The UCB Buzz
A publication of
Utah Council of the Blind
January 2022
For the latest news updates, check out the website at utahblind.org
Mail correspondence to:
UCB, PO Box 1415
Bountiful, UT 84011-1415
E-mail us at utahblind@gmail.com
For credit card payments, to make reservations, or for other
business, call the business office at 801-245-9264.
The UCB Buzz
is available in large print, Braille, audio CD, and by e-mail. If you would
prefer to receive your newsletter in a different format, please call the UCB business
office at 801-245-9264 or send an e-mail to utahblind@gmail.com and let us know.
In This Issue
Disclaimer.................................................................................................. 2
Program
Changes for the New Year........................................................... 3
Golden
Anniversary of the Utah Council of the Blind.................................. 5
New UCB Board
Members......................................................................... 5
Recipe
Collections Now Available in Braille................................................ 6
Chicken Salad............................................................................................ 7
Membership
Drive...................................................................................... 7
General UCB
Information........................................................................... 8
Board of Directors and Management...... 10
2022 Board Meeting Schedule................ 11
Articles and announcements included in this publication are presented for your information and interest. They reflect the opinions of the respective authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the UCB.
In the past few years, the UCB has experienced many changes. Some of our most popular programs have seen tremendous growth, while others have dwindled a bit. Of course, COVID has had its effects on all of us. Unfortunately, the funding for our most popular programs has not kept up with their growth. For this reason, we have been forced to do some belt tightening as we continue to seek additional resources.
Effective immediately, the Utah Connection is retired. We would like to thank Linda Holladay for her many years of service producing and maintaining this great program. We will also be discontinuing the phone at the DSBVI office. Donni Mitchell will still be manning the office there on a volunteer basis on Wednesday afternoons, so come visit her there.
The Reader Service Program is being discontinued. Subsidized cab coupons, Uber and Lyft gift cards, and the Driver/Guide Program are being combined into one Subsidized Transportation Program. With the addition of Uber and Lyft to the program, the increase in the number of users was amazing. We continue to search for additional funding to keep up with this growth. For the time being, however, we must limit users to $100 worth of cab coupons, Uber or Lyft gift cards, or driver/guide coupons per month. Users will pay 50% of the cost of the items of their choice.
The Ceramics Class has expanded to include other arts and crafts in addition to ceramics. Due to COVID-driven restrictions, class sizes are severely limited, so, in order to participate, it is necessary to make appointments in advance with Gerrie Mills. She can be reached at 801-803-8070.
In order to facilitate more effective communication, we will be going back to a monthly newsletter. Activities will be more focused on training and education—watch for more information on these as the year progresses.
Happy 50th anniversary to the Utah Council of the Blind. We will be planning some exciting things to celebrate this hallmark year. Watch The UCB Buzz for upcoming announcements.
Effective January 1, 2022, Cordie Weed is retiring from the Board of Directors after many years of excellent service. Although she is retiring from the Board, she will still be supporting the work of the Utah Council of the Blind as a volunteer. We would like to thank Cordie for all of her years on the Board and as a volunteer.
We also welcome three new members to the Board. Kira Larkin is returning after a break of several years. Jeana Nielsen and Michelle Hendricksen will be serving their first terms on the Board of Directors. It is always good to have new folks with new ideas.
We also need volunteers to serve on committees and help with all of the functions of the UCB. Please let us know about talents you are willing to share to support our mission and keep us the strong organization that we are.
The long-awaited Instant Pot Recipes, Volume 2 is now available from our Personal Braille Program. If you would like a copy, just give Kate a call at 801-245-9264 and let her know. If you missed out on Volume 1, that is also still available. We’ll be glad to send you both volumes. We also have the Tina Terry Recipe Collection and the Vita-Mix Cookbooks for those who would like those items.
There is also a Leslie Gertsch Memorial Recipe Collection in the works, so watch for that later in the year. Following is a sample recipe from that collection.
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1-2 apples, cored and chunked
1 cup, or as you like, grapes, halved
3 stalks celery, chopped
6 ounces cashews, broken
2/3 cup mayonnaise (or more if desired)
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
Pinch of celery and onion powder
Mix spices into the mayonnaise before mixing it with the chicken. When mixed, add the nuts, celery, and fruit. More mayonnaise or spices may be added to taste. Serve on a bed of greens of your choice or on a croissant or sandwich bread.
This is just a reminder that membership dues for 2022 are due by January 1, 2022. There is a one-month grace period before memberships become inactive. Membership drive letters have gone out to all members for whom we have addresses and who have not yet paid their dues for 2022. Unfortunately, we do have a few members for whom we do not have correct addresses. If you did not get your notice, please contact Kate at 801-245-9264 to update your information and arrange for payment of dues. Thank you for your continued support of the work of the Utah Council of the Blind.
Donni Mitchell, our vice president, volunteers in the UCB Office at DSBVI, 250 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm on Wednesdays. She is happy to answer questions, help with purchases, visit with you on topics of interest, and make referrals when appropriate.
We are always looking for articles, book reviews, or interesting tidbits of information from our readers or other interested persons. The deadline for submitting items for publication is the 15th of the month, e.g. the deadline for the February newsletter is January 15th. You may e-mail any articles you wish to submit to tommit60@gmail.com; send Braille, print, or audio to UCB Buzz, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415; or drop them off to Donni at the DSBVI office. Please allow extra time for processing Braille, print, or audio.
Members are invited and encouraged to attend meetings of the Board of Directors. Meetings will typically be held the first Thursday of each month at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom.
If you have questions or concerns for any board member, to be placed on the agenda of a board meeting, or just to attend a meeting, e-mail utahblind@gmail.com or call 801-245-9264.
Anna Jeffery, President
Donni Mitchell, Vice President
Vicki Flake, Treasurer
Sandy Ruconich, Executive Director
Aunilie Hathaway
Monica Youngdell
Sandy England
Jeana Nielsen
Kira Larkin
Michelle Hendricksen
Kate Balzly, Chief Operating Officer
Thursday, January 6, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, February 3, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, March 3, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, April 7, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, May 5, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, June 2, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, July 7, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, August 4, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, September 1, 4:45 p.m.
Annual Business Meeting, Saturday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. (for all members)
Thursday, October 6, 4:45 p.m.
Budget and Training Meeting, Saturday, October 15, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 3, 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, December 1, 4:45 p.m.
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