1. family and parenting
2. children

MAY 2015 NEWSLETTER
2905 W Garden St., Peoria, IL 61605
P (309) 637-3693
Email: info@cicbvi.org
Website: www.cicbvi.org
Facebook: Central Illinois Center for the
Blind and Visually Impaired
60th Anniversary Gala Dinner Report
The Center’s 60th anniversary gala dinner was a memorable night.
Over 110 people were in attendance and among the audience were
dignitaries, business and community leaders, Center patrons,
volunteers, and staff. After a delicious dinner, the program started off
with keynote speaker, Senator David Koehler, who shared about the
need for and positive impact of the Center. He highlighted three
Center patrons, Cora Quinn, Patti Woodworth, and Tricia Lacey whose
lives were transformed as a result of connecting to the Center. An
award ceremony followed. Kim Farlin received The Volunteer of the
Year Award and Carol Warren received The Founder’s Award. Kim’s
and Carol’s commitment and contribution to the Center have been
outstanding. Ken Gray, a Center Board member and our guest
speaker, concluded the evening with his poignant story on how the
Center provided the low vision aids he needed and suggested a college
ombudsman to help represent him to his professors. As a result, Ken
successfully earned both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science,
with honors, in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University. Ken
is currently the Global Product Manager for Caterpillar Large
Hydraulic Excavators and is a director for Caterpillar’s Excavation
Division. The Center’s 60 years of commitment and service was a
huge milestone to celebrate. Thank you to everyone that was able to
attend!
Special thank you to the 60th anniversary ad hoc committee
members, David Williams, Sr., Peoria County Clerk R. Steve
Sonnemaker, County Board Member Paul Rosenbohm, Frank Ierulli
with Howard & Howard Law Firm, and Peoria County Treasurer
Edward “Tripp” O’Connor. A big “thank you” and appreciation to all
our 60th anniversary sponsors: Silver Sponsors - Uftring Auto Group,
Uftring Ambassadors, and Prasad Parupalli. Bronze Sponsors –
Senator David Koehler and Frank Ierulli. Table Sponsors – David and
Michele Williams, Paul Rosenbohm, Ken and Melody Gray, Richard
Warren, and two Table Sponsorships by R. Steve Sonnemaker.
Anniversary Sponsor – Dr. John Gysin.
Annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
The annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast will be held on Saturday,
May 2, 2015. The newsletter will be mailed prior to the annual
Pancake & Sausage Breakfast. Look for the final report on this event
in the June newsletter.
Active On Facebook
The Center invites patrons to join us on Facebook, an online social
networking website. You can find the Center’s page under “Central
Illinois Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired”. The Center’s staff
actively posts the latest news and updates, along with upcoming
events, stories, and resources on the page. Please share about the
Center’s Facebook Page with your family and friends.
No Sweat Kroger Community Rewards Program
Support the Center by doing something you are already doing, grocery
shopping. Simply create an account with Kroger and register your
Kroger Plus Shopper's Rewards Card with Community Rewards.
Choose "Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired" on the list. Kroger
will donate to the Center a percentage based on the total amount
spent by all participants who select the Center. The website is
www.kroger.com/communityrewards. The office is available should
you need any assistance with registering for this program.
AmazonSmile. You Shop. Amazon Gives.
Another easy way to donate to the Center is by shopping at
Amazon.com. How does it work? Instead of going through
Amazon.com to make your purchase, go through smile.amazon.com.
Make sure to select the Center so that Amazon will know where you
want the proceeds to go. Please share this easy not-for-profit
fundraising tool with your friends and family.
Officers and Board Members
During the annual Board meeting on April 22nd new officers were
elected and new Board members added. The officers for the 20152016 year are as follows: Kim Farlin, President; Cora Quinn, Vice
President; Leia Stewart, Treasurer; and Connie Pompa, Secretary. The
Board of Directors would like to welcome new Board members
Margaret Toniny, Ken Gray, Connie Pompa, Priscilla Whipp, and Bob
Gaffron. Special appreciation to Board members serving another twoyear term, David Williams, Sr., Prasad Parupalli, Tom Vogel, Cora
Quinn, Carol Warren, Kim Farlin, Leia Stewart, and Bob Smith. Special
“thank you” to Gyla Grisgby and Joyce Feix for being part of the
previous Board from 2013-2015.
Celebrating Generations Expo
In place of Open House lunch on Wednesday, May 20th, the Center
will be taking patrons to the “Celebrating Generations Expo” at the
Embassy Suites Conference Center located on 100 Conference Center
Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611. There will be entertainment, door prizes,
and over 80 vendors. Get vital information and assistance on health,
social, and transportation services. Lunch will be provided and
transportation will be provided to and from the event. Patrons please reserve your space to this event similar to when you call in to
attend an Open House at the Center.
Upcoming Events, Meetings, Fundraisers, and Holidays
Wednesday, May 6th – Open House – Noon – Entertainment from
Barbershop Quartet
Tuesday, May 12th – Board Meeting – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13th – Open House – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16th – Jam Session – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Please note spring
hours for Jam Session.) – Free meal
Wednesday, May 20th – Open House at Embassy Suites Conference
Center in East Peoria – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. –Free meal
Wednesday, May 27th – Open House – 5:30 p.m. – Free meal
Tuesday, June 2nd – 8th Annual CICBVI Golf Outing
June 14th – June 20th – Camp Helen Keller in Ingleside, IL.
May Birthdays
May 7 – Brenda Pierce
May 11 – Mahlon Blumenshine
May 12 – Bob Coney, Beulah Trainer, and Alberta Townsend.
May 19 – David Williams, Sr.
May 20 – Cora Quinn
May 26 – June Ward
May 28 – Don Reichert
May 29 – Katie Hall
Anniversaries
May 14 – Jim and Carolyn McCarter
May 17 – David and Michele Williams
Meal Menus for May
May 6th – Noon – Pork tenderloin sandwiches, coleslaw, deviled eggs,
chips, and dessert.
May 13th – 5:30 p.m. – Fried chicken, buttered potatoes, peas, carrots,
salad, rolls, cake, and ice cream.
May 16th – Jam Session – Ham, homemade rolls, au gratin potatoes,
vegetables, and dessert.
May 20th – Noon – Lunch at “Celebrating Generations Expo” at the
Embassy Suites Conference Center.
May 27th – 5:30 p.m. – Pot roast, carrots, mashed potatoes, gravy,
rolls, and strawberry shortcake.
Bingo will be played at all Open Houses unless otherwise noted.
Reservations need to be called in no later than noon on the day before
the Open House.
Donations – Monetary And Other
Thanks to the following for their monetary donation: Linda BakerKalb and Sharon Pfeifer. 60th anniversary gala dinner monetary
donors: Fritch Heating & Cooling, Inc., Dave Snyder of Cazenovia Salt,
Inc., Gayam Reddy, Prashanthi Gayam, Suryanarayana Saraswathula,
Chris and Helen Chadwick, Paul and June Rosenbohm, Seshadri and
Meenakshy Guha, Pooja Parupalli, Douglas Stephens, and Lisa and
Gordon Karmenzind, Jr.
Thanks to the following for their in-kind donations: Gayle Workman
and Gyla Grigsby for donating bingo prizes. Ken and Melody Gray for
donating two brand new global positioning systems for the Center’s
two vehicles. In-kind donations for the 60th anniversary gala dinner:
Margaret Toniny for donating the beautiful flower centerpieces, David
and Michele Williams for donating the glass trophy for The Founder’s
Award. Cyndi Gill for donating the special paper that the program was
printed on. Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino, Double A’s, and Better Earth
Compost for donating gift certificates for the raffle drawing.
Monthly Newsletter Now Available On Flash Drive
The Center is now offering the monthly newsletter in MP3 format
saved onto a flash drive. When the flash drive is inserted into a
compatible device, it will audibly read the newsletter to you.
Compatible devices are the government loaned digital talking book
machine or a computer/laptop that has a flash drive insert. Please
contact the office if you are interested in receiving the newsletter on a
flash drive.
Camp Helen Keller
Come enjoy summer fun and friends at Camp Helen Keller in
Ingleside, Illinois located about three hours north of Peoria. Camp
dates are from June 14th to June 20th. This camp is in tune with blind
or visually impaired adults. The camp offers water activities on a
semi‐private lake, a pool, nature walks, team sports, paddleboats,
crafts, archery, fire‐side cookouts with s’mores, horseback riding, rock
wall climb, and a zip line. Camp expenses will be at no cost to Center
patrons and rides to and from the camp will be available. Please call
the office to reserve your space.
Interesting Dates Throughout The Month Of May
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army defeated
the French army at the Battle of Puebla. This single military battle
signified defeat of a European colonial power, and a victory for the
Mexican people. This single battle was the roots of Cinco de Mayo.
Note: Cinco de Mayo is not the celebration of Mexican Independence
which is celebrated on September 16th. What Cinco de Mayo has
come to be, is much more than one battle in the colonial history of
Mexico. Rather, it has come to signify Hispanic and Mexican pride and
a time to celebrate the rich culture.
May 10 – Mother’s Day. The first Mother's Day was May 10, 1908 in
Philadelphia. Celebrate Mother's Day by doing something special for
your mom to show your appreciation for her.
Gift Ideas for the Blind or Visually Impaired
Mother’s Day is coming up. Father’s Day is in June. Then there are
birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions where gifts are
exchanged. Choosing a gift isn’t always easy. The Center has an onsite
store with low vision products, products for the blind, talking
products, and much more. These products make for great gifts and are
practical for loved ones who are blind and visually impaired. For
Center patrons, let your family and friends know about our onsite
store. Items not available onsite may be special ordered.
Free Bus Passes
Thanks to funds provided by the Oppenheim Trust Fund and other
donations the Center is providing $50 bus passes to eligible patrons.
The bus passes will be issued for use on the Greater Peoria Transit
District bus system of CityLift or CityLink. Please call the office to
apply for a bus pass.
Free Matter for the Blind &
Visually Impaired
2905 W Garden St., Peoria, IL 61605
May 2015 Newsletter
Quote for the month – “The nurse asked me, “When was the last time
you saw a doctor? I smiled and replied, “I’m blind. I’ve never seen a
doctor before.” By Tom Vogel, CICBVI patron and Board member.