[il-talk] November HAWK TALK
NFB Related Robert A Hansen
roberthansen33 at yahoo.com
Mon Nov 18 18:09:15 UTC 2013
thank you for this.
RH
On 10/31/2013 4:28 PM, Lmm3527 at aol.com wrote:
> 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
>
> November 1, 2013
>
> Contact info:
> Lois Montgomery, President
> 3527 - 12th Avenue
> Moline, IL 61265
> (309)236-1675
> _Lmm3527 at aol.com_ (mailto:Lmm3527 at aol.com)
>
>
> Hello everyone! The leaves are falling and there’s a chill in the air.
> Don’t despair! 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, November 9th, at 1:30 p.m., at
> the South Moline Township Center located at 637 - 17th Avenue in East
> Moline.
>
> Did you participate in “Birdies for Charity”? If so, be sure to attend
> the meeting. Cash prizes will be awarded to the person who collected the
> most dollar value of pledges as well as the person who collected the most
> pledges. Also, all chapter members who participated in this fundraiser will
> have a chance at winning a prize as well!
>
> Elections will be held for all officers and board members. Remember, all
> officers will now serve a two-year term. The board members will serve a
> one-year term before the two-year term begins at elections in 2014. Only
> members are eligible to vote.
>
> Please bring your left-over Community Day booklets and the money you have
> collected from the sales to the meeting. Pat Olson will be collecting and
> tallying the numbers. She must return any unsold booklets to the store.
>
>
> LAST MONTH IN REVIEW
>
> Chapter member Mark Clayburne, Jr., demonstrated the accessibility of the
> Mac Book Pro to twenty-two members. Questions were answered followed by “
> hands-on” time with the device.
>
>
> MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
>
> Another successful state convention has come and gone. This year the
> gathering was held in Bloomington where a new chapter formed several months ago.
>
> I will be picking up the Birdies for Charity check on November 1st.
> Thanks to all who participated in this fundraiser.
>
> Elections will be held at our upcoming meeting. All officers and board
> seats will be filled. Remember, only members are eligible to vote so check
> with Jean Rauschenbach to make sure you are a paid member of the chapter.
>
> Mark December 14th on your calendar! This is the date for our annual
> chapter Christmas Party. The evening is always filled with great food, fun,
> and fellowship. Once again, it will be held at Christ United Methodist
> Church in East Moline. There will be a Silent Auction, entertainment, door
> prizes, and much more! Don’t delay! Make your reservations at the chapter
> meeting or by contacting me. In order to attend you must make a reservation.
> The church needs a count for the dinner so don’t delay! Join in the
> festivities!
>
> We continue to seek youth for Stepping Out, a local program for junior and
> senior high students. A flyer has been completed – would you help
> distribute it throughout the QC area? If interested in mentoring or helping in
> any way, please contact me. Several weeks ago we met in Davenport to enjoy
> an afternoon of bowling.
>
> 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 want to thank all for the support given to me throughout the past year.
> I will not be seeking re-election. For those who have contributed in any
> way – thank you. Please continue with your support to the chapter.
>
> I look forward to continue working with you. Any concerns, comments, and/or
> suggestions are welcome.
>
>
> MEMBERSHIP
>
> It’s time to renew your membership for 2014. Not a member? No problem!
> Bring $2 to a chapter meeting or send by snail mail to
> Lois Montgomery
> 3527 - 12th Avenue
> Moline, IL 61265
>
>
> PEOPLE REPORT
>
> Larry and Cindy Hines have escaped to Arizona for the winter months to
> enjoy the warmer climate. We’ll see you in the spring.
>
> John TeBockhorst will soon begin training at BLIND, Inc., in Minneapolis.
> We wish you well!
>
>
> BIRTHDAY CORNER
>
> The following chapter members will celebrate birthdays in November:
> 4 Jeanmarie Cole
> 15 Linda Jasper-Carey
> 19 Kaitlyn Ryan
> 28 Kevin Hildebrandt
>
>
> FUND RAISING
>
> The chapter continues its 50/50 raffle. Have you purchased your ticket
> yet? If not, be sure to see Lois Montgomery for your chance to win the pot!
> $1 each or 6/$5. The drawing will be held at the Christmas Party. Good
> luck!
>
>
> UPCOMING EVENTS
>
> November 3rd – Daylight Savings Time ends. Fall back! Remember to set
> your clock back one hour.
>
> November 5th – Election Day
>
> November 11th – Veterans’ Day
>
> November 15th & 16th – Community Days at Younkers. Time to use your
> coupon booklet!
>
> November 28th – Thanksgiving
>
> December 14th – Chapter Christmas Party at Christ United Methodist Church
> located at 3801 - 7th Street in East Moline. Be at the church by 5:30 p.m.
> Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m., and the party will end at approximately
> 8:30 p.m. Reservations must be made in advance – the last day to do so is
> December 9th. Reservations may be made at the chapter meeting or by
> contacting Lois Montgomery at (309)236-1675. Once again we will be holding a
> Silent Auction so donations of homemade goodies would be greatly appreciated.
> December 14th is just around the corner! Please plan to come – guests and
> family members are welcome. Come for an evening of fun, fellowship, and great
> food.
>
>
> TECH TALK
> New Synthesizer Voices for JAWS Screen Reader
> Back when I first started using a screen reader some twenty years ago, the
> synthesizer was actually a separate piece of hardware. The synthesizer,
> DecTalk, was a box almost the size of a PC tower, and was something that had
> to be purchased in addition to the screen reader.&
>
> Then in the late ‘90’s, I think, the software synthesizers came along.
> An example was DecTalk32. What was great there was the synthesizer was
> incorporated into the screen reader software, and it was free.
>
> Then in the early 2000’s (again, I think) the software synthesizer
> Eloquence was made part of the JAWS software, and became pretty much the standard
> voice for the screen reader. Some sighted people think Eloquence sounds
> mechanical and is hard to understand, but when you’ve listened to it as long
> as I have, it sounds pretty natural.
>
> But something new has come down the pike when it comes to software
> synthesizers. And that is Vocalizer. It’s free, and it’s promoted as a more
> human-like voice. That’s the good news. The bad news is that right now it
> will work only with JAWS 14.
>
> For more information on Vocalizer voices for JAWS, go to:
>
> http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/Vocalizer/VocalizerDirect.asp
>
> There you will find more information, and also links to download the
> voices. You have a choice of either two different female voices or one male
> voice. What’s cool is there are links on the website to play MP3 files giving
> you a sample of how each of the three voices sound. Note that if you
> download a Vocalizer voice onto your computer and decide you don’t want to
> stick with it, you can always switch back to your previous used synthesizer
> voice.
>
> If you have questions, contact me.
>
> Bob Gardner
> _rgardner4 at gmail.com_ (mailto:rgardner4 at gmail.com)
> 309-236-6606
>
>
> BOOK REVIEW
>
> Got a book you found rather interesting to read? Why not share it with
> others? Contact me with a short overview.
>
> The Kite Runner
> by Khaled Hosseini
>
> Growing Up
> Human Relations
>
> An Afghan in California recalls a fateful 1975 day in Kabul that seared his
> soul at age twelve–the day he won a kite tournament and abandoned a
> younger companion to rape. That cowardice keeps haunting him during exile in
> America until the opportunity for atonement arises–back in Taliban-controlled
> Afghanistan. Violence and some strong language. 2003. – 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 _Lmm3527 at aol.com_
> (mailto:Lmm3527 at aol.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 chapter member Kathy Abbott. Just in time
> for the upcoming holidays! It’s one of my favorites -- quick and easy, but
> best of all, it’s DELICIOUS!
>
> CRANBERRY SALAD
>
> Combine -
> 1 bag cranberries, ground
> 1 cup sugar
>
> Let set overnight.
>
> Add -
> 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
> 1 bag small marshmallows
> ½ to 1 cup pecan pieces (I use 1 cup or a little more)
> 1 small container Cool Whip
>
> Enjoy!
>
>
> MEMBER PROFILE
> JAY BLANCHARD
>
> Jay has been a chapter member for six years, two of which he served as a
> board member.
>
> He has resided in the Quad-City area most of his life. He has one son.
> Jay is engaged to chapter member Leah Slightom.
>
> A graduate of Moline High School Jay later attended vocational school to
> learn auto mechanics.
>
> Approximately eight years ago Jay noticed a change in the vision of one
> eye. He was diagnosed with histoplasmosis and because of this, was unable to
> renew his driver’s license.
>
> For seven years Jay worked as a union cement masonry until his vision
> prevented him to continue.
>
> Activities and hobbies include sports, travel, dining out, and
> watching/listening to movies.
>
> Travels have taken Jay to Kansas, Indiana, Missouri, Texas, Arizona, and
> Mexico.
>
> Adaptive technology used includes Zoomtext, a laptop, hand-held magnifier,
> and monocular.
>
> Jay’s goal is to return to the workforce. He is currently enrolled in
> courses through the Hadley School for the Blind.
>
> His advice to others: “ . . . keep a steady head . . . don’t give up . . .
> don’t lose hope . . . “
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