[Ohio-Talk] February 2022 Newsletter

Tue Feb 8 21:43:17 UTC 2022

When the National CSD newsletter team wanted to cover the topic of
published authors, it was a profound honor to be able to share three
names from our Ohio affiliate. I am so very proud of them and
absolutely love our  Ohio Strong representation! Thank you, Dr.
Peters! Thank you, Natassha! Thank you Dr. Smith! Keep on, keepin' on!

On 2/8/22, Michael Moore via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> “Beyond the Six Dots”
>
>
>
> National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division
>
> February 2022 Newsletter
>
> We use a white cane, slate & stylus, and screen readers in between,
>
> We read from the left, write from the right, and will tap tap onto any
> scene.
>
> We want our communities to know what we’ve got, a commitment to serve,
>
> Beyond the Six Dots!
>
>
>
> POP RIGHT To THE TOP
>
> The NFB COMMUNITY SERVICE DIVISION is proud to announce the dates for our
> next mouth-watering, flavorsome, kernelicious POPCORN FUNDRAISER! That’s
> right, we’ve brought back the Double Good greatness, and our NFB CSD Willing
> Workers are diligently working-hard to setup a PopTastic popcorn store near
> you!
>
> Mark your calendars to start shopping on Friday, March 4th at 12PM, and
> don’t stop until every bag has been sold by Tuesday, March 8th at 12PM EST!
>
> We know the time is short, but these explosive flavors are popping out with
> greatness! As a matter of fact, we believe your pantry is feeling empty
> right now! It needs to know all about Butter Believe It, White Cheddar Go
> Getter, Little Kettle That Could, and more!
>
> Proceeds gained from this fundraiser will support the efforts of the
> federation in addition to help promote the Community Service Division
> projects. With that being said, get your mouse clicks and finger taps ready
> because we’re going to POP RIGHT To The TOP, CSD Style!
>
> Please contact Gloria Nathan-Cherry “The Popcorn Lady” for more information
> at, (215)-971-6650.
>
> If you listen very, very closely, you can almost hear the sizzles and
> crackles of the hot oil. Double Good Gourmet has turned up the heat and is
> ready for the CSD fundraiser to start cooking in service!
>
>
>
> STOP, DROP, & LAUGH
>
> Knock!
>
> Knock!
>
> Who's there?
>
> Olive!
>
> Olive who?
>
> Olive you!
>
> "My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to
> love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.” by Maya
> Angelou
>
>
>
> SERVING IN THE NAME OF LOVE
>
> Can you feel the love of the Community Service Division? We cordially
> welcome everyone to our monthly meeting on February 21, 2022 at 7 PM Eastern
> Time. Please expect to be loved on purpose.
>
> POP in the Zoom Meeting 15 minutes early for a chance to win the lovely
> POP-UP PRIZES!
>
> https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89480609357
>
> Meeting ID: 894 8060 9357
>
> One tap mobile
>
> +13462487799,,89480609357#
>
> Why I ❤️ Volunteering?
>
> From a child, I witness my mother’s love for helping people.  What can I
> say, “The Apple does not fall too far from the tree.” I absolutely love
> volunteering. In my spare time, I actively volunteer in various roles in my
> community such as Child Advocate for CASA, feeding the homeless, home-visits
> to newly blind individuals, Greeter Ministry, Titians for Christ High School
> Christian Club Sponsor, Buddy Program, mentorship Program for at-risk youth
> and the list goes on... I served independently as well with groups, and
> loved every opportunity to provide a helping hand. So many people have help
> me in my walk of life. I would love to take this moment to thank my blind
> community for embracing me since 2012. You all taught me skills, confidence,
> and hard work pays off. Thank you, federation, for being a loving
> organization as a whole that help me overcome fears and wipe my tears with
> cheers!
>
> Help CSD share the love of service through your stories in this loving month
> of February. Why do you love to serve? Step up to the MIC, 60 seconds to
> share at our upcoming meeting or write a reflection of your service, and
> send it to,
>
>  <mailto:price.jeanetta at gmail.com> price.jeanetta at gmail.com.
>
>
>
> FORGIVING FEBRUARY
>
> We challenge you to forgive someone who has did you wrong. We challenge you
> to challenge someone else this challenge.
>
> Recipe For Love!
>
> Ingredients:
>
> 2 Hearts Full of Love
>
> 2 Heaping Cups of Kindness
>
> 2 Armfuls of Gentleness
>
> 2 Cups of Friendship
>
> 2 Cups of Joy
>
> 2 Big Hearts Full of Forgiveness
>
> 1 Lifetime of Togetherness
>
> 2 Minds Full of Tenderness
>
> Method:
>
> Stir daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience.
>
> Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty.
>
> (author unknown)
>
>
>
> BOOK WORMS SMILING WITH APPRECIATION
>
> Written by Daria Bannerman
>
> Do you enjoy walking into your local library? Do you love to browse the many
> shelves filled with books in hopes that one of them will jump out at you?
> How about the anticipation of being swept away by a captivating novel? Or
> have you ever received books in Braille, audio, and large print formats from
> libraries that specifically cater to your needs? If so, we are calling for a
> celebration! It’s not just the CSD call for a celebration, the whole nation
> is showing their heart’s desire for books, books, and more books!
>
> February is known as National Library Lovers Month. Libraries are a
> wonderful place to discover new and interesting reads, a great quiet place
> to gather for meetings, provides ample resources to work on research
> projects, or even a place to get away. We encourage you to show appreciation
> for your local libraries by letting your local NLS librarian know how much
> you appreciate their hard work and dedication as a public servant. Also,
> inquire about potential volunteer opportunities your local library may offer
> to the community and get involved. We also want to spread the news about the
> National Library Service’s has recently changed their name to National
> Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled.
>
> Happy Library Lovers month, CSD! Thank you to all the libraries in the
> world! I am eternally grateful for everything that our libraries do to make
> books, magazines, newsletters, and other publications accessible for us.
> However, you wish to celebrate, I hope you do. I know I plan to!
>
>
>
> BLACK HISTORY SPOTLIGHTS
>
>  “I had no idea that history was being made.  I was just tired of giving
> up.” by Rosa Parks.
>
> The Community Service Division celebrates Black History Month by shining the
> spotlight on Black Blind Arthurs within the federation for their
> accomplishments, service, and creative published writings. These three
> influential authors have served tirelessly as leaders within our federation
> and beyond. They have inspired generations before and after them, and they
> are the movers and shakers in what it means to live the life you want.
>
> Genuine Love
>
> Published Author, Dr. Carolyn Peters
>
> “In the year of 2006, I was diagnosed as being legally blind. In 2008, I
> decided to retired and pursue my doctorate degree in theology, which I had
> acquired in 2011. And in 2012, self-published as a brand-new author of
> “Knowing When to Go” based on the book of Ruth.
>
> My book is a chronology of events that I have challenged myself through my
> journeys in life. From my past, to my present, to embrace and honor my
> future. My book is spiritually based and I Field with the what, when, where,
> why, and how.”
>
> A Brilliant Scholar
>
> Published Author, Dr. J.W. Smith
>
> “I have never really enjoyed writing but I’ve always enjoyed communicating.
> I don’t consider myself to be a very good writer, but I do believe that my
> life narrative is worthy of publication. This is probably the real reason
> that I wrote my book entitled “From the Back of the Bus to the Front of the
> Classroom: My Thirty- year Journey as a Black and Blind Professor”.
>
> The intersectionality of my blindness and racial ethnicity has always
> fascinated me and many others who know me. I was born with infantile
> glaucoma, which meant that I could see out of one eye. After a freak
> accident at the age of three, I lost the use of that quote on quote ‘good
> eye’. Essentially, I’ve been blind since birth and this has significantly
> colored and shaped how I see the world. My life narrative covered in this
> recent memoir focuses on my journey as a professor in academia since 1985.
>
> I would characterize my writing style as anecdotal, free flowing, and
> personally driven. When I write a song or a book, I must start with the
> title. When I get the title, the rest seems to just fall into place. The
> title of this book came to me while literally riding a bus from Cincinnati
> OH to Athens OH. For obvious reasons, my job and life goals require me to
> write, but I love the fact that I have earned the right to write what I want
> and in the way that I prefer.”
>
> Soaps of Hope
>
> Published Author, Natassha Ricks
>
> I’m Natassha Ricks also known as Author N. Lichells who writes contemporary
> romance novels. Reading romance novels earlier in life fueled my
> inquisitiveness of love and relationships. My passion for the genre inspired
> me to write my first story.
>
> I found myself engrossed in the lives of the characters I read about and
> wanted their stories to continue long after the epilogue.  So, I found
> myself coming up with various scenarios to keep the story going. Looking
> back, I have to laugh at how I turned some of my favorite reads into soap
> operas.
>
> Over the years, these stories along with new ones took up residence in my
> mind and refused to leave. Two years ago, I told a good friend about the
> stories housed within me and how they would be better suited in a book. The
> following day, I received an email about a writing workshop, Finding The
> Writer Within offered by GLAAWC. Participating in this workshop led me to
> attend other workshops and joining a writing group, # I AM Writing,
> facilitated by Author Abby L. Vandiver. The more active I became in the
> writing community, the deeper I fell in love with writing.
>
> It’s no secret that blindness comes with its own set of challenges. However,
> I wasn’t prepared for how my lack of vision would impact me as an author.
> The wind was knocked out of my sail when I shared my first story. A group
> member said she had difficulty reading it. But difficulty didn’t stem from
> the words I’d written, rather how they’d been presented. As an audio book
> reader, one doesn’t see how dialogue is displayed within a book, you just
> hear it. And unfortunately, that’s how I wrote it.
>
> With the help of my writing group, I’ve overcome many obstacles related to
> lack of sight. Patience is truly a virtue, and I can’t thank them enough for
> providing me with the support and resources I’ve needed to get to where I am
> today.
>
> “Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”
>
>
>
> BOOKS ON THE MOVE
>
> Written by Stacie Leap
>
> Literacy is one aspect of education that some children struggle due to lack
> of those reading resources like books and we hope to bridge the gap. Many
> studies show that as literacy rates increase, so does self-esteem,
> confidence, employment rates, higher education acceptance, and the expanding
> of knowledge.
>
> On Monday, January 17, 2022, The Community Support Program of Philadelphia
> (CSP Philly) collected 1,523 books for their annual book drive during the
> Greater Philadelphia MLK Day of Service.  As we exceed our yearly goal of
> 1,000 books, we donated these amazing books to various organizations and
> agencies including: National Federation of the Blind, Salvation Army
> Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Belmont Charter Network,
> Lombard Central Presbyterian Church, and the Y.  We also donated these books
> to various neighbors in West Philadelphia.
>
> As we are approaching our third year in 2023, we are hoping for some
> assistance in obtaining books. These books can be for all grade levels and
> appropriate for adult readers. We will be donating these books to various
> schools, organizations and agencies within Pennsylvania. Our goal for 2023
> is to collect 1,500 books.
>
> Everyone who contributes to our book drive will help us reach more children
> and adults with the gift of books and the promise of literacy.
>
> As we head towards our third year, we are asking for your help as well.
> Please consider donating books to CSP.
>
> We are asking for books for all grade levels, reading levels and reading
> abilities. This includes books for newborns/toddlers, elementary/middle/high
> school students, college and trade school students. We are also asking for
> audio books, picture books, Braille books, ASL books, etc. for children and
> families with various disabilities. We greatly appreciate all efforts being
> put into this book drive.
>
> Thank you, Philly, for going BEYOND THE SIX DOTS!
>
>
>
> A SPLASH OF LOVE
>
> National Wedding Month
>
> Written by Adrienne Nelson
>
> " Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married!”
>
> A magnificent celebration of two individuals coming together as one! O how
> romantic! Allow me to offer my expertise on the trendy colors of the 2022
> wedding season!
>
> As the bride chooses her most elegant gown, we are now looking for the
> glamorous attire for the wedding party. It's important to have a good color
> palette because sometimes it can be difficult. These are some of the colors
> being highlighted.
>
> (1) Burgundy / bottle bottom- maroon will always be stylish. Loving that
> people are turning slightly to a light purple gives different light mood and
> the color palette. Good for spring and summer. Recommend jasmine or scarlet
> to complete.
>
> (2) Deep sea palette ranging from fouulti-color light to dark, creating mix
> and match for bridesmaids’ dresses accessories with gold mood or whimsical
> and romantic. Recommend mortally deep sea, teal and sky.
>
> (3) Love Jewel tone for all seasons with Dusty rose complements everyone.
> Emerald adds formality and instead of chiffon go satin is formal. Good for
> evening and weekends. Recommend Jasmine, camel or creamer.
>
> (4) Classic Navy blue - dark enough to be moody, sophisticated, slimming and
> lighter than black. Add gold and you have elegant look. Chiffon is for
> summer and satin for fall.
>
> (5) Yellow/ cannot go wrong with all yellows, Mustard yellow with dusty
> under tone popular for fall weddings. Can go with any color and enjoy
> greenery look. Stay close to gold to accent everyone complexion.
>
> (6) don’t be afraid to stick with one color using different shades of under
> tone and pastels. One color theme can be Pink. Good for mix match looks, but
> allow the bridesmaids to choose their own colors.
>
> For wedding flowers and bouquets, I recommend the following:
>
> (1) beautiful bouquet with dried poppy.
>
> (2) Lily of the valley blooms is still popular. For romantic, traditional
> and elegant wedding with white flowers and green stem.
>
> (3) Peony, great for June, big colorful flowers and great fragrance. Good
> for garden and romantic wedding.
>
> (4) Delphenium beautiful flowers with long stem, bold bloom added to flower
> bouquet, for outlining the aisle and for centerpiece. Beautiful colors of
> pink, white and cobalt blue. Perfect for garden or whimsical romance.
>
> (5) Roses can be found in different hue. May be used for bouquet or
> centerpiece for traditional wedding.
>
> (6) Hydrangeas big bloom heads. Can find in different colors include white,
> purple, pink and blue. For bouquet and centerpiece for garden and whimsical
> wedding
>
> It’s your Wedding Day! Make this your own beautiful paradise.
>
> Lights! Camera! Smile! You are a handsome Groom and beautiful Bride!!!!
>
>
>
> LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
>
> National Heart Disease Month
>
> Contributed by Hannah Litman
>
> February is American Heart month, a time when all people can focus on their
> cardiovascular health. CSD wants to shine a light on a non-profit
> organization going the distance in providing an awareness, resources, and
> educating their local communities on heart disease.
>
> “I love being able to talk with and work alongside others in the non-profit
> world!” says Hannah Litman of The Heart Foundation located in Westlake
> Village of California.
>
> “The Heart Foundation’s mission is to save lives by educating the public
> about heart disease, promoting early detection, and supporting the research
> taking place at Cedars-Sinai under the direction of world-renowned
> cardiologist Dr. P.K. Shah in the quest to find more effective ways to
> prevent and treat the #1 cause of death in the U.S.
>
> We dedicate ourselves to this mission in memory of Steven S. Cohen, an
> incredible husband, father, son, brother and friend.  Too often, the only
> sign of heart disease is sudden death. Steve exercised regularly, didn’t
> drink, didn’t smoke, wasn’t overweight and had just received a clean bill of
> health two months prior at his annual check-up. Steve died suddenly with no
> warning signs or symptoms. His wife, daughters, family members and friends
> were left behind in a state of shock and disbelief. How could this have
> happened to someone so young, vital and seemingly healthy?  Driven to do
> something to honor Steve’s memory and save other families from suffering the
> tragic loss of a loved one to heart disease, Steve’s friends, family and
> community formed The Steven S. Cohen Heart Fund in 1996. In 2004, the name
> was changed to The Heart Foundation.
>
> Over the years, The Heart Foundation has hosted celebrity galas, CPR/AED
> Certification courses, days of well-being, fitness classes, and live
> conversations with influential people—all to spread awareness of heart
> disease and the importance of heart health.  We are also proud to announce
> that in 2021, Dr. P.K. Shah and the colleagues in his laboratory received
> FDA approval for a phase 2 human clinical trial for a vaccine for
> atherosclerosis.”
>
> A healthy heart will give you the courage to face and overcome any challenge
> in life!
>
>
>
> MY WELLNESS JOURNEY
>
> Written by CaspHer of Boston, MA
>
> I have shared many experiences in my life about what it means to be
> deaf-blind and so forth, but I’ve never come close to sharing my personal
> experiences when it comes to health and wellness.
>
> I come from a lineage of repetitive health conditions passed down from
> generations. Those health conditions consist of, diabetes, high blood
> pressure and high cholesterol. Both of my parents have been plagued by these
> common diseases, which has contributed to their health issues.
>
> For me, I have lived with obesity my entire life and didn’t pay much
> attention to what was happening with my body. I just went through the
> motions of life with the same habits of poor dieting and not much physical
> activity.  If I did not develop any additional health problems, I would be
> fine. I knew deep down that everything doesn’t remain the same and that I
> would need to start making changes before it was way too late.
>
> One of the most embarrassing moments was on the day of my Mother’s funeral
> and I was looking for a suit to wear. I realized that none of my plus size
> pants fit me and I was usually properly fitted. I had also realized that
> even when I found the right size, I still couldn’t hide the additional
> weight. The extra weight came from grief eating and poor dieting habits. I
> was silently cursing at myself about how much extra weight I had gained
> during this awful pandemic and felt awful because the embarrassment was
> completely preventable.
>
> I knew what I had to do and what the best practices would be for a better
> me. I started out slowly by changing the portion of my meals, cut out all
> the unhealthy foods, and began cooking my meals at home. With the home
> cooked meals, I knew what I was putting into my body. I also started
> changing the frequencies of my meal intakes. During my annual checkup, my
> doctor noticed that I had lost around thirty pounds, and at that time I
> hadn’t even stepped foot in a gym. He told me that whatever I had been doing
> was a great thing, and that I had significantly reduced my risk of becoming
> diabetic or having a heart disease. I left the hospital completely motivated
> to change and keep working on myself. It was time to take care of myself
> inside and out from now on!
>
> Once everything surrounding the funeral started to calm down, I would drag
> myself out of bed to go for short walks, then they became longer walks. In
> May of 2021, I was determined to make fitness a part of my everyday life. I
> invested in a personal trainer and even began changing my diet along with
> the added training. I made sure I went to the gym five days a week and even
> met with a dietician once a month, to track my progress. I collectively have
> lost about sixty pounds! But I did not stop there. I wanted to learn more
> training techniques and turned to accessible jogging! So, I will collaborate
> with my O&M instructor and trainer for safer techniques. I am one that
> enjoys staying open to new experiences outside of my norm and looking
> forward to what’s to come!
>
> It’s very important that I hold myself accountable and maintain the mindset
> that I’m responsible for myself only. Making healthier food choices and
> exercising regularly could be the changes my body had been craving all these
> years. Friends and family also noticed an entire positive transformation.
> Don’t get me wrong, I still eat out at restaurants, but I make better
> choices when I do.
>
> I invite all of our readers to take the best care of yourselves as there is
> only one of you. Stay as safe as possible and keep being amazing
> individuals!
>
>
>
> REPRESENT YOUR STATE
>
> THE HEALTHY BITES
>
> Written by Stacie Leap
>
> As a big urban city, homelessness and availability of nutritious food has
> been a problem for many citizens of Philadelphia.
>
> Lombard Central Presbyterian Church has offered hot breakfast and lunch to
> the homeless and the neighbors of West Philadelphia. The meals are offered
> every Friday until 2pm EST. Many volunteers come together to prepare, prep,
> cook, and serve the meals to those who attend. As people come for a hot
> meal, they are also given resources throughout the city of Philadelphia such
> as a listing of shelters, food pantries, free clinics, and other free or
> low-cost programs. We also offer a food pantry for individuals through the
> donations provided by the SHARE FOOD program and Trader’s
>
> S Joe supermarket.  These donations include but not limited to: fresh fruits
> and vegetables, milk, eggs, meats, along with other perishables and
> non-perishables items. Since the pandemic, Lombard Central Presbyterian
> Church has served hundreds of people in the community. If you wish to donate
> time, food, money, or anything to the church, please contact, Stacie Leap.
>
>
>
> RESOURCES
>
> Celebrate Black History Month: Learn, Grow, & Volunteer
>
> https://www.tomsofmaine.com/good-matters/helping-hands/celebrate-black-history-month-learn-grow-and-volunteer
>
>
>
> The Heart Foundation and to spread awareness of heart disease, head to:
>
> www.theheartfoundation.org
>
>
>
> For more information on the publications of our featured authors:
>
> Book title: Knowing When to Go bye Dr. Carolyn Peters
>
> To obtain a copy, call Dr. Peters,
>
> Phone: (937) 657-5134
>
> Email: Dr.carolyn.peters at gmail.com
>
>
>
> Book title: From the Back of the Bus to the Front of the Classroom: My
> Thirty- year Journey as a Black and Blind Professor by Dr. J.W. Smith
>
> Purchase from: Amazon, Barns & Noble, Audibles, and/or request a braille
> copy (two volumes) by emailing,
>
> smithj at ohio.edu
>
>
>
> Book title: Santa Claus Comes To Town by N. Lichells
>
> Purchase from Amazon, Audibles, and/or Kindle
>
> More titles: The first fifteen episodes of Batshit Crazy In Love will be
> available on Kindle Vella in February 2022, A Rock And A Heart Place will be
> available in all formats on Amazon in April 2022
>
>
>
> To learn more about the Community Support Program of Philadelphia, please
> email:
>
> phillycsp at gmail.com
>
>
>
> Alabama State Affiliate Convention
>
> Connections, Independence and Empowerment: A Formula For Success
>
> March 4 to 6, 2022
>
>  <https://nfbal.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1&reset=1>
> https://nfbal.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1&reset=1
>
>
>
> Massachusetts State Affiliate Convention
>
> Choosing to be Champions
>
> March 31 to April 3, 2022
>
>  <https://www.nfbma.org/state-convention>
> https://www.nfbma.org/state-convention
>
>
>
> NFB 2022 National Convention
>
> July 5 to July 10, 2022
>
> New Orleans, LA
>
> Website:  <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>
> https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention
>
> Will NFB22 be your first National Convention?
>
> Learn about the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship that helps active
> NFB members, blind or sighted, attend their first NFB National Convention.
>
> If you have questions, please contact us at:
>
> Phone: (410) 659-9314
>
> Email:  <mailto:nfb at nfb.org> nfb at nfb.org
>
>
>
> EDITOR’S NOTES
>
> We want to feature you in our next issue! Write about your personal
> experience with your community service project and submit the article by the
> first of the month.
>
> We also want to help promote your community projects and state affiliate
> events. Share your calendar with Beyond The Six Dots and we will feature
> your events in the ‘Represent Your State’ section of our next issue. Contact
> our editor to submit your calendar events and featured articles. (The editor
> may edit the Length and/or wording of your article.)
>
>
>
> NFB Community Service Division
>
> www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/
>
> President Jeanetta Price
>
> Email: price.jeanetta at gmail.com
>
> Mobile: (409) 344-1005
>
> Newsletter Editor: Maggie Stringer
>
> Email: Ravensfan784 at gmail.com
>
> Mobile: (443) 750-0070
>
>
>
> ONE MINUTE MESSAGE
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. We are survivors!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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> _______________________________________________
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Ohio-Talk:
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>

-- 
Maggie Stringer
Phone: (443) 750-0070
Email: ravensfan784 at gmail.com
Community Service Facebook Page
<https://www.facebook.com/CommunityServiceDivision/>
NFB Website <http://www.nfb.org>
NFB Ohio Website <http://www.nfbohio.org>
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."