AS EYE SEE IT

Greetings from SDAB Co-Presidents From the Co-Presidents

The holidays are now in full swing and 2007 is winding down. It has been a busy year for the both of us, with 2008 promising even more exciting challenges and opportunities to serve the citizens of South Dakota who are blind or visually impaired. Hopefully your year has been a good one too and you are looking forward to a wonderful 2008! We would like to wish each of you a blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

“Together We Can” Award Accepting from Mary Sjerven and Dawn Brush, SDAB Awards Committee Members the “Together We Can” Award for the South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities was Jack Mortenson, Coalition Board President. The award was presented for the Coalition promoting a Barrier Free Community where everyone has access to the same services and employment opportunities through compliance with the ADA.

Thank You! By Linda Biffert

Thank you to everyone who assisted in any way with the successful SDAB Convention held at the Staurolite Inn in Brookings. Many hands made for light work for the chairperson and more fun for all. Now it is on to planning for the 2008 Convention.

Convention Notes: Thanks to the work of Dawn Brush (#2), Dawn LaMee (#1) Chelle Hart, Keith Bundy, and everyone who worked so hard to pull off a GREAT event.

THANK YOU to: to Scott Muensterman, Brookings Mayor, for welcoming us to the Brookings;

to Steve Kelsey, Steve Hart, and Lucas Lembcke for providing a fun-filled auction and to everyone who donated or purchased items at the auction. It was the highest grossing auction SDAB has ever had in raising over $837;

to the speakers who updated us, including: Keith Bundy (by phone), Ardell Fiedler, Lerae Olesen, Steve Kelsey, Deb VerSteeg, Gaye Mattke, Sandy Neyhart, Ted Carroll, Dawn Brush, Les Howard, Erwin Weist, Chelle Hart, Ron and Mary Sjerven, Carrie Gors, Marjorie Kaiser, Sue Birrenkott, Wade Turner, Allen Vandenburg, Derek Turner, Dawn Backer, and Steve and Chelle Hart;

to Kip Ferris of Pizza Ranch and Dominic Miller of Perkins for donating door prizes;

to Judy Faber of the Fireside Restaurant and Lounge for providing the great meals;

to the staff at the Staurolite Inn for all their help (in our thank you letter we did mention the lack of accessible restrooms at the hotel)

to Dawn Brush for being our “Master of Ceremony” during the banquet;

to Steve Hart and Dawn LaMee for running such a smooth registration;

to Brenda Fish with the Gadgetry Project and Ted Carroll and Terry Miller from Dakotalink for setting up such informative exhibits; and

to EVERYONE who attended and EVERYONE who helped out in anyway!!!!!

Chelle Hart with Scholarship Winner Erwin Weist of Aberdeen SD who is currently attending Northern State University Chelle Hart with Scholarship Winner Donelle McClaren of Madison SD who is currently attending Dakota State University

A Friend Will Be Missed! Velma Schultz, 85, Aberdeen died October 29, 2007. Velma was born May 19, 1922 at Hoffman, MN from birth until age thirteen Velma’s eyesight was gradually deteriorating but she was still able to work 8 ½ yrs. for Central Telephone Company. During this time she did learn to read and write Braille. She attended Nettleton College and was taught typing as well as how to care for herself as a blind person. Upon completion, Velma worked for Aberdeen City Hall on the 556 cord board with Telebraille attachments. She was the world’s first Telebraille Switchboard Operator. Velma trained many blind people from all over the country on the Aberdeen switchboards. After twenty-one years at City Hall, Velma retired in 1984. In her retirement, Velma did peer counseling with individuals who had loss their sight and was an active member of the SDAB and ACB. She attended many State and National Conventions. Velma’s hobbies were traveling, crafts, dancing, playing chord organ, music, and just plain enjoying life. Grateful for having shared her life are two nephews, two great nieces, four great nephews; two great-great nephews; four great-great nieces; and many friends.

Welcome By Sandy Neyhart

Some of you are aware Lillian Stauffacher has decided to retire to spend more time with her children and grandchildren, travel the United States and write that book she's capable of doing. We wish her the best as she moves into the time of her life that will be very rewarding and filled with good things to look forward to. Lillian’s last day as a rehabilitation teacher with Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired was October 23rd. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that Daniel Schuknecht (pronounced Shoot necht) has accepted the position as Rehabilitation Teacher with Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired in our Sioux Falls office. Daniel has been employed as a Special Education Teacher with the Sioux Falls School District for the past 8 years. He is very excited about the opportunity to work with our agency and is looking forward to meeting all of you. Dan began work with SBVI on October 24. Following orientation to the Sioux Falls office, he began training at the SD Rehab Center on October 29. Dan will cover the eleven counties in the south east corner of the State. Please welcome him aboard when you have the opportunity to do so.

Blind Blunder Flying Saucers Invade the Blind by Doug Puetz

After a long day's work, I decided to treat myself to Burger King carryout. While removing the box of onion rings from the bag, one fell onto the floor; it literally flew into the air, bounced off the table, and landed in the netherworld of the carpet. First things first, I ate my meal and then proceeded to search for the missing onion ring (flying saucer). I thoroughly searched the floor but couldn't find it. Then, I recruited a sighted neighbor to aid in the search. Neither of us had any luck. Could it have been that I imagined that something hit the floor? Low and behold!!! The rogue ring appeared the next morning in my shoe. That flying saucer won't bother me again because I accidentally crushed it while putting on my shoe.

SBVI Update By Gaye Mattke

I would like to thank the SDAB officers and members for the opportunity to be a part of your convention in Brookings in October. In addition to having the honor of addressing the membership with current issues and thoughts about the future of SBVI, I enjoyed the opportunity to hear what your priorities are for services. Of course it is always a pleasure to see old friends and meet new ones during the convention. The opportunity to join you at convention time is always a reaffirmation of the work we do and the joint goals between the Division of SBVI and the members of SDAB. I would also like to acknowledge your insight in awarding the “Together We Can” (Gus Zachte) Award to the SD Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. Partnerships between consumer organizations promoting equality for all citizens with disabilities can only strengthen our cause.

Family Support Group By Amy Scepaniak

The Family Support Group for families in Aberdeen and the surrounding area who have children with visual impairments continues to meet and grow. Meetings in May and June focused on the Expanded Core Curriculum and Orientation and Mobility Skills. In August, eleven families, for a total of more than 45 individuals, enjoyed a fun night out at the new aquatic center in Aberdeen. The shelter at the pool was rented and pizza and ice cream were provided. Not only were the food and water activities great, but the families also had a wonderful time interacting and networking with each other. Susan LaVenture, Executive Director of the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) was the guest speaker in September. She spoke to parents about Special Education and the law with regards to visual impairment. Susan is from Massachusetts and was in South Dakota to participate in a study of the educational programs and services for students with visual impairments in SD. In November the group met to work on their child’s portfolio/scrapbook. Teresa Nold, Deaf/Blind Family Specialist and parent of a child who is deaf and visually impaired was our guest speaker. Various activities to connect families in the Aberdeen area and help them gain knowledge and support regarding their child’s visual impairment and issues related to blindness and visual impairments will continue throughout the year. The December meeting was held on the 20th. Following the meeting the parents were invited to the SDSBVI annual Christmas dinner and program. If you are interested in joining this group of parents, call Amy Scepaniak at 626-2580 or email her at scepania@sdsbvi.northern.edu

Ski for Light the 28th Annual Black Hills Regional Ski for Light event will be held at Deer Mountain and nearby Deadwood, January 21-26, 2008. Over 100 people, who are blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled individuals, along with an equal number of volunteer guides and assistants take part in skiing and recreational activities. Cost to participants includes five nights lodging (double occupancy), noon meals, two evening meals, awards banquet, ski equipment, and local transportation. For more information contact: Black Hills Ski for Light, PO Box 3707, Rapid City, SD 57709, 605-341-3626.

Annual Business Meeting Chelle Hart in the absence of co-president Keith Bundy because of a death in the family conducted the business meeting was held on Oct. 13, 2007. Treasurer’s report: The auction brought in $831. Major expenditures included: travel to the ACB Convention in Minneapolis, donation for a game for the teen center at the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and a donation to help sponsor the volunteer appreciation event at the State Library. The budget committee (Steve Hart, Linda Biffert, Leighton Meyers and Deb VerSteeg) will put together the budget for next year. A motion carried to continue membership in the SD Foundation for the Blind & Visually Impaired (associated with the School) with a $25 for membership and a $25 for support; and also continue our membership in the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. By-laws: The original amendments were read along with proposed changes.

By-law X Amendment: the original version stated that in order for the By-laws to be amended they must be read in one year and voted on the next year. By-law X Amendments Proposed change: By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the assembled voting body at any annual meeting of the corporation, provided any proposed amendment has been read twice prior to and once again during the convention business meeting. Any amendment adopted shall become effective immediately. By-law II Objectives: Wording clarifications to make the points more clearly understood. By-law III Membership: The various categories of membership are listed, numbers 1 through 8. The proposed change is to delete number 9, Memorial Membership, confirmed in the name of a deceased person. By-law IV Board of Directors: A note added to this By-law to read as follows: The term President shall be construed to include President and/or co-Presidents when more than one person holds this office. By-law V Officers: Duties clarification sentence related to the officers’ duties as outlined in Roberts Rules of Order, Revised. By-law V Elections: Omit #2, pertaining to voting by secret ballot. Other statements under letter D change numbers as necessary. By-law IX Local Chapters: There were 10 sections in the original. Number 5: This is a new section. Approval for local chapter status will be given provided the group in question agrees to the following criteria: A. The local chapter shall adhere to the by-laws of SDAB. B. The local chapter shall discuss projects using SDAB’s name with the SDAB Board of Directors. C. The local chapter shall educate members about SDAB and ACB.

D. The local chapter shall periodically present information on the chapter and its activities in the SDAB newsletter. Two portions of this by-law were removed, related to sending delegates to the SDAB convention. So, now there would be 9 sections to this by-law. Elections: Nomination committee presented the names of Deb VerSteeg and Erwin Wiest. A 3-year term vacated by Deb VerSteeg, because she is eligible to run for another term and there were no nominations from the floor. Deb was elected by acclamation. The other position was vacated by JoMarie Laughlin. The nominee from the committee was Erwin Wiest. Jim Madsen was nominated from the floor. A motion carried to suspend with the secret ballot and vote by show of hands. Jim Madsen was elected. 2008 Convention Linda Biffert presented the possibility to hold the convention in conjunction with the “Dare to Dream” Conference in Pierre during June of 2008 or hold the convention in conjunction with “Focus on Success” conference in Sioux Falls in September, or have the convention at a separate time as usual, perhaps in a location in the middle of the state. The consensus seemed to be to have the SDAB convention at a separate time. A motion carried to hold the convention in the central part of the state. Brochure and toll-free number: One of the reasons the brochure has not yet been updated is because of a lack of a toll-free number for contact purposes. Keith Bundy had looked into various options related to a toll-free number. Since the gadgetry program already has a toll-free number, the suggestion was made that this number be used and Brenda Fish could refer any questions to whoever is in office, rather than getting a different number to change as the person changes. Brenda has agreed to this arrangement. A motion carried to this effect. The board will work with her as to what information should be on the answering machine relating to SDAB when the gadgetry program is not open. CraftAbility fair and other fund-raising: The craft fair was held November 10. SDAB will have a table at the craft fair, selling ceramics that had been donated. Each vendor is asked to donate one item for the raffle that will take place during the fair. SDAB will receive the proceeds from the sale of those raffle tickets. There was also discussion about the need for other fund-raising. Resolutions: Marje Kaiser shared a list of resolutions recently adopted by the Blinded Veterans of America, many of which apply to SDAB. Chelle presented ideas which need to be drafted into resolutions. They included: A. Coverage under Medicare/Medicaid programs for low vision aids for visually impaired persons who are eligible for Medicaid/Medicare. B. With employment, all should have reasonable accommodations including necessary training on essential technology. Also to urge employers to hire more blind or visually impaired. C. Strongly support efforts to make currency of the US tactually identifiable within a reasonable period of time. D. Audible traffic signals. We need to be able to cross streets safely, especially with hybrid cars. E. All ATM machines need to be made accessible. Descriptive video: The cable companies in South Dakota have not been willing to turn on the switch that will enable blind consumers to receive descriptive video that is already available on some programs. Mary Sjerven talked with Joel Snyder during the ACB convention concerning this issue. He could help to get descriptive video in place in South Dakota. It was also suggested to include a system when weather warning. Another resolution was suggested for funding for the new digital reading machines from the Library of Congress talking book service. Deb VerSteeg offered to help write and disseminate the resolutions Awards: Mary Sjerven recounted the work of the 2007 awards committee presenting the “Together We Can,” award prior to 2006; the award had been called the Gus Zachte Memorial Award. The records of who had received it are incomplete. In some cases it was an individual and in others it was a group. The consensus was that the committee can decide what they want to do and how they want to do it. The suggestion was made to call it a Founders or Leadership award. This matter will be brought to the board for further discussion. SDAB website: Concern was expressed with it’s accessible for all screen-readers. Legislative Seminar: To be held in Washington, DC in the spring of 2008. Keith Bundy suggested members should be encouraged to go. A motion carried to defer this matter to the board. Siouxland Chapter: Jim Madsen shared that the group was officially recognized at the 2007 banquet. He shared a print/braille contact card has been developed to hand out by members to increase membership. Dues: According to the By-laws, Lerae indicated the dues are seven dollars ($7) above the ACB cost, which is $5 Therefore, 2008 dues should be $12. Meeting adjourned, respectfully submitted by Lerae Olesen Secretary

Sioux Land Chapter Meeting The following is a summary of the October 27, 2007 meeting. Minutes were approved as read. Treasurer's report is approved as read. SDAB Convention: Jim Madsen and Deb VerSteeg were elected to the SDAB Board. Ski for Light: 87 letters were sent out to Lion's Club, money will also come from Ski for Light. New Business: It was suggested to combine the January meeting (1/12) and a winter party by meeting at a nicer place, Lerae Olesen and Deb VerSteeg will make arrangement. Craft Fair: There are $105 gift cards. Ski for Light will have their own table and a food booth for the Bus. Ceramics donated to the club will be sold at an SDAB table. Raffle tickets will sell for $1 a piece or six for $5.

2008 Governor’s Awards Nominations The Boards of Vocational Rehabilitation and Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired will sponsor the Governor’s Awards Luncheon to recognize employment of people with disabilities. The luncheon will be held on March 4, 2008 at the Best Western Ramkota Inn in Pierre in conjunction with the Mid-Winter Conference. Awards will be given for the following:

2008 Outstanding Citizen with a Disability

2008 Outstanding Employee with a Disability

2008 Outstanding Public Personnel Award

2008 Outstanding Employer of the Year Award

2008 Distinguished Service Award

Information can be found at: http://www.state.sd. us/dhs/drs/ or by calling 1-800-210-0143.

South Dakota Lions Convention Make plans now to attend the SD State Lions Convention at the Ramkota Inn in Aberdeen SD on January 24-27, 2008. Room reservations can be made by contacting the Ramkota at 605-229-4040 or via their website at http://aberdeen.ramkota.com.

Presenters

Type II Diabetes: Exercise, Diets, & Meds... Oh My: Nancy Hartung,

Sculpture: Benjamin Victor

Dakota Territory Search Dogs: Denny Adams,

Leo, Whimsy, & Toto too!: - Guide Dog Program from Puppy to Working Dog, Bob & Sue Kulbeik & Dawn Brush

Disability Awareness: Dawn LaMee

Blind Sports Announcer: Keith Bundy

Lions Eye Bank

SD Lions Foundation Activities

International Director Joseph Gaffigan is scheduled to be the Hall of Fame banquet speaker.

For more information check out the following website: www.lionsclubs.org

An Advocate for ALL! Richard “Dick” Hicks, 77 of Sioux Falls, died on November 6, 2007 from complications due to multiple sclerosis. Dick was born and grew up in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. He married Kathleen Patricia Lynch and worked for Northwestern Bell/US retiring after thirty-two years of service. Dick was a dedicated volunteer and a highly effective advocate on disability issues. His lobbying efforts played a role in the passage of state and federal legislation affecting people with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition to so many wonderful efforts Dick and his wife Pat founded the South Dakota Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF). Dick is survived by wife Pat, his son Bob and wife Annette, son Greg, daughter Lynn (Eilts) and husband John, two grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, a brother and sister

In Memoriam: Arnold Auch By Charles S.P. Hodge (The Braille Forum, Volume XLVI Nov 2007 No. 4)

Arnold Auch died on Sunday, Aug. 19, in Sioux Falls, S.D., at the age of 83, and his funeral was held on Aug. 24. I felt an obligation to fly almost 2,300 miles round-trip from my home in northern Virginia to Sioux Falls to pay my last respects to this truly extraordinary blind man. Why do I feel so strongly about the passing of Arnold Auch? While I was flying to and from his funeral, a particular quotation kept passing through my mind. During the 1988 vice presidential televised debate, Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Tex.) told his opponent, Sen. Dan Quayle (R-Ind.), "Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine, and Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." In a similar vein, I can tell you that I have known very few men during my lifetime who could come close to measuring up to the high standard of character, integrity and professional success and achievement set by Arnold Auch. I first met Mr. Auch, as I called him then, in the fall of 1955 as I was entering my third grade year and transferred into Potter Cottage at the Perkins School for the Blind. Mr. Auch and his wife, Betty, were serving as house parents to a brood of rowdy third-, fourth- and fifth-grade boys. (They had met when they were both students in Perkins School's teacher trainee program, which at that time was conducted in conjunction with Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.) Auch and I soon discovered that we had a mutual interest, politics and national affairs issues. Auch was a confirmed plains-state conservative Republican straight out of the mold of South Dakota's then long-serving Republican U.S. Senators, Carl Mundt and Francis Case. Yet he had lived through the Great Depression, and had witnessed firsthand the suffering and torment of hard- working farm families in his state who, through the bank failures of that era and the resulting foreclosures, were stripped of the land that had been in their families since territorial times. Thus, his conservative Republican values were tempered with several strands of social conscience.

I, on the other hand, was an impressionable, but budding, liberal Massachusetts Democrat. After supper, Auch would quite often come to my dorm room in the early evening, and we would listen together to Lowell Thomas' CBS radio news, commentary and editorial program. We would then talk about the pros and cons of the points made by Thomas on both sides of a particular issue. The hottest issue in Washington that year, which Thomas often discussed, was the censure resolution introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ralph Flanders (R-VT.) against Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-WI.), one of the most senior, powerful and influential Republican Senate committee chairmen. This resolution set forth in copious detail Sen. McCarthy's bullying, browbeating, harassing and threatening tactics in questioning witness after witness called before McCarthy's committee. Even despite the fact that McCarthy's anti-Communist witch-hunt campaign had been going on unabated for five years, McCarthy did not lack for fierce supporters and defenders, particularly among very conservative senators such as Sen. Pat McCarran (R- Nev.). Finally, after nine months of debate, the Senate adopted the Flanders resolution in May of 1956. The senators as a body said that they could no longer tolerate McCarthy's overbearing, uncivil and haranguing tactics, and the censure resolution stripped McCarthy of his committee chairmanship, thereby ending for all intents and purposes McCarthy's Senate career. After all the dust had settled concerning the McCarthy censure matter, Auch delighted in gently chiding me about the fact that my hero, Sen. Jack Kennedy (D-Mass.), absented himself from the vote on the censure resolution, thereby giving Kennedy plausible political cover with two adamantly opposed important constituent blocks, his Irish-Catholic and Italian-Catholic constituents who were fiercely anti-Communist and supported Sen. Joe McCarthy on the one hand, and his liberal, academically based constituents on the other hand who supported the resolution. By refusing to take a stand for the record on one of the most important national issues of that time, Auch believed that while taking a pragmatic political course, Kennedy had at best engaged in political hypocrisy, and at the worst had engaged in political cowardice. Auch was not one for mincing his words, and he always called a spade a spade. Even with his criticism of my hero, Jack Kennedy, Arnold Auch taught me that a totally blind man could be a success as a professional, and I told myself, "If Mr. Auch can do it, I can do it too." So, Arnold Auch had become my role model and mentor. The Auchs soon left Perkins to go back to South Dakota. Arnold gave up teaching as he successfully pursued a graduate degree in rehabilitation counseling, and then became a successful rehabilitation counselor for the agency serving the blind in South Dakota. Auch was a member of, leader in and pillar of strength for the South Dakota Association of the Blind (SDAB), the eventual South Dakota affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, for nearly 60 years. Arnold also became a prodigious fund-raiser for programs benefitting blind people through his activities as a Lion in his local club and at the state level. Arnold and Betty Auch were also strong people of faith, but they did not wear their religion on their sleeves. They just quietly rolled up those sleeves and worked behind the scenes to help those who they found less fortunate in the Lord's flock. Although he eschewed any recognition for himself, for all that he had done for decades for individuals who are blind; Auch received ACB's George Card Award in 1996 at the Tulsa, Okla. national convention. Arnold Auch was the kind of man that you would be proud to have as your uncle, grandfather, role model, mentor, or friend. He was, indeed, my role model, mentor and friend, and I will eternally thank him for that.

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.

Blind baseball PA announcer By CHARLES PULLIAM Associated Press Writer MADISON, S.D. (AP) -- Keith Bundy, the baseball public address announcer at Madison's Flynn Field since 2001, knows quite a bit about the game. After all, he had listened to broadcasts all his life. So when the opportunity arose for him to step into the PA booth, he did so - even though he's been blind since birth. In 2001, Keith and Peggy Bundy's oldest son, Lewis, was umpiring a baseball game with a veteran ump, Keith Bundy said. "It was an American Legion game and they didn't have a PA announcer that night," he said. "The chief umpire, Ted Weiland, asked my son, 'Do you think your dad would be willing to announce?' And my son said, 'I'm sure he would, but you better watch out, you'll create a monster.'" Bundy, 50, has been announcing baseball games from Little League to Dakota State University contests since filling in that night.

A Braille Note system allows him to keep rosters and scores for each game. The system uses six character keys that vibrate a display board's pinheads, which raises the pins to form letters and words that are readable to Bundy. "I'm referred to as totally blind," he said, adding that he can notice some shadows in certain lighting. The Bundy’s, married for 26 years, and settled in Madison in 1989 after Keith took over a church as a minister. His college degrees include a bachelor's in philosophy and religion. Keith and Peggy have three other sons, Jon, Joe and Ben. All have played baseball through the years, tying the family to the sport. Once their boys started playing ball, Peggy had to catch on to the game quickly. Overall, she is happy with Keith's link to the game. "I think it is a wonderful opportunity for him," she said. "He is a good speaker and it was a wonderful thing for him to get involved with." Peggy helps Keith when he announces local high school or American Legion games. Otherwise a spotter usually is provided by the college for other contests. "Typically she is the main helper," Keith Bundy said. "We just make an excellent team." Peggy and other spotters relay information to Keith about the action on the field and other announcements. He usually has rosters, starting lineups and other details prepared for the game. The PA announcing husband-wife duo met at the University of Evansville, where Peggy pursued a nursing degree and Keith got his bachelor's degree in psychology. "In the past, I've run the scoreboard, and I have been a spotter for Keith," she said. When he was growing up, Keith Bundy remembers sitting in his house near St. Louis and listening to baseball games on the radio. He said his dad, Bill, eventually asked, "Why do you listen to so much baseball? You'll never make any money doing it." Bundy said he never has made any money as a PA announcer but that he doesn't want to. He simply does it for the love the game. At age 11, Bundy was inspired when his aunt arranged for him to meet broadcaster Harry Caray, the longtime Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer. "Play-by-play has been a part of me all my life because the radio is obviously better for me than the TV," he said. "It was just a privilege" to meet him. Next year, Bundy plans announcing more baseball games for DSU, the Broncos and anything in between. He also wants to try helping radio broadcasters by providing color analysis, but for now he's content with PA announcing. "I've been able to do something that I never dreamed would be possible," he said. "I just thoroughly enjoy it and announcing conveys to people that blind people can do things that people don't expect." Bundy said his blindness sometimes surprises game spectators. "I've been told that there are people that see me pick up the white cane or use my guide dog, Brandon, to leave the ball park and they are blown away that I am blind," he said.

During his first game announcing for the Madison Broncos, the city's amateur baseball team, Bundy also operated a scoreboard successfully for a pilot program launched by Daktronics. He said someone in California was developing a scoreboard operable by a blind person and needed someone to test it out. "Doing both in one game was very interesting," he said. Bundy said one of the highlights of his announcing career was when his son smashed a grand-slam, permitting him to belt out his trademark siren call. It sounds much like an ambulance with its sirens on and is heard throughout Flynn Field whenever a home player hits a homer. His siren imitation won several talent shows in his younger years and children love it, he added. "I have no idea why I learned to do it, but it is a lot of fun, even at my age," Bundy said. "It certainly is unique," Peggy Bundy said. "I don't know anyone else who can do the siren and it sure gets people's attention." Last May, Bundy left as pastor of the Church of Nazarene in Madison to pursue his work at the college and focus on being a motivational speaker. His master's in student development from Indiana State University led to his current job as director of student development and ADA coordinator for students with disabilities at DSU. Bundy is co-president of the South Dakota Association of the Blind and a member of the American Council of the Blind. 2007 The Associated Press, rights reserved.

New Program for Professionals Winnetka, IL- In January 2008, The Hadley School for the Blind will launch The Hadley School for Professional Studies (HSPS). The program consists of 24 distance education courses, 20 of which offer continuing education units. A modest tuition ranging from $99 to $139 will be charged for most courses. The tuition, a new policy for Hadley, will cover a portion of the cost of each course and allow the school to continue to meet the needs of its professional students. Courses for visually impaired students in the Adult Continuing Education or High School programs and their families will continue to be offered free of charge. Enrollment in HSPS begins January 7, 2008 and will be conducted online. Students currently enrolled in Hadley's Professional Education Program may complete their current courses tuition-free, but will need to complete a new application for courses they enroll in after December 20, 2007. For more information, please call 1-800-323-4238 or visit us at www.hadley.edu. The Hadley School for the Blind is the largest worldwide distance educator of blind and visually impaired people. Since its founding by William Hadley and Dr. E.V.L. Brown in 1920, all of Hadley's distance education courses have been provided free of charge to blind and visually impaired students and their families.

County Commission won’t renew courthouse coffee shop lease By Scott Aust, Journal staff 12/16/07

To free up more space for the planning and zoning department and the auditor’s office, the Pennington County Commission decided not to renew the lease with the coffee shop inside the courthouse. Commissioner Nancy Trautman said it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it was still difficult to make. “Gosh, we hated to. It’s one of those tough decisions you have to make,” she said. “We just are so cramped for space; we decided we would not renew it.” Wayne Sumner, 71, opened the business in 1988 with the help of the state’s business enterprise program, which helps visually impaired people become independent business operators. Sumner rents space from the county and leases the shop’s machines from the business enterprise program. He said he realized county government was growing and needed more room. He said he wasn’t surprised his lease wasn’t renewed. “Sooner or later, either I was going to retire or they were going to fail to extend the lease,” he said. “It gave me something to occupy time. There are good business days and bad business days, but it wasn’t unexpected and it didn’t shock me or anything. Sooner or later, it was going to happen.” Dan Jennissen, planning and zoning director, said he hates to force Sumner out, but space in his office is tight and more room is vital. “Every available corner is filled with a filing cabinet. We have no open space whatsoever,” he said. Auditor Julie Pearson told the county commission on Tuesday the space could be used by her office for voting booths during early voting. Tight quarters exist throughout the courthouse, which has caused the county to start planning a major project to build a new office building near the courthouse and move all county departments out of the courthouse. Such a move would accommodate the ongoing space needs of the court system. Trautman said taking the coffee shop space buys some time for the auditor and planning department while the larger office project is prepared. “Since the contract issue came up, we really had to seriously look at our space needs versus providing a coffee area, and which was more important,” Trautman said. “We really, really need the space.” The coffee shop lease will end in 90 days. Trautman said the county will use the next three months to develop a plan to get the maximum use out of the space. Sumner doesn’t begrudge the county. In fact, he said the shop hasn’t been making as much of a profit in recent years, primarily because of the impact of going smoke-free and installing a security system. “People used to stop by here and have coffee, smoke and visit with their clients or whatever,” he said. Sumner said he’s getting long in years, so retirement is a possibility, though not a certainty. “I’m so old; my wife would like me to retire. But if I find something else that interests me, I’d probably do it. Who knows? I may fade into obscurity and oblivion,” he said. Contact Scott Aust at scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com

Thoughts and Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Keith Bundy family on the recent death of his father.

Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to Connie Foley, Chelle Hart’s mother from Sioux Falls with her battle with cancer.

Boosting Your Membership by Ardis Bazyn, ACB Membership Committee Chair

This summary will cover the October call on "Boosting Your Membership: Getting them in and Keeping them in" and the various internal communication methods used by affiliates in ACB. Since communication is one of the key ingredients necessary to retaining your current members, I hope all the suggestions given will be useful to your chapters and affiliates. Please consider adding a new idea or two in the next few months. I will first list the internal communications used by chapters and affiliates to reach current members and past members. Then I will list the methods used by various chapters and affiliates to assist in boosting their membership.

Internal Communications

Email lists: general membership lists, board lists, committee lists, newsletter lists, chapter lists, and one-way announce lists about upcoming events and updates

Newsletters: weekly or monthly newsletters by chapters and quarterly newsletters from affiliates in a variety of formats

Toll-free phone number or state affiliate number

Weekly Connection: phone or email message to receive updates on events and legislation

Chapters with monthly meetings

Special interest chapters

Phone trees: call members about monthly activities and legislative updates

Monthly or bi-monthly Presidents calls

Leadership training

Conference call number: committees or chapters with wide geographic area

Website: have chapter links, brochures, fundraising links, membership links, and other info about the state affiliate

Blogs for interactive participation

State annual or bi-annual conventions

Employment conference

Quarterly in person board meetings

State Department for the Blind newsletters

Presidents participate in quarterly meetings

Ways to Boost Membership

Invite persons you meet on Para-transit trips

Visit in person or send notices to senior centers

Have interesting speakers on a variety of topics

Newspaper and radio announcements

NFB news line has to give announcements for both organizations since it uses state funding

State Department or Division for the Blind info line announcement

Website listing chapter meeting times and locations

Letters sent by state library for the blind or other state agencies for the blind

Legislative weekend, a day at the Capitol

Have special program to share specialized technology

"Every day People with Everyday Problems": sharing gadgets and services which help blind people held at beginning of convention to include newcomers

Sharing information about affiliate with service groups like Lions

Handing out brochures to acquaintances, library patrons, churches, and meetings

Tandem bike races, community White Cane walks, blind bowling leagues, theaters with audio description, and other outings that generate both publicity and interest

Contact para-transit companies and give them information to pass on to clients

Monthly advocacy classes in conjunction with centers for the blind

Ability awareness activities with door prizes

Membership contests, giving prizes to those who bring the most members

Follow-up with blind persons met or attending conventions or other events and fundraisers

50/50 raffles/door prizes at chapters/events

Participation in community fairs (both disability related and for general public)

Please check out the ACB website, under resources.

Whirlpool Brand Award American Foundation for the Blind Recognizes Whirlpool Brand's Commitment to Helping Vision Impaired Consumers Maintain Independence at Home NEW YORK, May 31 /PRNewswire-First Call/ According to many estimates there are approximately ten million Americans who experience vision loss or are completely blind (1), conditions that are often coupled with a fear of living independently. Today, the American Foundation for the Blind recognized Whirlpool brand for manufacturing products which help those with vision loss to maintain their independence at home. Whirlpool brand is the 14th annual recipient of the Helen Keller Achievement Award which recognizes individuals and organizations who have improved the quality of life for those who are visually impaired. The award is named for the world renowned advocate for the deaf and blind, Helen Keller, who spent her life as an author, speaker and humanitarian helping liberate those who could not see or hear. "We are committed to listening to consumers and developing innovative appliances that better their changing needs," said John Alexander, Vice President, Brands & Customer Care - Whirlpool Corporation. "Those needs include increased accessibility and ease of use for all consumers, including those with vision loss. We are truly honored to receive this award." Consumer insight is a commitment of Whirlpool brand and has helped a number of products evolve into the form they take today. For instance, engineers incorporated tones into the newest Duet laundry system to help guide users through various settings for wash and dry cycles. The Whirlpool brand Duet pair also can be placed on either 10" or 15.5" inch pedestals to be more accessible for those of varying heights. For those with vision loss, it is suggested they establish an organization routine by returning items to their original location. This awareness supported the creation of Whirlpool brand's Laundry 123 products. The Whirlpool brand Vertical Laundry Tower features two oversized drawers to hold larger laundry items such as detergent bottles and pull-out supply tray to organize everything from dryer sheets to pocket change. A 10-inch retractable hanging rod is featured on certain models, providing consumers a temporary place to hang or air-dry four to six items such as shirt, hosiery and delicates. The Laundry Tower is then able to hold laundry supplies within easy reach for many. In addition, Whirlpool is also making strides with kitchen appliances by offering many models with buttons on dishwasher doors which can be more easily felt by those with vision impairment. In an effort to help those with vision loss maintain their independence, Whirlpool brand will continue to explore new audible controls and modified designs to address accessibility needs of their consumers to help them maintain independence. To see more Whirlpool brand products in use, visit http://www.whirlpool.com/

New Campaign AFB has just launched a new campaign--the RX Label Enable Campaign to ensure that people with vision loss have ready access to the vital information available to all consumers via prescription labeling and related documentation enabling them to take medications safely, effectively and independently. To achieve this goal, AFB is reaching out to all stakeholders including consumers experiencing vision loss, policymakers, federal regulators, doctors, the pharmaceutical industry, retailers, assistive technology providers, and public and private insurers to promote solutions, build consensus and take action.

Membership

We realize how IMPORTANT our supporters are, and would like to recognize the following that have graciously contributed to our organization since the last newsletter was published.

Regular Members:

Jane Ann Leonard Riki Nitz Jackie Campbell Mary Sjerven Dawn LaMee Ardell Fiedler Rochelle Hart Steve Hart Lerae Olesen Deb Versteeg Derek Turner Brenda Fish Joan Bork Andrea Barker Ron Sjerven Steve Kelsey Joyce Brush Sue Lemus Wade Turner Dawn Brush Nancy Kelsey Marje Kaiser Louis Brush Meagen Lembcke Linda & Tom Biffert James Madsen Erwin Wiese Alan Vandenburg

Connie Saathoff

Associated Members: $10 - $24

Sustaining Members: $25 - $99

Support Members: $100 or more

Memorials for Arnold Auch Marje Kaiser