ISSUE 3 VOLUME 7 j MAY-JUNE 2017
This Activities Bulletinincludes all client activities held at both our Lehigh Valley and Monroe County offices. Generally, any client may attend any activity regardless of where it is held. If your own driver brings you, they may stay for the activity. Some activities,however,are noted specifically as combined activities for bothoffices.
Reservationsare requiredforagencytransportation,7daysin advance! Transportation tickets cost $3 each way.Following each activity description there may be one or more of the following abbreviations for the kinds of transportationavailable:
TA-Transportation Availablefrom CenterforVision Loss. In the Lehigh Valley,
call the Transportation Officeat 610-433-6018, x. 226.In the Monroe County
Office,call 570-992-7787.
TOYO-Transportation On YourOwn
And don't forget to check out the Low Vision Buzz and any other inserts with special information you will find helpful andinformative.
LEHIGH VALLEY OFFICE ACTIVITIES
Reminder: If you are expecting a confirmation call about a ride, remember to check your voice mail.
PLEASE NOTE: The Center for Vision Loss has discontinued making LANtaVan arrangements on behalf of those attending any of our programs. If the activity lists
Transportation On Your Own-TOYO, you must call LANtaVan and make your own transportation reservation.
LEHIGH VALLEY MALL WALK(VERY IMPORTANT PEER SUPPORT-VIPS)
Topic:Leisurely stroll around the Lehigh Valley Mall. Discuss topics related to vision loss and healthy living. All are welcome! Join the gang and make new friends! Call
610-433-6018, x. 226 for info.
Dates:Wednesdays, May3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21, 28
Time: 9-10:30 am
Transportation: TA (Note: Transportation not available from all areas)
------SUPPORT GROUPS
Topic: General Support Group.Facilitated by James Van Horn. All are welcome! Join other clients who share similar concerns and experiences about living with vision loss.
Dates:Thursday, May 4; Thursday, June1
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Men’s Club House: For men only-topics and activities vary.
Dates:Thursday, May18; Thursday, June 8
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TOYO
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Topic: Women’s Craft and Chat: For women only.This group is designed to build independence, confidence and communication skills. May: Tissue paper jars with tea lite candles;June: Hair accessories. Bring money for lunch.
Dates:Tuesday, May 16; Tuesday, June 13
Time: 11 am-1 pm; Transportation:TOYO
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Topic: Turning Challenges into Opportunities. This 4-part information series is designed for new clients only to explore the range of services and programs available from the Center for Vision Loss to help you adapt to vision loss. Contact Rita Lang for more information and to sign up, 610-433-6018 x 225.
Dates: Tuesdays, May 23, 30; Tuesdays June 6, 13
Time: 10-11:30 am except June 13 which is 5-6:30 pm; Transportation: TA
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VISIONARIES ACTIVITY GATHERING
Topic: May: Is the OrCam for You?MottiAttia, Regional Manager-East, will demonstrate the OrCam and show how it can assist someone living with vision loss. The world’s most advanced wearable assistive technologysolution, OrCamMyEye empowers
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people of all functional levels of visualimpairment as well as complete blindness. OrCamMYEye harnesses the power of artificial vision by incorporating pioneering technology in a discreet, wearable platform which instantly communicates vital visual information.June:Experiencing the Civil War. This fun and informative program will be presented by the Mark and Dawn Sellers.Bring a lunch.
Dates: Thursday, May 25; Thursday, June 29
Time: 11:30 am-2 pm; Transportation: TA
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LIFESKILLS EDUCATION
Topic: Braille Instruction Class-Dianne Michels facilitates this continuation of braille instruction for clients who wish to learn braille. Consistent attendance is required.
Dates: Mondays, May 8, 22; Mondays, June5,19
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation:TA
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Topic: Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder Information. Presented by Vanda Pharmaceuticals, this live event will allow you to ask questions and have them answered by a medical expert. Non-24 is a serious, chronic disorder that disrupts a person’s circadian rhythms, the rhythms which tell our body when to sleep and when to wake, among other things. Non-24 affects up to 70% of people who are blind, whether they were born blind or became blind later in life. The presentation will educate everyone about the symptoms, impact and prevalence in the blindness community.Following theevent you
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willbe able to sign up to receive additional information from Vanda about Non-24.
Date: Tuesday, May 9
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Summer Salad Creations. Get ready to slice, dice and chop your way to delicious salads just in time for summer gatherings. Facilitated by Dianne Michels. $3 cost for class.
Date: Monday, June 12
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Topic: iOS Device Info Group-Gain a better understanding of accessibility features and useful apps. You must have an iOS device to participate. Bring money for lunch.
Date: Wednesday, May31; Wednesday, June 28
Time: 11 am-1:30 pm; Transportation:TOYO
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CLIENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Topic: Outdoor Walk. Join the group on the Allentown Rose Gardens Park Walking Trail, 3000 Parkway Blvd., Allentown, PA 18104. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Bring a lunch. We’ll join a group from Mercy Special Learning Center for this event.
Date: Thursday, May 11
Time: 11 am-1:30 pm; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Painting With Texture. Try creative painting.Facilitated by Dianne Michels.
Date: Friday, May 12
Time: 10 am-12 pm; Transportation: TOYO
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Topic: Fishing Day with the Moore Township Lions Club. RAIN OR SHINE!
Breakfast and lunch are provided. Sign up by Monday, May8. Call the TransportationOffice at 610-433-6018 x 226. Combined event with Monroe Office clients.
Date: Saturday, May 13
Time: 8 am-1 pm; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Bookworms Book Club. If you enjoy reading and discussing various book genres, this group is for you.May:The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews; June: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. These books are available from NLS and the BARD websites. Call Dorothy Montero at 610-252-3626 to confirm attendance. The group will discuss future readings. Bring money for lunch.
Date:Friday, May 19; Friday, June 16
Time: 11 am-2 pm; Transportation: TOYO
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Topic: Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. You can stillsign up and participate with your fellow Center for Vision Loss supporters in this easy walk for fun and good
healthheld at DeSales University, Center Valley. All money raised goes to support Camp
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I CAN! our summer day camp for youth ages 7-13 with vision loss. Our goal is $5,000. You can participate by walking as an individual, creating your own team with friends, family and colleagues or becoming a virtual walker and donating to the cause! Contact Karen Huetter, Development Director, at 610-433-6018 x 241 or o ask about getting involved.
Date: Saturday, June 3; Time: 8:45-11am
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Date: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley “Day of Caring” Shopping Trip.
Our local United Way volunteers will assist you in shopping at the Promenade Shops in
Saucon Valley. This is a fun way to experience these outdoor shops and enhance your summer wardrobe. Lunch is on your own. Limited to 10 clients. Join us and let the United Way volunteers learn a little more about our agency through you—our best ambassadors!
Date: Wednesday, June 21
Time: 11 am-2 pm; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Audio Described Movie. Join us for an audio-described movie at the Carmike Theater, Airport and Catasauqua Roads, Bethlehem. This will be a matinee showing. Cost is $5 for the movie and $2 each for popcorn and a soft drink. Movie to be determined.
Date: Tuesday, June 27
Time:To Be Announced; Transportation: TA
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VOLUNTEER HELP WANTED
Topic: Activities Bulletin Mailing Group. Call Rita at 610-433-6018, x 225 if you want to help prepare the next Client Activities Bulletin for mailing.
Date: Tuesday, June 20
Time: 10 am-2 pm; Transportation: TOYO
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LEHIGH VALLEY CONSUMER GROUP MEETINGS
Topic: Greater Lehigh Valley/National Federation of the Blind of PA. Lutheran Manor, 2085 Westgate Dr., Bethlehem. Call 610-432-3276.
Date: Saturday, May 13; Saturday, June 10
Time: 10 am-12 pm
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Topic: Lehigh Valley Council of the Blind. Meeting Location: Center forVision Loss.
Date: Saturday, May 20;Saturday, June 17
Time: March: 10 am-12 pm. June: 10 am-1 pm.Bring a bag lunch ______
MONROE COUNTY OFFICE ACTIVITIES
Reminder: If you are expecting a confirmation call about a ride, check yourvoice mail.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Topic: General Support Group.Facilitated by James Van Horn. Join other clients who
share similar concerns and experiences about living with vision loss. All are welcome!
Date: Monday, May1; Monday, June 5 8
Time: 10-11:30 am;Transportation: TA
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LIFESKILLS EDUCATION
Topic: Fishing Day with the Moore Township Lions Club. RAIN OR SHINE!
Breakfast and lunch are provided. Call the Monroe Office at 570-992-7787 by
Monday, May 8 to attend.Combined activity with the Lehigh Valley Office.
Date: Saturday, May 13
Time: 8 am-1 pm; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Swimming at Shawnee. Bring a towel.
Date: Tuesday, May 9; Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation:TA
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Topic: Cooking Breakfast. Learn some basic tips for making breakfast with vision loss. Facilitated by Dianne Michels.
Date: Monday, May 15
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Healthy Walking. Join your fellow clients to experience the benefits of walking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. We’ll walk around the walking track in Snydersville.
Date: Thursday, June 1; Time:10:30-11 am;Transportation:TA
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Topic: Miniature Golf at the Snydersville Golf Center. Cost is $7.
Date: Tuesday, June 13;Time: 10-11:30am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Food Safety. A Department of Health representative will present this program on staying healthy and food safety.
Date: Monday, June 19
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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NUVISIONS ACTIVITY GROUP MEETING AND PROGRAMS
Topic: T-Shirt Painting. Explore your creative side by designing your own T-shirt.
Cost is $4.
Date: Friday, May26
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: To Be Announced
Date: Friday, June 30
Time: 10-11:30 am;Transportation: TA
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THE CENTER FOR VISION LOSS LOW VISION BUZZ
MAY-JUNE2017
AUDIO-DESCRIBED THEATRE EVENT
Act 1DeSales University Theatre winds up its 47th season with Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny musical, “Young Frankenstein.” There will be an audio-described matinee performance on Saturday, May 6 at 2 pm for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. During audio-described performances all action and physical appearances are described live through a headset. Tickets are $15-half the price of a regular ticket-and include a tactile tour 60 minutes prior to show time, your choice of a large print or Braille program and a headset for the audio-description should you wish to use one. Please call Catherine Logan, box office manager of the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, for more information at 610-282-3654, x 1.
PA ABLE SAVINGS PROGRAM LAUNCHED ON APRIL 3.
The PA Treasury Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program officially began accepting accounts for enrollment and opens the door on hope for individuals with disabilities and the families who care for them.
The ABLE Act follows federal legislation that authorizes states to create ABLE programs. Modeled after college savings accounts, ABLE accounts allow individuals with qualifying disabilities and their families a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. The federal tax-free savings and investment options are offered to encourage individuals with a disability and their families
MORE ON OTHER SIDE
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to save private funds to support health, independence and quality of life.
For more information: call 855-529-2253, or .
GAME TIME ANYONE?
A client asked us recently if there were other clients who may be interested in meeting at the Center for Vision Loss to enjoy a game day. These games could be board games, card games or whatever is decided. If you are interested, let Rita Lang knowand if we have enough interest, we will plan a date to give a Game Day a try. Contact Rita at 610-433-6018 x 225 or .
MAGNIFICATION UNITS STILL AVAILABLE
The Center for Vision Loss still has several “Video Eye” video magnification units available free of charge. These are video magnifiers that do not come with monitors—you must connect to a monitor or to your TV at home. We have tested most but not all. If interested, call us at 610-433-6018 and you can arrange to pick up one of the units.
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GIVING PAGE
The Center for Vision Loss is the region’s only non-profit agency dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by vision loss and promoting healthy vision. Help us continue our work in Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe Counties with a tax-deductible gift.
Send your gift to: Center for Vision Loss, 845 West Wyoming Street, Allentown, PA 18103. You can also go to our website at and click on the DonateNow icon to print out a Giving Page or make your gift by PayPal. You may also wish to consider a legacy gift such as a Bequest (Gift by Will) as a gift option to help ensure the agency’s future and financial health. Contact your tax and/or legal advisor for more details. You can also find out more about legacy giving through our The Helen Keller Society on our website by clicking on the Support Us tab and then clicking on Legacy Giving.
Questions? Contact the Development Department at 610-433-6018 x 241.
Thank You!
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