seniors’ chat
TRANSCRIPT
2015
SeniorS’ Chat
Bill’s Column
Spring is FINALLY here! We went through a brutal winter which included several
snow storms, power outages, terrible driving conditions, shoveling, etc. We can
say SO LONG to what will be known as one of the worst winters we’ve seen here.
We can look forward to beautiful weather, enjoying the outdoors, planting flowers,
baseball, etc. Now is the time to be organizing your thoughts on how to carry out
the annual practice of “Spring Cleaning”. It can also apply to cleaning out your
computer, car, etc.
An election for Fine Tuners positions (aka Happy Hands board) is almost one month away. The
Nominating Committee will look for qualified candidates to serve on the committee for 2015-2016. For
more information re: the positions, see page 5.
Upcoming Events:
April 1 – Lance Fischer on National Archives
May 6 – Election
June 3 – Annual picnic at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, VA
Picnic on June 3, 2015 10:00AM-4:00PM
(Rain or Shine)
Algonkian Park, Picnic Shelter #1, 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling VA 20165
http://www.nvrpa.org/park/algonkian/
Look for flyer in the May issue.
For more information, contact Bill Center
PAGE 2
Happy Hands Luncheon
April 1, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Easter Menu:
Ham — Peggy Daniels
Chicken — Nancy Rarus
Potato Salad — Cheryl Rockburn
Deviled Eggs — Bill Center, JoAnn Pelarski
Green Bean Casserole — Robert & Linda Whitworth
Sweet Potato Casserole — Nancye Torbett
Hot Cross Buns — Jerry Pelarski
Rolls & Butter — Ann Marie Swiatkowski
Lamb Cake — Jill Moebus
Cookies — Carolyn Willis, Pat Beech
Volunteers are needed for Scalloped Potatoes and Tossed Salad. For more information re: the menu, please
contact Cheryl Rockburn at [email protected].
After lunch, we will have a presentation on the National Archives by Lance J. Fischer: He will talk about how
he got a job with the National Archives and Records Administration. He will explain what the archives is all
about. He will include some fascinating stories of what he saw inside the archives, including records
pertaining to Deaf history.
Lance was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He attended P.S. 47 School for the
Deaf in NYC, and graduated from NYSD “Fanwood” in 1966. He earned a
Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from Gallaudet University in 1971.
He was an archivist with the National Archives during 1971-2006. After retiring,
became a consultant with several schools of the deaf and deaf organizations on
proper ways of preservation and the management of records. He is a board member
of the Gallaudet University Institutional Review Board, 2010-present, and Deaf
Seniors of America (6 years term), 2013-present. He chaired the DSA 2013
Baltimore conference. He is married to Catherine “Kitty” Hoffpauir from
Louisiana.
For more information about this event, contact Bill Center at [email protected].
FYI: If Fairfax County Government is closed due to weather (i.e., snow), NVRC will be closed, too.
Photos from Happy Hands Luncheon
On March 4, 2015
To see more pictures, here is URL: http://www.beechasl.net/happyhands/03-04-2015/Photos.html
Front Row: Phuong Duong, Nancy Rarus, Linda Whitworth, JoAnn Pelarski,
Ann Marie Swiatkowski, Cheryl Rockburn, Peggy Daniels, and Pat Beech
Back Row: Robert Whitworth, George Herberger, Jerry Pelarski, Bill Center,
Rocky Rockburn, Paul Daniels, Nancye Torbett, and Carolyn Willis
Best St. Patrick’s Dress Contest Winners
1st Place: Rocky Rockburn, 2nd Place: Bill Center, 3rd Place: Jerry Pelarski
PAGE 3
Photos from Happy Hands Luncheon
On March 4, 2015 (continued)
Thanks to:
All who helped with the set-up and clean-up at the March Luncheon
All who provided goodies at the March Luncheon
Cheryl Rockburn and Ann Marie Swiatkowski for being the Buffet Servers at
the March Luncheon
Peggy Daniels for being the judge at the Best St. Patrick’s Dress Contest
Lois Herberger for providing the St. Patrick’s Trivia, and Bill Center for coordinating the Trivia game
Beef Stew
Almond Pie
Ann Marie Swiatkowski and Chery Rockburn serve dishes to
George Herberger and Jerry Pelarski
50/50 Raffle Winner
Bill Center ($12)
Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potatoes and
Cheddar-Topped Shepherd’s Pie
St. Patrick’s Trivia
PAGE 4
Election of Officers (Fine Tuners)
for 2015-2016
on May 6, 2015
During the May 6th luncheon, Happy Hands will have an election of officers (Fine Tuners) for 2015-
2016. The Nominations Committee members are Nancy Rarus ([email protected]) and Pat Beech
([email protected]). If you are interested in any of the positions below, please let them know.
Chair will:
Lead meetings
Develop Agenda
Assist with Newsletter
Assist with Social and Activities committee planning
Vice-Chair will:
Substitute for the Chair when needed
Assist Treasurer
Assist with other committee planning whenever needed
Secretary will:
Take minutes
Share summaries with the membership through e-mail and newsletter, upon approval of the Fine
Tuners
Treasurer will:
Collect dues and membership forms
Appoint Membership Director and Raffles Director
Make copies of the membership forms and give to the Membership Director
Dues and the original membership forms will be turned over to a designated NVRC staff member
Member-At-Large (3) will:
Help wherever needed
Volunteers are needed for the following positions:
Sunshine Committee Chair (filled)
Food/Menu Committee Chair
Historian (filled)
Newsletter editor
PAGE 5
Very Vanilla Bundt Cake
Submitted by Cheryl Rockburn
Yield: 12-16 servings
Ingredients
1 French Vanilla Cake Mix (Use Betty Crocker)
1 small (approximately 3.4 oz) box french vanilla pudding mix
1 cup sour cream (you can use light and use 3/4 cup and it is still incredibly moist)
4 large eggs
1 cup water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup white chocolate or vanilla morsels
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 12-cup bundt pan well. Set aside.
Combine everything but the morsels in a large bowl. Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed. Fold in vanilla
chips and pour into the prepared bundt pan.
Bake for 38-43 minutes or according to the time frame on the box of cake mix. Cake is done when it
springs back after being touched. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before turning out onto a plate. Slice and
serve!
Spring2Action a 24-hour,
on-line fundraiser
for Non-Profits - April 22, 2015
Spring2Action is a 24-hour, on-line fundraiser to show your support for
non-profit organizations in our area.
On Wednesday, April 22, NVRC will compete with other local non-profits for cash and
prizes. Every donation you make helps us qualify to earn prize money, furthering the impact
of your donation.
NVRC’s goal is to raise $6,000 in just one day!
Mark your calendars and tell your friends,
the giving starts at 7:00 a.m. on April 22.
To keep the giving momentum going, NVRC is offering a chance
to win a $25 gift card for a donation of $50 or more to 20 lucky people.
PAGE 6
Happy Hands
Luncheon
Events for April 2015
NVAD
FYI: If Fairfax County Government is closed due to weather (i.e., snow), NVRC will be closed too.
Maryland Deaf Senior Citizens, Inc. will have its monthly meeting on April 16. For more information, contact Willis Mann at
[email protected] or see: http://www.mddeafseniors.org/.
For information about Frederick Deaf Seniors events, contact Mary Sue Boxer at [email protected].
Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf will have its monthly meeting on April 11. The meeting will be at 10AM-12PM. For more
information, contact Donna Graff-Viall at [email protected] or see: http://www.vad.org/nvad.html.
Fredericksburg Deaf Seniors meet on April 14 at noon. The location is Salem Baptist Church at 4044 Plank Road, Fredericksburg VA 22407
(http://www.salembc.com/#/welcome/directions). For more information, contact Arva Priola at [email protected].
For more information about the Cascades Coffee Chat group, contact Bev Young at [email protected]. This group meets @ 10:00AM at
Starbucks Marketplace, 210-21 Southbank Street, Sterling VA 20165.
For more information about ASL Dinners, contact Robert Goodwin at [email protected]. URL is:
http://www.furnation.com/boogi/asldinners/.
April 11 @ 6PM at California Pizza Kitchen, Pentagon Centre, 1201 South Hayes St., Arlington VA 22202
April 25 @ 6PM at Old Country Buffet, 9650 Main Street, Fairfax VA 22031
For more information about Deaf Coffee Chat events in Northern Virginia, see: http://happy.deafcoffee.com/category/virginia/
A. Leesburg — Josephine Bergner at [email protected]
2nd Friday every month at 6PM-10PM at Panera Bread, 215 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg VA
B. Martinsburg — Donna Day at [email protected]
4th Thursday every month at 6PM at Starbucks inside Target Store off I-81, Exit #12
C. Winchester — Donna Day at [email protected]
3rd Thursday every month at 6PM-8PM at Starbucks, 191 Market Street, Winchester VA
(inside Target off I-81, Exit #317)
D. Fredericksburg— Timothy Willard at [email protected]
2nd Thursday every month at 7PM-10PM at Starbucks Coffee, 3500 Plank Road #A, Fredericksburg
4th Thursday every month at 7PM-10PM at Starbucks Coffee, 9907 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg
ASL Dinners
MDSC
PAGE 7
ASL Dinners
Fredericksburg,
Deaf Seniors Happy Hands
Fine Tuners
Tax Day
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
...to the folks with birthdays in
April
Robert McNab [4th]
Paul Daniels [20th]
Betty Yates [27th]
Carolyn Willis [30th]
PAGE 8
Bill Center
www.nvrc.org
Sunshine
News
Jim Beech is recovering from a knee injury.
Bill Center had tooth surgery on March 9.
Thayer Dow recovered from cellulitis late February. She continually receives treatment for lymphedema.
John Harper slipped off his bed the second time late February and got help from firemen. He's not happy
with Meals on Wheels. He's been talking about moving to a new place.
Jill Moebus had hip replacement surgery. After three weeks of recuperation, her doctor told her that she
could drive.
Elaine Shaffer is doing well. She really misses seeing everyone and hopes that warmer Spring weather will
allow her to finally show up at future Happy Hands events — to join the fun with all her friends again!
Sharon Svenningsen is recovering from bronchitis.
Son Leo Yates reported that his mother, Betty Yates, was recovering from pneumonia. He expected her to
transfer from Stafford Hospital Center to a rehab facility to continue her recovery.