I have sat at my computer many times in the last ten days trying to write this president’s letter and the words just won’t come. I hope, in future issues, my creative juices will be flowing, but they’re all dried up right now. Instead of sharing words of wisdom from me, I am going to share an article that I received from Kenneth Semien on the ACB Leadership List that really spoke to me.

9 Rules for Turning Endings into New Beginnings

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

When you can no longer think of a reason to continue, you must think of a reason to start over. There’s a big difference between giving up and starting over in the right direction. And there are three little words that can release you from your past regrets and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. These words are: “From now on…”

So, from now on…

1. Let the things you can’t control, GO.

Most things are only a part of your life because you keep thinking about them. Positive things happen in your life when you emotionally distance yourself from the negative things. So stop holding on to what hurts, and make room for what feels right. Do not let what is out of your control interfere with all the things you can control.

2. Accept and embrace reality.

Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. For everything you lose, you gain something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something else. You don’t have to like it, but it’s just easier if you do. So pay attention to your outlook on life. You can either regret or rejoice; it’s your choice.

3. Change your mind.

Change is like breath – it isn’t part of the process, it is the process. In reality the only thing we can count on is change. And the first step toward positive change is to change your outlook. Prepare for the positive. Prepare for the new. Allow the unknown to take you to fresh and unforeseen areas in yourself. Growth is impossible without change. If you cannot change your mind, you cannot change anything in your life. Sometimes all you need to do is look at things from a different perspective.

4. Hold tight to the good things.

When life’s struggles knock you into a pit so deep you can’t see anything but darkness, don’t waste valuable energy trying to dig your way out. Because if you hastily dig in the dark, you’re likely to head in the wrong direction and only dig the pit deeper. Instead, use what energy you have to reach out and pull something good in with you. For goodness is bright; its radiance will show you which way is up and illuminate the correct path that will take you there.

5. Rest and regroup.

Strength isn’t about bearing a cross of grief or shame. Strength is about choosing your path, living with the consequences, and learning from them. Sometimes you do your best and end up with a mess. When this happens, don’t be discouraged. You tried. That’s really all you can ever do. You have not failed; you just learned what not to do. So rest, regroup, and begin again with what you now know.

6. Take chances.

Making a big life change or trying something new can be scary. But do you know what’s even scarier? Regret. So realize that most of your fears are much bigger in your mind than they are in reality; you’ll see this for yourself as soon as you face them. Don’t let them stop you. Live your life so that you never have to regret the chances you never took, the love you never let in, and the gifts you never gave out.

7. Keep climbing.

Every person who is at the top of the mountain did not fall there from the sky. Good things come to those who work for them. You gain confidence and grow stronger by every experience in which you truly push yourself to do something you didn’t think you could do. If you are standing in that place of in-between, unable or unwilling to go backwards, but too afraid to move forward, remember that you can’t enjoy the view without being willing to climb.

8. Appreciate what you have learned.

Nothing is more beautiful and powerful than a smile that has struggled through the tears. Don’t regret your time, even the moments that were filled with hurt. Smile because you learned from it and gained the strength to rise above it. In the end, it’s not what you have been through that defines who you are; it’s how you got through it that has made you the person you are today, and the person you are capable of being tomorrow.

9. Realize every step is necessary.

Nothing is ever wrong. We learn from every step we take. Whatever you did today was a necessary step to get to tomorrow. So be proud of yourself. Maybe you are not as good as you want to be, or as great as you one day will be; but thanks to all the lessons you’ve learned along the way, you are so much better than you used to be.

So, my NDAB Friends, from now on!

Wishing you a Thankful Thanksgiving, a Blessed Christmas and a Joy Filled New Year!

Loris Van Berkom

NDAB President

From the Editor

I would like to encourage all NDAB members to take the time to read a different newsletter, the Braille Forum, each month. It may seem strange for me to promote the reading of a different publication, but the Braille Forum has a lot to offer NDAB’s members. The Braille Forum is ACB’s monthly newsletter, and each month it includes a wide variety of different articles – some fun, some to share ACB’s news and events, some that are important for all of us who are either blind or visually impaired or a part of that community to know about. As an example, in October’s issue, there was an article on how AI can increase independence and benefit people with disabilities, but the author also shared the concerns that surround AI and its ever-increasing use. Another thoughtful article that I enjoyed reading was about the Olympics and how well the audio description was done. Another article shared information about free braille courses that are offered by the East Bay Center for the Blind that anyone can sign up for. These insights and offerings are relevant to all of us and remind us that there is so much going on in the world of vision, nationally and globally. Most of you probably already receive the Braille Forum, but if you don’t, you can sign up to receive it in the format of your choice when you renew your membership with NDAB. It’s included – for free – as part of your membership to NDAB and ACB.

Submissions for our next newsletter are due on January 10. Email promoter@ndab.org with any questions you may have and your submissions. Now, enjoy reading this newsletter, and the Braille Forum!

Emily Stenberg Brown

Calendar for 2024 – 2025

December 15 – Deadline to sign up for Ski for Light transportation

December 18 – FM Visions Meeting with Glidance in-person or via Zoom

January 6 – NDAB Board Meeting

January 19-24, 2025 – Black Hills Ski for Light

February 1, 2025 – Membership Renewal Deadline

February 13, 2025 – Giving Hearts Day

March 1, 2025 – Deadline for NDAB Award nominations

June 6 – 8, 2025 – NDAB Convention, Bismarck, ND

Coffee Chat is held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Zoom.

NDAB Monthly Book Club

Submitted by Mary Lou Stip

We as a group have decided to continue the Book of the Month club. We will continue meeting the first Wednesday of the month (with the exception of January) at 10 AM and 7 PM.

Here is the list of books:

November 6th: Just Add Water by Katie Ledecky. DB: 122158. Discussion led by Janelle Olson.

December 4th: The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans. DB: 43556. Discussion led by Loris Van Berkom.

January 8th: Just Once: A Love Story by Karen Kingsbury. DB: 117632. Led by Mary Lou Stip. (Note: The first Wednesday of 2025 is New Year’s Day.)

February 5th: The Number One Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. DB: 55503. Led by Candy Lien.

March 5th (Ash Wednesday): No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War by Hiroo Onoda. DB: 98189. Led by Doug Stip.

Anyone who wants to lead a book discussion can please contact me by phone at (701) 720-0738, or e-mail: maryloustip@midco.net. Happy reading!

Welcome to Our New Members!

Anna Brock from Jamestown, ND

Angela Christle from Rochester, MN

Gordon (Skip) Ertelt from Fingal, ND

Perry Ertelt from Fargo, ND

Marsha King Osborne from Dickinson, ND

Mark Koller from New England, ND

Karen Koller from New Englad, ND

Ross McDougall from Rolla, ND

Minerva Ramos from Williston, ND

Raymond Walter from Minot, ND (returning member)

Morgan Foster from Spiritwood, ND (returning member)

Menuka Rai from Fargo (returning member)

Stephanie Suko from Dickinson, ND

Crystal Dueker from Fargo, ND

Membership Renewal Notice

A membership renewal form will be finding its way to you very soon! I will NOT be mailing out hard copy forms to those of you with email addresses again this year. An exception will be made for those of you who have already informed me during last year’s membership renewal process that you are unable to access your email. If you have a functioning email address, please watch your inbox and/or spam folder as I will send you an email with a Word document attached and a link to the online form. You may either fill out the Word document and send it back to me as an email attachment or complete the form on the NDAB.org website.

You will still be able to pay your membership dues either by sending a check to NDAB, PO Box 824, West Fargo, ND 58078, or via PayPal. Dues are $15 for adult members and $3 for junior members.

If you do not have an email account or have already let me know you are unable to access your email, don’t worry! You will still get a printed membership renewal form sent to you in the mail just as you have in the past. You can return it with your dues in the enclosed envelope.

If you are a new member who joined after January 1, 2024, or if you are a lifetime member and none of your information has changed, you will not need to fill out a membership renewal form or pay dues for 2025. If you are a returning member who renewed their membership after May 31, 2024, you are required to renew your membership and pay dues if you wish to remain a member of NDAB. All completed forms and dues are due no later than February 1, 2025.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you do not receive a membership renewal form by January 10, feel free to contact me at vice-president@ndab.org or (701) 260-8914.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to your continued membership!

Respectfully submitted,

Lexee Steffan, Vice President/Membership Chair

2024 Camp Wrap-Up

Submitted by Missy Miller and Lexee Steffan

Our 53^rd NDAB adult summer camp was held August 4-11 at Elks Camp Grassick.

We welcomed 3 new campers: Daniel Leer of Wolford, DJ Fohrman of Fargo, and Angela Christle, from Rochester, MN. In total we had 32 campers and staff. A variety of fun and educational classes were held this year; thank you to all our instructors for sharing your knowledge and skills with us. The weather was chilly, but it was on point with our Thanksgiving-themed banquet, “A Grateful Gathering,” planned by Carol Scallon and Sue Dahl. Our beloved friend, Dan Mimnaugh, Camp Grassick’s past Camp Director, was our banquet guest speaker; and Tiff, Kell, and Mel played for the well-attended banquet dance.

Ahead of camp, Jenny, Director of Elks Camp Grassick, per Paul Olson’s suggestion, ordered 12 alert tiles to retro-fit the sidewalks. Paul installed the tiles ahead of our session, and they were very well received by our campers. We had a wonderful week. Awesome new things were learned, great conversations were had, fish were caught, many bullseyes were hit, beautiful projects were created, old friendships were rekindled, and new friendships were made.

Thank you to all who attended camp and to all who taught, planned activities, or worked behind the scenes to ensure that the week ran smoothly. Thank you to Paul Olson for installing the tactile tiles and for providing O&M lessons. As always, thank you to Jenny for letting us continue to invade your camp year after year. We are grateful to our amazing kitchen staff friends for their delicious cooking and their kindness. Thanks to Mark for hosting the talent show, Carol and Sue for hosting the banquet, Bobby for our morning flag raising, Tim for hosting trivia, Dawn for hosting Bingo, and Helen for hosting Blackjack. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to our three new campers for having the courage to come out to camp; it was great meeting all of you!

The camp committee is already hard at work planning for next year’s festivities. However, we still do not have a banquet theme or anyone lined up to plan it. If you would like to plan next year’s banquet, please contact Missy Miller at (701) 446-7125 or email camp@ndab.org.

We look forward to seeing all of you next year at camp!

Captions: Top left, Loris Van Berkom and Janelle Olson ride in on turkeys. They wore inflatable turkey costumes to the Thanksgiving-themed banquet. Top right, a group enjoys a pontoon ride on the lake. Bottom left: The pottery class shows off their creations. Bottom center: Two of the new detectable tiles along a sidewalk at Camp Grassick that Paul Olson installed. They signal a change to the cane user, such as an intersection or a doorway. Bottom right: Gerald Byron shows off Loris’s big Northern catch while Loris and Sue Dahl look on from a dock.

Fall Sports and Rec Retreat Wrap-Up

Submitted by Trampes Brown

The fall Sports and Recreation Retreat was held at the Triangle Y Camp on the shores of Lake Sakakawea near Garrison, ND, the weekend of September 13-15. Twelve individuals (7 VI and 5 sighted) enjoyed a weekend of pushing their limits and trying new things. The new venue offered new sporting opportunities, such as shooting air rifle, and old favorites, including a high ropes course, archery, and kayaking and canoeing. The Camp instructors joined us in a rousing game of goalball one evening, and we enjoyed a campfire and plenty of socializing both nights.

Thank you to the staff at the Triangle Y Camp, as well as NDAB for supporting this awesome opportunity for our members and their plus-ones. Watch for more information on a possible spring retreat in the next Promoter.

Captions: Above left, Emily Z. takes aim during archery with the help of an instructor from the Camp. Above center, 3 kayakers – Trampes, Andy, and Ella – enjoy a beautiful day on the lake. Above right, Andy and Elias race to the top of the high ropes course. Bottom left, Kaity and Elias canoe Lake Sakakawea.

Ski for Light Transportation

Submitted by Lexee Steffan

The 46^th annual Ski for Light will be held from January 19– 24, 2025, in Deadwood, SD. NDAB has limited space to and from Ski for Light again this year. We will have two drivers and room for 7 passengers, so if you need a ride to and from the event, reserve your spot as soon as possible. To reserve your seat with the NDAB group, you must both pay a $30 transportation fee, and contact me, so that I can put you on the list, before December 15, 2024. You can pay via PayPal by clicking the “Donate” button on our NDAB.org website, or you can send a check to NDAB, PO Box 824, West Fargo, ND 58078. Please write “Ski for Light Transportation,” in the memo line of the check or in the note of the PayPal transfer. No late fees will be accepted and all members must be in good standing to get a ride. Paid NDAB members in good standing will be given first priority over non-members. Those who are not members of NDAB will be considered if space permits, and if they have gotten in touch with me and paid the $30 fee before the deadline. Contact me at (701) 260-8914 or lexee@ndab.org to reserve your spot, or if you have any questions. See you in January!

Awards Committee Update

Submitted by Mary Lou Stip

The North Dakota Association of the Blind Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the following awards: the Advocate of the Year and the Ed Christensen. The Friend of NDAB award will be determined by the committee hosting the 2025 NDAB convention which will be in Bismarck.

The criteria for the Advocate of the Year Award are as follows:

Must be a member of NDAB in good standing.
Has demonstrated leadership skills in the organization and/or community.
Has educated the public about the needs and capabilities of people with sight loss.
Has been involved in public relations and fundraising efforts of the organization.

The Ed Christensen Award is given to an active NDAB member and is primarily based upon their performance and dedicated service to the Association. The final selection between possible recipients should include:

What positions or offices has the person held?
Has the individual been a chairperson or active member of a standing committee, and for how many years?
Has the person been active in fundraising events or donating time and energy for the benefit of NDAB?

The deadline for award nominations is March 1. Please send all nominations to: Mary Lou Stip, 4212 Estate Drive S., Fargo, ND 58104 or e-mail maryloustip@midco.net.

Fargo Visions Group to Host Glidance Reps

Submitted by Vince Ulstad

Glidance, a new self-guided primary mobility device being developed, is coming to full market in 2025. This AI-powered device incorporates a simple frame mounted on two 7-inch wheels and uses artificial intelligence and cameras to guide blind and low vision users as they travel through life. The Fargo-Moorhead Visions Group will hold the regular December meeting on December 18 at 11 AM in Club Rooms 1 & 2 of the Fargo Holiday Inn. At this meeting, representatives from Glidance will meet with us via Zoom to present, review, and discuss the Glidance device. Everyone is invited to attend the meeting, either in person or via Zoom. This includes all NDAB members who may have interest in learning more about this self-guided mobility unit. Specific information on how to join this Zoom call will be emailed out in early December. If you have any questions ahead of this meeting, please feel free to contact Vince Ulstad at (701) 238-4251 or email vince.ulstad@gmail.com. For more information on Glidance, visit https://glidance.io.

Our Trip to Jacksonville: Part 1

Submitted by Mary Lou and Doug Stip

First of all, a very big “Thank you!” to NDAB for electing me as your alternate delegate to serve at the 2024 ACB Conference and Convention held June 24 through July 11 in Jacksonville, Florida. We would also like to thank Doug’s employer, Coborn’s Inc./Hornbacher’s, for allowing him to make the trip with me.

This convention was unusual in that it was a hybrid virtual/in-person convention. A big thank-you also goes out to Gerald Byron, who graciously bailed me out when we encountered technical problems at a virtual voting session several days earlier on July 1!

We left Fargo for Jacksonville by way of a connecting flight to Dallas, TX. It’s a good thing American Airlines offers assistance getting from point A to point B, because our departure from Fargo was more than an hour and a half late. In fact, connections were so tight that day we made our Dallas flight with only about a minute or so to spare. The Dallas/Fort Worth airport is ginormous, and we needed a train to help get us to our correct gate. We arrived at our hotel in Jacksonville late that evening but were grateful we qualified to ride the local paratransit system across town, rather than pony up money for cab fare which in this day and age can cost a small fortune.

Saturday morning, July 6, we slept in late, but later joined others from our North Dakota delegation along with Tammy Winn and Jim Schwartz from Oregon for supper at a taco place not far from our hotel.

Sunday afternoon we took in a two-hour bus tour of the city. Jacksonville was founded in 1822 and was named after Andrew Jackson, a military governor at the time who was later elected the seventh President of the United States. Located in northeastern Florida, it is the state’s largest city both in area (874.46 square miles) and population (990,931 estimated as of 2023.) Our tour took us past Everbank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, 121 Financial Ballpark, home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp minor league baseball team, and other local points of interest.

Southern rock bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, .38 Special and the Allman Brothers Band all got their start in Jacksonville. The city is also the birthplace of singers Ray Charles and Pat Boone.

One intriguing story we heard on our tour was about country singer Tim McGraw. As a boy, he accidentally discovered his birth certificate and wondered who his biological father really was. Eventually the two met and formed a relationship, with the elder McGraw saying to him, “You’re my son.” Tim McGraw’s father was Tug McGraw, a major league pitcher for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies who once pitched for the minor-league Jacksonville Suns.

Another highlight of the tour was a stop at Peterbrooke Chocolates for bags of chocolate-covered popcorn you could buy if you wanted. What a treat!

Sunday night’s opening session began with a call to order from President Deb Cook Lewis, from Clarkston, WA, followed by the presentation of colors by the Naval Station Mayport Color Guard. Lewis also gave her President’s Report, followed by the Executive Director’s report by Scott Thornhill of Alexandria, VA. Following that were ACB Life Members, ACB First Timers, and J.P. Morgan Chase Leadership Fellows presentations. After the nominating committee report followed my highlight of the evening, the roll call of ACB’s state and special-interest affiliates.

Monday morning was unusual in that breakout sessions were held instead of the general session. This format offered flexibility so if you wanted to check out special-interest affiliate activities, or tour the exhibit hall with its many vendors, you could do so. The exhibit hall was so large it was too hard to check out everything in one trip, so we made more than one visit.

Our Monday afternoon plans originally included a tour of the Museum of Southern History, but it was cancelled because of a fire. Instead, we went to a beach party! OK, the weather was rainy and some of our food was cold, but it was still fun. It was good to get out and have different things to do to pass the time. This concludes part one of our report. The conclusion will be in the next Promoter issue, so stay tuned!

Williston Wanderings by Janelle F. Olson

I did not get it together for the previous edition, so there is a bit of catching up to do. We have scooted by Convention and Camp and find ourselves enjoying cooler weather; well, I mean 80+ days sometimes and then a frost warning for the next. Goofy! According to the calendar, it is fall. I guess I will just stay in my lane and report the news and leave the weather reporting up to the professionals.

Loris enjoyed a visit from her daughter and son-in-law over the 4^th of July. They traveled to Medora to take in the Medora Musical. She had a wonderful birthday surprise on July 11^th when she received a phone call from Allan, Zelda, and Gerald, telling her that the ticket that Allan had sold her for the Braille Forum Raffle had been drawn for the top prize…$5,000. She now owns a new bed thanks to that windfall. Her son and daughter-in-law made a quick trip home in September for his 30^th class reunion. Loris has been dealing with arthritis attacking different parts of her body, so more injections are in her future.

Kathy and Stan attended the Norsk Høstfest in Minot for two days, meeting old friends, enjoying various Norwegian foods, listening to musical entertainers, and taking in the Garrison Keillor show. Unbeknownst to Kathy, one of the farm cats snuck into the house before she got the door closed. Son Bryan found the meowing “NoFuzz” when he came out in the afternoon of day 2. Thankfully she had not messed in the house, but only destroyed seven screens, trying to find her way out. She is no longer called “NoFuzz”; her name is DC. And no, that doesn’t stand for Dead Cat.

Susan and Glenn share their farmyard with their son and daughter-in-law who had a new home built. While Susan and Glenn were down south for this past winter, their son and wife moved into Mom and Dad’s house, and when spring brought them back North, they enjoyed living in their 33-foot camper for five plus months amongst the lilacs and apple and oak trees until the house was completed. They plan to leave at the end of October for their fifth season in Salome, Arizona, which is between Wickenburg and Quartzsite. They like the people, activities and, oh yes, the weather. Susan loves walking out at night to see the stars! Susan enjoyed the Convention in Regent and also Camp. She is grateful for all the friends she has made in NDAB.

Our sympathy is extended to Brenda who has lost both her mother and uncle since this last writing. She was a great support to her mother, making many trips to Arnegard. Her uncle lived in a nursing home in Watford City. They had a special bond as Brenda was born on his birthday. This fall, Brenda has been doing the usual fall outside work to get ready for what we know will be coming. She is sharing the following two recipes:

Crockpot Chex Mix

5 cups Rice or Corn Chex

2 cups of dry roasted peanuts

2 cups pretzel sticks

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon seasoned salt

3 tablespoons butter

1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Put butter into the bottom of the crockpot and turn it on low.

Add onion powder, seasoned salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Add dry ingredients and stir. If the butter is still clumpy, it’s okay. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes or so. Dump out onto a cookie sheet to cool.

Mexican Donuts

(For those of us who were at Camp this summer, we enjoyed this.)

2 cups flour

½ cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. butter, melted

½ cup milk

1 egg, beaten

1 tbsp. vanilla

Roll out and use a donut cutter or any kind of cookie cutter.

Fry and roll them in sugar and cinnamon.

I am here to report, once again, Sheryl has purchased yet one more cell phone and is still having trouble. Fingers crossed her son David can make it come around. She was surprised when I called that it rang. She enjoyed a birthday lunch with her grandson Daniel who turned 14 and who was only two when she and Dan moved to Kentucky. She is anticipating the December wedding of her granddaughter. Her son David, who is a minister, will preside.

Minerva Ramos received the 2024 Friend of NDAB Award. She is now a member, and I called her to see what she has been up to. She moved from New York and has lived in Williston for six years. She enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren. She and Brenda have started walking in the water at the ARC. According to Brenda, she enjoys walking outside every day and also likes to bake. She recently took a train trip out to Seattle to visit friends.

Carol has been busy helping her daughter get ready to move to Washington, D.C. where Anna will be assisting in Senator John Hoeven’s office. This is exciting!

Jeff and I celebrated our 48^th anniversary with a trip down the Enchanted Highway. We stopped in at the Castle, but Gary was out. We settled for ice cream and then went on our way to catch an evening meal in Medora. We continue our two-week trips to Bismarck for medical appointments.

Whatever you are up to, we wish you all an enjoyable fall.

Bismarck & Other News from Robert Westermeyer

The Bismarck Supper Club group met and had their picnic in August. They met at Mayas in September and the Mandan Pizza Ranch in October. The future of the group is very uncertain due to various health situations of the members of the group.

If you’re like me, your medication list is growing longer every year. Spoken Rx is a system that reads your labels for you. A sticker is placed on the bottom of your container, which is then set on a platform that reads the information out loud. For more information, contact the Bismarck CVS Pharmacy (701) 255-1335 or your local pharmacy.

As the first flakes of snow start to fall, it’s not too early to think about next summer. Sporting Chance, an organization that provides outdoor recreational opportunities will host two events.

Fishing – the Geyger Fishing Event is scheduled for June 7 at Grainer Bottoms near Mandan. For more info, contact J.R. at 226-6578.

Adaptive Water Skiing – Escape to the Lake, an event which offers adaptive water-skiing opportunities for those who wouldn’t have the chance, is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 at Nelson Lake near Center. For more information contact Leslie at 739-5349.

On October 1, 2024, Cashwise and InstaCart decided to abolish phone orders. This leaves countless visually impaired and other disabled individuals left with little options to get their groceries since many don’t have access to apps or computers.

Spotlight on NDAB Member: Ethin Probst

Each month we profile an NDAB member. This month, meet Ethin Probst from Minot.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Ethin Probst. I’m from Minot. My mom is Carolyn, and my dad is Paul. I have retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP, and I was born with it.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love to read all kinds of things, write code, play games, and generally enjoy myself. Listening to music is also a fun pastime for me. It’s fun losing myself in a story or a project that I’m working on. Hanging out with friends is also fun.

How long have you been a member of NDAB?

I’m not sure. Perhaps more than 5 years? Maybe a bit longer.

Why did you become a member?

I joined NDAB because they have great services, and the events I go to are amazing. The people are great too.

What is your favorite memory from NDAB events?

Definitely Dining in the Dark. They’re always fun, and it’s fun showing and teaching sighted people about my condition and how I do things with it. Many people have the misconception that blind people are incapable of helping themselves, that we need help from others, and so an event like Dining in the Dark is a fun way of disproving that while simultaneously making it fun and showing them that our condition isn’t as bad as they imagined.

What do you consider NDAB’s greatest accomplishment?

I consider both Dining in the Dark and the advocacy/public awareness campaigns to be the greatest.

Is there anything you think NDAB should add or do differently?

Not that I can think of. NDAB is doing great!

Why should someone join NDAB?

Join for the services, the events, and the people. All three are great. They accept you for who you are, and everyone is wonderful.

How do you see blind possible?

Blindness is just a barrier to me. I’m not unrealistic and know that I may not be able to do some things, but to me, living with it is just… normal. When people ask me if I want my vision back, my answer is usually no for a few reasons, one of which is just that I don’t really see how it would benefit me. I like who I am, and how I perceive the world. It brings a new perspective, and it gives me the ability to change things.

Caption: Wearing a blue shirt, Ethin smiles at the camera while sitting on a couch.

Spotlight on NDAB Member: Nick Pavel

Each month we profile an NDAB member. This month, meet Nick Pavel from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in the small town of Lesterville, SD, but I am currently living in Sioux Falls. I have 3 sisters and a brother, and I also have 11 nieces and nephews. I was diagnosed with LCA and have been blind since birth. I can tell if the light is on or off especially at night but that’s really all I can see. I recently started a new job at a company called Goal Solutions in Sioux Falls as a customer service representative taking inbound calls. I must say it can get very tense and entertaining at times, but I do love my job. I get to work with some amazing coworkers which makes it all worthwhile.

What are some of your hobbies?

Well, that really depends on the day. I am pretty laid back. I am really into music quite a bit. It definitely keeps me relaxed especially after a tough day at work. I also help with music at my church once a month. I mainly sing but sometimes I play piano, that is if I know how to play that particular song. Otherwise, I do like hanging out with friends and just going with the flow. Sometimes we’ll have a game night, or there may be times where we are just relaxing and catching up. I am always about making memories. I also enjoy going skiing in the wintertime when I get the opportunity.

How long have you been a member of NDAB?

You know, I can’t remember exactly when I joined. I think it was in 2018? Somewhere in that time frame. I’m pretty sure I’ve been a member for at least 6 years. I joined a year or two after I went to camp for the first time in 2016. A friend told me all about camp, so I went, and I never looked back.

What is your favorite memory from NDAB events?

It’s hard for me to choose. But there have been some great memories at camp and sports and rec retreat. From shooting archery to going ziplining for the first time in my life, they are all things I never forget, and I continue to tell stories about my experiences. Those are just a few things that stick out in my mind.

What roles have you served within NDAB?

I am currently on the Sports and Rec Committee. I help with the planning of future sports and rec retreats.

What do you consider NDAB’s greatest accomplishment?

I would say camp and sports and rec retreat are great opportunities to get together and have a great time. Plus, you get a chance to try something new as well.

Why should someone join NDAB?

Being a part of NDAB gives you an opportunity to meet some great people who also have vision loss plus would be a great support system. Plus, you get an opportunity to be part of some fun activities as well as try something that you have never done before.

Is there anything else you want to share?

We all face challenges on a regular basis. No matter what challenges you may face, keep pushing forward. Sometimes you may have to dig really deep to keep on pushing, but in the end it’s all worth it. Also, live life to the fullest. Time goes by too fast, so enjoy life.

Caption: Wearing a t-shirt and shorts, Nick stands on a football field holding a medal he won in a 5K race.

Spotlight on NDAB Member: Rose Landsem

Each month we profile an NDAB member. This month it’s Rose Landsem from West Fargo.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m Rosie Landsem. I enjoyed being a farmer’s wife for 25 years, then went to the Blind School in 1986 to learn about my eyes, and that’s when I joined NDAB. I have a twin sister who is married and lives in Florida.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love to read books. Listening to Talking Books – that is my life.

Why did you become a member of NDAB?

When I went to the Blind School, they told me about Camp and NDAB, and that’s why I joined.

What are some of your favorite memories from NDAB events?

Going to Camp. I met my friend Brenda Bruins there in 1986, and we did a lot of swimming. We’ve spent many hours in the lake at Camp Grassick.

I won the 5K skiing race at Ski for Light 5 years in a row. After the fifth time, I told my ski instructor that it was time to let someone else win!

We also used to attend the Summer Light Program in the Black Hills. I enjoyed the hiking and even went rock climbing.

What volunteer positions have you held in NDAB?

I was the Historian for about 10 years. I took pictures at Camp, Ski for Light, and the Convention. I also took pictures at outside trips that we went to. This was back around 1996.

What do you consider NDAB’s greatest accomplishment?

Getting blind people together at all of our different events and expressing our opinions.

Is there anything you think NDAB should add or do differently?

I wish we could do more things together. I know the main issue with us is transportation. I wish we had more drivers.

Why should someone join NDAB?

Just being together with other blind people, they don’t feel so alone.

Anything else you want to share?

I’ve been a friend of Brenda Bruins since 1986. She’s my dear, dear friend, my buddy. Kathy Larson has been my camp buddy since 1986 as well. I’m glad to be involved with NDAB again after my husband passed away on December 3, 2020. I enjoy all of it so much, going to Camp and going to Convention, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to get back to it all.

Caption: Rose walking down a gravel path at Camp while using her white cane.

Legislative and Advocacy Report Fall 2024

Submitted by Allan Peterson and Zelda Gebhard

Beginning with our nation’s first election in 1788, every 4 years a nationwide election for President has been held. It can be said, that up to this year’s election on November 5, the most consequential of those elections were the ones held on the eve of the Civil War in 1860 when Abraham Lincoln was elected President, and in 1864, when it was held during the Civil War.

It is instructive as well to have a look back on the last Presidential election in 2020 held during the worldwide COVID pandemic. At that time, we as a nation were dealing with widespread economic uncertainty, nationwide racial unrest, deep political polarization, a controversial Supreme Court nominee, wild social media stories, uncontrollable wildfires, a record number of hurricanes and flooding – any of this sound familiar? That was 4 years ago, and it can be legitimately argued that we are still dealing with many of the consequences of that election today and will be for decades to come.

As citizens, our access to a secret, independent ballot is one of our most fundamental and precious rights. As North Dakota residents with a disability that prevents us from independently marking a paper ballot, we can vote a secret, independent ballot by using the ExpressVote machines at our polling sites. And, as described in the May Promoter, we can also apply for, receive, and cast a secret absentee ballot electronically through our state’s secure electronic voting network.

The ExpressVote machine is universal in that both sighted people and people with reading disabilities can use it to vote. Sighted voters can use the machine’s touchscreen to cast their ballot. The machine, equipped with a keypad and headphones, allows someone with no eyesight to mark a secret ballot independently.

If you wish to vote by using the traditional paper absentee ballot system, you do need to file an absentee ballot application to vote this way. An application can be requested from the web at www.vote.nd.gov or call your county’s auditor’s office in the county where you live. Absentee ballots should be in the mail by October 26 or they can be delivered to a designated drop box in your county.

The non-partisan League of Women Voters maintain a website where voters can read what is on their individual ballots. This information can be found at www.vote411.org. If the voter enters their address, they can read what is on the ballot that is specific to their precinct.

The ballots for all precincts in North Dakota will include the races for federal office of President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives, and for the statewide offices of Governor, Public Service Commission, ND Superintendent of Public Instruction, ND State Auditor, and ND State Insurance Commissioner. Precinct specific ballots will include local races for office and local policy and tax issues.

In this fall’s election the statewide ballot will include 5 measures. Three were constitutionally brought forward by the state legislature. Two were initiated measures brought forward by citizen groups.

If approved, Constitutional Measure No. 1 would replace outdated terminology related to public institutions in North Dakota. A “Yes” vote would make these updates to our state constitution: (1) “the school for the deaf and dumb” in Devils Lake would be changed to “the school for the deaf and hard of hearing.” (2) “a state hospital for the insane” in Jamestown would be changed to “a state hospital for the care of individuals with mental illness.” (3) “an “institution for the feebleminded” in Grafton would be changed to “a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities.”

If approved, Constitutional Measure No. 2 would change the process for citizen-initiated constitutional ballot measures. Approving Constitutional Measure 2 would increase restrictions on the initiated measure process. A citizen-initiated ballot measure would need to be approved by voters in two elections for it to be enacted. Only if it were approved by a majority of voters in both elections, would it become law. It would also restrict the initiated measure to a single subject and would increase the number of signatures needed for it to get on the ballot.

If approved, Constitutional Measure No. 3 would make changes related to spending and transfers from the Legacy Fund, such as decreasing the amount of money the North Dakota Legislature could spend from the fund’s principal in their 2-year budget cycles.

If Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 4 is approved, local governments would not be allowed to levy, or charge, property taxes based on the assessed property value of property within their limits. This is how local governments currently raise revenue to pay for a sizable portion of their budgets.

If approved, Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 5 would legalize recreational marijuana, or cannabis, in North Dakota. The measure would make it legal for adults ages 21 and older to produce, process, sell, and use cannabis and would appoint a state body to regulate cannabis-related businesses in North Dakota.

Finally, a proposed initiated constitutional measure that would have restricted voting to only be done by paper ballot and to be counted by hand failed due to the lack of signatures needed for it to get on the ballot. It would have eliminated the use of the ExpressVote machines at polling sites and all forms of electronic voting. We are thankful for the fact that this proposed measure failed. We would have worked hard for its demise had it got on the ballot.

Let us hope and pray that elections will continue in the future despite the rancor and bitterness that has plagued our politics particularly over these last three presidential elections.

Thank you for exercising your right to vote.

Giving Hearts Day – the 2025 Version

Submitted by Allan Peterson

This past February, NDAB was among 612 organizations that were included in Giving Hearts Day (GHD). Despite the largest number ever of organizations that participated in GHD, we did well! Of course, the challenge now is to improve upon what we did in 2024.

A brief review of NDAB’s participation in the 2024 Giving Hearts Day event reveals that $24,939.91 was donated by 190 donors that made their donations online or sent a check that was uploaded into our Giving Hearts Day account on or before February 8, 2024. A Match Fund account of $22,549 was contributed by 38 donors. Also received after February 8, intended for the GHD Appeal, was $2,005 from 6 donors. If these amounts are added together, a grand total of $50,493.91 can be claimed to have been received for GHD in 2024.

Some more good Giving Hearts Day news, NDAB has officially been approved to participate in this event once again in 2025. 2025 marks the 9th consecutive year that we seek to benefit from this event which now includes hundreds of organizations throughout Dakota Medical Foundation’s region!

As usual, one of the first tasks required of all GHD participants is to create a Match Fund. The minimum needed for this fund is $3,000. Contributions are sought from committed match fund donors and are reported in advance of GHD. The money in this fund will be used to match donations received from our Giving Hearts Day donors. It tells Giving Hearts Day donors that their donations will be doubled by the money in this fund. A challenge we face is to have enough money banked in the Match Fund so we can double all our Giving Hearts Day donations. FYI: The money in the Match Fund is kept in our treasury. It is not banked elsewhere; it is always in our possession.

Basic guidelines for our 2025 Giving Hearts donors:

The online 2025 Giving Hearts Day fundraising appeal will begin on Monday, January 13 and will end on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The focus date for Giving Hearts Day is February 13, 2025. The giving period will end at 11:59 P.M on that day. Donations received after this date will not be considered an eligible GHD donation.
To make a secure online contribution, go to www.givingheartsday.org and click on the Giving Hearts Day Donate button and then select North Dakota Association of the Blind from among the listed charities. Donations can be made by credit or debit card. Donations must be at least $10 to qualify for the match. All donations are eligible for a tax deduction.
Donations can also be made by check prior to February 13. Checks should be dated February 13, 2025; write “Giving Hearts” on the memo line, and mail to our treasurer, Rebecca Anderson, PO Box 824, West Fargo, ND 58078. Checks should be mailed at least 10 days before February 13 so they can be received and counted as a Giving Hearts Day donation.
Please note: For your convenience, the allowable giving period has been extended. It begins on January 13, 2025, and goes through Giving Hearts Day itself on February 13, 2025. So, a great way to lower the stress of donating is by making that commitment before the deadline on February 13!!

At present we are three months plus a couple of weeks away from February 13, 2025. If you have any questions or suggestions about NDAB’s fund raising efforts, contact me at 701-282-4644 or email me at allan.peterson@ndsu.edu. And please stay tuned for more to come.

Development Report Fall 2023

Submitted by Allan Peterson

It is with thankfulness and gratitude that we celebrate the success of our most recent Walk for Vision White Cane Safety Day event, held Tuesday, October 15 at the NDSU Crossroads Lutheran Center. We were blessed with about 40 participants. Among them were NDSU Campus Student Lions, area children with sight loss and their parents, 14 NDAB members, and staff from ND Vision Services/School for the Blind. A big thank you to all of you for your participation in helping make it a good awareness building event.

This year’s Walk for Vision marked NDAB’s 26^th Walk for Vision event that coincided with October’s observation of White Cane Safety Day. The importance of the white cane and dog guide to people with sight loss are publicly acknowledged through the promotion of White Cane Safety Day, established initially by a joint resolution of Congress in 1964 that designates October 15 of each year to be observed as White Cane Safety Day. We commend and extend our gratitude and thankfulness to North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney for their proclamations that declared October 15, 2024, to be observed as White Cane Safety Day in the State of North Dakota and in the city of Fargo.

Among our event highlights were reading the proclamations from the Governor and Mayor, recitation of a White Cane poem and a brief history of the White Cane, and Elias Youngblom’s demonstration of how he uses his cane. This was followed by a commemorative walk in the neighborhood. Thankfully, we were blessed with great Walk weather.

I’m very happy to report that our event garnered the attention of local media. A reporter from KVRR-TV in Fargo did video shots of our walkers and did a short interview with me as a part of that coverage.

After the walk, we visited and enjoyed coffee, hot cider, Judy’s Special K bars, and snacks from Hornbacher’s Foods. A special thank you to my wife Judy for doing so much of the leg work that was needed to put this event together.

We thank Hornbacher’s Foods and Thrivent Financial for the support they gave for our Walk event in Fargo. We have also sent a letter to potential donors which invited them to be sponsors of our 2024 NDAB Walk for Vision appeal. All proceeds from the Walk go towards funding the many service programs that NDAB offers to people who have visual impairments.

Donations July – September 2024

Submitted by Rebecca Anderson, Treasurer/Registered Agent

Donations July to September 2024

Total $5,500.00

Lions $200

Mandan Lions

Gaming $5,100.00

Bismarck Am Legion Post 1

Bismarck AmVets Post 9

Bismarck VFW Post 1326

Bismarck-Mandan BPOE Lodge 1199

Devils Lake Rotary

Fargo AmVets Post #7

Jamestown Vets Club

M.O.T.T.

Park River American Legion

Plaza Community Center

Rolette Am Legion Post 194

Velva Aggie Foundation

West Fargo VFW Post 7564

Other Donations and Memorials $200.00

ACB

Denise Karalis and John Weiss

Stan and Kathy Larson in memory of Gen Bruins

North Dakota Association of the Blind, Inc. Pre-Convention Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

August 29, 2024

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Loris Van Berkom, Lexee Steffan, Rebecca Anderson, Helen Baumgartner, Gerald Byron, Janelle Olson, Allan Peterson and Trampes Brown

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Elias Youngblom

GUESTS: Mary Stip, Doug Puetz, Missy Miller, Brant Adams and Michelle Zentz

CALL TO ORDER: Loris called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm via Zoom. Roll call was taken.

REGULAR AGENDA: Loris read the items on the agenda. Allan made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Gerald. MC

CONSENT AGENDA: 2024 Camp Report. A motion was made by Gerald to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Trampes. MC A Camp Report will be printed in the next Promoter.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Missy inquired who will be planning the 2026 Convention. Trampes informed the board that Minot will do the planning.

BUSINESS AGENDA:

Secretary: On June 14^th, a motion was made by Janelle seconded by Allan, to approve the 2024 Convention and Post Convention minutes as corrected. MC The following sympathy cards were sent: June 12^th to David McCloud for the loss of his brother; June 22^nd to Susan Dahl for the loss of her husband, Ron; June 24^thto Violet Zentz for the loss of her son, Mike; June 24^th to Michelle Zentz for the loss of her brother, Mike; July 8^th to Carol Marshall for the loss of her husband, Ivan; July 23^rd to the Bruins family for the loss of Gen Bruins; and on August 29^th to Emily Zilka for the loss of her grandmother. On August 27^th a Thank You email was received from ACB for a $500 & $150 donation.

Treasurer: A motion was made by Allan seconded by Lexee to accept the May, June and July Treasurer’s reports. MC

Finance: Allan reported the donations since July 1^st. NDAB has been approved to participate in GHD. Rebecca reported two CDs at Bell Investments are coming due in September. She will be checking interest rates when the time comes closer.

Membership: Lexee reported the following new applicants – Anna Brock, from Jamestown, ND, sighted; Angela Christle, from Rochester, MN, blind; Gordon (Skip) Ertelt, from Fingal, ND, blind; Perry Ertelt, from Fargo, ND, visually impaired; Marsha King Osborne, from Dickinson, ND, visually impaired; Mark and Karen Koller, from New England, ND, both sighted; Ross McDougall, from Rolla, ND, visually impaired; and Minerva Ramos, from Williston, ND, sighted. One returning member, Raymond Walter, from Minot, ND, visually impaired. Janelle made a motion to approve all members, seconded by Allan. MC

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Sports & Rec: The Fall Retreat is Sept 13-15. So far 7 people, including 2 committee members, have registered. A trailer has been purchased for approximately $4,500. The committee is beginning to look at doing one-day “Pop Up Retreats.”

2025 Convention: Brant reported the convention will be held at the Ramada in Bismarck June 6-8, 2025. The room rate is $139/night.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Code of Conduct: Helen will send the document out. Board members will sign and return it to her.

Digitizing NDAB’s History: No updated information

Grandpa’s White Cane: The Lions Clubs in the eastern part of the state are working on putting the book in school libraries. NDAB will focus on the western part of the state. Gerald will work with the schools in the northeastern part of the state. Additional books are being printed and will be available after the first of the year. The Communications Committee will be working on trying to organize a way to get these books into the school libraries. NDAB currently has 60 books to distribute.

NEW BUSINESS:

Walk for Vision: Allan reported there will be an event on October 15^th at 4:00 in Fargo. Staff from NDVS/SB will be attending. Proclamations will be drafted. Letters will be sent out requesting donations.

Convention and Constitution and Bylaws Guidelines Approval: Gerald made a motion to approve the revised Convention Guidelines, seconded by Allan. MC Allan made a motion to approve the Constitution and Bylaws Guidelines, seconded by Gerald. MC

Ski for Light Transportation: Mary informed the board that Gary Pedersen and Paul Olson will not be driving for SFL. Following a lengthy discussion, Lexee agreed to be in charge of coordinating drivers and people planning to attend Ski for Light. Trampes made a motion that NDAB will provide mileage to any driver who is willing to transport at least two NDAB members to Ski for Light, seconded by Lexee. MC An article will be in the next Promoter indicating how many rides will be available for participants. NDAB members will have the first opportunity to ride with the available drivers. If they don’t pay the $30 transportation fee, they will no longer be considered a member in good standing.

NEXT MEETING: October 21^st at 7:30 pm

ADJOURN: Allan made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Lexee. MC The meeting adjourned at 9:17 pm.

Respectfully Submitted, Helen Baumgartner, NDAB Secretary

Communication Connections:

Website: www.ndab.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoDakAB/

Communication submissions: comms@ndab.org

Address: NDAB, PO Box 824, West Fargo, ND 58078

All members are encouraged to submit items of interest to the editor at promoter@ndab.org for publication. Deadline is the 10th of the month prior to quarterly publications of February, May, August, and November.

NDAB is a nonprofit organization which promotes the interest of ND residents who are blind and visually impaired. As a nonprofit organization, we welcome donations to help in advancing the cause of persons who are blind and visually impaired. For more information about NDAB, visit www.ndab.org.