The New Jersey Council of the Blind’s mission is to strive for the betterment of the blind and visually impaired community. The purpose of this publication is to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, opinions and information that concern blind and visually impaired people.
The NJCB Chronicle is also available on Newsline. If you do not have a Newsline subscription, contact Reader Services at the New Jersey Talking Book and Braille Center at (800) 792-8322 to get signed up for a Newsline subscription. Four quarterly newsletters are sent to members free of charge by E-mail. You may obtain the current and back issues of the Chronicle and other information from our web site www.njcounciloftheblind.org. Feel free to write us at njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com.
The New Jersey Council of the Blind (NJCB) is a 501 (c) 3 corporation. Much appreciated tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Treasurer of NJCB.
The NJCB officers are: Interim President Frank Schack (973) 595-0116; Vice President, Joyce Sowa (732) 596-9675; Secretary Joyce Schack (973) 595-0116; Treasurer, Bernie Zuckerman of 32 Judson Street, Unit 7B, Edison, NJ 08837, and (732) 221-5362
I don’t know if it’s just me but as I get older times seems to fly. It feels like I was just writing the last President’s message and three months have passed already.
I hope this finds you healthy and ready to enjoy the cooler weather and wonderful fall season.
It is time to elect new officers for the organization. At the Executive Board’s request, we are still seeking volunteers to come forward and be a part of the Board. Without an elected Executive Board, NJCB will not be able to continue operations and we will be forced to begin the process of dissolving the organization. Please, if you are interested in stepping in to serve on the Executive Board, contact our nominating committee chair, Jim Dougherty at jfd208@optonline.net or 732 549-5826. Please note that nominations can also be made from the floor at the meeting.
It is imperative that you attend our next quarterly meeting. I know that transportation is always a problem but please try to make arrangements to attend. If we do not have sufficient attendance at our meetings we cannot have guest speakers, who make our meetings more informative. Please consider becoming an officer. We need new people and new ideas, so our organization can continue to help and serve the blind community of New Jersey.
Frank Schack, Acting President
The next quarterly meeting of NJCB will be held at the Joseph Kohn Training Center (JKTC) at 130 Livingston Ave. in New Brunswick, NJ 08901 on Saturday, October 27, 2018. A pizza lunch will be served at 12 Noon for a cost of $5.00; the meeting will begin at 1 PM and will be over at about 4 PM. In order for us to order enough food call (973) 595-0116 by October 21st to let us know that you will be attending and want lunch. One person from each organization can call with a group count. We are looking forward to seeing you there. Can’t make it in person? Call in by our conference number. The call-in number is: 605-468-8005 Access code 425 373#. Please note this is a toll call.
My name is Rachel Azulay and I just began my freshman year at Ramapo college. I was the lucky recipient of $1000.00 from the New Jersey Council for the Blind. The money I was awarded was put towards books and technology necessary for my success in college. It was an honor to be chosen for such an incredible award and in fact, I can truly say that the first few weeks of school have been nothing short of amazing. The scholarship money has provided me with essentials that I may have not had the chance to receive otherwise. There is no doubt that I will continue to actively be involved in the NJCB for many years to come. It has been a blessing to be a part of such an inspiring group of individuals that constantly change lives.
Hello, I am Kayla an undergraduate at Kean University and studying a B.A. of Architectural Studies. I have been in school for three weeks now, I moved in on August twenty-sixth and officially started classes on September fifth. I am having an amazing experience thus far. Within the first two weeks I have made many friends as well as meeting new people each and every day. I made lots of friends in and out of my major, there were events held that included all the art students, such as graphic design, industrial design, interior design, interior architecture and architecture students and I managed to meet a lot of people at those events. I’ve also managed to get to know almost everyone in the first-fourth year architecture program. I love the major that I chose, it was the perfect choice, I’ve always wanted to be an architect and now that I am here at a university, in the major of choice, it is a blessing. Although it is only the second week I have learned so much about architecture. My fellow architect friends and I often get together for study dates and book clubs since we were assigned readings for homework. Every Friday for my Architecture of representation class, we all go on a field trip to New York and sketch different sites in person. On the first trip we went to The Museum of Modern Art on our second trip we went to The Bowling Green Park.
Living on campus is such a great experience I would recommend it for anyone. Living on campus gives you an opportunity to meet new friends that are in your building/floor. You also have a closer connection with the school and events that are held on campus, you also get a sense of independence. In my suite I live with three other girls. It was pretty cool because we all got along pretty well as soon as we met. They are really fun and academically motivated like myself. All four of us often go to the game room at the student center on campus. On the first week of school we all met group of friends together. It is cool to have a mutual friend group with your suite mates, we all hang out, grab coffee, we have spades/uno on Saturdays and we all keep in touch by an iMessage group chat. I am glad that I found a group of friends right away to grow a long lasting friendship with.
Lastly, I am so glad that I have great professors for my first semester, they are extremely nice and understanding. All of my professors have been meeting all accommodations. In addition, I have been a great self advocate when there is something that I need I let my professor know ahead of time rather than too late. Also, if there is something that I am missing and that I need, I let them know and they will have it done in a heartbeat. In terms of accommodations being met at Kean University there are no issues, I am satisfied.
So far so good, I am having a great time at my college two weeks into the semester.
Joseph Ceetrulo
Joseph is a legally blind student who attended Lacey Township High School. He graduated with high honors and performed various community services. Joseph received the kindness award in high school. He was on the honor roll and helped with charitable foundations.
Joseph is currently Georgian Court University.
News from Mercer County Association of the Blind (MCAB)
Peace and wellbeing to everyone from the membership of MCAB. We hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer. Our members and guests enjoyed a wonderful time at MCAB’s Picnic on August 11, at the Elks Lodge, outside under the Gazebo with 27 picnic tables, fully operational electric grills, refrigerator and restrooms facilities. Many thanks go out to Ron, Exalted Ruler of the Elks and his staff who helped him cooking the hamburgers and hotdogs. Also, thanks goes out to MCAB’s Treasurer, Cathy Godfrey who picked up all the catered salads and other prepared food and our exceptional members who helped in the serving to make this picnic wonderfully enjoyable.
In the coming months we look to have a few guest speakers and preparation for December’s Christmas Dinner for members and guests.
Best regards.
Submitted by Mustafaa Shabazz, MCAB President
News from Blind Citizen’s Association
Fall Greetings from NJBCA!
As I sit and write this, today’s date happens to be 9/11. A somber day, meant for Reflection. 17 years have now passed, but the memories remain for all who were involved in that one single day and its aftermath that changed the lives of so many and that of our nation. As we remember and mourn the lives of so many, including the 37 Middletown residents (where NJBCA is located) we remember the bravery of our first responders, the love and compassion of strangers and the strength of America- united and unfettered.
The NJBCA Ladies Auxiliary will be having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, October 13th between 4-7 pm. Salad, bread, spaghetti, meatballs and/or sausage, non- alcoholic beverage and dessert will be served. For further information please call the NJBCA office at 732-291-0878.
Entries into the Monmouth County fair of art projects and crochet and knitting projects by several of our participants were awarded 3 blue ribbons of 1st place, 3 red ribbons of 2nd place, 2 yellow ribbons of 3rd place and 2 honorable mentions.
Congratulations to all!!!!
Participants will be attending 3 free concerts at the PNC Bank Arts Center- Wednesday, September 12- Lucy Arnez; Thursday, September 20 – Vinnie Medugno and the Jersey Sound and Thursday, September 27- Tribute to Frankie Valli, Roy Orbison and the Beach Boys. These concerts are always a lot of fun!
Thank you to everyone who attended the last meeting at NJBCA. We hope that you enjoyed your picnic lunch as much as we enjoyed having you!
Directions
Directions to the Joseph Kohn Training Center (JKTC)
Address:
JKTC
130 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2421
Cross Street: Seaman Street
From the North
Proceed south on Route 1 to Route 18 toward New Brunswick.
Get off Route 18 at the New Street ramp.
Turn slight right onto New Street/ NJ 26.
Take the 2nd left onto Livingston Avenue/NJ 26.
Turn left onto Seaman Street and left into the JKTC parking lot.
From the South
Proceed north on Route 1 to the Livingston Avenue/NJ 26 exit toward New Brunswick.
Turn right onto Seaman Street and left into the JKTC parking lot
NOTE: Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the New Jersey Council of the Blind officers and/or members. The editor reserves the right to edit articles submitted for both space and content.
New Jersey Council of the Blind
An affiliate of
American Council of the Blind
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Annual Dues: $10.00 due in January
Make check payable to NJCB and send to:
Treasurer- Bernie Zuckerman
32 Judson St. Unit 7-B
Edison, NJ 08837
(732) 221-5362