Listen Up!

January, 2010

Inside this Issue

Director's Corner

What I hope will be a very happy New Year for our Listen Up! readership, will certainly be a busy and important year for the Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc., it's staff, board of directors and the membership (the heart & sole of the Association). Nation-wide, not-for-profit human service agencies are faced with complex challenges, including developing strategies for raising funds and managing budgets in a difficult economy, how to maintain quality opportunity programs, offer a comparable standard of services and remain accessible to the public
that we serve. The "bad" news is that the AFTHI falls into this category. The "good" news is that we operate our programs and provide our services to residents and employees from the Tri-County area and throughout the Greater Capital Region. Our region has a proud history of giving money, good and services, as well as being able to boast a countless number of individuals that share their time and talents to organizations and efforts that help improve the quality of people's lives. Through the efforts of the Tri-County United Way and the generosity of private individuals
and businesses, including you, our members, the AFTHI will recognize its 25th year of serving the needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons by rededicating ourselves to providing cost-efficient programs and services for all.

Undoubtedly, the saddest news that I have had to report during my tenure at the AFTHI is the news that Kate Doty, the agency's Administrative Assistant's last day at the AFTHI will be April 29th. Kate has been an integral part of the office's daily operations. She is a tireless worker who has been a tremendous asset to me and, most importantly, our membership. I am pleased to announce that Kate will not be a stranger to the AFTHI and has agreed to assist with
transitional matters, the production of Listen Up! and the planning of future Be A Hear-O and other fundraising events.

Please check your mailboxes and mark your calendars for the Be A Hear-O Dinner, Dance & Silent Auction. This year's event will take place on Saturday, April 10th from 6:00 - 11:00 PM at the Hilander in Queensbury. Invitations will be mailed in late February. In this edition of Listen Up! is a letter, mailed to 240 potential sponsors and/or providers of silent auction items. More exciting information will soon follow!

Are you interested in getting fed well and helping to raise monies for the AFTHI? Simply clip or copy the attached coupon to Uno's/Chicago Grill and bring to their Route 9, Queensbury restaurant on Thursday, February 11th from opening to closing and the AFTHI will receive a check for 15-20% of the day's sales from guests that present the AFTHI coupon. Also, attached is a similar fundraising event at Uno's on Feb. 18th to benefit our friends at The St. Joseph's House of Grace, who will share information about the AFTHI and its fundraiser with their newsletter readers.

Join us at the Adirondack Phantoms Hockey game at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Friday evening, March 12th and help raise funds for the AFTHI's Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers program. The first 3,000 through the doors will receive a free Phantoms Goalie Johan Backlund Bobble-Head doll. All Parents and Kids Tickets are $15.00 (normally $20.26). To Order Your Tickets, Contact Kate or Ben at the AFTHI's offices.

Sincerely,
Bennet F. Driscoll, Jr.

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16th Annual Be a Hear-O Dinner Dance & Silent Auction

Improving the Quality of Life for Persons with a Hearing Loss

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the Hiland in Queensbury!

Since its beginning in 1986, we have provided services and support for thousands of people in Warren, Washington, Saratoga counties, and beyond. The money raised from this event allows us to continue our mission for the deaf and hard of hearing children and adults within the community, as well as their families, friends and co-workers.

Our services include:

  • Loan Out Programs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Assistive Equipment
  • Annual Holiday Party
  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Deaf Mentors
  • Infonnation and Referrals
  • Advocacy
  • Sign Language and Lip Reading Classes
  • Enrichment Day Activities
  • Scholarships for Summer Camp and Higher Education
  • Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers

Can we count on your support this year?

Become a Sponsor

Each Sponsor will be acknowledged in our invitations, publicity materials, event program, and our monthly newsletter Listen Up!, which is read by more than 800 households.

  • Platinum Sponsor $1,000.00 Complimentary space ad in Listen Up! for 8 months. Two Complimentary Tickets to the Event.
  • Gold Sponsor $750.00 Complimentary space ad in Listen Up! for 6 months.
  • Silver Sponsor $500.00 Complimentary space ad in Listen Up! for 4 months.
  • Bronze Sponsor $300.00 Complimentary space ad in Listen Up! for 2 months.

Donate a Silent Auction Item

The Silent Auction is an exciting and major part of the Annual Event! Your contribution is greatly appreciated. With your help, we can continue to provide unique and valuable programs for the deaf and hard of hearing in our communities. We thank. yuu in advance for your support. We would also love to have you join us for this evening of fun.

Sponsors, it is important that you respond no later than February 26, 2010, to enable us 10 include your name in the Invitations and publicity materials. Silent Auction items should be in by the week or March 29, 2010. If you would like to be a sponsor, have any questions or would like to arrange for a pick up of your donation, please call the Association at 761-0554.

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Join AFTHI at Uno's

On February 11, you can eat at Uno's on Rte 9 in Queensbury and support the Association for the Hearing Impaired! Uno's will give up to 20% of your check to the AFTHI that evening for all Dine-in or Carry-out orders that day. Just print out a coupon from our web site and take it with you. Uno's will do the rest when you present the coupon to your server.

You can also support St Joseph's House of Grace by eating at Uno's on February 18. You can print that coupon from our website, too.

See you at Uno's!

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American Sign Language Classes Begin in March

The Spring 2010 session of American Sign Language Classes will be held at the Independent Living Center, 71 Glenwood Ave., Queensbury.

  • Beginners Class/Refreshers - Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8 PM Starting March 1, 2010
  • Intermediate Level 2 Class - Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 PM Starting March 3, 2010

Class fee is $40, & Book fee is $36.95. Classes are 10 weeks. For more information or to sign up, please feel free to contact us at (518) 761-0554 or E-Mail us at office@afthi.org. Certificates will be awarded to attendees of 6 or more classes.

Our Instructor is Marcia Johnson and guests instructors will be invited to meet with students during the 10 weeks. The course book is: A Basic Course in ASL by Humphries, Padden & O’Rourke. Beginners will be using Chapters 1-7, & Intermediate class will be using Chapters 8-14. You may order your book on line or through The Association for the Hearing Impaired.

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Memberships, Contributions & Grant Funds

The Association for the Hearing Impaired truly appreciates the financial support of all of its members as well as from those who provide private contributions, grant monies or wish to honor the life of a loved one with a Memorial contribution.

The AFTHI wishes to thank those individuals by recognizing you in the monthly edition of Listen Up! The list includes those that have either paid dues or sent a contribution since January 1, 2010. To those of you that have supported our agency in the past, the AFTHI THANKS YOU TOO!

  • J. David Little (2)
  • CR Bard Foundation
  • Michael Gouge
  • Adirondack Scenic
  • Susan Kinderman
  • Aileen Clarke
  • Adirondack Stampede Charity Rodeo
  • Edward Moser
  • Bea Taylor
  • Larrie Gouge
  • Jean Thomas
  • Dr. Orel Friedman
  • Lisa Grant
  • Edward O'Leary
  • Helene Turner
  • Eleanor Varden
  • Glens Falls National Bank
  • Florence Infantino
  • Joann Zales
  • Cathy Hafele

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Tax Assistance May Be Available

For families and individuals whose household income is below $49,000. (you may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), up to $5,657, if you earn less than $48,279). Returns with stock sales, rental income or from business owners cannot be completed. For More Information or to schedule an appointment, Contact:

  • Washington County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, 518-746-2560, or
  • Warren County Head Start 518-793-3624

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Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers Are Back

The “Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers” sign language troupe is open to all children age 7-12 that are willing to learn a variety of songs in sign language to perform at various events throughout the Tri-County community. The performance schedule will be finalized and distributed to the participants soon after the class starts.

The goal of the troupe is to learn basic sign language and promote deaf culture awareness within the community. Please contact the Association for the Hearing Impaired at 761-0554 for more information. Deadline for enrollment is February 26.

Instructors are: Connie Fuller & Sandra Clark.

10 classes: Tuesday 5:30 – 6:30 pm., Starting March 2, 2010 at the Association office, 71 Glenwood Ave., Queensbury

Costs: $50 for the first child; which includes the purchase of a shirt with logo,
second child from the same family $40. An additional $10 fee will be charged for program jackets, some of you may have.

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Silent Coffee Chat Meetings

Silent Coffee Chat meetings will be held at Panera Bread at the Mohawk Commons, Balltown Road in Niskayuna/Schenectady on the third Thursday of every month from 6:00 - 9:00 PM beginning Thursday, January 21st. For additional information, please email Maureen "Mo" Thorpe at mthorpe3@nycap.rr.com.

Also, Deaf Chats are held at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Wilton on the third Friday of every month beginning at 7:00 PM. For Additional information, please contact Sara McKay at: saramckay@hotmail.com.

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Home School Sign Language Class

The next 8-week class for Home Schooled children and youth from throughout the Tri-County Region will begin on Wednesday, February 24th. The Instructor will be Connie Wilder. The class fee will be $25.00 per person. Younger children will attend class from 12:15 - 12:45 and older children/youth from 12:45—1:30 PM.

The class curriculum, including the book and its cost, to be used is currently being developed. Families with more than one child registered for the program may choose to share a book. For more information please call 761-0554.

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Valentines for Vets Day at AFTHI

February 2 at 10am bring a dish to pass for our luncheon and Valentine cards to sign. For more info call Kate at 761-0554

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Camp Mark-7 2010 Schedule

Camp Mark 7 is a private-owned camp under the jurisdiction of the Mark Seven Deaf Foundation Board. Located at 144 Mohawk Hotel Road in Old Forge, New York, the camp offers a variety of programs during the summer time suited for Deaf and hearing individuals. Camp Mark 7 also has their traditional weekend events open to volunteers and visitors such as Opening
Weekend in May and the BBQ/Road Race Closing Weekend in October.

Thanks to your membership fees and private contributions, the AFTHI has been able to provide scholarships to families in the Tri-County area to help defray children or youth campership registration fees.

Summer 2010 Program Schedule & Fees

  • June 9- 19 Bible Institute Week (ages 18+) $495
  • June 24- 17 National KODA Family Conference TBA
  • June 27 - July 9 KODA Children (ages 9-12) $850
  • July 11 - 23 KODA Youth (ages 13-16) $850
  • July 25 - August 6 Deaf Youth (ages 13-16) $850
  • August 8 - 20 Deaf Children (ages 9-12) $850
  • August 22 - 28 ASL Silent Week/Elder Camp $425

For more information, including a description of what each session offers, please visit:
www.cmpmark7.org. Families interested in registering (must be done online) a child or youth
and seeking a partial scholarship from the AFTHI are asked to contact Ben at 761-0554 at their
earliest convenience.

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Interpreted CPR/AED Classes Are in the Works

The AFTHI and the American Red Cross/Adirondack Chapter in Glens Falls are meeting to discuss the possibility of planning a First Aid/CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) course with Sign Language Interpretation.

Classes would be scheduled in the Greater Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs Regions. Topics covered would include life-threatening bleeding, sudden illness and injuries, breathing and cardiac emergencies, injury prevention and heart disease prevention. Participants also learn how to respond to choking, perform rescue breathing, and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Class dates, times, locations and costs will be announced at a later time.

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Books, Tapes, CD's, DVD's, Games and More!

The Association for the Hearing Impaired has a resource library of full of books, tapes, CD's, DVD's and games for individuals interested in learning or practicing American Sign Language, Lip Reading and/or Interpreting skills, as materials that address their history of the deaf and/or hearing impaired cultures. Items can be loaned out by visiting Kate or Ben at the AFTHI offices.

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Thanks to the Rodeo!

The AFTHI would like to thank Mr. Jim Marshall and the board of the Adirondack Stampede Charity Rodeo and the U.S. Championship Rodeo Foundation for their generous contribution of $500.00. Held at the Glens Falls Civic Center on November 6th and 7th, each year the Adirondack Stampede funds area not-for-profits that assist children, youth and families. Also, the AFTHI would like to thank the individuals who volunteered their time to distribute programs, sell 50/50 raffle tickets, as well as those that purchased rodeo tickets.

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Interpreters Wanted

The AFTHI is currently updating its list of Interpreters. Our office is often contacted by area individuals and/or organizations who request the names of Interpreters, certified or not, who are available to provide services in Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties and beyond. If you provide interpreter services, please let us know if you would like your name included on our updated list. The list should include contact information, phone, fax, e-mail address and certification status. Information on rates and service arrangements will be between the provider and the customer. That list will be shared with those requesting it from us.

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Lip Reading Class on the Road

The AFTHI's Lip Reading Class, instructed this past season at the SAIL Center, the home of the AFTHI, by Rose Ora Stewart is expected to become mobile. The Glen at the Hiland Meadows, a joint venture of the Glens Falls Home and The Eddy, located in Queensbury is the first Independent Retirement & Assisted Living Community to inquire about the AFTHI holding its classes at their facility. Other similar sites are currently being explored and the AFTHI hopes to begin the Lip Reading Program during the month of March. More information will soon follow. If you have questions, please refer them to Ben or Kate.

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How Can We Help You?

The staff of the Association for the Hearing Impaired would like to hear from you. What programs and/or services do you need that we are not presently providing? Are we providing opportunities to residents from throughout Warren, Washington & Saratoga Counties? Are classes being held on days and at times that best meet your schedules? Are there issues, topics and stories to be told, as well as information on special events and other regional programs and services that we should be including in future editions of the newsletter? Do you want to know about volunteer opportunities and other ways that you can help the AFTHI meet and exceed its' annual goals and objectives? At the end of the day, our work is measured by the number of phone calls, mail and email that we receive, the people that visit our offices and the customer service that is provided to each and every individual with dignity and respect. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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AFTHI On-The-Go

The Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. believes that community outreach is an integral part of service to the community. In each edition of Listen Up! we will list and describe opportunities that the AFTHI has had to present to community organizations, participate in special events such as Health Fairs, and/or discuss and share information about our programs and services with large groups of people. We will list outreaches that will take place during the next month/four weeks, as well as activities/events we have already confirmed our attendance at.

For a complete calendar of events, class schedules and more, please check our on-line events page.

  • (1/26) AFTHI Be A Hear-O Planning Committee Meeting 4:30 @AFTHI
  • (1/30) Annual Tri-County United Way Auction & the Adirondack Regional
    Chamber of Commerce Dinner @ The Georgian in Lake George
  • (02/02 “Valentines for Vets Day” @ AFTHI 10AM
  • (02/07) Zonta Club of Glens Falls Heart Health Fair @ The Queensbury Hotel
  • (02/10) Inter-Club Dinner Meeting (Lions, Kiwanis & Rotary) @ Sweet
    Basil's/Queensbury, Rt. 9, Queensbury 5:30 PM
  • (02/11) Warren-Washington Counties Inter-Agency Meeting @ SAIL Center 8:30 AM
  • (02/11) AFTHI All-Day Fundraiser @ Uno’s / Chicago Grill, Rt. 9, Queensbury
  • (02/15) AFTHI Closed - Observance of President's Day
  • (02/23) CAPTEL Phone Presentation @ AFTHI, 71 Glenwood Avenue, Queensbury 1:00 PM & offices of Dr. Susan Boggia, 318 Ridge Street, Glens Falls 6:00 PM
    (Sandie Clark & Susan Boggia, Doctor of Audiology)
  • (02/24) Sign Language Classes for Home Schooled Children & Youth Begin (please
    register)
  • (02/26) Seventh Anniversary of the Glens Falls & Fort Edward Lions Clubs @ The
    Queensbury Hotel
  • (03/01) ASL Level I Classes Begin (please register)
  • (03/02) Fabulous Friends with Flying Finger Classes Begin (please register)
  • (03/03) ASL Level II Classes Begin (please register) Also Ballston Spa Lions Club Presentation 7PM

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Theater News

Coming to the Wood Theater in Glens Falls

  • Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20 at 7:30 PM
    Wrightstage Productions Present Whose Life Is It Anyway

New York State Theatre Institute, Albany, New York
Productions to be Interpreted:

  • And then there were...
    February 6, 2010 @ 8pm
  • Romeo and Juliet
    March 20, 2010 @ 8pm
  • Orphan Train
    April 24, 2010 @ 8pm

The New York State Theatre Institute's Telephone: (518) 274-3200

Proctors Theatre
The following performances will be signed:

  • Spring Awakening
    2/21/10 Sun matinee at 2pm
  • Annie
    3/14/10 Sun matinee at 2pm
  • South Pacific
    4/18/10 Sun matinee at 2pm

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Listen Up! is the newsletter of the Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc., Bennet F. Driscoll, Jr., Executive Director. Listen Up! is published monthly and made available in print and on-line editions. If you wish to change your subscription, please visit the links provided below, or call the Association's office at 518-761-0554.