AS EYE SEE IT

Greetings from SDAB Co Presidents from the Presidents At the writing of this note, the SDAB State Convention for 2007 is only a few weeks away. Linda Biffert and her committee have been working hard to make it a good convention. For this to happen, however, we need people. That means you! If you have not yet made your reservations at the Staurolite Inn, please do so immediately. The theme is a very appropriate one entitled, Where Are We Going? in which the Board of SDAB is hoping to take a serious look at the future and the purpose of our organization. Please come and bring your ideas. We will have informative talks from staff who work with Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired, the State Library Program and the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. These programs are ours and can affect the lives of all blind and visually impaired citizens of our state. As blind or low vision South Dakotans or friends and family of the blind, it is our responsibility to attend the convention to ask questions and to let our needs and wants is known. Please come and do your part! Bring a friend or family member to share in the serious discussions and the fun and frolic. See you there!

LET'S MEET IN BROOKINGS!

When: October 1213, 2007

Where: Staurolite Inn in Brookings, 6056923111 http://www.stauroliteinn.com

Rate: $58 per night + tax (14 people). A block of rooms have been set aside at the hotel. State rates will be honored with ID.

Theme: Where are we going?

Activities: Look at schedule.

If you have any suggestions or ideas for activities, please share them with Linda Biffert at 6056275608 or 6905447 or lbiffert@msn.com

A Legend Will Be Missed!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Arnold Auch of Sioux Falls. Arnie, an integral part of the blind community passed away on August 19, 2007 at the age of 83. He was born Sept. 9, 1923 in rural Freeman and lost his eyesight at the age of 10. He attended the School for the Blind in Gary until his junior year. He then transferred to Menno High School, where he graduated with honors in 1944. Following high school, he became one of the first blind students to attend the University of South Dakota. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude in history in 1948. Upon graduation he accepted a teaching position at the Perkins International School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. There he met Jeanette Elizabeth Betty Andrews, while attending graduate courses at Harvard University. In 1949 Arnold accepted a teaching position at the SD School for the Blind in Gary. In 1950 Betty followed Arnold to Gary, accepting a teaching position as well. They were married on May 30, 1951. In the fall of 1952 they returned to Watertown, MA to continue teaching at Perkins. In 1957 they relocated to Sioux Falls, where Arnold completed his Masters Degree at USD. He then accepted a position at the Service to the Visually Impaired as a counselor. In 1987, after 23 years of dedicated and honored service to the visually impaired citizens of SD, he retired.

He was active in the Sioux Falls Downtown Lions Club and a founding member of the South Dakota Association for the Blind, as a strong and vocal advocate for the visually impaired. He was very active member of the Boy Scouts with his sons. In addition, Arnold enjoyed many hours of gardening, fishing and hunting with his family and friends. Arnold and his wife Betty were active members of the Crestwood United Church of Christ and later the First Congregational Church. Arnold will be lovingly remembered by his sons and their children, as well as a large extended family. He was preceded in death by loving wife of 55 years.

Educational Programs/Services Study

The SD Board of Regents approved a study of the educational programs and services for students with visual impairments. The work will be lead by Dr. Phil Hatlen, a nationally recognized expert in working with children with vision loss. He will be joined by Susan LaVenture, the Executive Director of the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments. They will work with a Task Force representing parents, educators, and other service providers to gather information. The goal is to determine what is working well and what improvements can be made to ensure all students with vision loss have access to appropriate programs and services from birth to age 21. The first Task Force meeting was held in Pierre during September and will continue through the fall with a final meeting of the Task Force in December. Dr. Hatlen will provide his recommendations to the SD Board of Regents.

Award Winners The following is a list of winners of the SDAB Gus Zachte Award. If you can help fill in the blanks please call Mary Sjerven at (605)2244183 or email her at rsjerven@pie.midco.net.

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975 Vernon William

1976 Wendell Hanson

1977

1978

1979 Arnold Auch

1980

1981 Marvin and Denise Zebell

1982 Delbert Aman

1983 Velma Schultz

1984 Avis Bergh

1985 Dawn Flewwellin

1986 Dorrit Reeves

1987

1988 Rochelle Foley

1989 Braille and Talking Book Library

1990 Confind Leading the Blind

1991 Dean North

1992 Paul Pirtle

1993

1994

1995 Beredine Peterson

1996 Helen Hartman

1997 Louis and Joyce Brush

1998 Ray Melhaff

1999 Solveig Overskei

2000 Dawn Srstka

2001 Dan Boyd

2002 Donald W. Lewis Vice President and C.O. O. of DAKSOFt

2003 Dawn LaMee

2004 Larry Farke, Posthumously

2005 Linda Biffert

2006 Changed to Together We Can Award

Aberdeen Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities

Mark Your Calendars By Gaye Mattke

Plans are underway for a Focus on Success III conference to be held at the Sioux Falls Ramkota on September 30–October 2, 2008. Topics will address education, employment and independent living for all ages of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Presenters will appeal to individuals who are blind or visually impaired and their family members, educators, service providers and advocates. We would like to invite all members of SD Association of the Blind to participate in the conference. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest trends in blindness and low vision as well as to network with others in the field. Program and registration information will be available as the conference approaches.

CraftAbility Fair Saturday, November 10, 2007, 9:00am – 4:00pm at East Side Lutheran Church, 1300 E. 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD FREE ADMISSION Dear Crafter: The South Dakota Association of the Blind is happy to invite you to participate in our annual Craft Fair. Cost to participate is $20 per table. Deadline for reservations is October 27, 2007. Each table is asked to donate one item to be used in a raffle. For more information about the event or to reserve your table call Brenda at (888)5847440 or (605)3369534 or Virginia at (605)4283651.

Sioux Land Chapter Meeting The following is a summary of the meeting on August 18, 2007. Six people were present. Minutes were approved. Treasurer's report was approved. Summary of minutes to be put in the As Eye See It newsletter. We are talking about coordinating rides for the Convention. By the next meeting the letters will have gone out for the Ski for Light bus to the Lion's Club for donations.

Craft fair: There will be a raffle. We will talk to everyone new who comes in and tell them about the raffle. Names will be drawn every half hour. The money that we make will be for the Food Booth. Jim has given all advertising information to Virginia. We will still print the Sandwich Board sign and put it out by the road. A Boy Scout troop is willing to help with set up/take down of tables. Meeting adjourned.

Get A Clue @ Your Library

The 2007 Governors Summer Reading Program culminated with an awards event on in Rapid City at The Journey Museum. Plaques were presented by Dorothy Liegl, State Librarian with the assisted of Dan Boyd, Director of Information Services at the State Library. Joe Harris District 5SW Governor represented the Lion’s Foundation and presented $50 savings bond to the top reader overall in the braille and recorded format. Marcus Van Dam was the braille recipient and Jordan Harkless won in recorded books Winners included: Division 7 to 9 recorded books, 1st Jordan Harkless and 2nd Emily Busch. Marcus Van Dam took 1st in Braille books and 2nd want to Rachel Johnson. In the 10 to 12 recorded books, 1st Sarah Dolney, 2nd Christian Christopherson and 3rd Wyatt Buntrock. The Braille winner was Michael McMillen. In the 13 to 15 recorded book, 1st Zeb Norris, 2nd Derek Nieland, and 3rd Mike Steinmeyer.

Thoughts and Prayers Our thoughts and prayers go out to the following friends.

On the mend: Our thoughts go out to Leighton Meyers from Sioux Falls who is still battling health problems.

Good Luck: to Lillian Stauffacher a Rehab teacher at Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired in Sioux Falls on her recent retirement.

2007 SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND

Mailing address: PO Box 1622, Sioux Falls SD 571011622 Website: www.sdsdab.org

Co Presidents: Rochelle Hart: 820 S. Juneau Lane, Sioux Falls SD 57106 6053326059

Keith Bundy: 420 SW 1st Street, Madison SD 57042 6052565215

Past President: Linda Biffert, 505 East 6th Street, Volga SD 57071 6056275608

1st Vice President: Linda Biffert, 505 East 6th Street, Volga SD 57071 6056275608

2nd V Pres: Virginia Miller, 805 Dakota Avenue, Dell Rapids SD 57022 6054283651

Secretary: Lerae Olesen, 2500 S. Dakota Ave. Apt 102, Sioux Falls SD 57105 6059789267

Treasurer: Steve Hart, Treasurer, 820 S. Juneau Lane, Sioux Falls SD 57106 6053326059

Newsletter: Dawn LaMee, 1702 Prospect Ave. #A3, Aberdeen SD 57401 6052263211

Gadgetry Program: Brenda Fish, 1101 N. Garfield, Sioux Falls SD 57104 6053369534 18885847440

Board of Directors

Jack Hogarth, 1243 Washington Street #105, Denver CO 80203 (2009) 3038321156

Sharleen Meyers, PO Box 91105, Sioux Falls, SD 57110 (2009) 6053592388

Deb VerSteeg: 2505 South Willow Avenue, Sioux Falls SD 57105 (2007) 6053312131

JoMarie Laughlin: 5021 East Charleston Drive, Sioux Falls SD 57110 (2007) 6053602737

Ed Pinkman, 1115 Northview Lane, Aberdeen SD 57401 (2008) 6052250940

Mary Sjerven: 208 North Jackson Avenue, Pierre SD 57501 (2008) 6052244183

Committees

Bylaws/Resolutions: Keith Bundy (Chair), Chelle Hart, and Don Michlitsch

Membership: Dawn LaMee (Chair), Linda Biffert, Lerae Olesen, Dawn Brush

Nominations: Dawn Brush (Chair), Leighton Meyers, Deb VerSteeg, Mary Sjerven

Fundraising: Virginia Miller (Chair), Jim Madsen, Sharleen Meyers, Jack Hogarth, Linda Biffert

Scholarship: Chelle Hart (Chair), Virginia Miller, Steve Kelsey, Dawn Brush

Gadgetry: Dawn Brush (Chair), Brenda Fish, Ginny Miller, Chelle Hart

Budget: Steve Hart (Chair), Keith Bundy, Deb VerSteeg, Linda Biffert

Legislative: Keith Bundy (Chair), Linda Biffert, Sharleen Meyers, Marje Kaiser

Program/Social: Linda Biffert (Chair), Peggy Bundy, Dawn Brush, Dawn LaMee

Awards: Mary Sjerven (Chair), JoMarie Laughlin, Lerae Olesen

Where are we going South Dakota Association of the Blind Convention

Staurolite Inn in Brookings, 6056923111 http://www.stauroliteinn.com

Friday: October 12, 2007

12:00 PM Registration Staurolite Inn (outside meeting rooms)

12:30 PM Greetings – Linda Biffert, Convention Coordinator and Chelle Hart

& Keith Bundy, Co Presidents

Welcome to the City – Mayor

Reading of Minutes and Other Business – Lerae Olesen, Secretary

1:00 PM Hi My Name Is? Introductions of those in attendance

1:15 PM Fun, Frolic, & Information on ACB Part I by Keith and Peg Bundy

1:30 PM Where are we going Vocationally Ardell Fiedler, Program Specialist, and Steve Kelsey, SBVI Counselor

2:30 PM Where are we going – Vocational Counseling Eric Weiss,

2:50 PM Where are we going – Vocational Opportunities – Keith Bundy

3:15 PM Break

3:30 PM Fun, Frolic, & Information on ACB Part II by Deb VerSteeg

3:45 PM Where are we going Blind Services Gaye Mattke, Division Director, Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired

4:10 PM Where are we going – Independent Living Sandy Neyhart, Rural Independent Living Specialist

4:30 PM Where are we going Technology Dakotalink Staff

4:50 PM Reading of Proposed Bylaw Changes – Chelle Hart

5:00 – 6:30 Meet & greet (poolside room)

6:30 PM Wise Words from the Big Welcomer Master of Ceremony

7:00PM Let’s Eat, Invocation, Scholarship Presentation Chelle Hart, Awards Presentation Mary Sjerven, SDAB’s Got Talent

8:30 PM Bid and Buy … Auction … fun!

Saturday: October 13, 2007

8:00 AM Registration Staurolite Inn (outside meeting rooms)

8:30 AM Memorial

8:45 AM Fun, Frolic, & Information on ACB Part III by Dawn Brush

9:00 AM Where are we going – Financial Planning Les Howard, AG Edwards

10:00 AM Break

10:15 AM Where are we going ACB – Implication of ACB’s White Paper on Rehabilitation (Panel)

Where are we going Consumer Groups – Gaye Mattke and Keith Bundy

12:00 PM Lunch (on your own)

1:15 PM Fun, Frolic, & Information on ACB Part VI by Ron and Mary Sjerven

1:30 PM Where are we going Library Services Dan Boyd, Director, Braille and Talking Book Library

1:50 PM Where are we going Education Dr. Marjorie Kaiser, Superintendent, School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

2:15 PM Where are we going Transition – Sue Birrenkott, Outreach Transition Specialist, School for the Blind and Visually

Impaired

2:30 PM Where are we going Rehabilitation Dawn Backer, Director, Rehabilitation Center for the Blind

2:45 PM Fun, Frolic, & Information on ACB Part V by Steve and Chelle Hart

3:00 PM Big Meeting of the Minds – Business Meeting

CONTACT INFORMATION: Linda Biffert at 6056275608 or lbiffert@msn.com

COSTS: Registration $15, Banquet $15, SDAB Dues $10.00