AS EYE SEE IT "South Dakota Association of the Blind, Inc." Volume 11 Issue 4 October-December 2008 Editor: Dawn LaMee

Don’t forget to pay your membership dues!

Co-President’s Message By Linda Biffert

As we start another year in the activities of the SDAB, we are prudent to first look back at what has happened.  First, we want to express our sincere thanks for the wonderful job that Keith Bundy and Chelle Hart have done in their tenure as your Co-Presidents. We really appreciate the time and effort they gave to the SDAB.  Secondly, we need to thank each and every one of you that had anything to do with our convention held in Pierre.  The feedback after the convention really recognized the efforts of the Social Committee and especially the local coordinator, Mary (and Ron) Sjerven. Then of course there would be no convention if it were not for those who attended; your attendance is what makes it all work.  Also a special thank you to the Siouxland Chapter for sponsoring the social hours.  I guess our only complaint would be against Mother Nature during the boat ride but the laughter and fun kept us all warm. Dawn Brush and I have been gathering our transition team just as President-Elect Obama.  Committee chairpersons and a skeleton list of members are listed elsewhere in this newsletter.  We now challenge each of you to decide where your interests are and contact that chairperson to volunteer or to say yes if they ask you to serve on their committee.  Any organization is only as strong as the members want it to be so we are going to be relying on each of you to do your part.  We have already had one board meeting and plans are to have one each month with the next meeting to be held January 8, 2009 at 7 pm.  If you have concerns or ideas that need to be addressed please let Dawn or I know.  With the difficult economic situations it will be crucial that we keep alert to ensure that services are kept at existing levels for the blind and visually impaired citizens of South Dakota.  I close by sending along my best wishes for the most joyous of Holiday Seasons.  May we all rejoice and glory in the sights and sounds of the season.

Thank You! By Linda Biffert

What a Great Convention we had at the Governor's Inn in Pierre! Thank you to everyone who assisted in any way.  Many hands of the social committee (Mary Sjerven, Dawn Brush and others) made for light work for the chairperson and more fun for all. 

THANK YOU to:

to Mayor Laurie Gill for welcoming us to the Pierre;

to Steve Kelsey and Steve Hart who provided a fun-filled auction and to everyone who donated or purchased items at the auction. It was a BLAST!  It was one of the highest grossing auctions SDAB has ever had in raising over $719 and also thanks to Dawn LaMee for clerking the sale;

to all the speakers who updated us, included: W. Tom Simmons, Cassie Stoeser, Keith Bundy, Chuck Fullenkamp, Dan Boyd, Eric Weiss, Janelle Jensen, Ardis Bazyn, Sandy Neyhart, Nancy Kelsey, Erin Swenson, Dr. Marjorie Kaiser, Dawn Backer, and Linda Biffert;

to the Siouxland Chapter of SDAB for providing the van to get people to and from Pierre and to Terri Jordan for piloting the van;

to Rehab Action for the special donation for the auction;

to Don Boyd for his entertaining comments about his brother Dan;

to Bonnie Gibson from Mitchell for her tasty jelly she donated to the auction for the 2nd year;

to Ardis Bazyn, Representative of American Council of the Blind from California who chose to weather the boat ride and for providing  the thought provoking presentations;

to the River City Transit for the bus ride;

to Siouxland Chapter of SDAB for their assistance in organizing the refreshments before and after the banquet and at the pizza party after the cruise;

to Marlin’s Restaurant for providing the great meals;

to Lori Asher, manager, and the staff at the Governor's Inn for all their help;

to the Pierre/Ft. Lions Club for serving the meal at our banquet;

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

to Capital City Queen for a great (warm and wonderful) boat ride; 

to the Awards Committee for recognizing our winner;

to Keith Bundy, and Chuck Fullenkamp from DakotaLink for the informative exhibit;

to Dawn LaMee for being our “Master of Ceremony” during the banquet and to everyone who chipped in “two bucks” for her at the auction;

to Keith Bundy and Chelle Hart as they ended their second term as Co-Presidents; and

to EVERYONE who attended and EVERYONE who helped out in any way!!!

Repurpose, Re‑use By Joe O'Sullivan, Staff Writer, Watertown Public Opinion, 11/10/08

Picture: is of one of the deserted buildings at the former state School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Gary, as seen recently. The school has been purchased by a local resident and will be renovated into lodging, office space and possibly other uses.

After 30‑plus years of neglect, the former state School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is about to get a facelift. The school, deserted since the early 1970s, was purchased recently by Lake Cochrane resident Joe Kolbach. The campus was vacated by SBVI in 1961 when it relocated to Aberdeen. Kolbach, the CEO of Dakota Wind, bought the campus, from an estate and has set about renovat­ing some of its buildings for a variety of uses by next summer, according to Heidi Nelson, Kolbach's personal assistant at Dakota Wind. Nelson also is involved in the project. “They're such beautiful build­ings and they're just in disrepair,” Nelson said. “It's sort of a project in phases, the first being two dormitory buildings.” Nelson said the goal of the project is still, open‑ended, but the first building will include lodging and office space. The other building has main‑floor auditorium that may be furnished into a banquet hall or meeting rooms, she said. The renovations are in conjunc­tion with the Rural Learning Center, a Miner County‑based orga­nization that works for the revital­ization of rural communities. The RLC will be "helping to facil­itate some of the community con­versations about how the land will be used," according to Briana Hoffman, regional development coordinator for the RLC. Hoffman said the collaboration was not just coincidental. Joe's from Howard, so he knew of the organization," Hoffman said. Opened in 1900, the school instructed students in conventional coursework as well as Braille, a special reading method for the blind, according to the Web site of the state School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The school also taught employment skills such as chair caning, piano tuning, broom making and upholstery, according to the Web site. The campus occupies approximately 36 acres with four main buildings and several smaller structures, Nelson said. The two buildings currently slated for restoration were dormitories built in 1910 and 1925, she said. The other main build­ings ‑ an administration building and a boiler building ‑ may also be renovated at a later date. Nelson also said Lake Elsie, a lake on the campus that was drained and filled after a drowning in 1962 would be restored. Some work on the property has already begun. “Simple things at this point like clearing brush now, then winterizing the buildings, windows, roofs, then start on interiors through the winter, and then be functional for summer," Nelson said, on the project's timeline. Roger Baer, president of the Gary Historical Association, and his wife Sharlotte agreed the school's renovation was a positive development. "I knew that (Kolbach) had been dealing on it for awhile," Roger said. "When he did call me to let me know he had a signed purchase agreement on it, I knew was the start of good things. (The school has) been going downhill for the past 30 years, so this is a fresh breath." Roger said he remembered when then school's students were a thriving piece of Gary "I was a kid at the time," Roger said. "They grew their own food, had a dairy barn, hogs, chickens, everything. Those kids were just a big part of the community. People in town would often give the stu­dents rides to church if they needed one; Roger added Sharlotte said she remembered swim­ming in Lake Elsie. "I only got to use (Lake Elsie) for about two years," Sharlotte said. "It was quite a row in the whole town when it was filled in," she said, because the mayor at the time did it suddenly and the property the lake occupied reverted to private ownership. Roger said the Gary Historical Association met with Kolbach on Sunday to discuss the project. He said he is look­ing forward to having Gary's annual July celebration at a restored school. Gary's mayor, Jeff Engesser, said he met with Kolbach on Thursday to discuss the project. Said Engesser: "I feel it will make Gary more of a tourist stop," adding that it would increase business.

We Need Your Help By Dawn LaMee

With the renovation of the old School for the Blind buildings in Gary SD in progress we are trying to help the building committee by gathering pictures of activities at the school so they can restore the buildings to its original beauty. Because cameras with flashes were rare for most of the time the School was in Gary our Achieves have very few pictures of the interior of the SDSB so we are asking any of you with family or friends or personal collections to look through photo albums or trunks or attics for ANY photos of the School for the Blind from Gary. For anyone who finds photos that they are willing to let us copy, if you send them to me I promise to return them to you after I scan and copy them. If they are photos that you don’t want returned we can keep them in our Achieves. Please send any pictures to Dawn LaMee, SDSBVI,

Focused On Success by Perry Groten, KeloLand TV 10/2/08

The loss of a job is a devastating experience for anyone and trying to find work to replace those lost paychecks can be very difficult during these uncertain economic times. It's all the more challenging to those facing disabilities. But one woman in Sioux Fall isn't giving up hope after being let go from the place she worked for almost a quarter-century. She remains focused on success, even though she's blind. Dawn Srstka has a lot more time on her hands to catch up on housework. Doing dishes offers a kind of occupational therapy to help her cope with a stressful time in her life. "I still fall apart, but not as bad as I did in the beginning. It's kind of like, you temporarily go into shock like okay, what am I going to do with this?" Srstka, who's legally blind, worked at South Dakota Industries for the Blind for 24 years. During that time, she performed a wide range of tasks from assembly line work, to riveting, to sorting books and catalogues. "They knew I was willing to do different things, so they had me try almost everything." But mounting bills and a shortage of donations forced the non-profit firm to shut down, leaving nearly two-dozen disabled employees without work.” When it originally happened, I fell apart, like I am now. And then after doing so much time of doing that, I would fall apart like this since this summer." Srstka enjoyed her job because she says it provided structure in her life. But with that daily routine now disrupted, Srstka is forced to find a sense of purpose through other means. She takes pride in the trophies she's won in Ski for Light activities each winter in the Black Hills. A competitor at heart, Srstka knows she facing an uphill climb. "I thought you can't do this day in and day out, keep falling apart over it. So you basically try to say okay, I'm going to do something and I'm going to get something done." Srstka has been on the phone networking for possible leads on new jobs. "And I was going to ask if it was okay to use you as a reference." Srstka has also been updating her resume and seeking help through Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired. She'd like to land another assembly line job. Srstka hopes a company will look beyond her blindness to recognize the skills she'll bring once she's hired. "I think they'll probably give me like a test to see if I can do the job before they make that decision. At least I hope they would!  I'm not trying to sound too narrow-minded or naive, but I at least hope they would try me on something." Srstka compares the overwhelming emotion of losing a job to a grieving process. Srstka is striving to put that grief behind, in order to regain a self-confidence that will eventually lead to renewed hope in the future and a new job. "I will find something, it's just that it's taking time to do it, it's taking time.

Gus Zachte Award by Lerae Olesen, Awards Committee Chairperson

Dr. Marjorie Kaiser, Superintendent at the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, pictured receiving her plaque from Lerae Olesen, was recently honored Gus Zachte Memorial Award.  This year's recipient was recognized for her dedication to improve opportunities for people who are blind and visually impaired in South Dakota and also for her continued support and involvement with the Association. Born and raised in Minnesota, she graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Secondary Education Degree and later received her Masters from Northern State University and her Doctorate Degree from University of South Dakota. Her professional life includes experiences as a High School Teacher, Deaf-Blind Program Specialist, News Director at KQKD Radio, Adjunct Faculty at NSU and for the last 22 years as Superintendent at the SDSBVI.  She has participated with a number of agencies and organizations related to blindness, both on the national and state levels including the SD Association of the Blind (SDAB) where she has served on the board, specifically as secretary, and on various committees. She tirelessly represents the School with professional assignments and activities and in her spare time she is active with the Aberdeen Lions Club, NSU Campus Lions Club, Aberdeen Lioness Club, Lions Leader Dog, Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce and as a Lector at the Zion Lutheran Church. She and her husband Steve have two children. This list is only scratching the surface of her tireless work. It is our privilege to present the Gus Zachte Memorial Award to our own Marjorie Kaiser!

Louis Braille Coin

The United States Mint recently unveiled the design for the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar. The Mint is proud to present the first coin ever minted to contain readable Braille characters. The coin will go on sale in the spring of 2009 on the bicentennial anniversary of Louis Braille's birth. Previously, the Alabama commemorative quarter‑dollar used Braille in the image honoring Helen Keller. The 1995 and 1996 Paralympics Silver Dollar, minted to commemorate the Atlanta Olympics, also featured Braille. The Braille on those coins was too small to be read by the visually impaired. Besides the readable Braille on the Silver Dollar, the coin has distinguishing features unique to the visually impaired, such as size, weight and reeded edges.

Memorial Scholarship

The Delbert K. Aman Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a resident of South Dakota who is blind or visually impaired, and who will be attending a post-secondary program at a state supported University, Vocational Technological Institute, or a private University. A GPA of 3.00 must be maintained in their chosen area of study. An individual student may be awarded a Delbert K. Aman Memorial Scholarship in four consecutive years and with a total of no more than six awards per student. The SDAB will pay for lodging, registration and meals for the recipient to attend the Annual SDAB Convention.  At which time, the recipient will be asked to share his/her future academic goals and expectations. The Association does not intend to pay travel or other expenses for the recipient to attend the National ACB convention but this decision is reviewed each year. If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, contact your local SBVI Rehab Counselor.

Scholarship Winner by Chelle Hart, Scholarship Committee Chairperson

Kyle Haaseth who graduated from Brookings High School and is currently a freshman at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND was chosen as the recipient of the 2008 Delbert Aman Memorial Scholarship.  Kyle who is majoring in Cultural Ministry Studies; hopes to one day do missionary work in a foreign country.  Kyle was unable to attend the Convention in Pierre but when asked about how college life is going, he said, “it is a lot of work, but he is enjoying it and making lots of new friends”.  The Association wishes Kyle the best with his future plans and after hearing of his involvement in a recent car accident when he and fellow students from Trinity Bible School were traveling to a church retreat in Pierre; we send him our best wishes.

New Web Site 

The SDAB website has been moved to http://sdab.club.officelive.com. The old website domain will be retired as it comes up for renewal. With all the things going on with Leighton and Sharleen Meyers, Mary Sjerven volunteered, with the help of her committee (Sharleen Meyers, Keith Bundy, and Marje Kaiser) to maintain the new site. It will still have information about the Gadgetry Program, SDAB news, and upcoming events but Mary also encourages everyone to contact her, at 605-224-4183 or rsjerven@pie.midco.net, with ideas and information. We send out a HUGH thank you to Sharleen (and Leighton) Meyers for all the work they did on the web site, without their leadership we would not have such a wonderful site.

Quilts of Valor by Dawn Crawley, KSFY-TV, 11/12/08 

Students at the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired gave away quilts as part of "The Quilts of Valor Foundation" honoring injured veterans. Tuesday's ceremony started off with the National Anthem. Four injured veterans were presented with Quilts of Valor. Handprints from students at the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired decorated the quilts. An Iraq War Veteran remembers the day he rolled over a land mine. "I was thrown forward. I had oil from the engine; I had oil burns on my face. I had bruises on both my legs from my knees to my ankles. It was pretty severe. It was hard to walk," said Jamison Marshall. Attending Tuesday's program with readings from students and songs from the heart helps the veterans feel appreciated.  "It just touches the heart knowing that we are thought of and thanked and supported by America, because sometimes the negativity outweighs the positive. When something like this happens it really lifts the spirits," said Marshall. So far, 16-thousand quilts have been given to injured veterans through the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Freedom Shrine

The School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Aberdeen recently received, from The Exchange Club of Aberdeen, the 1st “Freedom Shrine” known to have been installed in a School for the Blind in the United States. The 20-piece “Freedom Shrine” consists of photographic reproductions of historic American documents. The School’s display is unique because it has Braille labels, so when a teacher wishes to make a reference to individual documents, they can use on-line, large print or Braille versions as appropriate.

Annual Membership Business Meeting

Governor’s Inn, Pierre, SD on October 10, 2008. The following is information on topics discussed at the meeting, for a copy of the complete minutes contact the Secretary. The meeting was called to order by Co-President Keith Bundy. The 2007 minutes were read and approved. The By-laws were read, as stipulated, for action to be taken and a motion carried to adopt the changes to them. Secretary and Treasurer Reports were read and approved.  The treasurer reviewed expenditures and income in addition to reminding the group of the need to raise funds to keep our activities going. A motion carried to continue membership in the SD Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired and also membership with the SD Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. A motion carried to appoint a budget committee of Steve Hart, Dawn LaMee, Mary Sjerven, and Deb VerSteeg.  Brochure: A special thank you to Mary Sjerven, Chelle and Steve Hart who helped get the brochure finished. The Parkston Lions Club donation was used to print the brochure. Accessible voting: SDAB donated $300 to make the Auto-Mark Voting Machine available during the Madison city and school board elections as legislation only covers state and federal elections. The donation was publicized in the local papers during the election. The same voting machine is available in Sioux Falls as well as Aberdeen. Linda Biffert also indicated she represented SDAB at a Disability Summit last July where they met with Secretary of State, Chris Nelson regarding accessible voting concerns. Legislative contacts: It was suggested that instead of holding a Legislative Luncheon during our convention to look into holding a meeting at a separate time, perhaps in August. Representatives: Erwin Wiest was appointed to represent SDAB on the SDSBVI Advisory Board. Siouxland Chapter of SDAB: Jim Madsen indicated the HELLO cards have been printed for members to distribute and letters have been sent to Lions Clubs to help raise funds ($3,000) to support the Ski for Light bus, one of the chapter’s main projects. Amendment to the By-laws: Were read and adopted. By-law changes included: All of the officers shall be limited to two (2) full terms in the same office with the exception of the Secretary and the Treasure. Copies of the By-laws are available on the web site or in braille copy; contact Dawn LaMee. Election: The following Officers and Board Members were elected: Co-Presidents: Linda Biffert and Dawn Brush, 1st Vice President: Chelle Hart, 2nd Vice President: Mary Sjerven, Secretary: Lerae Olesen, Treasurer: Steve Hart, and Board members (3 year term): Steve Kelsey and Erwin Wiest. Gadgetry Program:  The Committee of Jim Madsen, Steve Hart, and Virginia Miller will meet with Brenda Fish to see if she needs anything to help operate the program. Everyone commented on how grateful SDAB is to have someone as wonderful as Brenda managing the program.

Man overcomes blindness By Jackie Burke Gurmish/Photo by Dawn Dietrich-Sahli 9/15/08

Hub City resident can do just about everything a sighted person can do. Imagine living life as though you're looking through a straw - that's how Ed Pinkman lives every day.  Pinkman was born with slowly progressing retinitis pigmentosa, an eye condition with symptoms including night blindness and tunnel vision. His vision will continue to deteriorate until he is completely blind, he said. "I had perfect vision until I was 25," he said. "Then I had night blindness, and now I have no peripheral vision."  Pinkman's condition limits his driving ability, but nothing else, he said. "I'm able to do anything anybody else does," he said. "A lot of people ask me how I deal with it, but I always say, 'you just have to play the hand you're dealt.”  He can continue to read, pay bills and do maintenance chores around the house.  "It might take me longer and I might need assistance, but I can still do it," he said. Pinkman's attitude toward his disability is something he hopes rubs off on other people. "My goal is to help people realize that they can live independently," he said. Technology is helping him reach that goal. Pinkman is able to read and work because of a machine he uses to magnify print, photographs and anything else he has difficulty focusing on. "I can probably use a computer better than some people and I'm legally blind," he said. Computer programs allow him to increase the size of icons on his computer and change the color of the text or background of a document. For example, part of Pinkman's job includes keeping a database of customers at Opportunities for Independent Living. To make it easier to read what's on the computer screen, he changes the background to black and the text to white because it's easier for him to see. "It's better when there's contrast," he said. "If I had a piece of white paper on a white table, I'd be in trouble."  And he is helping others. The new technology is making strides in the retinitis pigmentosa community, he said. He brought a machine to the home of an 80-year-old woman, and within a week, the woman had used the machine to read a pile of old newspapers she had been saving. Reading isn't the only difficulty, Pinkman said. Sometimes it's hard to see obstacles that are in his walking path, he said. To help, he walks with a cane in unfamiliar areas of town and had new carpet installed in his house. "(The carpet) makes the house brighter and makes it easier for me to see if something is in my way," he said. The walking cane took about eight months to master, he said. "There's more than sticking it out in front of you," he said. A class through the South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind taught him everything from the proper way to use the cane to listening for traffic to paying attention to cracks in the sidewalks, he said. "You just learn how to deal with blindness," he said. "Now I can figure out where I am just by the different elevations in the sidewalk." Losing his vision has taught Pinkman to appreciate little things, he said. "People miss things, like reading bills that you don't realize until it's gone." 

Louis Braille turns 200

National Braille Press has been busy organizing a virtual Birthday Party in anticipation of Louis Braille's bicentennial this January 4. They commissioned artist, Judith Krimski, to design a new image of Louis that would respect his place in history and illuminate the vitality of his vision today. Read more about her stunning Louis image at: http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/louis/about_icon.html. They have also designed several items that you can be use to spread the word about Louis's Bicentennial. All of the following items can be purchased at www.LouisBrailleBicentennial.com. Louis Lapel Pins: have teeny-tiny braille letters and cost $5 each; plus shipping. Louis Note Cards: will allow you to keep in touch with friends and family, 10 note cards cost $8; plus shipping. Bicentennial Wall Poster: which is perfect for any classroom, this beautifully illustrated 12.25" x 17" poster celebrates the life and achievements of Louis Braille it is free, with shipping. Print/braille Bookmarks: are perfect for the classroom, library, and office. These colorful bookmarks feature our Louis image and facts about his life. In packages of 30 for $8, or 50 for $12, plus shipping. Braille Key Chains: are unique gold-plated coin key chains. On one side, the words "Louis Braille 1809" in braille and the reverse side shows hands reading braille and the words "Braille Opens Doors" at a cost of $5, plus shipping. Tactile Louis: which Commemorates the 200th birthday of Louis with this signed and numbered, limited edition, ivory-colored, cast resin plaque at a cost of $45, plus shipping.  To order any items contact: NBP by calling 800-548-7323 or on the above web sites.

Ski for Light The Annual Black Hills Regional Ski for Light event will be held at Deer Mountain and nearby Deadwood, January 25-30, 2009.  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.

News and Notes

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Leighton Meyers who will soon begin medical treatment. You can send him uplifting messages and keep up with his progress at: www.carepages.com/carepages/Leig htonMeyersCancerTreatmentInfo/updates/1787143

Our prayers also go out to Sharleen Meyers who is back to feeling better after a bout with phenomena unfortunately during the same time Leighton was going through his recent surgery. We hope you feel our support in this difficult time.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joyce Brush on her recent hip surgery (2nd); we hope you will fill like running a race soon!

Thoughts and Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the following families and friends on the passing of some very special people.

Florence V. Maples of Sturgis/Sioux Falls passed away on November 21, 2008 at the age of 93. She was a Lifetime member of the SDAB. 1 son, 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren survive her.

Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to Eric Weiss on the passing of his grandmother Esther Weiss of Faulkton SD.

Sunday Dinner for the Boys by Keith Bundy THE Braille Forum, Volume XLVI March 2008 No. 8

Though my parents did many things that helped me in my quest to become a successful blind adult, they never emphasized the need for me to learn home management skills. Consequently, the duty of teaching me most of what I have learned about cooking and other household duties has fallen to my wonderful wife, Peggy, and to that greatest teacher of all -- trial and error. A few years ago Peggy worked as a registered nurse in a local nursing home. This meant that she had to leave for work around noon every other Sunday, leaving me the responsibility of preparing Sunday dinner for my four boys and myself. One Sunday as she was leaving church, she told me that there was ravioli in a bowl on the kitchen table. "Just microwave it for five minutes, Honey," she said, "and dinner will be ready for you and the boys." Not long after we got home, the boys (ages 2, 4, 8, and 9) all made it clear that they were ready for dinner. So, with great confidence, I said, "Wash your hands, guys, and dinner will be ready in five minutes."  Going to the kitchen table, I found a bowl covered by cellophane. Lifting the cellophane, I felt something sort of flabby inside and, not caring to investigate further, I put the cellophane back on the bowl and put it in the microwave for five minutes. Five minutes later, the four hungry wolves were at the table, ready to pounce on the great meal I was about to serve. Paper plates were all in place, and they eagerly eyed the microwave as I opened the door and removed our dinner. The first thing that caught my attention was the smell. It certainly didn't resemble anything Italian! Instead, the odor that emanated from the bowl could best be described as fruity. Carefully, I lifted the cellophane and stuck my index finger ever so gently into the mixture. I noticed that, instead of being solid, it was now a rather hot liquid. As I lifted the finger to my mouth and tasted it, I learned a valuable lesson -- you can microwave Jell-O! I also learned that sticking the micro waved Jell-O in the refrigerator for a few hours can harden it again. I eventually found, and successfully micro waved, the ravioli. But I learned a valuable lesson that Sunday -- sometimes we have no choice but to laugh about the lessons we learn. We have had many laughs about the micro waved Jell-O incident over the years. And I still let trial and error give me home management lessons now and then. Maybe someday I'll tell you about the chocolate macaroni and cheese!

Board Meeting

The Board held a conference call on November 20, 2008. All members were present except Keith Bundy. The meeting was called to order by Co-President Dawn Brush. Linda Biffert extended a welcome to Erwin Wiest and Steve Kelsey as new board members.  The minutes of the September 9 meeting were approved. Convention wrap up: Linda thanked everyone for attending and thanked the Siouxland Chapter for their involvement with the social hours.   The consensus was that it was a very informative convention; with relevant issues.

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 Mundschenk     Mary Sjerven           Virginia Miller James Madsen  Mary Ann Appel       Nancy Kelsey Andrea Barker  Lerae Olesen Steve Kelsey Dawn LaMee     Terri Jordan            Deb Versteeg Steve Hart        Chelle Hart              Dawn Srstka JoMarie Laughlin Bridget Stoeser   Marje Kaiser Dawn Brush Louis Brush Linda/Tom Biffert Lynn Hanson           Ron Sjerven  Kevin Brown, OD

Alan Vandenburg    Keith Bundy Peg Bundy           Mark Krogstrand     Joyce Brush Wesley Scholl      Ed/LeeAnn Pinkman