June newsletter The TAPING RECORDER June 2007 News from & about Taping For The Blind, Inc. Celebrating 40 years of Turning Sight Into Sound http://www.tapingfortheblind.org IAAIS RECOGNIZES MORE TAPING TALENT We are pleased to let you know that the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) has recognized two more Taping volunteers for their outstanding work. The award for "Best Magazine Reading" went to our Bob Green for his work on "Forbes." The award for "Best Radio Promotion" went to our George Manley for his work promoting the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Congratulations to both Bob and George, and thanks to all of our terrific readers. These awards were received by Executive Director Cynthia Franzetti and Radio Manager Jim Martinez at the IAAIS convention in Jackson, Mississippi. This recognition from our peers lets all know what a superlative radio reading service we have! HONORING OUR VOLUNTEERS During National Volunteer Week we take time to honor our volunteers for making our vital services happen. This year we had another really wonderful party celebrating the work that they do. We had several volunteers reach service milestones and we are pleased to let you know about them here: 20 years--John Biondi; 15 years-- Scott Burman, Dick Hokenson, Chris Kiersted; 10 years--Margaret Anderson, Lila Lerner, Bernard Lewis, Hanna Lewis, Martha Murphee, Anita Simpson, George Thomas; 5 years--Cullom Connely, Mort Fefer, David Halliburton, Ulyesse LeGrange, Michelle McCarel, Fran McLauglin, Tom McLean, Janet Parisi, Marie Roberts, Betti Saunders, Les Schmaltz, Lyn Schmaltz, Soledad Seman, Gerald Stone, Deanna Sullivan, and Peter Tsan. Congratulations to all and thank you so very much for your service to Taping! Many thanks to Marcie Corder for leading the reception setup committee that included: Anna and Tom McLean, Rene Ibarra, Geetha Martin, Eric Martin, Adam Martin, Cullom Connely, Beverly Hicks and Philamena Baird. Cullom and Rene also helped clean up. We also thank Carol Pierce for her help on this entire endeavor! LUNCHEON & FASHION PRESENTATION ANOTHER SUCCESS! We are very pleased to report that our second annual luncheon and fashion presentation was a certified success. There were over 160 in attendance as we honored Barbara and Ulyesse LeGrange for their support and service to Taping. Thanks to the raffle, silent auction, and ticket sales we raised over $65,000 for Taping! Philamena Baird chaired the event assisted by committee members Randy de La Garza, Andy Delery, Patsi Ferguson, Ellin Royds, Marie Roberts, and Janet Walker. We are very grateful to those that worked on this project, as well as to Neiman Marcus for their class and kindness in hosting the event. LIGHT THE CANDLES We are sorry to be so far behind on reporting to you, but we will do our best to get caught up with this edition. In the meantime, we hope those volunteers who celebrated birthdays in April had a great time! They were: 04/01 Gladys Forde; 04/05 Jerome Wilson; 04/06 Alan Holzbert, Leila Reynolds; 04/08 Mary Gregg Manuel, George Thomas; 04/09 Gerald "Stoney" Stone; 04/10 John Biondi; 04/16 Russeell Sanders; 04/19 David Halliburton; 04/21 Sylvia Levy; 04/24 Mary Barni, Oscar "Ozzie" Colten; 04/27 Sue Odell; and 04/28 Jim Bratton. Those celebrating during May were: 05/03 Kavita Self; 05/07 Dorian Darroh; 05/08 Otto Schlamme; 05/10 Josephine Tarr; 05/11 Randy de La Garza; 05/16 Deanna Sullivan; 05/17 Paul Daly; 05/19 Nancy Daly, Agnes Hortobagyi; 05/20 Margaret Anderson; 05/23 Lynn Johnson, Bill White; 05/27 George Nevers; 05/28 Lisa Vasquez Roper; and 05/31 Allan Kohlwes . And for June: 06/01 Scott Burman, Paul Lester; 06/03 Margaret Downing; 06/05 Lyn Schmaltz; 06/06 Ulyesse LeGrange; 06/13 Bonnie Boyd; 06/14 Scott Arthur; 06/15 Dr. Ed Bradley, Steve Wood; 06/20 Jill Carter; 06/25 Eunice Alleman, Valerie Lozada; and 06/29 Brian Batenchuk, Barbara Crawford Our usual reminder applies: if you do not see your name listed and if you celebrated a birthday in one of the three months listed above, please advise any staff member so we can update our records. AFRICAN ADVENTURE Our best wishes to volunteers Lyn and Les Schmaltz as they embark on a two-month visit with their daughter in Africa! DATE FOR GOLF EVENT SET Another event that we hope is successful and becomes a regular happening for Taping has been scheduled for November 2, 2007, at the Longwood Golf Club. It will feature a breakfast for all players, a shotgun start for the round of golf, and a luncheon after the golf. We are also planning a silent auction as well as gift bags for all players. We will keep you posted as we prepare for this event, but you can start planning to recruit a foursome and come out and play a round for Taping! LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING Let's end this edition with a little Zen advice: It's always darkest before dawn, so if you intend to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the best time. Always remember that you're unique, just like everyone else. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving may not be for you! RLB