President, Paul Edwards
20330 N.E. 20th Ct., Miami, FL 33179
edwpaul@bellsouth.net
(305) 692-9206
1st Vice-President, Debbie Drylie
1544 Walnut Creek Dr., Flemming Island, FL 32003
debbiedrylie@gmail.com
(904) 264-5095
2nd Vice President, Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Avenue, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
sky11@tampabay.rr.com
(727) 937-8631
Treasurer, Linda Jacobson
2915 Circle Ridge Dr., Orange Park, FL 32065
jacobsli@bellsouth.net
(904) 272-8405
Membership Secretary, Sally Benjamin
1531 Dempsey Mayo Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
floridacouncil@comcast.net
(800) 267-4448
Recording Secretary, Sila Miller
2201 Limerick Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32309
silam@earthlink.net
(850) 894-9203
Immediate Past President, Debbie Grubb
4215 17th Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205-1418
debbiecg@verizon.net
(941) 749-6178
Editor of White Cane Bulletin, Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Avenue, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
sky11@tampabay.rr.com
(727) 937-8631
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 email is: floridacouncil@comcast.net
If you do not have access to a computer and email please find someone in your chapter to help send it. We would like to hear from anyone who wants to contribute to our newsletter. If you don’t have a way to write an article you can call Sharon Youngs at the number above and she will be glad to write it for you.
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.
ARE YOU MOVING? – Sally Benjamin
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 who would like to receive the White Cane Bulletin and the Braille Forum please contact me at: (800) 267-4448 or E-mail: floridacouncil@comcast.net
FCB Officers 2010 – 2012
Presidents Message: by Paul Edwards
FCB Raffle Winners 2011: by Bill Freeman
Florida Council of the Blind Announces 2011 Scholarship Winners: by Barbara Grill
2011 Award Winners: by Wanda Stokley
In Praise for the REAL White Cane Bulletin “EDITORS”: by Sharon Youngs
F Bob Mudge Ellen’s article for June 8
Good Gift - Good Health - Good Fun – Goodbye: by Sila Miller
Florida Disable Citizens for Progress: by JoAnn Carrin
Chapter News
Greater Orlando Council of the Blind: by Jay Bader
Pinellas Council of the Blind: by Sharon Youngs
Poetry Corner
Recipe Corner
Handy Telephone References
At our recent convention, I had the pleasure of sharing a panel on the history of both the Florida and American Councils of the Blind. It was an opportunity to think about just how much we have accomplished over the years. It also afforded us an opportunity to celebrate the many impressive leaders who gave so much to bring us to where we are. So many blind people, who could have turned their back on the struggle, chose not to do so. They paid a price. Agencies, in the early days of the organized blind movement, actively discouraged people from getting involved. Those who chose to defy agencies paid a price in terms of the services they could expect and the jobs they could hope to get.
Another area that struck me as significant from our discussion was just how soon blind people began to advocate for themselves. There were self-help groups and coalition groups of people who were blind and those who worked with them active as early as the 1880s. Advocating for the civil rights of blind people antedated much of the more traditional civil right movement and makes the disability right movement of the 1980s a mere afterthought. We do not do as much as we should to let people know that blind people had an immensely important role to play in defining what we mean by civil rights. As we came to define what “rights” meant to blind people, we came also to recognize that it did not mean the same for us as it did for others. For blind people it is all about inclusion. It is also all about being sure that society does not develop in ways that preclude blind people from being fully included. When we, as blind people advocated for special treatment under Social Security or with the Internal Revenue Service, we did so asking society to recognize that blindness is expensive. It costs us more to get things done than it does other people and our approach to making things happen for us is, by its very nature, likely to involve more ongoing expense. We won those rights and people who have no disability and other people with disabilities have resented our success almost from the outset. It is not surprising then that our competitive advantage has lessened over the years. We are far less likely now to get anything for blind people than we were a half a century ago. Now it is hard to sell separate services. Now it is difficult to persuade people that we should have the right to access Braille or large print or web sites we can read. Part of the reason for this is that other disability groups have argued that it is appropriate and just to treat all disabilities as equal and they have argued that there is no need for separate agencies or separate services. What all can gain is enough. They have worked hard to prevent disability-specific privileges. We know that the needs of people who are blind are special. We know that we require a rehabilitation system and adjustment services that must include a level of specialized training that other disabilities simply do not need.
However, it is not just the intransigence of others that is getting in the way of progress. I think blind people are also partly responsible for our failure to accomplish more. It is sadly true that no more than ten percent of the blind people in this country belong to either the National Federation or the American Council. Ninety percent of blind people sit on the sidelines and do very little. When asked, some argue that they do not want to get into the dispute between the two groups. That is nonsense! Both groups do good things. Make a choice and become active! The more common attitude is even more reprehensible. Many simply say that there is no need for them to get involved. The Council and the Federation are getting it done quite nicely without them. This is actually true. We did; we have; and we are. However, other disability groups are working hard to build huge organizations and, to a degree, are succeeding. Our voice is getting smaller and many of those of us who are speaking are getting older.
Another factor that I think is limiting our success is that we have accomplished too much. Many people got involved in our movement because there were things they wanted or needed that we were working to get. They grew up in schools for the blind and were often Braille readers. They knew who they were and what our movement could do for them. Braille is disappearing. Kids rely on speech and computers and their parents are encouraging them to pretend they are not blind. One of the things that FCB must do is find a way to persuade people who are blind that they need us. They do need us, by the way; they just don’t know it.
I want to talk about one other factor that I think is making things more difficult for us. We have acquired right after right and not nearly enough blind people are exercising them. The ADA says we can get information from our local governments in accessible formats. Are we doing it? We have acquired bus stop announcements but most of us seem to prefer paratransit. We have asked for accessible pedestrian signals and detectable warnings but most of us don’t walk alone. We say we want the right to vote privately and independently but most of us vote by absentee ballot. We say we want video description in theaters but most of us don’t go. I predict that there will come a time when our society says that it is no longer willing to spend its limited social resources on us when we don’t make use of what we have.
I hope that each of our chapters will consider organizing activities that will utilize the hard-won rights that society is half-convinced we don’t need. There are many blind people who are dead and gone who fought so that we could have what we have now. So let us celebrate those who gave so much to get us to where we are. More importantly, let us exercise the rights that were won with so much sacrifice. Let us become a part of our communities and let us encourage other blind people to become a part of the movement that made sure that blind people did not get left behind!
This year about 15,000 tickets were sold all together. As usual, the Clay chapter sold the most at about 2,8000. (Good job Floyd.) The Tallahassee chapter was next with a total sale of about 1,300 followed very closely by the Miami Metro chapter that sold around 1,200. The prizes were distributed thusly:
$50 Cash Donated by Greater Orlando Council; Lillie Mae Avery, Riviera Beach, FL
$100 Prize: Albert Harris, Orange Park, FL
$200 Prize: Lori Bailey, Middleburg, FL
$300 Prize: Mary Swartz Sarasota, FL
$400 Prize: Chance Irvine Orange Park, FL
$500 Prize: Debra Satterwhite Jacksonville, FL
$1,000 Prize: Gwen Myers Riviera Beach, FL
I want to thank everyone for his or her cooperation and participation this year. And we’ll do it again next year.
On Friday June 10th, at the Plaza Resort & Spa, located in Daytona Beach, three deserving students were presented with their scholarships during the Annual Awards Ceremony.
The $1,500.00 Timothy Turpin Career Enhancement Award was presented to Robin Thorsen. Robin attends St. Petersburg College where she anticipates earning a degree in Health Services Administration. She maintains a 3.53 GPA. Robin was employed as a Registered Nurse at a medical center in Largo, from 1999 to 2006. After losing her vision, in 2006, and training with her guide dog, Flo, she decided to return to the field she loves. Her long-range goal is to obtain a PhD in her chosen field. As Robin stated in her letter to the Scholarship Committee, “Failing isn’t an option. I will just keep trying until this goal is achieved, however long it takes.”
The $2,000.00 Terry Blessing Scholarship was awarded to Chad Bouton, of Crestview. Chad maintains a 3.436 GPA. After graduation, he plans to major in Computer Science at the University of West Florida and then work toward his Masters Degree in Information Technology and to design and create software for the visually and auditory impaired. Chad was diagnosed at 11 years old with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Chad acknowledges his vision impairment and believes he can make an impact in the world using his technology related degree.
The prestigious 2011 $2,500.00 Gayle M. Krause-Edwards Scholarship (awarded to a college student) was presented to Cody Smith of Palm Bay and Orlando. Cody currently attends Valencia College and has been accepted at the University of Central Florida where he plans to earn a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. He maintains a 3.43 GPA. His immediate short-term goal is to develop a website and tutorial for the purpose of assisting others to learn the art and science of 3D animation. Cody has a record of academic excellence and leadership achievement winning awards in competitions in his chosen field. He has a proven record as a talented and deserving student who has a bright future whether working for a company developing robotics and 3D animation software or as an entrepreneur in his own business.
All three of these students have demonstrated attributes aside from their ability to achieve academically. Each has engaged in volunteer and community service including mentoring other students with disabilities. They have demonstrated perseverance, an ability to overcome adversity, modesty and humility and a desire to serve humankind, The Florida Council of the Blind is proud to support these future leaders as they pursue their goals.
Comments and inquiries may be sent to Barbara Grill at grillbh@comcast.net or floridacouncil@comcast.net.
FCCLV Awards $750 Scholarship
Lillie Brooke Griffis is the 2011 FCCLV Scholarship recipient. Lillie is a graduating high school student from McCleney, Florida. She attends Baker County High School where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. She also was enrolled in a dual degree program attending Florida Gateway College where she earned a 4.0 GPA. Lillie was selected as FAER’s 2011 Most Outstanding Visually Impaired Student in Florida. After graduation she will attend the University of North Florida majoring in Physical Therapy and continue on to earn her PhD.
The 2011 “Just Bill” Humanitarian Award was received by Barbara Ross from the Lighthouse of the Big Bend in Tallahassee. Here are a few words from the nomination letter: “Barbara has been involved in the field of human service for many years. As Bill did, Barbara demonstrates her sincere concern for her fellow humans in countless ways and is passionate about representing the "under dog". She is always willing to listen and consider differing points of view and is one of those rare “sightlings” who truly gets the blind thing. Never patronizing, she is available to help but empowers and challenges folks to learn and reach their potential independently while offering suggestion and guidance when asked.
Always willing to share her knowledge and talents, Barbara is a true humanitarian and very deserving of this prestigious accolade. It is with great pride that I submit this nomination. I appreciate your time and consideration. I know if chosen, Barbara would hold this award in high esteem.”
The 2011 Legislation Award went to Ray Juda, a Lee County Commissioner; taken from the nomination letter: “At the public hearing for the 2010/2011 year budget, Commissioner Judah was the one who realized there was a two million dollar excess in the Sheriff's budget and asked if it could be used to keep Lee Tran's 90 route going. That got the ball rolling to save Lee Tran from any cuts. I know that in the past he has done many other things that help the visually impaired in Lee County.”
The 2011 Dolly Gamble Award went to Eric Jacobson. Here are a few words directly from the nomination: “There is no task too big or small that you can’t call on Eric for help with. He's always calm, methodically thinking through the issue with thorough deliberation. He has a killer sense of humor and is knowledgeable on so many topics but manages not to make you feel dumb. Much like Ms. Gamble, Eric has worked tirelessly to promote the betterment of blind people in his community, state, and the nation. I’ve never heard this polite and quiet man murmur so much as a bad word about any one.
The 2011 W. A. Ouzts Award was received by Debbie Grubb. Many of the words which have been used to describe W.A., the hero for whom this award is named, can also be said of Debbie. "Networker, officer, consultant, advisor, organizer, supporter, worker, whatever her role, Debbie does with grace, deliberation, articulation and class. She is dependable, thorough, knowledgeable, follows through and kind. Debbie truly cares about blind people and "lives that care and concern". She is a hero and champion and it gives me great pleasure to nominate her for this important and prestigious award. Again, as has been said of W.A., Debbie does not seek recognition but if chosen, I know this award would mean a lot to her.
I have now completed my service on the Awards Committee and the new member is Mr. Mike Wiseman. I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years of service and know the Awards Committee will do an outstanding job for 2012.
The latest issue of the White Cane Bulletin just hit my mailbox today. And it occurred to me that not enough credit goes to the people who really do the work of getting it out to you.
Although my name appears on the front as editor, all I really do is proofread it. The hard work of getting it put together into one document and printed are Sally Benjamin and Sila Miller. And yet their names don’t even appear anywhere except in the list of FCB officers. Sally has the task of sending the potential articles to me. She also lines it all up and prints it out on the copiers in her office. Then with the help of Sila, they get it out in all the different formats. I know this process takes them more than a whole business day.
So, the next time you are in contact with either of these tireless ladies, please add your thanks to mine for one heck of a job well done! Thanks ladies.
Always,
Sharon
Lillian Reilly, a long time resident of Venice, is legally blind. For the past 20 years, she has been a vocal advocate of accessible pedestrian crosswalks for the blind and visually impaired. Her retirement as State Representative to the Florida Council of the Blind in 2008 did not stop Lillian from her tenacious quest to get safe crosswalks installed in the Venice area. Today, we acknowledge the success of her lobbying governmental officials for the past ten years.
The latest improvement is at Harbor Drive and West Venice Avenue. When a blind or visually impaired person arrives at any one of the four corners, there is a tactile vibrating button that can be pressed. An audible cuckoo or chirp birdcall will sound. The street signals are coordinated in such a way that the individual can make the complete crossing within 27 seconds. It is incumbent upon all drivers to be at a complete stop, including those making turns at the intersection.
City engineer Kathleen Weeden exclaimed that she appreciates Lillian’s patience and attention in assuring the project is not dropped. In a recent interview with Ellen Hillstrom, current State Representative for FCB, and Pam Johnson, City Communications Officer, Kathleen went over the process the city goes through in order to complete the design under ADA requirements, then funding, scheduling and construction. It takes years.
The accessible pedestrian crosswalk at U.S. 41 and Palermo Drive, near Venice Regional Medical Center and the shopping center across the street was completed in 1995 It, too, has the birdcall sound. Additional safety crosswalks along U.S. 41 are located at Miami and Venice Avenues.
Says Lillian, “Next, I would like to see more sidewalks in the City of Venice, especially for wheelchairs that would lead to the beach.”
The Florida Council of the Blind has recognized Lillian Reilly for her years of advocacy for people with visual disabilities. At age 88, she remains active in her Florida Chapter, most recently supporting White Cane Safety week, which will be celebrated in October this year.
On a cold day in late December 2002, six months after moving into our "real house", my husband, Robert gifted me with a beautiful trampoline. It was 15 foot across with a bright blue pad around the edges—perfect for getting exercise while having fun doing it! I was tickled!
He'd planned it all out, right down to having someone "babysit" me inside so he could get it assembled without me knowing anything was going on. Coming in out of the cold, he said, "I know you can't wait for your Christmas present so I'll give you a hint and tell you where you can find it. Go look underneath the van." Being excited, all too gullible and anxious for a surprise, I followed his instructions, and tripped right on out to the driveway, getting down on my knees and peering under there with much concentration. Not finding anything, I knew I'd been "had"! Returning inside, I grumbled, "OK, you got me, Boy!" He let me stew for a little while and then said with a smile, "Come on out here with me."
Over the next nine years, countless friends and family and I had fun jumping, bouncing and just lying and talking on that trampoline. Even our animals loved it. It was Sherm's time out spot when he'd get tired of playing. He'd jump up there and roll and wriggle around and before I knew it, I'd be up there too. The cats would bask up there in the warm sun during the winter. It was a wonderful spot from which to watch the clouds, stars and moon make their slow and peaceful way across the sky and it was an excellent de-stressor after a particularly bad day at work.
Then came the day when we learned that we’d have to obtain new home owner’s insurance because Cotton States was no longer insuring Florida properties. We shopped and compared and considered and finally conceded. And today, I disassembled my beautiful gift, my trampoline. I unashamedly shed tears of frustration and sadness for the fun and exercise opportunities that are lost to me now.
Studies have shown that the benefits to jumping on a trampoline are many and include: working every joint and cell in the body equally; Aiding lymphatic circulation and blood flow in the veins of the circulatory system; stimulating all internal organs, moving cerebral-spinal fluid and exercising the intestines; circulating more oxygen to tissues; increasing breathing capacity; normalizing blood pressure; helping prevent cardiovascular disease; lowering elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels; stimulating metabolism; improving coordination and flexibility throughout the body; promoting better sleep and mental performance, and the list goes on.
Yet, because of the uncompromising and all controlling insurance companies that we’ve allowed to dictate to us about what we can not have without paying a much higher price, I can no longer jump on my paid for trampoline in my fenced in back yard and enjoy all these, and more health and fun benefits. Have I gotten lost or am I indeed still in America? I can still traverse a nine-lane highway, armed only with my white cane, regardless of the unfocused, speeding driver who has INSURANCE that “might” pay if I am hurt or killed. I can still go to a fast-food restaurant and order a double bacon cheeseburger, large fries—extra ketchup and salt please—and a super-size coke because my life INSURANCE “might” pay when I drop dead of a heart attack. I can still take four flights of stairs up to my office because there is Workman’s Compensation INSURANCE that “might” pay if I stumble or fall. But, I can no longer have a horse, a diving board, a certain breed of dog or complete freedom without a very high price. Am I the only one who sees something really wrong with this picture? Why not simply just add a disclaimer saying that they won’t insure a certain thing but still allow adults to make decisions for themselves?
We’ve all done it, rolled our eyes at some fanatic who’s up on a soap box, preaching about something they strongly believe in, kept our silence but fervently wished a friend would shut up already about some perceived wrong they’ve been dealt, or offhandedly agreed with an acquaintance about the state of things in this day and age. But when, friends are we going to say enough is enough and organize and stand against this “down your throat” way of life we’ve come to? I for one, am starting today with this article. It will go to the publication that gave me my “writing wings”, The White Cane Bulletin, my local newspaper and to my insurance company.
As for my beautiful, much loved trampoline, she’s found a new home with a family who shall remain nameless, lest they have to sacrifice their freedom as I did. I hope she will bring them as much joy, health and good, clean fun as she brought to me! Perhaps, one day things will be different and I can replace her with another trampoline or maybe even a trapeze!
The Florida Disable Citizens for Progress (FDCP) is a nonprofit State organization dedicated and committed to ensuring that all blind and disabled citizens in Florida, no matter their financial condition, have access to adaptive technology necessary to gain independence and opportunity. The main focus is to collect and distribute donated adaptable high-tech and low-tech tools to individuals and help them to gain independence to prepare for employment and to improve their daily lives. By gaining Internet access, this will help individuals become more community aware. This support allows citizens to live as independent, productive, and confident citizens turning their hopes and dreams into reality. The disability community working together ensures that all Floridians have the best available resources possible to be successful and happy individuals!
If you have any equipment you would like to donate that would benefit recipients or if you are in need of equipment, please contact us. Thank you for spreading the word about this new and exciting organization.
For additional information contact
Kirk Harmon, president and founder Florida disabled Citizens for Progress
Toll-free: 1-888-955-3327 (FDCP)
E-mail: FDCPinc@gmail.com
www.fdcp.org
Before you read any further, the organization name listed above is not an error. Our Orlando-area chapter has a new name, which received final approval at the 2011 Florida Council of the Blind Convention in Daytona Beach. In this Chapter News, you will read in brief about how the name change came about.
Mid-Florida Council of the Blind is now officially known as Greater Orlando Council of the Blind, or GOCB. Our chapter is proud of the new name, and will be taking steps to improve our presence so those who may not be familiar with us can more easily know who we are.
Several months ago, the now-GOCB Executive Board began brainstorming ways to better conduct outreach for the chapter. One of the ideas discussed was a name change. After a few suggestions were reviewed, the name that received unanimous recommendation was Greater Orlando Council of the Blind. Now-GOCB 1st Vice President Larry Turnbull, who also chairs the chapter’s By-Laws Committee, read the proposed amendment at the March General Meeting and it was approved at the April General Meeting.
GOCB is already taking advantage of the new name. We have a Facebook page, which is already being used to spread the word about the chapter. For those reading the White Cane Bulletin that know anyone in the Greater Orlando area who is on Facebook, we recommend that they like us and follow what we’re doing. Just search for GOCB or Greater Orlando Council of the Blind and click the Like button. Also, we will be updating information on the chapter page on the FCB website shortly, so please check the site regularly for new details. And with the name, GOCB will have a new logo representing our organization. There will be more to come about that as well as an update on how outreach in our chapter may be changing in the next Chapter News.
Outside of our name change, GOCB has remained busy with fundraisers, from donating to both blind bowling organizations in the Orlando area, to holding a fundraiser during the 2011 FCB Convention in Daytona Beach in early June. Thanks to the efforts of our fundraising chair, Leslie Spoone, our chapter brought a fundraiser with the prize of a Convention Party Pack. That pack contained the following items to be used at this year’s convention and help with the expenses for the 2012 FCB Convention in Tampa:
Bottle of Rum; Six-Pack of Beer; Cooler; Green Towel (reflecting to GO part of our new chapter name); Flip-Flops; Sunscreen; 2 Pairs of Sunglasses; and a Book that included 2 Nights Stay for the 2012 FCB Convention at the Sheraton Hotel in Tampa, Complimentary Breakfast for 2 at the same Sheraton, $100.00 Gift Certificate to Charley’s Steakhouse near the Sheraton in Tampa, $25.00 Gift Certificate to Tijuana Flats, $25.00 Gift Certificate to Starbucks, and a $50.00 Ticket toward the ACB Resource and Development Committee drawing where the First Prize is $5000.00 (Overall value of this Party Pack: over $500.00)
Dan and Leslie Spoone had 100 tickets to sell for this fundraiser, and we were proud to be told by them that all the tickets were sold. The winner of this fundraiser was a good friend to the chapter, and current member of the Jacksonville Council of the Blind, Kirk Harmon.
Congratulations to Kirk and thanks to all who participated in this successful fundraiser for GOCB.
We are also proud to announce that in Orange County, there will be an electronic absentee balloting system that will be implemented soon. GOCB, along with the National Federation of the Blind-Greater Orlando Chapter and other local disability organizations, were involved in testing the system and provided feedback to make this system fully accessible. There will be further details on this system in an upcoming Chapter News, but until then, GOCB wants all to be aware that this is not a substitute to participating in Early Voting or voting on Election Day. However, for those who prefer to cast absentee ballots, this method is an alternative to the current absentee method of voting which requires sighted assistance.
Greater Orlando Council of the Blind is also proud to have representation at the 50th Annual American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention in Reno, Nevada. The event will take place from July 8th through July 16th. Those who have been confirmed to attend this historic conference and convention include 1st Vice President Larry Turnbull, who is currently the Managing Director of ACB Radio and heads up ACB’s information systems and web services; Membership Secretary Jay Bader, who serves on the ACB Constitution and By-Laws Committee; 2nd Vice President Leslie Spoone, along with her husband and longtime Member Dan Spoone; and Transportation Committee Chair Debbie Hazelton. We understand that many Members will not be able to attend, so we strongly encourage Members and Friends of the organization to listen to what happens in Reno on ACB Radio Mainstream as well as on ACB Radio Interactive. Please visit the ACB and ACB Radio websites for more information as the time draws closer.
The Annual GOCB Membership Drive will start later this summer. We will continue to work in conjunction with the Talking Book Library in Daytona Beach on promoting this drive but there may be another way in addition to using the Library for this drive, especially with the name change. Should that happen, you will find out about it in the next Chapter News.
The next GOCB General Meeting will take place Saturday, September 10th, from 12 NOON to 2:30 PM (please note the ending time, as it was decided by the membership in attendance at the February General Meeting to extend the meeting time) at William Booth Towers, 633 Lake Dot Circle, Orlando, FL 32801. As our organization takes a break for the summer, we hope that everyone who reads the White Cane Bulletin will stay cool during what is shaping up to be a very hot season. More from GOCB in the next Chapter News.
We’re just back from a great state convention and are so busy that we decided that we must have our monthly meetings right through the summer. Knowing that, as one of the Tampa Bay chapters, we will be expected to “step up to the plate” and help out with the next convention, we’ve already made plans to talk to the different Lions Clubs throughout the area about volunteering.
At the convention, several of us attended the workshop on how to get new members and how to keep the old ones coming back. It was gratifying to me to hear that our president has instituted so many of the things that were suggested by the Colleys. Our President, Florence Pincus believes that everyone has some kind of talent. She has put virtually every member to work at some job and, of course, this makes for a better chapter.
We are planning a membership drive for September. We are planning to take a greater part in the “White Cane Safety” event that we usually participate in with the local NFB chapter. And we have a good start on planning our Holiday events already.
Many thanks to Ms. Barbara Lineberry for requesting that I submit this poem, and thanks to Sila for making me aware of it. I had never read this one before. Below is a brief paragraph that Sila sent me about Ms. Lineberry, followed by the poem.
Below is a poem that a fellow TCB member, Barbara Lineberry wanted me to send to you. She is currently in rehab, following hip replacement. She is a pretty amazing lady. She was born with some hip deformities and uses hand controls to drive with. She read this poem at her father's funeral and it brings her much comfort.
Mount Abu is in Rajasthan, India. In Hindi, the word Ben means sister and of course Adam we all know. I'm sure Barbara wouldn't mind you sharing any or all of the above.
Abou Ben Adhem
by James Henry Leigh Hunt
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold: -
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
"What writest thou?"-The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
~I cannot say things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. ~--Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Source: Fiona Haynes, Your About.com Guide to Low Fat Cooking
One of my friends refuses to eat skinless chicken breasts. According to her, they're bland, boring, and worst of all, dry. Skinless chicken breasts can be all of these things, but they needn't be. You can make succulent and flavorful chicken breasts, if you know how. But first, why remove the skin at all? A glib answer would be because you can. Beef has fat streaked throughout, so even if you trim the fat, there's more that you can't get at. Chicken, on the other hand, has most of its fat in the skin. Peel it off, and you're pretty much free and clear, save the odd blob of fat here and there, which can easily be removed. So why else would you remove the skin? Let’s compare the calorie and fat count of a four-ounce chicken breast with skin, and a four-ounce chicken breast without.
The four-ounce chicken breast with skin is worth 188 calories, 49 percent of which are from fat. It contains 10.5 grams total fat, and 3 grams of saturated fat. The skinless chicken breast is worth 118 calories, with 11 percent of calories coming from fat. It contains a mere 1.4 grams of total fat and 0.4 grams of saturated fat.
If you're eating low fat, it makes sense, then, to opt for skinless chicken breasts. But you can go about it two ways. You can keep the skin on while cooking, and remove it before eating. The good news is that the meat doesn't absorb the fat from the skin, and you will undoubtedly enjoy juicy chicken—unless you overcook it! The downside is that you will likely lose almost all the flavor you added to the skin. All the herbs, spices, and basted juices will be for naught, so you'll end up eating plain chicken anyway. That's ok, but you probably want your skinless chicken to have some flavor as well as moisture.
If you intend to cook chicken breasts without the skin using a dry-heat method (such as broiling, grilling, baking, or roasting), here are some tips to ensure you don’t end up with dry, stringy chicken: Pound the chicken breast to an even thickness before cooking so it cooks evenly. Brine the chicken breasts—assuming they haven’t been pre-brined. Brining involves soaking the chicken in a salt-water solution for about half an hour before cooking Use marinades and rubs. Broths, juices, vinegars, yogurt, herbs and spices can all add flavor and moisture to your skinless chicken breasts.
Don't overcook the chicken. You must cook chicken breasts to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. There's no such thing as rare, medium and well done when it comes to chicken
If you're cooking skinless chicken breasts through moist-heat methods such as microwaving, steaming, slow cooker, or baking or sautéing the chicken in broth, sauce or other juices, then you're a little less likely to end up with dry chicken breasts. Moist heat generally requires longer cooking at a lower temperature than dry-heat methods. That said, chicken doesn't need to be “broken down” like tough cuts of meat, so cooking skinless chicken breasts for hours, unless it's specifically a slow-cooker recipe, is not necessary and will result in tough meat.
So that's the skinny on skinless chicken breasts.
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