Welcome to our September 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania! You can receive this newsletter in your inbox by contacting Stacie Leap at nfb.stacie@gmail.com. You can also listen to this newsletter as an episode of White Canes Connect.
The events and information listed below will be within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind community.
If you or anyone you know have any upcoming events or information that can pertain to the blind community in Pennsylvania, please send them to Stacie Leap at nfb.stacie@gmail.com by the 27th of the month so it can be added to our calendar for the following month.
For those using screen readers, you can use your heading navigations to skip around the email.
A Message from our State Affiliate President
Happy September Federation Family!
It is hard to believe that State Convention is 2 months away. Our National Representative this year is Pam Allen, 1st Vice President of the NFB. There is only a short time to register for the Convention at the Early Bird price. On September 15, the registration increases to $25. Register early and save!
Looking forward to speaking with you on Coffee with The President on Wednesday, September 6 at 7:30PM!
– Lynn Heitz
President, National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania
Google Calendar Links
The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania also has a Google Calendar that can be viewed either through the web or subscribed to your calendar apps.
You can view the calendar without subscribing to it and view it on your web browser by clicking: View our Google Calendar at NFBofPA.org/calendar.
However, if you wish to subscribe to the calendar and get the events on your calendar apps, please click Subscribe and go through the steps to subscribe:
Member Spotlight: Angelina Angelcyk
Each month, we will highlight someone within our affiliate. The goal is to allow other members to learn about other members within the affiliate. We hope you enjoy this little spotlight!
Angelina Angelcyk serves as one of our board members for the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. Serving as the youngest board member, she is the student representative. Angelina is a senior of her high school in the Greater Pittsburgh area. You might recognize her name and voice at many NFB events, both nationally and locally. She showcases her piano skills and singing ability at the annual Piano Bar that is hosted by the student division. She is a part of a band, Spectrum, and recently performed alongside Pittsburgh musician Norman Mardini. A woman of many talents, she performed as Rafiki from the Lion King at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in July 2023. She also sings at many events and sells Sachets during our state convention. If you ever get a chance to meet Angelina, do not forget to say, “Hello!”
Calendar of Events
The following events are also on our Google calendar with the Zoom information or meeting location. If anyone within a chapter, division, or group see any errors or misinformation, please contact Stacie Leap at nfb.stacie@gmail.com
The below information is correct as of the first week of the month. The information is most up-to-date on the Google Calendar so please check back periodically to ensure the right information.
Jigsaw Chapter monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who do not have a local chapter in their geographical area. This is our at-large chapter Meetings This meeting is typically held on the 1st Saturday of the month. Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 10 AM ET
Coffee with the State President and Board
This monthly discussion meeting brings everybody together to get to know the state affiliate board members and the happenings within the state’s divisions, chapters, and advocacy efforts. This meeting is typically held the 1st Wednesday of the month.
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 7:30PM ET.
Greater Berks Chapter Monthly Meeting
A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Berks County of Pennsylvania This meeting is typically held on the 2nd Friday of the month.
Friday, September 8, 2023 at 10 AM ET
Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting
A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. This includes Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding areas. This meeting is typically held on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10 AM ET.
Keystone Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Philadelphia area. This is one of two local chapters in the Philadelphia area. The other chapter is the Greater Philadelphia Chapter. This meeting is typically held on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10:15 AM ET
Happy Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting
A monthly meeting for those who live in or surrounding State College, Pennsylvania. This meeting is typically held on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 1 PM ET
Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting
This meeting is the quarterly meeting for the board of directors. Only those in the board can make motions and vote but all are invited to be a part of the meeting.
Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET
Deaf Blind Division Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who consider themselves to be Deaf Blind and their supporters. This meeting is typically held on the 2nd Monday of the month.
Monday, September 11, 2023 at 6 PM ET
Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants (PABM) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who are or wish to be involved with the Business Enterprise Program, entrepreneurship, and their supporters. This meeting is typically held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 6 PM ET
Capital Area Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Harrisburg area. This meeting is typically held on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10 AM ET
Erie County Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in Erie County Pennsylvania. This meeting is typically held on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 2 PM ET
Blind Parents Group Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for blind parents, grandparents, and their supporters This meeting is typically held on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 7 PM ET
Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children (PAOPBC) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for parents of blind children and their supporters. This meeting is typically held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 1 PM ET
Pittsburgh Chapter Monthly Meeting
A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Pittsburgh area. This meeting is typically held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 6 PM ET
Greater Philadelphia Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Philadelphia area. This is one of two local chapters in the Greater Philadelphia area. The other chapter is the Keystone Chapter. This meeting is typically held on the 4th Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10 AM ET
Brandywine Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Brandywine Valley area of PA. This meeting is typically held on the 4th Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10 AM ET
Pennsylvania Association of Guide Dog Users (PAGDU) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who have or are considering getting a guide dog as well as their supporters. This meeting is typically held on the 4th Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 4 PM ET
Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students (PABS) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for blind students of all ages and their supporters. This meeting is typically held on the 4th Monday of the month.
Monday, September 25, 2023, at 7 PM ET
Blind Seniors Group Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who are seniors or almost seniors as well as their supporters. This meeting is typically held on the 4th Wednesday of the month.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET
White Canes Connect Podcast
Did you know the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania has a podcast? It is hosted by members David Goldstein and Lisa Bryant, as well as some guest hosts. It features interviews with our PA members and interviews and resources for the blind community. The monthly digest is also on the podcast for those who wish to hear a human voice instead of a screen reader. You can listen to it wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, IHeartRadio,
and on YouTube. Contact White Canes Connect at whitecanesconnect@gmail.com if you have any show ideas or wish to be on the podcast. You can also call (267) 338-4495.
State Convention 2023
Our State Convention is coming up soon! Mark your calendar! Clear your agendas! We will be convening from November 9 to 12, 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harrisburg, PA! Please see the links below to register for the convention as well to reserve your hotel rooms! Room rates are $99 a night. We will have a Senior Possibilities Fair, Technology Seminars, Talent Showcase/Live Auction, special interest groups and division meetings and so much more! We hope to hang out with you at the convention!
Attendee Registration for State Convention:
Info on making hotel reservations at the Crowne Plaza Harrisburg:
Senior Possibilities Fair 2023
We will also have a senior possibilities fair on the morning of Thursday, November 9, 2023. There is a separate registration form for this event and can be found at the following link:
https://nfbofpa.org/senior-possibilities-fair/
Talent Showcase
For those who will be attending the convention in-person, we are looking for performers of all talents to showcase them at the talent show which will take place on the evening of Friday, November 10, 2023. If you are interested in performing, please contact Stacie Leap at Stacie.leap@gmail.com
Shout-Outs and Announcements – Birthday Wishes
The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania would like to wish all those who were born in September a very happy birthday!
Rest in Peace, Tom Anderson!
Tom Anderson served as the Chair of the Blind Christians Group after it was changed from the Communities of Faith division. This email was from Dan Burke:
“Dear friends and Federation family –
Julie and I are heart-broken to tell you that Tom Anderson, the beloved first-Braille teacher at CCB and one of the two staff members who opened the doors of the Colorado Center for the Blind in 1988 with Diane McGeorge, died Tuesday afternoon. Tom had been in the hospital for about two weeks in Kansas where he and his wife, Linda returned after tom’s retirement from CCB in 2015. He passed quietly from this life with his dear Linda holding one of his hands and his twin sister Toni holding the other.
Tom had cancer nearly 20 years ago, but was cancer free until about two years ago. He entered treatments and finished them early this year. He and Linda came to the national convention in Houston, and it was wonderful for all of us to see him. He was so obviously excited to be back at the convention again. But he became ill after they returned home and eventually was hospitalized.
Tom was a man of faith and a minister, having his own small church in Littleton for a number of years. He was also a staunch, life-long Federationist, holding many offices at the chapter, state and national levels, including the Denver Chapter President, the NFB of Kansas state board, and the long-time President of the NFB in Communities of Faith.
Tom was such a good man, a dedicated and patient teacher of Braille to hundreds of blind students over the 27 years he taught at the Center, if also exacting and sometimes stern. He embraced his nickname, “Dr. Dots,” loved to page students late for his class with, “Henrietta, the dots await your fingers,” and had one of the most endearing and genuine laughs ever heard in the halls of CCB. No one had a laugh like Tom’s, and he laughed often and easily.
Julie spoke with Linda this afternoon. At this time, there is no public memorial scheduled. Please send Linda and the family your prayers and positive thoughts.
Rest in peace, dear, kind and loving friend and teacher to so many.”
Fundraisers in the Federation
Blind Parents Group T-Shirts Fundraiser*
The t-shirts come in either black with white letterings or white with black letterings. Both shirts say “I Support #BlindParents” with the NFB of PA Logo and “Blind Parents Group” at the bottom. Funds raised will start a scholarship fund to assist blind or visually impaired parents and their family through financial life hardships. To purchase a t-shirt, please contact Stacie Leap at nfb.stacie@gmail.com
Dancing in the Dark
The Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter will be hosting their annual Dancing in the Dark event on Friday October 13, 2023.
On Friday, October 13th we Joyously invite you to enjoy a night of fun and enlightenment to celebrate National Meet the Blind Month and White Cane Day. This is a semi-formal evening of dinner, music and dancing.
Cocktails begin @ 6 PM ET
. Tickets are $75 and the deadline to purchase ticket is September 15, 2023.
This event will be held at: Blue Grillhouse. (4431 Easton Avenue. Bethlehem, PA 18020)
There are four menu selections:
1. Flounder stuffed with jumbo crab in lemon cream sauce
2. Chicken breast marsala
3. Slow roasted prime rib of beef – traditional or horseradish crusted
4. Roasted Zucchini with Quinoa
Contact the Event Chair Jemmie Jones for more info and to purchase tickets: 908-391-8375
Believe You Can! Talent Show
SAVE THE DATE: The Keystone Chapter will be having their annual talent show fundraiser on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 8 PM ET. If you wish to be a performer, please complete the Google Form at BelieveYouCan.live/talent.
For more information, please visit their website: BelieveYouCan.live or contact David Goldstein at david@iCantCU.com If you wish to be a performer or have any questions, please contact BelieveYouCanShow@gmail.vcom
Other External Events
These events are not hosted or sponsored by the NFB or the NFB of PA. However, we think these might be good resources for those living in Pennsylvania. If you have any events that you wish to be in our monthly digest, please email Stacie Leap at nfb.stacie@gmail.com
Liberty Resources’ Blind/Low Vision Support Group
Our members Karen Rose and Simone Cooper partner up with Liberty Resources to hold a weekly virtual support group at Liberty Resources. The aim is to share resources and provide support to those experiencing blindness or low vision. Meetings are weekly on Tuesdays from 1pm to 2pm ET via Zoom. You do not need to live in Philadelphia to attend these meetings, this is open to all in Pennsylvania! For more information or to sign-up, please email Latoya Maddox at LatoyaMaddox@libertyresources.org
Purple Path Awareness Walk
Purple Path is an awareness walk about domestic violence. It will be a day filled with testimonials, live entertainment, raffles, food, resources/information tables and much more! The event will be on October 7, 2023 from 12PM to 4PM at 800 Macdade Blvd.Collingdale, PA 19023. More information including volunteering, sponsorships, and registering can be found on their website: www.purplehouseporjectpa.org
Women Healed For a Purpose 2023 Conference!
Our member Lyvette Byrd is hosting her 2nd Annual Women Healed For a Purpose Conference under her business, For the Byrds Consulting, LLC. The mission of the conference is to equip and restore the community through a faith-based initiative that we hope will strengthen women holistically; mind, body, and spirit.
We are women Living Interdependently in support of Family, Friends, and our Fellow neighbors to Educate and Empower our community. The event will be on Saturday, October 28, 2023. There will be guest speakers, and live entertainment. There will be an in-person option as well as a Zoom option. For more information including vending opportunities, volunteering, or to register, please visit the For The Byrds Consulting website.
NFB Pledge
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind; to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.
NFB Message
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams.
Many thanks to everybody for all they do within the Federation!
Thanks!
the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania team
