ICUB BULLETIN
Published Quarterly by
IOWA COUNCIL OF THE UNITED BLIND
Affiliate of
THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
WINTER EDITION 2001
DONNA SELIGER, PRESIDENT
3912 SE 5th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
(515) 284-0505
1-888-404-5562 (Toll Free)
E-mail: dseliger@worldnet.att.net
JOHN TAYLOR, EDITOR
2012 - 40th Place
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 279-2817
E-mail: teriretir@aol.com
MICHAEL BARBER, TREASURER
1437 Guthrie
Des Moines, Iowa 50316
(515) 263-1441
E-mail: m1437b@home.com
JO ANN SLAYTON, SECRETARY
4013 - 30th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 279-4284
E-mail: slaytons@earthlink.net
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ICUB Officers and Directors 2
Notice to Readers
3
President’s Report 3
ICUB Host Committee ACB Convention 2001 ................................................ 5
National Committee Members......................................................................... 6
2000 Des Moines Chapter Raffle Summary.................................................... 7
Expanded Newspapers Read in Iowa ............................................................. 8
For Immediate Release - Scholarships ......................................................... 10
National Scholarships Announced ................................................................ 11
Deceased (Cecelia Witte) ............................................................................. 12
She Teaches the Blind to Focus on Self-Esteem ......................................... 13
I’m Fine ......................................................................................................... 16
Cedar Rapids Chapter Report ...................................................................... 17
Cedar Valley Council of the Blind - Waterloo Iowa News ............................. 18
Des Moines Chapter Report ......................................................................... 19
Dubuque Association of the Blind ................................................................. 21
Not for Me ..................................................................................................... 22
ICUB OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
President, Donna Seliger
Des Moines, 515/284-0505
1st V.P., Michael Hoenig
Davenport, 319/344-8787
2nd V.P., John Taylor
Des Moines, 515/279-2817
Secretary, JoAnn Slayton
Des Moines, 515/279-4284
Treasurer, Michael Barber
Des Moines, 515/263-1441
2-Year Directors
Julie Bedard
Des Moines, 515/243-8593
Sue Hergert
Coralville, 319/337-7691
Dorothy Janvrin
Fort Dodge, 515/2\573-6043
Shirley Wiggins
Cedar Rapids, 319/362-7138
1-Year Directors
Shirley Conrade
Dubuque, 319/582-7383
Monty Habben
Sioux City, 712/258-6160
Dick Natale
West Des Moines, 515/277-1167
Sylvester Nemmers
Des Moines, 515/276-2729
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #2
NOTICE TO READERS
If you or a friend would like to remember the Iowa Council of the
United Blind in your will, you may do so by using the following
language: “I grant, devise, or bequeath unto the Iowa Council of the
United Blind, a non-profit charitable organization, the sum of ______
dollars ____ percent of my net estate, or the following stocks and
bonds (please list them) to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of
blind persons.” If your wishes are more complex, you may have your
attorney call (515) 279-2817, or write Iowa Council of the United Blind,
2012 - 40th Place, Des Moines, Iowa 50310.
Anyone who cannot read this print bulletin or finds it difficult to
have it read may receive a cassette copy at no charge. Cassette
readers are invited to return this Bulletin for re-use. Please help us
keep you better informed.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING MATERIAL
FOR THE NEXT ISSUE
APRIL 1, 2001
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
by Donna Seliger
Before I get into details about ICUB business, I would like to take
this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
The 2001 American Council of the Blind national convention will
be held in Des Moines from June 30 through July 7, and we are the
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #3
host affiliate.
A host committee has been formed, and everyone is working to
put together the best convention possible. We have a unique situation
because we are using five hotels and the Convention Center for
meetings. Three of the hotels are connected to the skywalk system as
well as the Convention Center. Because everything is so spread out,
we will need a great many volunteers to assist in many different ways.
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has never been to a
national convention to come, take in the convention, exhibits, and also
volunteer to help.
There are still plenty of rooms available at a rate of $60 per night
plus applicable tax. I am holding five rooms at the Savery Hotel (which
may already be full) and 15 rooms at the Marriott for any Iowa people
wishing to attend. Please call 1-800-451-2625 and ask for ACB
housing. If you want one of the rooms I am holding, indicate that to the
person you talk with. I will relinquish these rooms by February 1.
Following this article is a list of the Iowa Host Committee
members. If you are interested in helping with the convention, please
feel free to contact any committee member or myself at 1-888-4045562.
By the time you receive this Bulletin, we will have had the second
convention planning meeting as well as the ACB mid-year meetings.
However, there will be a meeting of the ICUB board and the Iowa Host
Committee on March 3, 2001 at the Department for the Blind. Notice of
this meeting will be sent out later.
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #4
ICUB will not hold its usual annual convention, but will have a
shortened version on July 1, 2001 at 2:30pm tentatively scheduled in
the Assembly Room at the Department for the Blind. At this meeting,
we will conduct elections and other business according to our
Constitution.
There will be an updated report of the 2001 ACB Convention in
the next Bulletin, but in the meantime, stay warm and call me with any
comments or concerns.
ICUB HOST COMMITTEE ACB CONVENTION 2001
Committee Chair
Donna Seliger
515-284-0505
Religious Services &
Invocations
Debbie Caldbeck
515-284-7308
Entertainment before
Sessions
Arlo & Elsie Monthei
515-277-0442
Entertainment at ACB
Hospitality Nights
Dee Clayton
Theresa Philpott
515-282-1275
515-284-8619
Press Room
Gary Patterson
515-278-2686
Convention Office
JoAnn Slayton
515-279-4284
Volunteers
Linda Curfman
515-274-8993
Information Desk(s)
Viki Whitaker
515-278-2686
Tours
Bob Seliger
Dee Clayton
515-284-0505
515-282-1275
Exhibits
Mike Barber
515-263-1441
ICUB HOST COMMITTEE ACB CONVENTION 2001 (continued)
Registration Packet
Coordinator
Jeannie Miller
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #5
515-225-2929
Registration Packet Inserts
Frank Strong
515-243-1742
Gospel Sing-Along
Shirley Wiggins
319-362-7138
Welcome to Iowa Party
TBA
Ads for Program
John Taylor
515-279-2817
Door Prizes
Gloria O’Neal
319-235-1789
List of Restaurants
Bob Seliger
515-284-0505
Iowa Suite Food/Beverages
Dick Natale
515-277-1167
Iowa Suite Hostess
Rita Crawford
515-244-1013
Vending Machine Braillists
Jeannnie Miller
Rita Crawford
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chair
LeRoy Saunders
Assistant
John Horst
Tours
Jerry Annunzio
Volunteers
Margarine Beaman
Press Room
Penny Reeder
Information Tables
Sharon Keeran
Convention Office
Jean Mann
Ardis Bazyn
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS (continued)
Exhibits
Diane Bowers
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #6
Mike Smitherman
Guide Dog Users
Kent Stanley
2000 DES MOINES CHAPTER RAFFLE SUMMARY
by John Taylor
This year our effort received very generous cash gifts of $335 and
of this amount, Bobby Palmer, one of our members, contributed $300.
The Des Moines Chapter has completed another very successful
raffle which benefited our State organization, groups which sold tickets,
and of course, our prize winners. The drawing was held on December
18, 2000.
Raffle tickets sold totaled
$2,563.00
Payments to groups which sold tickets, other than the
Des Moines Chapter
$760.50
Total raffle expenses which included some prize
acquisitions, raffle license, Iowa sales tax, postage and
printing of tickets
$729.54
Total contributed to the Iowa Council of the United Blind
$1,407.96
We extend our warmest thanks to all who helped sell tickets, and
our congratulations to our winners. We also express our deep
appreciation to those who provided raffle prizes which greatly benefited
our raffle results.
The following is a list of our prize winners, along with the names
of the persons who sold the winning tickets:
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #7
Prize
Won by
Sold by
$500 Savings Bond
Sue Hergert, Coralville
Sue Hergert
Waterford Crystal Thomas
Jefferson Hurricane Lamp,
Younkers
Carl Beall, Waukon
Shirley Wiggins
$200 HyVee Gift Certificate Edward Schmalen, West Bend Edward Schmalen
$200 SuperValu Gift
Certificate
Judy Warwick, Webster City
Edna Mae Bourne
$100 WalMart Gift
Certificate
Leonard Webb, Moorland
Janice
Hendrickson
$50 Casey’s Gift
Certificates
Valerie Monroe, Webster City
Eppie Frette
$50 Lowe’s Gift Certificate
Michael Burbridge, Cedar Falls June Belz
$50 Pork Producers Gift
Certificate
Rose Davis, Fort Dodge
Bernie Hensley
$25 Target Gift Certificate
Tommy Ford, Sioux City
Tommy Ford
The Raffle Committee gratefully acknowledges the donation of
raffle prizes by the following Iowa businesses: Younkers, HyVee,
SuperValu, Wal-Mart, Casey’s, Lowe’s, The Iowa Pork Producers, and
Target.
EXPANDED NEWSPAPERS READ IN IOWA
by Sally VanderLinden
IRIS, Iowa Radio Reading Information Service for the Blind and
Print Handicapped, Inc., has developed a network to cover most of the
state of Iowa that includes broadcasts from National Public Radio
stations WOI-FM in “Ames; KTPR-FM in Fort Dodge; KSUI-FM in Iowa
City/Cedar Rapids and Dubuque; KWIT-FM in Sioux City; KHKE in
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #8
Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Mason City/Clear Lake, all 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Newspapers now read on the IRIS Network include the Des
Moines Register, 9AM to 12 noon, Monday through Saturday, and 9AM
to 1PM on Sunday. The Register is repeated in the evening, 6PM to
9PM, Monday through Saturday, and 5PM to 9PM on Sunday; Fort
Dodge Messenger, 8AM to 9AM; Iowa City Gazette 8AM to 9AM; and
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, 8AM to 9AM.
At the end of December, IRIS has nearly 2,000 radios in homes,
retirement centers, hospitals and care centers. IRIS also is broadcast
on Iowa Public Television’s SAP (secondary audio program) Channel
11 in central Iowa and Channel 12 in eastern Iowa. In addition, three
communities carry IRIS programming on their public access channels:
Indianola, Maquoketa, and West Branch.
IRIS currently lists 221 volunteer readers in the four areas that
read local news: Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, and Cedar Falls.
Not included in that figure are the Della Gamma sororities from the
University of Iowa and Drake University. The Delta Gamma sorority
emphasize blindness and print handicapped as their national service
project.
Some IRIS schedule changes involve the repeat of the
Wednesday noon “Midweek Shopping Cart,” from Thursday at 9PM to
Wednesday at 9PM, and the “Lux Radio Theatre” now plays on
Thursday nights at 9PM.
A new program schedule is now available from the IRIS office in
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #9
large print, Braille or cassette. Call 1-877-404-4747, toll free, or 2436833 in the Des Moines area.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Taylor, Chair, Scholarship Committee
2012 40th Place
Des Moines, Iowa 50310-3832
(515)279-2817
The Des Moines Chapter Iowa Council of the United Blind is
pleased to announce availability of one $1,500, one $1,000, and one
$500 special needs scholarship grant for the 2001-2002 school year.
The program is open to any post-secondary, full-time, blind Iowa
student who expects to be involved in a training program during the
2001-2002 school year, including college, trade or mechanical, or other
similar activity.
The completed application and the attachments, together with the
most recent transcript of grades, one letter of recommendation and a
certification of legal blindness provided by a doctor or rehabilitation
agency should be submitted no later than April 15, 2001.
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of:
1.
Scholastic achievement
2.
Work experience and/or extracurricular and community
activities, and
3.
Neatness and appropriateness of the completed application
form and attachments.
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #10
The Selection Committee expects to make its decision by June
30, 2001.
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED
The American Council of the Blind is pleased to announce its
2001-02 Scholarship Program. Scholarships of $500 to $2,500 are
made available to legally blind students pursuing post-secondary
education or technical/vocational training in various fields of study.
Areas include, but are not limited to, business administration and
marketing, physical and computer sciences, advocacy, social services,
and education. These awards are made based on academic
excellence, community interaction, and leadership qualities.
Applications are available from the ACB National Office at 1-800424-8666, or on our website at www.acb.org. The packet is also
available in alternative formats for informational purposes only. All
applications and supporting documents must be submitted in print by
February 1, 2001. The scholarships will be presented at the ACB 40th
Annual National Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, during the week of
June 30 through July 7, 2001. Most scholarship winners are expected
to be present at the convention if they have reached their 18th birthday.
ACB will pay all reasonable costs connected with convention
attendance.
The American Council of the Blind is a national membership
organization. Its members are blind, visually impaired, and sighted
individuals who are concerned about the dignity and well-being of blind
people throughout the nation….
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #11
DECEASED (printed in Des Moines Register 12/14/00)
Cecelia Witte, Waukee
Cecelia Thoma “Cece” Witte, 77, of Waukee died of cancer
Tuesday at home. Services will be at 10:30AM Friday at St. Boniface
Catholic Church in Waukee, of which she was a member. Burial at St.
Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dallas Center.
Mrs. Witte was born in Pocahontas and had lived in Montana, Des
Moines, Audubon, Mitchellville, and Arlington, Va., before moving to
Waukee 24 hours ago. She was a homemaker and a member of
Waukee Women’s Club.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; two daughters, Becky
Criswell of Runnells and Melanie Witte of Madison, Wis.; two sons,
Mark of Clive and Ted of St. Paul, Minn.; two sisters, Lucy Heun of Fort
Dodge and Marigene Lennon of Barnum; two brothers, Cletus Thoma
of Barnum, and Jerome Thoma of Clare; and three grandchildren…
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa,
Iowa Department for the Blind or the church’s building fund. Brandt
Funeral Home in Dallas Center is handling arrangements.
SHE TEACHES THE BLIND TO FOCUS ON SELF-ESTEEM
by Bob Borsellino - Reprinted from the Des Moines Register
There were a dozen of them sitting around the table. They had
come from Waterloo and West Des Moines, from Georgia and Hawaii.
The age spread went from late teens to early 60s.
In front of the room was Sandy Tigges. She knew what each of
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #12
them has been through. She went through it herself in the mid 1960s
when she was a teenager growing up in Davenport. Like every other
high school kid, she was trying to fit in but it wasn’t working out. When
she was 14 she started having eye problems and every day she was
losing more of her vision. She kept trying to adjust, trying to make
believe this was going to be OK. Treating it, she says, like a temporary
health problem, the way you’d treat a broken leg.
But this was no minor setback. In time she would be totally blind.
“The worst part was that I just felt like I could never do the things I
wanted to do -- go to college, get married, have a family. I felt like I was
losing my future, losing everything.”
These days Tigges can smile about that. She’s got a Ph.D. in
English and American Lit, a husband who’s a state social worker, and
two kids -- a daughter at Drake Law School and a son at Hoover.
She works down at Fourth and Powell at the state Department of
the Blind. She spends her days trying to build self-confidence in other
folks who have lost their vision. Her job is to convince these folks that
it’s OK to be blind. Losing your eyesight doesn’t make you a bad
person.
Sometimes it’s a tough sell, sometimes impossible.
The folks who make up their particular class had spent the
morning learning some practical skills. Brian sat in front of a computer,
surfing the Net and checking his e-mail. This computer had a program
called JAWS -- Job Access With Speech -- and it spoke to Brian. So it
also helped with his listening skills, something else blind people have
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #13
to deal with.
Jeannie was in shop class, using a power saw to build furniture.
Her teacher, David Hague, says the idea is “not to turn people in
carpenters and machinists. It’s to build their confidence. Let them see
they could do things they never thought blind people could do.”
And Julie and Stacy were in home ec, whipping up a three-course
meal that included spinach balls, bourbon chicken, Parmesan potatoes
and pumpkin cheesecake.
Some were in the pool and weight room. Some were in the library.
By the time they got to Tigges’ class -- called “the Business of
Blindness” -- they were feeling pretty loose. Tigges even got them
laughing as they talked about the difference between 20/1,600 vision
and 20/2,000. They talked about folks who can’t bring themselves to
admit they’re blind, folks who are more comfortable with the term
“visually impaired.”
And they talked a lot about the stigma of carrying a cane, using it
to get around.
That was particularly important in this season as they head home
for the holidays and spend time with family and friends, people who
knew them when they could still see. People who offer them an arm to
hold and say: “Do you really need that cane?”
Around the table they talked about well-meaning parents,
brothers, sisters, former co-workers who say things like: “You do so
well I forget you’re blind.”
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #14
Tiggest picks up on that line, compares it to “You do so well I
forget you’re inferior,” and wonders if there’s any point getting in
people’s faces about it.
Stephanie says that’s the kind of line her father uses, and Greg
says it reminds him of his sister, “who’s finally getting over the fact that
her little brother can’t see.”
They go on like that for about an hour. Tigges keeps things
moving, talking about the trauma and self-doubt each of them is
dealing with. Several say they’re impressed with her ability to connect,
to understand how they feel.
She makes light of it, but later, alone in her office, she mentions
that people still feel it’s shameful to be blind. And the worst part, she
says, is that “even blind people feel that way. I would have thought
we’d gotten past that by now.”
I’M FINE
Submitted by Beulah Maddalozzo
There’s nothing whatever the matter with me.
I’m just as healthy as I can be,
I have arthritis in both my knees
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak and my blood is thin,
But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.
I think my liver is out of whack
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #15
And a terrible pain is in my back.
My hearing is poor, my sight is dim,
Most everything seems to be out of trim,
But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.
I have arch supports for both my feet,
Or I wouldn’t be able to go on the street.
Sleeplessness I have night after night.
And in the morning I’m just a sight,
My memory is failing, my head’s in a spin,
I’m peacefully living on aspirin.
But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.
The moral is, as this tale we unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old,
It’s better to say, ‘I’m fine’ with a grin
Than to let them know the shape we’re in.
(Author unknown)
CEDAR RAPIDS CHAPTER REPORT
by Shirley Wiggins
Hello and Happy New Year.
Dues were paid in October, and Dove Tanner and I shared with
the others the good time and food given at the Dubuque banquet the
30th of September.
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #16
Officers were elected in November. They are as follows: Pres.
Shirley Wiggins; Vice Pres. Eldred Gerholdt; Secretary Judy McCarty;
Treasurer Dove Tanner. Board members: Anna Dresner and Mable
Moore.
Final plans were made concerning the Vinton Christmas Party
which was held the 2nd of December.
As usual Dove Tanner and I had the pleasure of buying toys for
the WMT. Christmas tree.
I can’t say enough about the Linn County Support Group for the
Blind. I am so proud of them. We have 25 to 35 present every month.
We now have Leo Greco announcing our meeting monthly from WMT.
A.M. radio. Leo is heard every Sunday morning.
We had announcements, discussions, and some trivia games in
October. November was in keeping with Thanksgiving. Perle
Feuerhelm provided the entertainment.
We of course had a Christmas party in December. We had a gift
exchange and peanut butter fudge was passed around. Our program
was provided by Anna Dresner. She told us some about herself and
accompanied her singing with a guitar. I’m wondering if Anna, Perle,
Ruth and I might come up with a few quartet numbers?
Does anyone remember that this is Braille Literacy month? I do
wish I.C.U.B. would keep in mind Braille Literacy when they send out
pages of print material that totals never hear.
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #17
CEDAR VALLEY COUNCIL OF THE BLIND - WATERLOO
IOWA NEWS
by Helen Cunningham
At our October meeting we handed out raffle tickets and had
election of officers. Ray O’Brien-President, Don Franklin-Vice
President, Helen Cunningham-Secretary, Louise Cegler-Treasurer,
and our board members are Judy O’Brien, Larry and June Belz and
Steve Cegler.
The 1st of october Steve Cegler fell down 15 steps and broke his
wrist in two places, bruised his ribs. They also had their 53rd wedding
anniversary on October 24. They traveled to Aurora, Illinois for
Thanksgiving with their daughter and family.
Don Franklin spent Thanksgiving with his sister in North
Washington Iowa and her family
Larry and June Belz went to Stanhope, Iowa for their
Thanksgiving with her sisters.
On December 10, 2000 Cedar Valley Council had its Christmas
dinner at the Village Inn in Waterloo, Iowa, and a good time was had
by all.
Steve and Louise Cegler and Helen Cunningham traveled to
Vinton, Iowa for the Christmas party. We really enjoyed it and hope we
can go next year.
Also, Ray and Judy O’Brien had their 29th wedding anniversary
the 30th of October. They went out to dinner.
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #18
I guess we are all a well traveled group and we love to eat.
DES MOINES CHAPTER REPORT
by Mike Barber
In October, ten members of the Des Moines Chapter appeared
before the Des Moines City Council to accept a Proclamation, signed
by the Mayor of Des Moines, proclaiming October 15 as White Cane
Safety Day. Mike Barber thanked the Mayor and members of the City
Council for the open lines of communication we’ve enjoyed as we
strive to improve the lives of the blind in the greater Des Moines area.
We regret to inform you that Nellie Groen, long-time member of
the Des Moines Chapter, fell and broke her hip back in December.
Nellie is recovering at the Parkridge Care Center in Pleasant Hill.
On December 9, the Des Moines Chapter held its annual
Christmas party at the Masonic Temple. The delicious meal we
enjoyed was prepared by the ladies of the Eastern Star and some of
their husbands.
During this meeting, we held our annual elections. Following is a
list of the officers and board members elected:
President, Michael Barber
Vice-President, Dee Clayton
Recording Secretary, Gary Patterson
Corresponding Secretary, Donna Seliger
Treasurer, Dick Natale
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #19
Board Members: Teresa Philpott, Linda Curfman, Sharon Keir,
Jeanie Miller, Elsie Monthei and Don Owens
We continue to make preparations for the upcoming 40th
anniversary ACB Convention to be held in Des Moines June 30-July7.
Our heart-felt thanks go to both Rita Crawford and Jeanie Miller for the
countless hours they’ve spent putting Braille labels on all the beverage
machines and the washers and dryers in the Marriott Hotel. They will
also be doing the same in the other four hotels which will house
convention attendees.
DUBUQUE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND
by Inez Schultz
Marsha Bowers attended our October meeting. She told of the
move across the parking lot. Her address is still 2915 McClain Drive,
Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Thelma Kerth took money for the Vinton
Christmas party and arranged for our trip there. The Vinton party and
the auction were discussed. We thank Vinton for giving DAB the
possibility of another good fundraiser. It is a good time to get together
and we thank Shirley Wiggins.
Topics discussed at the meeting were a newsline for Dubuque,
IRIS will have the Telegraph Herald in time, financial news available on
IRIS, and contact person for IRIS is Becky Cox. We talked about
grocery and delivery in Dubuque. With all the snow since then, this
proved to be useful. The opening of the new Post Office on the
Northwest Arterial and Spanish Translators needed at court hearings
as possible job offers were ruled out.
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #20
Joe Weigel visited us at our November meeting. Joe now covers
14 counties, but is willing to speak and spend time in our area. He also
attended meetings of the Tri-State Blind. We thank him for taking time
to keep us informed.
Bob Nesler spoke of dealing with employers and treatment of
newly blind older employees and what can be done in order for them to
keep their positions in the labor force.
December Christmas party at Vinton was a success. It was great
to get together. DAB came with a full van and a car. A group took the
van to make a Christmas visit to those in the nursing home in Vinton.
DAB hopes to see everyone again next year.
The March 2001 meeting will be at Finley Hospital, but in a
different room. Officers for the year will be Bob Nesler-President,
Darwin Reber-Vice President, Inez Schultz-Secretary, and Mary
Thelam Kert-Treasurer, with Virg Hosch, DeLores Reber and Gene
Scholtes on the board. Dues are paid for the year. Member Martin
Schultz has been ill at Mercy Hospital and is now at Sunnycrest Manor.
Marylou Schappel is a member even though she is not well enough to
attend the meetings. We wish them and everyone God'’ blessing in the
new century.
Happy 2001 everyone!
NOT FOR ME
Submitted by Beulah Maddalozzo
When we were living those “good old days”
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #21
They didn’t seem so good.
We read by the light of a kerosene lamp
And we heated our homes with wood.
We carried water up the hill
To wash with, cook and scrub.
We took our baths behind the stove
In a galvanized laundry tub.
I can still smell the old lye soap
And feel the sting and hurt
When some of it got in my eye
But it really got the dirt.
We slept on cornshuck mattresses
Sometimes three in a bed
If you were late you got the foot
The early ones got the head.
We waded, snow and ice and mud
To get to the seat of learning
We drank from a cup by the water pail
On a bench where the teacher put it.
And whatever ailment anyone had
The Rest were sure to get it.
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #22
In winter we milked in a drafty barn
While the wind whistled through the cracks.
And the swirling snow, while you were inside
Filled up your fresh made tracks.
A little house at the end of the path
Half hidden by brush and weeds
In summer heat and winter cold
Served other family needs.
Now you may look with envying eyes
To those times if you are twenty
But I have been through those “good old says”
And once, my friend, is plenty!
ICUB Bulletin - Winter, 2001 - Page #23