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: President, Wanda Williford (609) 375-6682; 1st Vice President, Frank Schack (973) 595-0116; 2nd Vice President, Joyce Sowa (732) 596-9675; Secretary Dan Bausch; Treasurer, Bernie Zuckerman of 32 Judson Street, Unit 7B, Edison, NJ 08837, and (732) 221-5362
Dear Friends,
2020 is here! Not the news show with Barbara Walters or some year far away in the Star Wars sphere. What an exciting time for our community. Advances in assistive technology have made independent living and play more accessible than ever for the blind and visually impaired.
Smartphone apps can do everything from reading junk mail to identifying loved ones faces. Sonar wristbands can help hikers explore a rugged trail. The ease of having the Alexa speaker read a lemon chicken recipe for a date night dinner at home, is quite frankly, remarkable. These advancements allow us to live the life we choose with confidence.
The new year is a great time to try something new. Download that app you heard about from a friend, to help you shop by voice. Listen to the blind wood workers podcast on your smart speaker. Get in your 10,000 steps a day with the help of an accessible fitness tracker. Whatever you do, have fun!
I am so excited the NJCB is continuing our journey. We will embrace the old school lessons and move forward with technology’s help. I look forward to us learning from one another, encouraging growth and applauding our accomplishments big and small. Working together will ensure the NJCB thrives for many years to come.
In October, Dr. Bethany Fishbein shared her vast tech knowledge with us. Her presentation was enjoyable as well as informative. January 18th, 2020, we are fortunate to host another dynamic speaker, Carol Rickard. She is a stress management expert. Come ready to learn techniques you will use for a lifetime. Take a deep breath and say whoosh!
Wishing you, all the joy your heart can hold in 2020.
Happy New Year!
Wanda Williford
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, January 18, 2020. 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. For us to order enough food call (973) 595-0116 by January 13th 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.
Carol L Rickard, LCSW
America’s Ultimate Stress Expert
Carol Rickard, LCSW, has spent over 27 years working in the behavioral health field as a social worker, trainer, and facilitator in hospital-based settings. Carol’s expertise is in stress management and wellness. In addition to the 25 books she has published, she has been a featured expert in other publications including Readers Digest, Dr. Oz’s The Good Life, Woman’s World Magazine, and writes a weekly column for Esperanza Magazine.
She has spoken and conducted trainings for organizations including the NJ State Police, Princeton University, Catholic Charities USA, and US Department of Energy. She is the creator and co-host of a nationally syndicated wellness series called The WELL YOU Show, which is based out of Princeton Community Television. Carol has her master’s in social work from Rutgers University and her bachelor’s in science from Kansas State University.
By Pat Kay
Sometimes eyesight becomes so poor that reading a newspaper or driving a car, shopping or many other daily activities become frustrating, irritating and sometimes impossible. While this support group cannot restore perfect eyesight, it can be helpful to participate in learning how to deal with low or no vision and the problems that come with it.
Meetings are held on the third Monday each month from 10:00 am to Noon. Participants share their experiences and discuss issues. Guest experts lead sessions at some meetings. Some guests introduce and lead short exercises of lifetime activities that have proven to be healing such as meditation, Tai Chi and Yoga.
The support group is sponsored by Metuchen and is affiliated with the ASPIRE program of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The facilitator of the group is a member of several support groups that she credits with helping her to maintain her independence through the past twenty years of legal blindness.
For more information, please call Pat Kay at 732-261-5881. The meetings are held at the Metuchen Senior Center and is Access Link accessible.
NJCB is pleased to announce the 2020 Scholarship program. To apply, eligible candidates must be legally blind, will be a full-time college student, undergraduate or graduate, in the 2020 – 2021 academic year and be a New Jersey resident. The deadline to apply is May 1st and the winner will be awarded at our July Quarterly meeting. Full details, application forms and how to apply can be found on our website at www.njcounciloftheblind.org. You may also email questions to njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com or our committee chair, Bernie Zuckerman at bernard1750@aol.com.
NJCB is on Facebook. Anyone interested in contributing to the success of this page please send your ideas and posts to our email address at njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com Please note all posts must be related to activities relating to your membership with NJCB or its affiliates. The page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/2255314534793147/. Just search for New Jersey Council of the Blind in Facebook.
Peace and wellbeing to everyone from members of MCAB.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone from members of MCAB.
On December 12, MCAB’s Christmas/Holiday Dinner Party was held at Villa Mannino Ristorante address 73 Route 130, Bordentown, NJ in the Banquet Room. MCAB Members and guests enjoyed dinner, desserts, beverages and a great deal of fun.
MCAB held new elections for officers for the coming new year 2020 at November’s Meeting. New elected officers for two years are: President Mustafaa Shabazz; Vice President Wanda Williford; Treasurer Catherine Godfrey; Recording Secretary Dan Bausch; and Corresponding Secretary Susan Yochim. MCAB’s Members congratulate all the new officers.
In a community effort to increase younger visually impaired membership and to increase publicity of MCAB’s mission of enhancing the lives of the visually impaired MCAB’s membership will participate in purchasing advertising in the 4-star local Mercerville Magazine “Our Town” starting in January 2020.
MCAB members Wanda Williford and Terry Moskowitz will oversee that project.
Best regards
Submitted by Mustafaa Shabazz, MCAB President
Hard to believe that it is the middle of December already. Where does the time go?
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza are right around the corner and after that, a new year.
2020 will be the 110th year of service for NJBCA. 110 years of helping the blind, visually impaired and those with deteriorating vision. 110. Let that sink in. What was it like in 1910? Here are some crazy facts about that year:
Pretty amazing, right? We think so too.
We wish everyone Happy Holiday’s!
Stacey Stefanski
Director
NJBCA
For members at large if you have not already paid dues for 2020, please do so immediately. To be an active, voting member and continue receiving the benefits of our members which includes our Chronicle and ACB newsletters, please send us your $10.00 dues payment. NJCB is required to submit our membership lists and dues to the ACB national headquarters to remain a valid certified affiliate. Please send your membership dues payment to our Treasurer, Bernie Zuckerman 32 Judson Street, Unit 7B, Edison, NJ 08837.
Saturday April 25th 12 Noon to 4PM Location TBD
Saturday July 25th 12 Noon to 4PM at Camp Happiness in Leonardo
Saturday October 24th 12 Noon to 4PM Location TBD
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.
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Annual Dues: $10.00 due in July
Make check payable to NJCB and send to:
Treasurer- Bernie Zuckerman
32 Judson St. Unit 7-B
Edison, NJ 08837
(732) 221-5362