they are and where they want to be.” This is a
great riddle that has been around for a long time, but it can be solved. Thousands of people do it every day, and you can do it too.
Every step you take shortens that distance, so begin taking steps today and you will be shortening that distance.
Is this your goal or someone else's? Is your goal reasonable and will your goal benefit mankind? Reaching goals should be like
eating an elephant, one bite at a time. Are you comfortable with your goals? By breaking them down, you can accomplish one at a
time. Others have the same finger dexterity, coordination and concentration as you do. All you have to do is being taught and you can
do the same as anyone else.
Another thing about goals is that they should continuously be examined. Sometimes more objectives are needed to solve the goal or
some may no longer be necessary. Once one goal is achieved, you should always have others to strive for.
In IVIE (Independent Visually Impaired Enterprisers), an Affiliate of the ACB, we share our goals and successes. If you are having
trouble with goals, contact Carla Hayes, at 724-941-8184 and join others that share the same interests.
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CHAPTER NEWS - Tallahassee Council of the Blind, Venice Chapter, Pinellas Chapter
Tallahassee Council of the Blind - by Sally Benjamin
Our chapter has been putting together a committee to deal with transportation issues in our area. It consists of people from several
different organizations. The groups we have represented are Florida Institute of Rehabilitation Education (FIRE), Florida Council of the
Blind (FCB), National Federation of the Blind (NFB), Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) and Florida Alliance for Assistive
Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST). We are also trying to get someone who works with the elderly involved.
There is one person from each group. Some people have an interest in our fixed route system, others have interest in state issues, yet
still others have interest in our Paratransit service. This way, each person has something to offer and they can help each other.
The group tries to make sure at least one person is at every city meeting on transportation. They plan to meet with the Mayor to talk
about privatization of our Paratransit service. We are hoping that this will help city officials to see that not just one or two people have
problems with the service.
Another thing we are working on is putting together a group of people who want to ride tandem bicycles. On October 8th, we plan to
invite others from the community who are blind to join us. We are asking our neighbors, friends and anyone we know who rides a bike
to participate. Mycell Armington, one of our members, has contacted a bicycle shop here in town that has bikes to use. And also we
have a tandem bicycle club here in town.
It will be great fun and get us out there in the community too. So stay tuned and we will let you know how it turns out.
Venice Chapter - by Fred Duda
On June 15th, the Venice Chapter honored three local residents at a luncheon at Village on the Isle, a retirement center on the Island
of Venice. Those honored were Lillian Reilly, a member of the Venice Chapter for over 10 years; Chris Gerard, Activities Director,
Village on the Isle; and Gloria Kelleher, Treasurer of the Venice Chapter.
Ms. Reilly was presented with the prestigious R. Henry P. Johnson Award in recognition of her years of dedication to improving the
quality of life of people with visual disabilities throughout the State of Florida. This prestigious award from the Florida State Council of
the Blind was given to Ms. Reilly upon the recommendation of the Venice Chapter.
Mr. Gerard was presented with the Community Service Award, the first such award given by the Venice Chapter, in recognition of his
commitment to serving the needs of people with visual disabilities in our community. Mr. Gerard was instrumental in arranging for the
Venice Chapter to meet twice a month at the Village on the Isle for more than 20 years.
Ms. Kelleher was presented with the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her dedication as a volunteer with the chapter.
A special birthday cake was served for dessert at the luncheon to celebrate the contributions of senior members of the Venice Chapter -
18 who are nonagenarians and two of whom are centenarians.
The awards event was given front page attention in The Venice Gondolier-Sun, with the following headline: "People of Vision: visual
disabilities do'’t stop them from seeing clearly." A photograph of Joel Bauer, President of the Venice Chapter; Dorothy Cook, 1st
Vice-President; and Lillian Reilly accompanied the article.
Pinellas Chapter - by Gail Keck
The Lions have done so much for us as willing volunteers, that it was time to show our appreciation. So... On Saturday, April 2nd, the
Pinellas Council of the Blind held their First Annual picnic honoring the Pinellas County Lions Clubs.
The event was held at Freedom Lake Park. About 40 people attended representing the Pinellas Council and four county Lions
Clubs.
Everyone introduced themselves to the group, with a brief self-portrait and then mingled and learned more about each other. A box
lunch of fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, a roll and drink of choice was served. One of the Lions, bless her, brought dessert.
Following lunch the Lions and the Council challenged each other to a game of Trivia. The Council will have to do some practicing for
next year.
The setting was great; the sun was shining, the wind could have been kinder but, thanks to Sharon Youngs' good idea, hard work, and
all the wonderful people that came, A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.
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RECIPE CORNER
3 Bean Salad
6 Servings
1 1-pound can red kidney beans
1 1-pound can cut green beans
1 1-pound can cut wax beans
1 medium onion, diced or thinly sliced
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup CRISCO Oil
Drain beans thoroughly and empty into a large bowl. Add onions. Dissolve sugar in vinegar and add with salt, pepper and oil to beans.
Stir gently to blend. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Serve beans, thoroughly drained on lettuce, or by themselves.
Picnic Hot Dog Platter
Source: Better Homes and Gardens
Prep: 10 min.
Grill: 20 min.
Ingredients:
12 frankfurters, uncooked bratwurst, smoked pork sausages, veal sausages, turkey sausages, vegetarian frankfurters, or other
favorites
1 dozen frankfurter or bratwurst buns or French-style rolls, split
1 recipe Tart Apple Mustard, Bacon Brown-Sugar Mustard, and/or Early Girl Tomato Mustard (recipes follows)
Other condiments, such as chopped pickled peppers, sliced tomatoes, pickle relish, and crumbled cooked bacon (optional)
Directions:
1. Pierce uncooked sausages all over with a fork or cut several shallow crosswise slits in each uncooked sausage.
2. In a grill with a cover arrange preheated coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above the pan. Grill uncooked sausages on
grill rack above the drip pan turning once for 20 to 25 minutes or until brown and a thermometer registers 170 degrees F. Grill
frankfurters and cooked sausages on grill rack above the drip pan for 10 minutes or until brown and a thermometer registers 165
degrees F, turning once. Place in buns and top with desired mustards and condiments. Makes 12 servings.
Tart Apple Mustard: In a small bowl stir together 1/2 cup honey mustard, 2 tablespoons shredded green apple, and 1/2 teaspoon
ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours to blend flavors before serving. Store any remaining mustard in the refrigerator up
to 24 hours. Makes about 2/3 cup.
Bacon Brown-Sugar Mustard: In a small bowl stir together 3/4 cup yellow mustard, 3 slices crisp-cooked bacon, and 4 teaspoons
brown sugar. Cover; refrigerate overnight to blend flavors before serving. Store any remaining mustard in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
Makes 1 cup.
Early Girl Tomato Mustard: In a small bowl stir together 1/3 cup creamy Dijon-style mustard blend and 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard until
well combined. Gently stir in 1/2 cup peeled and seeded, chopped tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Makes about 2/3
cup.
Ham and Macaroni Salad
Source: Better Homes and Gardens
Prep: 30 min.
Chill: 4 hours
Ingredients:
1 cup packaged dried wagon wheel or elbow macaroni
1-1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham (8 ounces)
4 ounces Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, cut into cubes (1 cup)
1 cup frozen peas
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons diced pimiento
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish or chopped sweet pickle
1 to 2 tablespoons milk (optional)
Dash pepper
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh parsley sprig (optional)
Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Drain again.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine pasta, ham, cheese, peas, celery, onion, and pimiento. Toss gently to mix.
3. For dressing, in a small mixing bowl stir together mayonnaise or salad dressing, pickle relish or chopped pickle, milk, and pepper.
Pour dressing over pasta mixture. Toss to coat. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
Just before serving, stir in milk, if necessary. Spoon pasta mixture into a serving bowl.
Arrange cherry tomato halves around the edge of bowl. If desired, garnish with parsley. Makes 4 main-dish servings.
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HANDY TELEPHONE NUMBER REFERENCES
Project Insight: 1-800-267-4448
Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services: 1-800-226-6075
Division of Blind Services (Tallahassee State Headquarters): 1-800-342-1828
American Council of The Blind: 1-800-424-8666
(available only 3:00 to 5:30 PM EST Monday-Friday)
ACB Legislative Hotline: 1-800-424-8666
(Evenings 8:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight EST
Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM only)
A T & T Disability Services: 1-800-872-3883
Press 00 and speak with your long distance carrier
BellSouth Disability Services: 780-2273 from anywhere
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213
24-hour voice and touch tone accessible
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