November - Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind

Transcription

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E :
• “ Wa l k a n d R o l l ”
• Sp e c i a l H e l p F r o m I n - H o m e
Services
• Celebrating a Milestone
• H o m e S a f e t y T i ps
Vo l u m e 1 6 - I s s u e 11
November 2005
Cabell-Wayne
Association of the Blind
Mission and Vision Statements
O UR M ISSION :
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is committed to
promoting and advocating the economic, educational,
and social welfare of the blind and visually impaired
of all ages so that they can maintain a lifestyle comparable
to other members of society.
O UR V ISION :
CWAB will be seen nationally as a model for organizations
and agencies that help blind and visually impaired persons
achieve maximum independence. CWAB will be known for
timely and appropriate state-of-the-art responses to the
changing needs of consumers throughout the Tri-State area
and beyond.
ON THE COVER
Consumers Buck and Mary Ann Saunders along with Patricia Walker (right)
participate in the 2005 “Walk and Roll” on Fourth Avenue Friday, October 21st.
Volume 16, Issue 11
November 2005
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Cabell-Wayne
Association of the Blind, Inc.
Executive Officers:
Brenda Blake, President
Kim Blake, Vice President
Ted Childs, Sr., Secretary
Laundle Powers, Treasurer
Board Members:
Kenneth Hicks, Ernie Golder,
Juanita Souder, Margie Simmons,
Patricia Aldridge, Cheryl Justice,
Patricia Walker
The Guide Page Magazine
published monthly by:
CWAB®, Inc.
38 Washington Ave.
Huntington, WV. 25701
(304) 522-6991 - Fax (304) 522-6924
e-mail:
[email protected]
Internet:
www.cabellwayne.org
Paul Slone, Executive Director
Jerry Crabtree, Guide Page Editor
Major funding provided by the
Teubert Foundation
Mission and Vision Statements
GP Narrator Of The Month . . 4
From the “Director’s Desk” . 6
Celebrating Volunteers . . . . . 7
In-Home Services . . . . . . . . . . 8
Scholarship Program . . . . . 11
Fudge Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Annual “Walk and Roll” . . . .14
Celebrating A Milestone . . . .16
New Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Home Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
New Calendars . . . . . . . . . . 28
Holiday Office Schedule . . . 29
Northeast Corner . . . . . . . . . 30
Weather Watch . . . . . . . . . . 32
Recipe of the Month . . . . . . .36
Joint Group Outing . . . . . . . 37
Bowling/Goalball . . . . . . . . . 38
Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Support Groups . . . . . . . . . .40
Fund-raising . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Shopping Dates Set . . . . . . 43
Control Your Assets . . . . . . 44
GUIDE PAGE Supporters . . 45
Radio Outreach . . . . . . . . . . 46
CWAB® Services . . . . . . . . . 47
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G UIDE PAGE M AGAZINE
November 2005
GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE
Narrator of the Month
Kimberly Beary
WOWK-CBS-13
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November 2005
Page 5
Kimberly Beary is an award winning reporter for WOWK-CBS-13 News.
She anchors weekend nightly newscasts.
Beary has reported on many major news stories, among the more
important the Kanawha Valley Sniper Shootings, the Memorial Day
flood in Southern West Virginia, and she was first on the scene and first
on the air at the University of Charleston arson fire. But Beary is not
satisfied with simply being “first”. She prides herself on being
thorough, following every story, providing updates with every new
development.
When Breaking News does not demand her attention, Kimberly
can often be found in the back of school classrooms across the region
highlighting advancements and challenges in education. Kimberly’s
favorite stories are those where she can make a difference.
In 2000, Beary was named Best Investigative Reporter from
the West Virginia Associated Press Association for her series of
reports on a contaminated neighborhood. She has worked in the
Huntington/Charleston broadcast market since 1998 and joined the 13
News team in February 2003.
Before moving to West Virginia, Kimberly worked for Madison
Square Garden’s Metro Guide Television in New York City. The native
Long Islander sharpened her journalistic skills under the best mentor’s
in the news business at WNBC and in sports news at News 12 Long
Island. Kimberly graduated cum laude from The State University of
New York at Cortland College with a degree in Communication Studies.
Beary is married and lives in the Charleston area.
To contact Kimberly, send e-mail to: [email protected].
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November 2005
Hello Everyone!
It may sound like a broken record but - October was a busy
month. You see, every month is a “busy month” for CabellWayne. It always is. We are looking forward to the holidays.
Plans for our annual volunteer recognition event are under
way. Volunteers are an important part of what we do here at
CWAB® and they will be honored on November 7th.
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind’s 30-year anniversary was observed October 7th. A full house was present to
hear Brenda Blake, Juanita Souder, Kay Bowen, Skip Wright
and others express their sentiments about CWAB®. WSAZ and
WOWK both aired news segments about our anniversary.
I want to personally thank everyone who participated (or
should I say “conspired) to present me with a 10-year service
plaque and quilt. I must say, I was taken totally by surprise.
You must understand, there is not a whole lot that can be kept
secret here. The consumers who lent their talents to making
the quilt made it a very personal gift - one which I will always
treasure. I also want to thank Clarence Martin for helping clean
the building before the event.
Here’s to the next thirty years!
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Dear Volunteer:
The CWAB@ Services Division would like to say
“thank you" for volunteering
your time during the
2004 - 2005 year
by cordially inviting you to attend the annual
Volunteer Appreciation Event
hosted by the
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind
Services Division
on
Monday, November 7, 2005
at the Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind
Services Division
38 Washington Ave.
Huntington, WV
Please RSVP by calling 522-6991.
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November 2005
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Assistance Available
The new Medicare Prescription Drug coverage that is set to begin
on January 1, 2006 has all of us feeling confused and a little overwhelmed. Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is working to learn as
much as we can about this very important topic so that we can help you
make an informed decision.
Some of the most important information we have at this point is:
1. Everyone who is eligible for Medicare is eligible for a
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan regardless of income or
other insurance coverage.
2. These Medicare Prescription Drug Plans will be administered by private companies, not Medicare. These companies
will be advertising heavily over the next several weeks. We
advise you not to contact these companies. Medicare will
have all of the information on the plans and will be the best
and simplest source for choosing the plan that is best for you.
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November 2005
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3. Initial sign up for these plans begins on November 15,
2005. If you sign up by December 31, 2005 your coverage
begins on January 1, 2006. After that, coverage begins on the
first day of the month after you sign up. If you do not sign up
by May 15, 2006, you will be charged a higher premium. This
premium will be 1% higher each month you fail to enroll. This
penalty will be added to your premium for as long as you have
the Medicare Prescription drug coverage.
4. If you currently have Medicaid and Medicare, you must
sign up for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan between
November 15 and December 31, 2005. Medicare is going to
take over the prescription coverage that Medicaid now provides. The cost of prescriptions will be similar to what you
currently pay through Medicaid. If you have not chosen a plan
by December 31, 2005, Medicare will choose one for you. The
plan they choose may or may not be the best one for your
needs.
5. Each plan will offer different levels of coverage. In
addition, each plan will have a list of medications that they
will cover. For this reason, it is very important to have a complete list of all medications that you are currently taking when
you contact Medicare to choose a drug plan. They can then
help you decide which plan will provide you the best coverage.
6. If you have a Medicare drug discount card, you must
now enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. These discount cards were temporary and will expire on May 15, 2006.
7. If you currently have prescription coverage through a
private insurer it is not necessary to sign up for a Medicare
Drug Plan now. If your insurer decides to drop your prescription coverage you will have 63 days from the end of their coverage to sign up for a Medicare Drug Plan. The best way to
decide what to do in this case would be to contact your private insurer.
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November 2005
You can enroll in one of these plans in a few ways.
1. You can contact Medicare yourself at 1-800-633-4227
and give them a full list of your current medications. They can
then give you advice on which plan best suits your needs.
2. You can contact the State Health Insurance Assistance
Program at 1-877-987-4463 and give them a full list of your
current medications. They can then give you advice on which
plan best suits your needs.
3. Many area organizations will be offering assistance
with this. Listen for announcements of upcoming events.
4. You can contact each individual Insurance company
and do the comparisons yourself.
5. Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind will be offering
assistance beginning November 28, 2005 and lasting until the
last consumer has chosen the appropriate Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan. We will assist you in contacting
Medicare to determine the best plan for your needs. We are
currently studying and gathering information to make this
process as easy and efficient as possible. Lori Spears,
Rhonda Spears and Toni Walls will offer this assistance
through the In-Home Services program of Cabell-Wayne
Association of the Blind.
You can call the office at 304-522-6991 to sign up for this
assistance starting now. You will need to speak to Lori, Rhonda or Toni.
After we have worked out all the details we will call you back to set an
appointment for you to come in for assistance.
Our goal, as always, is to provide you with all that you need so that
you can take control of your own life. We feel that by offering this
assistance we are doing just that.
EDITOR’S NOTE
In the October 2005 issue of the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE
there was an article describing CWAB®’s Scholarship program
with an invitation for qualifying applicants to apply.
This month, consumer Heather McComas responds with her
comments on the program.
To Whom It May Concern:
I was asked to write about how the Cabell-Wayne Association of the
Blind’s scholarship has helped me through college. First off I would
like to introduce myself. My name is Heather McComas. I have
been a Cabell-Wayne consumer for twelve or so years. I did not
become really active until I graduated from the School for the Blind in
Romney, West Virginia in 1995. After graduating I wasn’t sure where to
turn to for scholarships and I found out that Cabell-Wayne offered one.
After finding this out I requested a form and filled it out. Though it was
too late to receive money for the Fall semester I did however, receive
money for the Spring semester. For two semesters I was able to stay in
the dorms with the help of the Cabell-Wayne scholarship. Then there
were more and more students graduating and needing the money.
Since there was a limited amount of money I only asked for the amount
that would pay for tuition and not for dorm living. I traveled back and
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November 2005
forth from home by using the Cabell-Wayne transportation services. I
graduated from Marshall University in the Spring of 1999 with an
Associate’s degree in Computer Technology Information.
In September of 2002, I was offered a position at the American
Foundation for the Blind here in Huntington, West Virginia. I was hired
to do data entry, answer the phone and to respond to E-Mail messages.
Then I was moved from that position to product testing. Here I am
responsible for testing Assistive Technology products, such as screen
readers, scanning software, notetakers, GPS software, and games just
to name a few. Along with testing these products I also am
required to do research to see where Assistive Technology products
can be purchased, how much they are, and if there is electronic formats of User’s Guides. My Associate Degree has allowed me to
work in this position, but in order to work up the ladder, I need a
Bachelor’s degree. While I intern, I also attend school to obtain my
Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I hope to become a VI
teacher for elementary students who are blind and visually impaired
being mainstreamed in public schools.
I have had to take some time off from school work due to some
personal reasons, but knowing when I am ready to return Cabell-Wayne
has a scholarship program that will help, whether it is for part of my
tuition, for my books, or for supplies. Every little bit that they can give
will help. With the limited amount of money they have and as
many students that request help, they are very generous to everyone.
Cabell-Wayne’s scholarship program certainly did help me
through many years of education at Marshall University, but they were
not the only services to help. There is only so much that they can give
with being a Service Division with a lot of consumers who also attend
school. I also asked for help through the Rehabilitation Services and
obtain student loans. But, what I did receive and will receive in the
future certainly does help me obtain the degrees I get.
Sincerely,
Heather McComas
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Anyone who has a “sweet tooth” knows the
holidays are the perfect time to satisfy that
special craving! So .....
Beginning the first week of December, consumer Joanna Holbrook will be offering her
delicious fudge for sale as a fundraiser for
For more information, please call the
Services Division at 522-6991.
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November 2005
Each year the Mayor of Huntington’s Council on Persons With
Disabilities recognizes businesses who provide employment
opportunities and favorable working conditions to those with disabilities. Individuals who make a worthwhile contribution to the disability
community are also recognized. An awards ceremony is held and a
parade down Fourth Avenue allow individuals and agencies who assist
persons with disabilities to be publicly seen. The activities are dubbed
the “Walk and Roll” and was held Friday, October 21st.
The featured speaker was Gary Patton the “voice of St. Mary’s”, so
given as he is the soothing voice behind the hospital’s television advertisements. Patton, a motivational speaker, is part of the Pastoral staff.
The theme of his brief address was “Never Give Up”. Urging those with
disabiltiies to keep striving through adversities, and to businesses to
continue to offer those with disabilities the opportunity for employment.
Among local businesses who were recognized were the Radisson
Hotel, TTA, O’Charley’s restaurant, Kroger in Barboursville, McDonalds
on Washington Avenue, two Big Lots stores and Goodwill Industries.
There were several display booths along with Cabell-Wayne who
offered cake in honor of “White Cane Day”.
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LEFT: Gary Patton of
S t. Mary’s Hospital
addresses the crowd
(BELOW) during the
“Walk and Roll”
awards ceremony at
the Cabell County
Public Library Friday,
October 21st
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November 2005
October 9, 1975 is a date which spelled independence for blind
and visually impaired residents of Cabell and Wayne counties.
It was on this date that Charlie Harris founded CabellWayne Association of the Blind, an agency that began with no
office, only volunteer drivers, and 37 blind members seeking
training for employment, to a modern-day facility with a staff
of 18 that constantly serve the transportation, mobility, rehabitation and recreation needs of nearly 600 blind and visually
impaired of this community.
A celebration of 30 years of free services was held Friday,
October 7th. Nearly ninety consumers and friends of the
agency gathered at CWAB®’s Services Division offices to
express gratitude and praise to the agency for its continuing
efforts to support the needs of the blind and visually impaired.
There were a few surprises. Consumers were asked to
speak offering their comments about the agency, a 10-year
plaque and consumer-made custom quilt were presented
to Executive Director Paul Slone - and the entire evening was
professionally videotaped for the division’s archives.
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During a Teubert Prep trip to Space Camp in Alabama during
September, CWAB® Recreation Coordinator Linda Worthy
returned with a few interesting DVS videos which have been
added to the Media Library. The videos are:
The History of Flight/The Wright Brothers’ Invention
The Hubble Telescope
The Universe
Having A Solar Blast
For information on these and other DVS titles, and on the
Media Check-out Card, please contact the Services Division
office at 522-6991.
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November 2005
Home Safety and Modification for Older Adults with
Vision Impairment
by Shin-yi Lin, Megan Witte, and Patricia Belchior
with William Mann, OTR, PhD
AGING & VISION
Lighthouse International
Vol 17 No.1 Spring 2005
Introduction
Vision loss is a significant issue for older adults. While people over the
age of 65 represent 12.8% of Americans, older adults disproportionately constitute 30% of people with visual impairment in the United States.1
The four main causes of visual impairment or blindness among older
adults are cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and
diabetic retinopathy. Vision impairment can result in dependency in
activities of daily living (ADLs & IADLs),2,3,4 increased risk of falls and
fractures,5,6 and psychosocial difficulties.7,8
Assistive technology devices (AT) and environmental interventions (EI) are effective compensatory strategies to help older people
with vision impairment to maintain independence. The most common
AT device for older adults with low vision is prescription glasses. Over
90% of people over the age of 70 use eyeglasses. Still, 14% of the older
adults between 70 and 74 years of age have difficulty seeing even with
eyeglasses. This increases to 32% for those over 85. Only fewer than
2% of the older adults with visual impairment above the age of 70 use
other vision devices, such as readers or computer equipment. In addition to a variety of low and high technology vision aids for reading and
ADLs, EI can maximize performance and ensure safety. In the following
paragraphs, basic principles of home modification and injury prevention are discussed. AT devices that promote safety in the home for
older adults with visual impairments are also introduced.
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Home Modifications
Home modifications create a safer and more accessible home environment, and increase competence in task performance, by adapting a
home to promote independence in activities of daily living.9 Even
minor, low-cost changes can have a positive impact on a person’s safety and ability to perform routine everyday tasks.10 Home modifications
also provide caregivers with a more supportive environment, making
their caregiving tasks easier to complete. The risk of accidents such as
falls can be reduced with even very simple, no-cost modifications.
Depending on the type of adaptation, home modifications may involve
architects, builders, vision rehabilitation therapists, and occupational
therapists, and most importantly, the residents and their caregivers.
Mann and colleagues11 studied home environmental problems
among older adults and found that the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom
were the three most problematic areas in the home. Common problems
in other areas, such as the hallway, stairs, and dining and living rooms,
included clutter, unsafe carpets and extension cords, inadequate lighting, and chairs and couches that posed difficulties for sitting down or
getting up.
Common, simple home modifications include:12
-nightlights in hallways and/or bathroom;
-non-skid strips in bathtub or shower;
-higher wattage light bulbs;
-lever handle faucets and doorknobs;
-non-slip strips on stairways, and;
-secured carpets and throw rugs (using double-sided tape).
More expensive home modifications include:
- installation of light switches at the top and bottom of
stairwells;
- adding a bathroom and/or bedroom to the first floor of a 2-story
home to make the first floor livable;
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November 2005
addition of handrails to both sides of stairways;
installation of handrails and/or grab bars in the bathroom;
widening of doorways, and
addition of a ramp or stair lift.
Injury Prevention
People with sensory deficits have an increased risk for injuries. Low
vision impedes appropriate detection of hazards in the home. A person
with impaired vision can take several steps to increase safety in the
home. One basic tip is to decrease clutter throughout the home and
make sure all drawers and cupboard and closet doors are closed when
not in use in order to avoid slips and trips. Further, worn or torn carpeting should be replaced; rug corners and edges should be tacked or
taped down; and, linoleum or wood floors should not be waxed.
Increasing color contrast throughout the house and increasing lighting
while decreasing glare can also prevent injury, especially in areas like
stairwells.
Slips and trips are not the only injuries possible in the home for
those with low vision. People with low vision can also take steps to
decrease the likelihood of poisoning. Pillboxes can be valuable aids.
Color coding medications with high contrast colors or utilizing a tactile
cue such as wrapping a rubber band around the pill bottle to equal the
number of doses needed a day are two simple ways to avoid potential
hazards when taking medications. Electric alarms and buzzers are also
available to cue people to take their medications. Devices that vibrate
or have flashing lights are available for people with sensory impairments.13
Food poisoning can be a concern as well, especially when cooking
directions are often in fine, hard-to-read print. New technology is being
developed that can read RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags on
a food product, automatically set up the correct cooking protocol, and
speak to the user about the food product. When this device is commercialized, it could alert the user about foods with ingredients to which
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the user has allergies. Proper cooking would ensure that the user does
not consume undercooked food. While still in prototype stage, high
tech devices like this will be available in the future.
Other Devices for Safety
Various products for household or personal use exist with large print or
voice output features. In the kitchen, a simple liquid level indicator that
produces a buzz sound when overfilling a cup can prevent scald. A
large-print or talking room thermostat can ensure a comfortable room
temperature. Health monitoring products such as blood sugar or blood
pressure monitors are both available in large print and talking models.
For emergencies and accidents, a personal emergency response system (PERS) allows older adults to issue an immediate call for help by
simply pushing a button on a body-worn transmitter to activate an automatic dialing mechanism.
Outside the home, hand-held electronic travel aids (ETAs) can help
detect objects in the walking path. An ETA works like a radar system
that detects obstacles in the environment and produces a sound or
vibration warning signal. Usually, ETAs are used to provide additional
information about the nearby environment to supplement traditional
travel aids such as a white cane or guide dog.
The number of older adults with visual impairment will significantly grow in the next two decades and beyond. The majority of older
adults will “age in place.” Vision problems affect not only activities
related to reading and seeing, but also other daily activities and social
participation. Through the use of AT and EI, older adults with vision and
other impairments can live more independently and safely in their home
environment. A wide variety of low vision aids are designed especially
for people with vision impairment to compensate limitations in reading,
as well as activities in other domains.
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November 2005
Shin-yi Lin, Megan Witte, and Patricia Belchior are PhD students in the
Rehabilitation Science PhD Program, University of Florida.
William Mann, OTR, PhD, is Professor and Director of the PhD Program
in Rehabilitation Science and Director of the Rehabilitation Engineering
Research Center on Aging at the University of Florida.
References
1. Desai, M., Pratt, L.A., Lentzner, H., & Robinson, K.N. (2001). Trends in
Vision and Hearing Among Older Americans. Aging Trends; No.2.
Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics.
2. Raina, P., Wong, M., & Massfeller, H. (2004). The relationship between
sensory impairment and functional independence among elderly. BMC
Geriatrics, 4:3.
3. Ivanoff, S.D., Sonn, U., Lundgren-Lindqvist, B., Sjostrand, J., & Steen,
B. (2000). Disability in daily life activities and visual impairment: A population study of 85-year-old people living at home. Scandinavian
Journal of Occupational Therapy, 7, 148-155.
4. Keller, b.K., Morton, J.L., & Thomas, V.S. (1999). The effect of visual
and hearing impairments on functional status. Journal of the American
Geriatrics Society, 47, 1319-1325.
5. Cox, A., Blaikie, A., MacEwen, C.J.,
Jones, K.T., Holding, D., Sharma, et al (2004). Visual impairment in elderly patients with hip fracture: causers and associations. Eye, 1, 1-5.
6. Ivers, R.Q., Cumming, R.G., Mitchell, P., & Attebo, K. (1998). Visual
impairment and falls in older adults: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 46:58-64.
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November 2005
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7. Lindo, G. & Nordholm, L. (1999). Adaptation strategies, well-being,
and activities among people with low vision. Journal of Visual
Impairment & Blindness, 93, 434-446.
8. Lamoureux, E.L., Hassell, J.B., & Keeffe, J.E. (2004). The determinants of participation in activities of daily living in people with impaired
vision. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 137, 265-270.
9. Duncan, R., Pynoos, J., & Sabata, D. (2003). Common Ground: What
do we mean by home modification [Abstract]. Proceedings of the
International Conference on Aging Disability and Independence,
Washington D.C.
10. Hutchings, L., & Olsen, R. (2003). Aging in place with a developmental disability: An environmental intervention study [Abstract].
Proceedings of the International Conference on Aging Disability and
Independence, Washington D.C.
11. Mann, W., Hurren, D., Tomita, M., Bengali., & Steinfeld,E. (1994).
Environmental problems in homes of elders with disabilities. The
Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 14(3), 191-211
12. Bayer, A., & Harper, L. (2000). Fixing to stay. A National Survey of
housing and home modification issues. AARP. Washington D.C.
Retrieved
October
24,
2004,
from:
http://research.aarp.org/il/home_mod.pdf.
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 1986),
Perspectives in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion National
Poison Prevention Week: 25th Anniversary Observance. MMWR 35(10):
149-152.
Copyright © 2005 Lighthouse International
Used by Permission.
CWAB’s Nancy McKenzie, CVRT, has announced the
arrival of the 2006 year calendars. These calendars
a r e available in various formats to suit the needs of each
consumer - Large print desktop or wall mounted, as well
as spiral bound for easier storage.
Call CWAB ®’s Nancy McKenzie at 522-6991 to discuss
your calendar needs.
Seasons Greetings!
As the Holiday Season approaches, it brings ample
o p p o r tunities for family and friends to join together
in celebration and fellowship. Therefore, CWAB®’s Services
Division will observe the following schedule for its offices to
be closed ...
T HANKSGIVING
Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th.
C HRISTMAS
Monday, December 26th.
N EW Y EAR ’ S
Monday, January 2nd.
We, at the Services Division, will take these days to
enjoy the holidays with our families and would like to take
this opportunity to wish you and your family a joyous,
holiday and a most prosperous New Year!
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November 2005
Let’s see if we can recall the joys and adjustments of independent travel in autumn. I don’t know if trees shedding their leaves
inspired the other name for autumn, but falling leaves are
unique to late September through mid-November.
Leaves tend to cover the ground and make walking surfaces and shorelines more difficult to find. The cane can move
many of the leaves away and can certainly allow the user to feel
the pavement and shorelines. Before and after street crossings,
the cane helps to find the street and the sidewalk. Leaves tend
to collect in street gutters and can be a way of knowing the end
of the sidewalk. Don’t forget that wet leaves on smooth pavement or when mixed with mud can be nearly as slippery as ice.
Slow down in these conditions.
Some fall days tend to be windy. When the wind whistles
in the ears or is so hard that it has the roar of a train, remember
that hearing is affected. Allow extra time on the trip because it
may take longer to start street crossings. Gusts of wind will
drown out most traffic sounds. At crossings wait for the wind
to die down to determine that it’s safe to cross. Also, in the
wind, distances from traffic may be harder to gauge. Traffic
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may sound farther away than it is. Similarly, traffic on a less
windy but rainy day can sound closer than it is. Speaking of
these swell weather conditions, dress accordingly. As conditions get wetter and colder, we all may be in denial that summer
is gone. Wear warmer clothing on crisp fall days and water
resistant clothing, especially on your feet. Remember puddles
aren’t easy to see and the cane can only feel the ones that
require a swimming stroke.
Lest we forget, leaf blowers, like lawn mowers and snow
blowers, are loud enough to drown traffic sounds. If the noise
is too persistent at a crossing, an alternate route may be considered. I know sighted people read
this too. Shut these instruments off
when a cane or dog traveler is
around. It is also a good time to
ask the person who is visually
impaired if help is needed.
Autumn travel isn’t all bad.
The smell of dried leaves and
moist earth is different from any
other season. Also, Cleveland
being Cleveland, at this time of
year, there is much less sun glare. I
remember my first year in Cleveland, a client came to the Sight
Center for a two-week evaluation in early November, partly
because he couldn’t travel outdoors on sunny days. That
month the sun was out less than five percent of the daylight
hours - none of which was during those two weeks. When I
reported in the case staffing meeting why I couldn’t evaluate
his glare problem, everyone in the room burst out laughing.
®
Page 32
November 2005
Fall Foliage 2005 Late
Charleston-Huntington, WV - A funny thing happened on my vacation to
Maryland earlier this month. Summer held on as autumn failed to make
a serious bid to chill us down.
Imagine this, on my trip to Ocean City, the White Marlin Capital of
the World (so they claim), I surfed and fished knee deep in the Atlantic
Ocean at 8AM and felt nothing but soothing 75 degree “bathwater” of
the ocean. Local anglers tell me it’s been 20 years since the ocean was
this warm this late into the fall.
In fact, as late as October 10th, the water maintained an 80 degree
temperature off the Pavilion at Myrtle and 63 as far north as Martha’s
Vineyard. Normal ocean temperatures in mid-October range from 75 at
Myrtle to 68 at Ocean City to 58 off Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.
So what does this abnormal ocean warmth mean for the fall? Well,
an unusual late season threat of a hurricane or tropical storm on the
Eastern Seaboard is realistic and as I am about to assert, I see fall colors holding on here in Appalachia well INTO NOVEMBER this year.
Here’s the scoop.
®
November 2005
Page 33
First, the intense heat and dryness of late summer has slowed the
change of the fall colors immeasurably. Forester Greg Guess from the
Shawnee State Forest in Scioto County, Ohio reports only 20% of the
landscape colored in yellow and red as of mid-October. He predicts a
late October peak this year. “Dry summers usually are not as colorful
as wet seasons, but here in the Shawnee Forest there is never a bad
year for color...Just better years than others.” Greg stressed.
Wildlife Biologist Kathy Flegel at the Wayne National Forest adds
there’s a silver lining in this warm fall weather. “We are indeed a few
weeks behind, but that means the leaves will be near peak at Halloween
and we will see some good color into November.” My foliage story with
Kathy shot at Lake Vesuvius runs Friday, October 14 and Sunday
October 16.
Meanwhile Jim Kilburn, my friend from Kanawha Falls whom we
met during our Midland Trail Bus Tour in 1996, took a recent trip to
Ansted and the New River Gorge of Southern West Virginia. “It will be
a green Bridge Day (October 15) and the leaves THAT ARE TURNING
seem to be going brown.” Jim says. For this reason, I am recommending train riders pick a later not earlier run on the railroad thru southern
West Virginia. You will likely be disappointed otherwise.
Virginia Climatologist Wayne Browning tells me the leaves at the
Breaks Interstate Park on the Kentucky-Virginia border are also running
2 weeks behind schedule. He says the lower breaks from Flanagan Dam
thru Elkhorn City along the Russell Fork (the so-called Beast of the
East) normally peaks between October 20 and 30 as the whitewater season ends in conjunction with the Elkhorn City Oktoberfest. Wayne adds
that whitewater spills and chills on the Russell Fork continue thru the
weekend of October 22-23 with class 6 rapids awaiting the thrill seekers who dare to challenge the Beast!
®
Page 34
November 2005
Remarkably on my trip from Philly to Charleston on October 10th,
except for some brilliant splashes of color along I-68 thru Northern
Maryland and Preston County, WV (above the 2500’ elevation), the landscape was green. In fact, Mountaineer fans were in for a drab homecoming Saturday, October 15 in Morgantown where the trip from Jane
Lew to Fairmont offered only bits and pieces of fall color.
Look carefully and you will see more color in the deep hollows as
compared to the hilltops. That’s a sure sign that fog-cooled air had nestled deep into the dales this fall, while the hills were bathed in a warmer
veil of tepid air. Remember, the cooler the air, the quicker the change of
color. Even Snowshoe is reporting only 30% color as of October 12th,
a once in 10-year event. Why? Well, as of October 12th, it still had not
frosted at 4848’ elevation.
To understand why the colors are late let’s consider the hurricane
season. It’s pretty much axiomatic that an active hurricane season
affects our weather in a profound way. Last year, first Frances then Ivan
dealt us back to back devastating rain storm blows in a 10-day period.
Our aquifers filled up, rivers flooded and high school football games
were called off. Our native hardwood trees soaked up the rains, and
those leaves that did not blow down, soon put on a brilliant show of fall
color. 2004 was the best foliage season in a decade, by many accounts
thanks to the hurricane rain and a timely early October frost.
This year, major hurricanes like Dennis, Katrina and Rita managed
to scare us but barely produce any rain (though all 3 indirectly induced
some showers locally). Now when hurricanes miss you, but come within a thousand miles, they act to alter the temperature profile with a
warm bias. Simply stated, if you miss the hurricanes, you get hotter and
drier, and when fall is warm and dry, frosts are late, and the leaves
change slower...and this year much slower. Sound familiar? Exactly, I
November 2005
Page 35
contend that all these hurricanes are in part responsible for our late
color change.
One thing that must be remembered, the change of the fall colors
is initiated by the shortening days and lengthening nights of fall. My talented colleague in science and meteorology Erin Jordan reminds me
that “Mother nature signals to the trees to stop producing chlorophyll
for the leaves as the days get shorter and the daily allotment of sun
declines”. As this photosynthesis shuts down, the leaves react by losing their green color unveiling their natural hues.
This process is on-going right now. But it is not being sped up by
the action of a good hoar frost. Erin also prods me that it took goodly
sunshine after the hurricane rains to make a good fall color season last
year. So it is indeed a give and take relationship with sun and rain that
makes or breaks the fall foliage season.
One final note, I do see a good chance of a frost by Monday
October 17th in Northern West Virginia, so I suspect we will see mountainous West Virginia peak the weekends of October 22-23 with leftover
color for another week. Otherwise, our first frost may well hold off until
Halloween...which suits me and Edgar Allen Poe just fine as I quote
from the Raven... “once upon a midnight dreary, while I ponder weak
and weary”... in a year when the hurricanes missed us, fall foliage
enthusiasts who have grown weak and weary waiting for the Autumn
Hit Show ... your wait will soon be over.
Send me a digital photo of your favorite fall vista.
[email protected].
Happy Leaf Peeping!
Tony
®
Page 36
November 2005
Holiday Meal For Two
From: thanksgiving.allrecipes.com
INGREDIENTS:
* 1 (8 ounce) package dry bread stuffing mix
* 2 Cornish game hens
* 3 tablespoons seasoning salt
* 1 (16 ounce) package frozen green beans
* 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 2/3 cup chicken broth
DIRECTIONS:
1. Prepare dry bread stuffing mix according to package directions.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Using fingers, separate the skin and meat of the Cornish game
hens, and rub 1 tablespoon seasoning salt into the meat of each hen.
Rub remaining seasoning salt into the cavities of the hens. Stuff each
cavity with about 1 1/2 cups prepared stuffing.
3. Place hens and green beans in an oven bag. Bake 80 minutes in
the preheated oven, or until the meat is no longer pink and the juices
run clear.
4. Drain hen drippings into a medium saucepan. Over medium heat,
stir in flour until bubbly. Gradually mix in chicken broth. Stirring occasionally, cook until a thick gravy has formed.
®
November 2005
Page 37
An “End of Summer” joint support group picnic was held
during the last days of September at Barboursville Park. The
picnic offers support groups a chance to jointly meet
for fellowship. For information on CWAB® support groups,
call the Services Division office at 522-6991.
®
Page 38
November 2005
Bowlers meet each
Monday from Noon to
2:30 p.m. at Colonial
Lanes on 5th St. West
in Huntington.
Goa
l
ll
a
b
Goalball
is played at the
Second
Presbyterian
Church on
Jefferson Ave. from
6 to 8 p.m. the 1st
and 3rd Friday of
each month
For information on all CWAB ®
recreational activities,
please call 522-6991.
2
Baskets
9
Baskets
16
Baskets
30
Bingo
7
Crafts
14
Bingo
November
December
All class times 1 to 3 p.m.
Call 522-6991 to register
®
Page 40
November 2005
CWAB® CVRT Specialist Nancy
McKenzie recently spoke to a
support group suggesting options
for rehab devices.
Support groups provide a vital
link for news, information,
social activities, and friendship between individuals
w i t h t h e s a m e i n t e r e s ts .
Transportation is provided
free to any CWAB® consumer.
Support groups regularly
meet in CWAB® ’s activities
room with many taking the
opportunity to take special trips to area places of interest.
Volunteers are always welcome to assist with arrangements
such as snacks, crafts, or being a sighted guide. For information on support groups or volunteering, call the Services
Division at 522-6991.
®
November 2005
Page 41
G ROUP
L EADER
M EETING D AY
M EETING T IME
A
Mattie Smith
2nd & 4th Thurs.
10 a.m. to Noon
B
Juanita
Souder
1st & 3rd Thurs.
10 a.m. to Noon
Patty Aldridge 2nd & 4th Thurs.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
C
Working
D
Diabetic
Kim Blake
1st & 3rd Tue.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
F
Brenda Blake
2nd & 4th Tue.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
2nd & 4th Fri.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m
Third Thursday
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
I
Brooke Dowdy
Age 18-30
Parents
Mary Parsons
®
Page 42
November 2005
In its continual effort to produce fresh and unique items for fund-raising activities, Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is proud to
announce the availability of an audio CD package of the 2005
McClanahan Memorial Concert.
The package contains two CD’s featuring the McQuaid brothers
and friends’ performances. (Cassette version will be available soon.)
The package will sell for $15 for CD’s and cassettes will be $12.
Call the Services Division of CWAB
at 522-6991 for details.
®
November 2005
Page 43
S ER VICES D IVISION S ETS S HOPPING D ATES
As a regularly scheduled activity, CWAB® ’s Services Division
offers consumers free group transportation
to shop at local Wal-Mart stores.
The following dates have been set for the 2005 shopping year:
N OVEMBER
Date will be announced at
the monthly association
meeting.
S OUTH P OINT, O HIO
D ECEMBER
Date will be announced at
the monthly association
meeting.
R T. 60
All donations to CWAB® are tax deductible
to the extent allowed by law.
Page 44
In Memory of_____________________________________
In Honor of_______________________________________
In Celebration of ________________________________
Other___________________________________
Contribution $_____________
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Donor Name__________________________________________
Address________________________________________________
City________________________State___________Zip_________
Please Notify:
Name:_______________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
City________________________State____________Zip_________
®
Control your assets after you are gone.
Please remember
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind when you write
your will or would like to make other charitable gifts.
Contact Paul Slone, Executive Director at (304) 522-6991.
Services Division
38 Washington Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
®
November 2005
®
November 2005
Page 45
supporters!
G U I D E P A G E M A G A Z I N E supporters are important.
They provide goods and services, and offer support for this
publication in some small way. If, in the course of your day,
you patronize one of our sponsors, please tell them you saw
their name mentioned in the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE,
MAGAZINE and
let them know how much you appreciate their support.
Your business would be a welcome
G U I D E PAGE MAGAZINE supporter!
Call 522-6991, ext. 15 for details!
PHOTO CREDITS
CWAB® building photo
digitally edited and provided
by Frank Stull.
Type Editor, Kermit Nance.
Some images from
“Holy Cow! 250,000 Graphics”
by Macmillan Digital
Publishing USA
Unless otherwise noted,
all material property of
CWAB®, Inc.;
reproduction in whole or
in part
without prior written
consent is prohibited.
®
Page 46
November 2005
It is with great loss and sadness that Cabell-Wayne
Association of the Blind announces the passing of Geof
Sturm, announcer and Program Director for WEMM-FM.
Sturm, a personal friend to Media-Marketing Manager Jerry
Crabtree, was host of the stations “Tri-State Today” public
affairs program of which CWAB® was a part. The name
Sturm is a recognizable one throughout the tri-state. Geof’s
father, Dean, was host of WSAZ’s infamous “Saturday Night
Jamboree”, while Alan, Geof’s brother, hosts the current version of the “Jamboree” on local station “The DAWG” 93.7.
CWAB ® would like to express condolences to the
Sturm family, and to their extended family - staff and
listeners of WEMM radio.
Geof will be greatly missed.

November - Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind

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