This is the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE text edition for December 2004.

Hello Everyone! I’m Jessica Ralston from WSAZ-NewsChannel 3. This is the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE audio edition for December 2004.

All material property of C-W-A-B, Incorporated. Reproduction of audio, and or printed articles or photos in the original printed issue, may not be reproduced or distributed in whole or in part without prior written consent.

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind, Inc.

Executive Officers: Brenda Blake, President

Kim Blake, Vice President, Ted Childs Sr., Secretary

Laundle (Lon-dl) Powers, Treasurer

Board Members: Kenneth Hicks, Ernie Golder,

Juanita Souder, (pronounced Sow-der),

Margie Simmons, Patsy Dixon,

Cheryl Justice, and Patricia Walker

The Guide Page Magazine published monthly by:

CWAB, Incorperated, 38 Washington Ave., Huntington, WV. 25701

(304) 522-6991 - Fax (304) 522-6924

e-mail: cwabadm@cabellwayne.org

Internet: www.cabellwayne.org or www.cwab.org.

Paul Slone, Executive Director

Jerry Crabtree, Guide Page Editor

Major funding provided by the Teubert (pronounced Tue-bert) Foundation

Volume 15, Issue 12

December 2004

In this issue you will hear: Mission and Vision Statements, GP Narrator Of The Month, Building Model Displayed, From the "Director’s Desk", MU Basketball Schedule, Basket Draws Interest, Holiday Story, Council Meets, Heirloom Portrait, The Northeast Corner, Recreation Activities, Bowling Scores, Recipe of the Month, Large Print Calendars, Support Groups, Radio Outreach, Weather Watch, Fund-raising Merchandise, Control Your Assets, GUIDE PAGE Supporters, Staff Holiday Greetings, CWAB Services.

The magazine cover for December features an artwork photograph of a wintery Christmas scent. An antique automobile is shown driving you to a house decorated for the holidays. Mounds of snow can be seen everywhere.

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind

Mission and Vision Statements

Our Mission:

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is committed to promoting and advocating the economic, educational, and social welfare of the blind and visually impaired of all ages so that they can maintain a lifestyle comparable to other members of society.

Our Vision:

CWAB will be seen nationally as a model for organizations and agencies that help blind and visually impaired persons achieve maximum independence. CWAB will be known for timely and appropriate state-of-the-art responses to the changing needs of consumers throughout the Tri-State area and beyond.

Guide Page Magazine Reader of the Month

Brooke Baldwin of WOWK-CBS-13

Brooke Baldwin co-anchors 13News This Morning and 13News at Noon. She also hosts Healthwatch13 during 13News Live at 5. Previously the weekend statewide anchor, Baldwin co-anchored West Virginia’s inaugural statewide newscast.

Brooke made her national television debut during Bridge Day 2004, where she co-anchored live coverage from the largest extreme sports event in the world.

Brooke’s love for journalism far surpasses her duties at the anchor desk, after all, the real reason she got into broadcasting was to tell people’s stories.

Whether covering presidential politics, hurricanes, or hometown heroes – Brooke enjoys it all. Some of her most memorable interviews include: Willie Nelson, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Leslie Nielsen. But her favorite stories are about regular people in extraordinary situations.

Before moving to West Virginia, she spent several years in Charlottesville, Virginia, Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, Miami and Atlanta, Ga.

There are two photos with this article. The first - a nearly half-page professional of Baldwin. She is wearing a white collared shirt with a less-than-white overshirt. She has shoulder-length brown hair and she is broadly smiling. The second shows Baldwin seated reading an issue of the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE.

At the top of next page of the printed edition there is a photo of CWAB Executive Director Paul Slone as he stands near the architectural model of the proposed new CWAB technology building. The side caption reads: "CWAB Executive Director Paul Slone invites everyone - consumers, volunteers, and the general public to visit the Services Division office at 38 Washington Ave. to view an architectural model of the proposed new technology building.

For details, call 522-6991.

Please note the Services Division Holiday Office Schedule

Christmas - Closed Friday, December 24th

New Year’s Day - Closed Friday, December 31st.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

From the "Director’s Desk"

Hello Everyone!

We are rapidly approaching another Christmas and a new year. Cabell-Wayne has had another year of continued growth. We are now providing services to 585 consumers - I can say with confidence that in 2005 we will surpass the 600 mark! What a wonderful thing that will be!

CWAB’s Services Division held an appreciation dinner for our volunteers Monday, November 8th. It was our way to say "thank you" to those who give of themselves during the year to assist Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind.

The association has two ongoing fund-raisers - craft making by consumers and a fudge candy sale with the help of consumer Joanna Holbrook and her sister Norma Belt. All proceeds of these fund-raisers go towards the proposed new building. It’s really great to see everyone working so hard together to make this facility become a reality.

I want to congratulate Patricia Aldridge on being elected to the CWAB board of directors. Also to Cheryl Justice, Margie Simmons, and Juanita Souder on being re-appointed to their posts. The new term begins in January.

Keep the donations coming!

Until next month .....

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY THUNDERING HERD

2004 - 2005 Basketball Schedule

Dec 4 - UAB - 7:00 p.m.

Throughout high school, Jed Cooper and Jenny Valerio had been together, going steady they called it then. They loved each other, and were certain they’d be married someday. But life, and fate, is sometimes cruel to young lovers. Soon after graduation, Jed was drafted for Vietnam. Jenny begged and pleaded with Jed not to go.

"I’d rather live as a fugitive in Canada, with you at my side, than lose you to some damn war nobody believes in." Jenny would sob, tears rolling down her young face, "If you go, I can’t wait for you, I couldn’t bear the pain."

Jed was torn between his love for Jenny, and his duty to his country, but in the end Jed knew what he had to do. "I have to go, Jen. I couldn’t live with myself if I ran away from this, and you couldn’t either. Don’t worry, I’ll get back O.K."

Jenny wasn’t convinced, and being young and hurt, she threw a tantrum and told Jed sharply, "It’s obvious you don’t love me as much as you love the thought of war and adventure in some rice paddy half a world away. Go on and go. I don’t want to see or hear from you ever again."

She didn’t mean it, but she couldn’t bring herself to take it back. She knew in her heart that Jed was the only man she could ever love.

Jed wasn’t too worried about Jenny, and he told his friends, "She’ll get over it, and she’ll love me even more when I come home with a shirt full of medals."

He still wasn’t worried when, the next evening, he saw Jenny at the A&W, parked with the quarterback of the football team. Jed and Brad Simmons had been rivals since kindergarten, and Jed figured, "She’s just trying to make me jealous."

When Jenny didn’t even show up to see him off to boot camp, Jed began to wonder if he might have really lost her. When she wouldn’t return his letters, or take his phone calls, he was convinced she no longer cared. He had a leave coming after boot camp, but heartbroken, he went straight to Vietnam instead.

In Vietnam, survival was top priority, though he thought of nothing but Jenny in his rare moments of peace and solitude. Jed found that war really was hell,

especially this one. He did what he could to survive, and mourned the loss of many friends. One especially hot and rainy night his platoon was overrun by Viet Cong forces and the heroism Jed displayed, by carrying his badly wounded platoon sergeant through enemy infested jungle to the safety of Da Nang, earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Jed’s parents were absent on the day that the President of the United States draped the Medal around his neck. His Commanding Officer had assured him that passage to the Washington, D.C. ceremony had been approved for his folks, and soon after the affair Jed found out the reason for their absence: While driving to the Albuquerque airport, his parents were involved in an automobile accident. There were no survivors.

After losing his parents, the military became his only family. He never went back to Raton, even for his parents’ funeral. He made a career out of the Marine Corps, then started his own security business in Denver after he retired. He

never even stopped in Raton for gasoline, if he could help it. The memory of his parents and the love he left behind was just too painful.

As the miles continued to roll by, taking him closer to the hometown of his childhood, Jed wished to himself that he could somehow change the past. How grand his life would have been, if he’d only had Jenny and his parents there to

share it with him. With that thought, he willed Jenny, his folks, and Raton out of his mind. "They’re gone, and you can’t change the past, dummy."

As Jed continued to guide his Corvette northward through the crisp New Mexico winter dusk, he noticed the peak called "Eagle Tail" just to the east.

"Used to be some good deer hunting up there," he remembered, "got a nice ten-point buck my first time."

As he gazed up at the peak, now littered with radio towers, he saw an object flying just above the mountain’s mesa-like base, in his direction.

"Kind of small for a military jet." he thought. Military planes from Cannon and Kirtland often flew at low altitude in this area.

As the object grew near, he was sure that it wasn’t a military jet, or any other kind of airplane for that matter.

"What the..." he exclaimed out loud, as the craft neared. "It can’t be...naw..."

He quickly rubbed his eyes and set them back onto the highway. The object seemed to be a sleigh, pulled by nine tiny reindeer. The white beard and red suit of the driver were plainly visible, as well as the bright red nose of the lead reindeer.

"I’ve gotta be imagining things," Jed muttered as he turned his head for another look. As quickly as he turned his head, Jed instinctively ducked as the sleigh bore down, on a collision course. As the sleigh buzzed Jed’s Corvette, he lost control, crashed through a barbed wire fence and traveled several meters, until he ended up under the bridge spanning the Canadian River, swamped. As the car lurched to a sudden stop in the river, Jed’s head bounced off of the steering

wheel, knocking him out cold.

It took Jed a few minutes to orient himself once he regained his senses. The winter sun had disappeared behind the mountains to the west and the air had gotten much colder. The cold Canadian River water, now up to his neck, didn’t help matters much. Jed couldn’t force the car door open, but he was able to escape through the driver’s side window.

Cold, wet and near hypothermia, Jed rescued his now wet jacket from the sinking car, climbed up the riverbank and started walking as quickly as possible northward on the interstate toward the lights of Raton. Jed soon lost all feeling in his outstretched thumb, but the exercise generated enough body heat to keep him going. Despite his predicament, his mind began racing.

"Am I going nuts? Everybody knows that Santa Claus is just a myth, but the Santa-piloted sleigh was sure real enough. Was it my imagination? Was I hallucinating? Did I really get buzzed by flying reindeer?"

As Jed continued to plod up the highway, questioning his sanity and the events that led to his crash, he didn’t notice the passenger car that had slowed and pulled to the shoulder behind him. The car’s horn caught his attention and he turned towards it, startled.

"What happened, mister. You need a lift to town?"

"What happened, yea, that’s a good question." Jed retorted sarcastically.

Jed thought to himself, "I can’t tell these people what really happened, or at least what I THINK happened. I’d be sent to the cracker factory pretty darn quick, though a nice cozy rubber room does sound kind of good right now."

Jed walked over to the driver of the car. "I swerved to miss a deer. Ended up in the river. I would sure appreciate a lift into Raton."

The driver, a young, good-looking fella, smiled and opened the rear door. "Climb on in. The wife brought along a thermos of hot coffee, you’re welcome to have some."

After Jed settled into the rear seat, he saw that the young man was not alone. A pretty, twenty-something girl, with dark hair, doe-like brown eyes, and golden skin, occupied the passenger seat. In the middle was a child seat, filled with the bundled up form of a young boy. There was something about the girl; like he had seen her before, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

"I appreciate the ride, young man, and this coffee sure hits the spot, ma’am. My name is Jed. I used to live around here, a long time ago. You can just drop me off at the nearest telephone."

"No trouble, Jed. My name is Mike Johnson. This is my wife, Emily, and this little fella here is our son, Josh. We live in Las Vegas, but Emily’s family lives in Raton and luckily for you her Uncle Joe owns a towing company. Don’t you worry about a thing. Nothing’s gonna be open tomorrow, it being Christmas and all. You just spend the night with us, at Emily’s mom’s place. She’s a great cook, and you can use the telephone to call your family. Uncle Joe will tend to your car after Christmas dinner, but I don’t think that you’ll be driving it again anytime soon. Day after Christmas we should be able to hook you up with a rental. Or maybe your wife could drive down and fetch you?"

"I’m not married. In fact I’ve really got no place that I need to be, or anyone who will worry about me. I’ve been alone for quite a long time."

"Then it’s settled. You’ll spend Christmas with us."

"I wouldn’t want to trouble you any..."

"No trouble," Mike’s wife chimed in, "Momma would love the company of a fine looking gentleman like you... once you dry out."

Jed took an immediate liking to the young couple. "What the heck, a good home-cooked meal and a warm bed sure beats a motel. I accept your invitation, and I sure appreciate the hospitality. Merry Christmas to you both."

Emily’s eyes brightened as she exclaimed, "That’s what Christmas is all about, Jed. People caring for other people."

Jed winked, as young Josh peered over the car seat eyeing him curiously. As they drove into Raton Jed noticed that the names of most of the stores had changed, but that downtown Raton still looked much as it had twenty-five years earlier. As the car cruised slowly up Main, Jed’s throat tightened at the sight of all the downtown Christmas decorations, and the large Christmas tree right smack in the Main street median. The buildings, the tree, and the decorations, combined with the backdrop of imposing snow-covered mesas leading up to Raton Pass made downtown Raton look like Christmas heaven. He immediately regretted ever leaving his hometown.

As the car continued up Main, through the railroad underpass and east on Sugarite, Jed’s senses were filled with memories of many of the places he saw. Much of the town had changed, but some places were the same as he remembered them. The Johnsons left him to his silence, until they pulled into the driveway of a small, well-kept house on Garcia Street. The twinkling lights of a Christmas tree escaped through the drapes of the front picture window.

"Look Josh, we’re here. Let’s go in and give Grandma a great big hug," Emily cooed as she bundled the child into his coat.

Mike Johnson turned to Jed. "I’d appreciate some help with the packages in the trunk, Jed."

"No problem, Mike. Glad to help out."

As Jed and the young family entered the house Emily called out, "Momma, we’re here and we brought some company."

A female voice answered from a hallway, "I’ll be out in a second, Emmy. Who have you brought with you?"

Jed’s ears homed in on the voice from the hallway; there was something familiar about it. When the woman entered the room, the packages in Jed’s arms, as well as his jaw, dropped to the floor and his body stiffened with surprise and emotion.

"Momma, this is..."

"Jed..." the woman squeaked, as tears welled up in her big brown eyes.

"Momma, you know this man?"

For what seemed to be eternity, Jed couldn’t make a sound come from his mouth. Finally he was able to choke out, "Jenny. My God."

Jenny rushed to Jed’s arms, and as he embraced her it seemed that all the years they had been apart just disappeared. Mike and Emily could only stare, dumbfounded, as the two childhood sweethearts hugged and wept. Little Josh wasn’t the least concerned.

"Grandma, I want some candy."

Over the dinner table, Jed and Jenny caught up on the events of their lives over the last twenty-five years. Mike and Emily tried to remain politely silent, but could not help asking Jed about wartime experiences. Josh, of course, was another matter. He demanded constant attention, as children do, until finally Jenny convinced him that it was bedtime.

"The faster you get to sleep, the sooner Santa can deliver your presents."

Mike and Emily excused themselves to put little Josh to bed, and Jed could hear their excited whispers, when they thought they were out of earshot. For a time, he could only gaze at Jenny, drinking in her every feature, amazed at the way time had made her even more beautiful. Jenny gazed back at him, looking directly into his eyes, thanking the Lord for bringing him back to her. Jed broke the silence.

"So who did you finally marry?"

He noticed her eyes widen, as if she had forgotten something, and she did not answer immediately. Jed could just imagine an angry husband storming into the room at just that moment. The tears that began clouding her eyes made him fear the worst. Jenny’s voice was little more than a whisper when she answered.

"I never married, Jed. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved."

Jed’s heart nearly melted, "And I still love you, Jen..." Then a sudden thought crossed his mind. His voice was strained with emotion when he finally continued, "...then who is Emily’s father?"

"You are, my darling, I’m so sorry that I never..."

Before she could finish, there was a sharp crack as the back of Jed’s chair met the floor, after he fainted for the first time in his life.

The next day, as Jed and Mike followed Joe Valerio’s Mega-wrecker down I-25 to retrieve Jed’s car, both men were silent, lost in deep thought. Both thought about how strange and wonderful the twists and turns of life can be, and wondered just how independent from fate they really were. Jed knew that he would never leave Jenny again. He would marry her, as he always knew he would as a teen. After so many years apart, every moment together would be treasured and from now on, every Christmas would be even more magical. Of course, no Christmas

would ever be as special as this one had.

As they approached the Canadian River Bridge, Jed was suprised to see that his car had been removed from the river, and sat sparkling clean on the shoulder, the sun glistening off the brightly polished chrome.

"Did the State Police already send a wrecker?"

"Could be," Mike replied, "looks like you got a ticket on the windshield."

Jed got out of Mike’s car, and walked over to his own. There was no evidence of the Christmas Eve accident. In fact, the car hadn’t looked this good since it was new. Jed reached out and took the slip of paper from beneath the wiper blade. It wasn’t a ticket, but just a plain piece of white paper, with a short hand written note. As Jed read the note, he broke out in hysterical laughter.

Confused, Mike asked, "What is it, Jed?"

"Nothing," he laughed, "just a note from a good friend."

Despite the confused look on Mike’s face, Jed stuffed the note into his pocket. He’d read it to Jenny later.

"Dear Jed,

Sorry about your car, Rudolph is getting old and his eyesight isn’t too good, But I think that you’ll forgive me. You and Jenny can tell your grandson how Grandpa got run over by a reindeer!

Merry Christmas, Santa"

Copyright © 2004 - Daniel Ciammaichella,

All Rights Reserved - Used by Permission

Teubert Interagency Council Meets

CWAB’s Services Division was host to the October meeting of the Teubert Interagency Council. The meeting, held Thursday the 27th provided representatives of medical, educational, rehabilitation, mobility, and administrative fields an opportunity to come together to discuss with parents and each other the needs, programs, and services which would best benefit the blind and visually impaired school-age children of the area.

There are two photos with this article. The larger photo shows Sara Metz while playing the piano. The caption reads, "10-year-old Sara Metz of Barboursville demonstrates her talent with the piano during a recent Teubert Interagency Council Meeting". Thesecond smaller photo shows the group meeting attendees sitting around a conference table.

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind announces

A Family Heirloom Portrait Fund-raiser

Noted local artist Lauri Shanholtzer is commissioning pastel and charcoal heirloom portraits with a percentage of the fee benefiting Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind.

Shanholtzer, a gifted and respected artist, brings 30 years of portrait creativity and a strong family tradition in the arts together to offer a remarkable heirloom family portrait.

These portraits will be created on the highest quality archival materials to ensure a product that will last for generations.

Portrait fees are as follows:

Head and Shoulders (does not include hands)

Starting at $800

Three-quarter length to full length, each subject add $100

For each additional subject in same painting, add $75

Prices based on simple background, for complex background add $100 - $300.

Prices do not include framing, travel expenses, or applicable taxes.

25% deposit due first sitting, balance due on delivery.

A portion of each portrait sold will benefit Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind. For more details, call 733-5943.

There are three artwork samples with this article. The first, and larger of the three samples features a teen-age girl with her cat, the second, a smaller artwork representation is placed in the lower left-hand corner of the page and features a young boy and girl sitting on a bench, the third photographic representation is oval shaped and is placed in the upper left-hand corner of the page and features a young woman leaning against what appears to be columns on a porch.

"SCAN" Agency News - Cleveland Sight Center

October 2003

Let’s see if we can recall the joys and adjustments of independent travel in autumn. I don’t know if trees shedding their leaves inspired the other name for autumn, but falling leaves are unique to late September through mid November.

Leaves tend to cover the ground and make walking surfaces and shorelines more difficult to find. The cane can move many of the leaves away and can certainly allow the user to feel the pavement and shorelines. Before and after street crossings, the cane helps to find the street and the sidewalk. Leaves tend to collect in street gutters and can be a way of knowing the end of the sidewalk. Don’t forget that wet leaves on smooth pavement or when mixed with mud can be nearly as slippery as ice. Slow down in these conditions.

Some fall days tend to be windy. When the wind whistles in the ears or is so hard that it has the roar of a train, remember that hearing is affected. Allow extra time on the trip because it may take longer to start street crossings. Gusts of wind will drown out most traffic sounds. At crossings wait for the wind to die down to determine that it’s safe to cross. Also, in the wind, distances from traffic may be harder to gauge. Traffic may sound farther away than it is. Similarly, traffic on a less windy but rainy day can sound closer than it is. Speaking of these swell weather conditions, dress accordingly. As conditions get wetter and colder, we all may be in denial that summer is gone. Wear warmer clothing on crisp fall days and water resistant clothing, especially on your feet. Remember puddles aren’t easy to see and the cane can only feel the ones that require a swimming stroke.

Lest we forget, leaf blowers, like lawn mowers and snow blowers, are loud enough to drown traffic sounds. If the noise is too persistent at a crossing, an alternate route may be considered. I know sighted people read this too. Shut these instruments off when a cane or dog traveler is around. It is also a good time to ask the person who is visually impaired if help is needed.

Autumn travel isn’t all bad. The smell of dried leaves and moist earth is different from any other season. Also, Cleveland being Cleveland, at this time of year, there is much less sun glare. I remember my first year in Cleveland, a client came to the Sight Center for a two-week evaluation in early November, partly because he couldn’t travel outdoors on sunny days. That month the sun was out less than five percent of the daylight hours - none of which was during those two weeks. When I reported in the case staffing meeting why I couldn’t evaluate his glare problem, everyone in the room burst out laughing.

The article features a photo of the author, Steve Albro. He appears to be somewhat stocky in build with grey-white hair. He is wearing a business suit and is broadly smiling.

CWAB Recreational Activities

Bowling is a fun, non-athletic sport. Experience is not necessary to have a good time! At least four consumers are needed. Volunteers are also welcome.

For more information, call Linda Worthy at 522-6991.

Here are some recent high scores:

Eddy Adkins, 185; Bill Sayre, 160; Carl Hensley, 126; Brandon Grayson, 125; Bill Waybright, 123; Ronnie Kinser, 112; Nancy Harless, 103; Harvey Green, 98; Christi Blankenship, 88.

Goalball is played at the Second Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. For information on each of these activities, call 522-6991.

The article features two artwork graphics. One, at the top shows two bowling pins being struck by a bowling ball with the word "Bowling" curved around them. The bottom graphic shows a artwork rendering of a goalball player with the word "goalball" arched around it.

Recipe of the month

Triple Berry Dessert AND 7 UP Salad

From: http://www.aliciasrecipes.com/sugarfree_jello.htm.

© Copyright 1996 Alicia's Country Recipe Kitchen

USED BY PERMISSION

Triple Berry Dessert

2 sm. triple berry sugar-free Jello (or 1 lg. box)

1 can (16 oz.) crushed pineapple

1 can blueberry pie filling ( Reduced Calorie)

1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip (lite)

Drain juice of pineapple into saucepan. Add 1/2 cup water. Bring to boil. Add Jello and dissolve. Add pineapple and pie filling; stir well. Pour into glass dish and refrigerate. Spread Cool Whip on top about 1 hour before serving.

7-UP Salad

Salad Ingredients

• 2 pkgs lemon or orange Jello

• 2 cups hot water

• 2 cups 7 UP

• 1 large can crushed pineapple, drain and save the juice

• 1 cup small marshmallows

• 2 cans Mandarin oranges

Topping ingredients

• 1 egg

• 1-1/2 cups Cool Whip

• shredded cheddar cheese

• 2 tablespoons margarine

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 cup reserved pineapple juice

• 2 tablespoons flour

Dissolve Jello in hot water. Let cool and add 7-UP, pineapple, marshmallows and Mandarin oranges. Place in fridge to gel. Cook margarine, sugar, pineapple juice, flour and egg as a pudding. When cool, fold in Cool Whip. Spread over the Jello mixture and cover with cheese. Chill and Serve. Makes 12-14 servings

Large Print Calendars Available

CWAB’s Rehabilitation Teacher Nancy McKenzie has announced the availability of the 2005 year calendars. These calendars are available in different sizes to suit the needs of the individual consumer - Large print desktop or wall mounted, as well as spiral bound for easier storage.

Call 522-6991 to discuss your calendar needs.

There are two graphics with this article. The first larger inage is a representation of the wall calendar while the smaller image represent a wire-bound desk calendar.

CWAB Support Group Schedule

Here is an updated list of meeting times for CWAB’s support groups.

Support groups provide a vital link between news, information, social activities, and friendship between individuals with the same interests. Transportation is provided free to any CWAB consumer. Support groups regularly meet in CWAB’s activities room with many taking the opportunity to take special trips to area places of interest. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with arrangements such as snacks, crafts, or being a sighted guide. For information on support groups or volunteering, call the Services Division at 522-6991.

There is a photo with this article. The picture shows a group of CWAB consumers seated around a table as taken during a recent support group meeting.

Continuing CWAB’s radio Outreach

CWAB Executive Director, Paul Slone, joins "Tri-State Today" host Geof Sturm each month for discussion, interviews and up-to-date information about services and activities from Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind.

Tri-State Today can be heard Wednesday evenings at 7:30 on WEMM

Weather Watch

Tony Cavalier - Meteorologist

WSAZ Newschannel 3

Are Late Autumn Allergies Bugging You? Don’t Blame Pollen!

OK hay fever sufferers; give yourself a gold star because you have weathered another pollen season! That’s right; the triumvirate of naturally occurring pollens (tree, grass and ragweed) has run its course not to be annoyingly felt again until next spring! AHHH, it’’s time to breathe easily, right? Absolutely, that is, for MOST HAY FEVER SUFFERERS.

But what’s that you say? Your kids still have runny noses and itchy eyes? "What’s up Tony?", you might be tempted to ask. Well, perhaps the more appropriate question is "What’s down, TC?" Here’s the scoop.

The autumn of 2004 has been wet in our region. Very wet! First there came back-to-back hurricanes as Frances then big brother Ivan. They dumped heavy, flooding rains on Appalachia as they passed through (as weaker depressions). That has been followed by a steady diet of fall showers, some light, and some heavy. But they all helped to suppress the fire season which can get out of hand and smoke up our air when autumn is dry as it normally is. Now add in the fact that the winds of autumn have been swirling the past 4 weeks. This has turned our forestlands from kaleidoscopic wonders full of vibrant color to drab and barren woodlands, denuded of the summer canopy of lush green leaves. And those leaves hold the key to late autumn allergies.

You see when leaves are persistently wet (from morning dew and fog and from frequent showers) they begin to decay. Now, take a look at your shower curtain (well, OK my shower curtain) and what do you see? Well, I clean mine frequently, but I do have a few black spots where the dampness has remained after my daily shower. That is the perfect environment for mold to form. And that same process works on wet leaves to promote the formation and flourishing of mold colonies.

Now, here’s the punch line! Mold, like Pollen, causes allergic reactions when it forms on decaying leaves. Now think of where your kids play after school. If they love to jump in a big pile of leaves or run through the park where "all the leaves are brown, and the skies are gray" (thanks to the Mamas and the Papas for that line), then they are playing in a world laden with mold. And that means good old fashioned wheezin’ and sneezin’, just as in spring (tree pollen season), summer (grass pollen season) and early fall (ragweed season).

So what’s a mom to do to protect her kids? Well, boys will be boys and little girls with curls want to have fun too, right? So my best suggestion, when the kids come in from playing around leaves, if they have allergic reactions, have them shower, then wash their clothes. Chances are they will breathe much better.

Now, as to when the mold season ends, I call upon climatological normals which say that once we get a healthy cold shot of air from Canada (when lows fall into the teens and highs fail to get out of the 30s), then mold will pack it in and we will breathe better until the next tree pollen season.

Haccchuuu, Tony C.

tony.cavalier@wsaz.com .

There is a photo of Tony with this article. He has greying hair, he is broadly smiling and is wearing a dark color business suit.

CWAB Fund-raisers

"Golf Ball Dog"

These creatures take on a character of their own after careful customization. The "dogs" can be fashioned to represent virtually any sports team color combination! Reserve yours by calling 304-522-6991.

"Hanging Rock Rebel"

Lt. John Blue's war in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley

by Dan Oates - Narrated by Dave McLain

Relive the travels of Lt. Blue through the Battle of Gettysburg to life in four Confederate prisons.

"Spring 2001 Gospel Concert"

CWAB is offering its September 29, 2001 Gospel Concert on CD or tape. Featured performances by: Kayla Carter, Kermit Nance, Patty Aldridge, Lisa Blankenship, The Bible Apostolic Church Choir, and Redeemed.

These CWAB produced items make great gifts!

Call 522-6991, to place your order

Control your assets after you are gone.

Please remember Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind when you write your will or would like to make other charitable gifts.

Gifts may be made In Memory of, In Honor of, In Celebration of, or other occasions or reasons. Your support is greatly appreciated.

All donations to CWAB are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Contact Paul Slone, Executive Director at (304) 522-6991.

GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE supporters

GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE supporters are important. They provide goods and services, and offer support for this publication in some small way. If, in the course of your day, you patronize one of our sponsors, please tell them you saw their name mentioned in the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE, and let them know how much you appreciate their support.

This month’s supporters are:

Call CWAB’s Services Division ofice at 522-6991,

ext. 15 to learn how you can be a supporter of the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE!

This is the end of the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE audio edition for December 2004.