[il-talk] February HAWK TALK

Sat Feb 2 01:12:50 UTC 2013

National Federation of the Blind
of Illinois
Blackhawk Chapter

HAWK TALK

The monthly newsletter of the Blackhawk Chapter,
National Federation of  the Blind of Illinois

February 1, 2013

Editor: Jean Rauschenbach

Contact info:
Lois Montgomery, President
3527 - 12th  Avenue
Moline, IL 61265
(309)236-1675
_Lmm3527 at aol.com_ (mailto:Lmm3527 at aol.com) 

Happy February!  Will the Ground Hog see his shadow?  Either way,  spring 
is not too far away!  How about springing into action by attending  the 
monthly chapter meeting on Saturday, February 9th?  Come join us – the  company 
and conversation will warm you up! Get the date marked on your calendar  and 
make plans to meet with your Federation family – you’ll be glad you  did!

THIS MONTH’S MEETING
Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, February  9th, at 1:30 p.m., at 
the South Moline Township Center located at 637 - 17th  Avenue in East 
Moline.

For our program this month chapter members Lois Montgomery and Bob Gardner  
will report on the Washington Seminar from which they have just returned.

Also . . .
For $5/person you will be able to play Bingo and enjoy  pizza.  Come join 
in the fun!

LAST MONTH IN REVIEW
Twenty-one persons were in attendance to listen to  chapter member Tom 
Pogue speak on his orientation and mobility training at  Leader Dog School in 
Rochester, Michigan.  This was very informative and  interesting to all.  More 
important, this training gave Tom back his  independence.  A special thank 
you for sharing this with us!

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
As you read this, I will be preparing for the  upcoming Washington Seminar 
from February 3rd - 7th.  I’m looking forward  to attending.  Bob Gardner 
and I will represent the chapter as we meet with  seven other Illinois 
Affiliate members to lobby with our legislators on three  issues relevant to the 
blind.

This summer the Illinois Affiliate will participate in the BELL (Braille  
Enrichment and Literacy for Learning) program.  This is a day program where  
the primary focus is on Braille. It includes components of travel, 
adjustment to  blindness and fostering independence.  Goals are:

1. To teach  enough Braille that kids want to learn more.
2. Adjustment to  blindness.
3. Encourage self initiated mobility and movement.
4. Encourage  self accountability and responsibility.

This program will run two weeks from 7-29-13 through 8-9-13.  It is  aimed 
for grades 3rd through 9th.  We are looking for ten students to  
participate.  The Chicago Lighthouse has generously offered its facilities  for this 
event.  Lead teachers are provided, but other volunteers are  needed in order 
to support this program.  If interested in volunteering for  a day(s) please 
contact me for further information.

Stepping Out, a local program for junior and senior high students, is  
officially off and running.  The first meeting was held on January 12th  (after 
the chapter meeting) with two teens and two mentors.  We’re working  on a 
flyer to reach out to other youth to spread the word throughout the QC  area.  
If interested in mentoring or helping in any way, please contact  me.

Both NFBI and NFB scholarship applications are now available to those  
interested.  Go to _www.nfbofillinois.org_ (http://www.nfbofillinois.org)  for 
state  scholarship and internship information and _www.nfb.org_ 
(http://www.nfb.org)  for information regarding the 30  national scholarships which range 
from $3,000 to $12,000.

The 2013 National NFB Convention is months away but it’s not too early to  
start planning for it.  The convention will be held July 1st - 6th at the  
Rosen Center Hotel at 9840 International Drive  in Orlando.   Reservations 
may now be made at the convention hotel by calling  1-800-204-7234.  The room 
rates are $79/night singles, doubles, and twins;  $85/ night triples and 
quads plus tax.  There is no charge for children  under 17 with accompanying 
parent as long as no additional bed is  required.  Guest room amenities 
include cable television, in-room safe,  coffee maker, hair dryer, and (for a fee) 
in-room high speed internet.   Guests can also enjoy a swimming pool, 
fitness center, and on site spa.   Conventions change people’s lives.  Start 
planning now!

We, as a chapter, must work together to accomplish our goals. There’s  
plenty for each and every one of us to do, regardless of your interests or  
skills.  Help with making reminder calls, transportation, or whatever you  see 
that needs attention; a few minutes of your time will go far and would be  
greatly appreciated.

I look forward to working with you. Any concerns, comments, and/or  
suggestions are welcome.

PEOPLE REPORT
Patrick Olson has resumed his studies at Western Illinois  University’s 
Quad City campus in January.  He serves as president of  Toastmasters 
(affiliated with the university).  He attended a leadership  seminar held at the 
Butterworth Center in Moline.

Alma Sowers recently had cataract surgery.

Russ & Lois Montgomery have returned after a week in the Rivierra Maya  in 
southern Mexico.  They thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the sun while  thinking 
of everyone back in Illinois experiencing “the freeze”.

John & Kathy Abbott traveled to Aruba for a week to escape the Midwest  
winter.

MEMBERSHIP
It’s time to renew your membership for 2013. Not a member? No  problem! 
Bring $2 to a chapter meeting or email Jean Rauschenbach at 
_rauschjc at gmail.com_ (mailto:rauschjc at gmail.com)  for contact  information.

BIRTHDAY CORNER
The following birthdays will be celebrated in  February:
6 Patrick Olson
8 Bob  Fredrickson
9 Don Carey
13 Donna  Miles
14 Angie VanHorn
28 John Abbott

FUND RAISING
We’ve started another 50/50 raffle.  Be sure to see  Lois Montgomery to 
purchase your tickets for your chance to win the pot!   $1 each or 6/$5.  Good 
luck!

UPCOMING EVENTS
February 3 - 7 – Washington Seminar

February 9 – Audio description performance of “Lost Highway” -- a tribute  
to Hank Williams, Jr., at Circa ‘21

February 18 – Audio description performance of “West Side Story” at  Adler

March 9 – Next chapter meeting.  Andi Heim from Magnified Vision will  
demonstrate various magnifiers and readers.

July 1 - 6 – NFB National Convention in Orlando.

July 29 - August 9 – BELL program.  Volunteers are needed.   Contact Lois 
for more info at 309-236-1675.

TECH TALKEditing in Microsoft Word:  JAWS Shortcut Keys
by Bob  Gardner

I seem to spend a lot of time on my computer writing in MS Word.  Then  
when I get done, I have to go back through what I’ve written to either edit it  
or to proofread it.  Below are some not-too-common JAWS shortcut keys you  
may not know to help with that process.  

1.  Read down, a sentence at a time:  alt-down arrow. 
You can  use alt-up arrow to read up.  
2. Read down, a paragraph at a  time:  control-down arrow. 
You can use alt-up arrow to read up.   
3. Highlight a sentence:  hit F8 three times quickly. 
The  curser can be anywhere within the sentence.  You can then copy, cut, 
or  delete the sentence.  
4. Page number & number of words:   select-num pad page down. 
The select key is the num pad key in the lower  left corner.  The num pad 
page down key is also the 3 key on the num  pad.  
5. Line number:  select-num pad delete.
The num pad  delete key is the middle key in the bottom row.  
6.  Curser  position from left side of page and top of page (in inches):  
alt-num pad  delete.

BOOK REVIEW
Got a book you found rather interesting to read?  Why  not share it with 
others?  Contact Lois Montgomery or Jean Rauschenbach  with a short synopsis.

“Sail” by James Patterson is a suspense fiction.  This book will  
definitely hold your interest.  The LIFE Braille reading group is now using  this as 
their reading material.

Widow Katherine Dunne and her former brother-in-law take her troubled kids, 
 teens Carrie and Mark and ten-year-old Ernie, on a yacht vacation to 
reconnect  as a family.  A natural disaster pulls them together--but then an even 
 greater catastrophe occurs.  Violence, strong language, and some explicit  
descriptions of sex.  Bestseller.  2008. – BARD annotation

RECIPE CORNER
Help!  We need your favorite recipe to share with  other chapter members.  
Bring it to a chapter meeting, email it to Jean  Rauschenbach at 
_rauschjc at gmail.com_ (mailto:rauschjc at gmail.com)  or  send it by snail mail to 3527 - 
12th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265.   Thanks!  We can’t wait to test our taste 
buds!

 This month’s recipe comes from Healthy Exchanges.  If you like  
strawberries, this year-round salad will make your “Top Ten” list.  I  haven’t tried 
it but it sounds delicious and simple to prepare!

STRAWBERRY DESSERT SALAD
Serves 6

Ingredients:
3/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1/3 cup Carnation nonfat  dry milk powder
½ cup Cool Whip Lite
sugar substitute to equal 1  tablespoon sugar
4 cups frozen strawberries, thawed and sliced (no sugar  added)
1 cup (one 8-ounce can) crushed pineapple, packed in its own juice,  drained
1 cup (2 ounces) minature marshmallows

Preparation:
1. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and dry milk  powder.
2. Blend in Cool Whip Lite and sugar substitute.
3. Add  strawberries, pineapple, and marshmallows.
4. Mix gently to  combine.
5. Spoon into 6 dessert dishes.
6. Refrigerate for at  least 2 hours.

Enjoy!

MEMBERSHIP PROFILE
JOHN TEBOCKHORST

John is a grizzled veteran of the NFB.  He joined the organization in  May 
1991 at the inception of the Bix Biderbeck Chapter in Davenport where he  
served as secretary, treasurer, president, fundraising and public relations  
chair.  He has been involved with the Blackhawk Chapter for two years and  
currently serves as secretary.

John lives by himself in Bettendorf where he is self sufficient.   
Previously he has resided for two years in Wisconsin and two years in Des  Moines.

For 1-1/2 years John attended Assumption High School.  He then  transferred 
to ISVI (Iowa School for the Visually Impaired) in Vinton where he  
received his high school diploma.  Upon graduation, John continued his  studies by 
attending St. Ambrose University in Davenport where he earned a B.A.  degree 
in mass communication in 1992.

Hobbies and Interests include reading, sports, attending audio description  
performances of broadway musicals, and travel.  John is an avid Braille  
reader.  He loves the Bulls and Bears as well as the Iowa Hawkeyes.   Being a 
die-hard Cubs fan, he has attended  many Cubs games.  He  frequents Music 
Guild, Circa ‘21, and the Adler Theater where he enjoys audio  description 
performances.

Travels have taken John to Cancun, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and  
throughout the 48 continental states.  Several attractions included  Yellowstone 
National Park, the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, and Disney World.   John has 
visited numerous amusement parks and for many years he was a member of  a roller 
coaster club.  

John toured with the St. Ambrose Choir to Europe twice. “Venice and  
Salsburg were my favorite cities,” commented John.  “We actually sang in  the 
church that’s in The Sound of Music.  Also, the concert we did was  videotaped 
for the Pope. We didn’t know this until after the concert.  That  was 
awesome!”  Another memorable moment for John was when the choir  performed at a 
soccer stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany, before 80,000  spectators.  This 
was in conjunction with the Kaiserslatern band and  choir.  Other European 
stops included Munich, Salsburg, Kaiserslautern,  (the sister city of 
Davenport), Insbrook, Venice, Milan, and Florence.

Currently John is unemployed and job searching.  He has previous  
experience in customer service and sales.  In the past he has had two  business 
adventures: 1)  the catalog business selling floral arrangements  and most 
recently, 2) Iowa’s vending service for five years in Davenport.   His locations 
were in city, state, and federal facilities in Davenport.

John uses JAWS, a CCTV, talking calculator, and a digital recorder.   The 
long white cane provides him with easy navigation throughout the Quad Cities  
area.  He has become quite familiar with the bus routes on both sides of  
the river.  He is an avid Braille reader, proficient in grade 2 Braille,  and 
is quick with the slate & stylus.  This has allowed John to label  CDs, 
DVDs, and all appliances.  He has a talking thermostat.

“One piece of advice I would strongly say is this: If you can get involved  
with a blind organization like the NFB, that is a good thing to do because 
you  can meet other blind people.  You can learn skills from them . . . 
Another  thing I would say is if you are going blind or you are blind and you don
’t know  any skills, I would highly advise going to a training center . . . 
Iowa has the  original one Dr. Jernigan started . . . Get involved – that 
way you don’t feel  alone . . . My first NFB convention was an eye opener!  
When you gain your  freedom, you don’t want to give it up.”

Printing of this newsletter compliments of
Van Hoe Funeral Home,  Ltd.
1500 - 6th Street
East Moline, IL  61244
(309)755-1414