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This Month in NCADB History
August 2011 Ten Years Ago... In August 2001 a group gathered at Kennedy Park in Fremont for a day of fun. Tom and Jill Sprinkle provided chips, cookies and drinks for the occasion. Two visitors that day were Harris Hand from New York and Paul Simonovich from near Yosemite. NCADB president Jill Sprinkle gave tips on how to save money for the 2003 AADB Conference. In these pages new DCARA Outreach Specialist Kurstin Chun introduced herself. She would work with the deaf-blind community in the Bay Area for the next year. Debby Lieberman suggested that people consider becoming a deaf-blind representative for the Deaf and Disabled Telephone Program (DDTP). That position would eventually go to Char Whitacre. Char remembered the late Bob Miller who founded the Northern California Deaf-Blind Club along with Margaret Noah and Betty Jo Lependorf in 1963. A large group gathered in Seabeck for the annual deaf-blind retreat. One new activity that year was “Water Olympic” games. SSP Marlene Foster and her husband Jack brought their yacht to camp and gave people rides on Hood Canal. Hot chocolate was provided. It was sunny most of the week. People had hoped for rain but that didn’t happen until the last day of camp. There were several presidents in camp. Besides Jill Sprinkle there was AADB president Harry Anderson and Judy Groner president of the Ohio Association of the Deaf-Blind (OADB). While playing a game of hackey sack with fellow SSPs Cliff Marcus and Patrick Galasso newbie Sook Hee Choi was playfully picked up and her bare feet dipped in the lagoon. She responded by giggling. On dance night one lady from Texas won a costume contest with her Dolly Parton wig. One person was seen dancing with a plastic inflatable fish. One funny incident happened on the last morning when an online friend of Scott Oberg came by car to meet him at camp. She had never met him in person. Seeing camper Joel Abel she asked his name. He responded by taking his luggage to the back of her car. She thought at first that Joel was Scott. Cliff Marcus came along and the confusion was quickly cleared up. The real Scott Oberg then appeared and hugs and greetings were exchanged. They went into Seattle to enjoy a meal at the Ragin Cajun and visit Pikes Place Market before going to the airport.
Twenty Years Ago... In August 1991 fifty people gathered in Fremont Central Park for a picnic in spite of cold weather. One new face who would become a regular at NCADB socials offering rides in his van was a deaf-blind man named Nick Bonner. The last week of August, many people gathered for a rain soaked week at Seabeck. The theme was “Hands are Naturally Dynamic”. To help pass the time haircuts and head shaves were offered by Cliff “Mad Barber” Marcus. There were trips to among other places, the Seattle Lighthouse, a mint farm and the Seattle Kingdome for a Mariners baseball game. There was also lots of mischief. One SSP had her plastic pink flamingoes temporarily stolen and hidden for a few days. ASL storyteller Billy Seago came by to tell about a play he was going to direct and appear in later in the year. In spite of rain bike riding was a popular activity. On dance night on the last evening of camp people enjoyed themselves in colorful costumes. New SSP Marilyn Mayo came wearing a scuba diving suit. People also had fun with water pistols and whipped cream. To save money on airfare one group came up overland by van from northern California. It was an enjoyable week. The Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind recently sent out an annual report. It includes a photo of Scott Oberg riding a tandem bike at Seabeck last year.
July 2011 Ten Years Ago... On July 21st, 2001 a wedding reception was held for Nick and Mary Bonner at the Deaf Community Center (DCC). Lunch was potluck style and many gifts were given. In these pages it was announced that Rick Joy and Wendy Macdonald were engaged to be married. They would wed the following May.
Twenty Years Ago... In July 1991 in these pages Char Whitacre told readers about a recent trip she took to Japan with SSP Jeannie Witkin. They attended the World Federation of the Deaf convention in Tokyo. There were 7,000 participants from 69 countries. Char wrote that she met several deaf-blind people who were starting a new group.
June 2011 Ten Years Ago... On June 23rd 2001 Nick Bonner married Mary Matthews of Atlanta, Georgia. Nick’s bride would write about the experience in the July 2001 issue of the NCADB News.
Twenty Years Ago... In June 1991 the second part of the Deaf-Blind Empowerment workshop continued on June 1st at the San Leandro Library. The day started with Janice Adams talking about independent living. Next there was a talk about devices such as CCTV magnifiers. Later, there was an Orientation and Mobility demo with deaf-blind people leading blindfolded SSPs on a walk around the library. People then broke for lunch. Ann MacIntyre and her crew served up Mexican food, chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice and other goodies. After lunch people got a chance to look at a small exhibit of equipment. A little later there were discussions about among other things accessing the media, such as television, services for deaf-blind consumers, and deaf-blindness and mental health. Finally, Charlotte Whitacre talked about emergency preparation. She thanked Scott Oberg for calling her and letting her know what happened when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck in October 1989. More than sixty people attended the workshop over the weekend. On June 15th a large group journeyed to Angel Island in San Francisco Bay to spend the day. Former NCADB SSP Cliff Marcus surprised everybody by joining in on the trip.
May 2011 Ten Years Ago... In May 2001 many people gathered for NCADB’s 38th birthday at the DCC. For lunch they enjoyed beef teriyaki, Japanese salad, two kinds of sushi (crab and cucumber), wheat rolls, carrot cake and a wide variety of drinks provided by Ted Baldwin and family. Ken Keith took a group picture and offered copies for sale for anyone who wanted to remember the day. Before lunch there was a guessing game with two bags of candy which were given away to the winners. After lunch new NCADB president Jill Sprinkle asked people if they would like to take June off from the social and many agreed to do so. Next came the annual AADB Conference fund raising raffle. Among the winners were Jill Sprinkle who won a Fry’s Electronics gift certificate (worth $100) and Ralph Padgug who won $50. Jill donated her prize to NCADB and Ralph gave half his gift back. The raffle tickets sellers were then rewarded: Scott Oberg (120) Emily Vera (111) Sook Hee Choi (80) and Martin Greenberg (60). Janet Drane brought her young puppy to the social, a Dachshund named Mel. In these pages Ken and Sharon Keith wrote a story about a new policy change involving renewing Transit Discount Cards to prevent cheating. People were now required to fill out a form and get a doctor’s signature before they could be eligible for a new card. Jill submitted her first column as NCADB president.
Twenty Years Ago... In May 1991 many people gathered at the Sacramento Society for the Blind for the first of six annual socials in Sacramento. Steve Burrows, a young interpreting student, and owner of a Subway sandwich shop provided lunch. He would do so for the next five years. In these pages Charlotte Whitacre announced that the Telebraille 2 was available from Pacific Bell for braille users. Friday night May 31st kicked off the first of a two part Deaf-Blind empowerment workshop held at the San Leandro Library. The focus that evening was on signal devices to help make lives easier such as Silent Call and Alert Master. One was called Vibrane a very strong vibrating signal device. Among those in attendance was Janice Adams a deaf-blind lady then of Washington, DC who would give a presentation the next day.
April 2011 Ten Years Ago... In April 2001 it was a busy day at the monthly NCADB social. Before lunch the biannual NCADB board election began with Jill Sprinkle being elected president, Charlotte Whitacre vice-president and Ted Baldwin, treasurer. It was announced that Matt Seiden would serve as secretary. Lunch was then served by Tom and Jill Sprinkle; sandwiches, cookies, potato salad and drinks. After lunch was the second part of the election: Nick Bonner, Sharon Keith, Brenda Roberts, Nancy Seiden and Tom Sprinkle won seats on the board of directors. After the election, Nick Bonner announced his engagement to Mary Matthews of Atlanta, GA. They would marry in June. Jill Sprinke surprised outgoing secretary Debby Lieberman with a gift: A picture frame with photos of Debby and NCADB people over the years. Debby said she would continue visiting the Bay area and helping NCADB. The day closed with Tony Papalia of DCARA discussing the ongoing energy crisis and how to cope with it. Robert Miller who along with Margaret Noah and Betty Jo Lependorf began what eventually became known as NCADB in 1963 passed away on April 21st at the age of 85. He worked for the San Francisco Lighthouse for 41 years from 1935 to 1976. He supervised deaf-blind employees for many years.
Twenty Years Ago... In April 1991 in these pages Charlotte Whitacre announced an upcoming deaf-blind empowerment workshop to be held in San Leandro. Also announced was a directory project to help people keep in touch with one another.
March 2011 Ten Years Ago... In March 2001 at the monthly social the PKZ Gallaudet Sorority provided a lunch of sloppy Joes, salad and cookies. Before lunch, there was a nomination meeting led by Martin Greenberg. Martin who had served as NCADB’s treasurer for four years was thanked for his service. After lunch Rick Joy shared the sad news that former NCADB member Patsy Walters had passed away in January 2001. Patsy was a regular at the monthly social and at deaf-blind camp in Napa. Frank Lester urged people to help sell tickets for a raffle drawing in May. Visiting that day was Bernice Adams a cousin of Charlotte Whitacre from Ohio, Cathy Kirscher of HKNC and SSP Nancy Saito.
Twenty Years Ago... In March 1991 it was NCADB board election day at the monthly social. Re-elected as president, vice-president and treasurer respectively were Charlotte Whitacre, Darrel Griffin and Ellen Schreiber. Board members elected that day were Ron Barnes, Dee Follette, Jim Kramer, Tom O’Sullivan and Nancy Seiden. Coming on board as NCADB’s new secretary was Debby Lieberman. She would serve in that position for the next ten years. In these pages Charlotte Whitacre announced there would be a social in Sacramento in May and urged people to carpool.
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