Well, we warned you!

Our last newsletter informed you that Texas Public Radio, which provides the signal for Owl Radio, will be using a new broadcast tower, and we might be off the air for a few days. Guess we should have said “weeks” instead of “days.”

Owl Radio is back on now, but we are temporarily using a backup system that provides only about 40 percent of our regular strength. Thus some folks can’t receive us yet on their special radios. This will soon end, with a new broadcast tower and new antenna 150 feet higher providing a much improved quality of broadcast. It’ll be worth the wait.

Upcoming programs to start the year with a “bang”

Saturday, Jan. 21,2012 (Warm Springs)
Sonny Melendrez, one of the “Top Radio Personalities of All-Time”, will be with us to discuss “The Art of Living with Enthusiasm” That also happens to be the title of his new audio book, which he will offer for half price ($10) at the meeting to LVC members. What a way to start off the year! Come and be motivated.

Saturday, Feb, 18, 2012 (Warm Springs)
The Alamo Area Council of Governments will discuss “Senior Resources.”

Saturday, March 3, 2012 (Change from normal 3rd Saturday date)
Our annual LOW VISION EXPO at Colonial Hills United Methodist Church, 5247 Vance Jackson, just north of Callaghan. This is our 14th Annual EXPO featuring displays of low vision aids and agencies to help you. Open from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Come and go as you please. Sighted guides available. This is one of our most important meetings of the year.

Saturday, April 21, 2012 (Warm Springs)
Rosalind Benavides will discuss “Anger Management & Accepting Vision Loss.”

Don’t Forget the Door Prize

At most LVC meetings (not EXPO) we hold a drawing for a door prize of nominal value for registered members who obtain a free ticket at the registration table before 10:00 a.m. (Extra tickets are not available for companions.)

Sally Wiskemann, “Miss Indispensible”

A little over 10 years ago, Bonnie Truax wanted to start a radio reading service for the visually impaired in San Antonio. She would need help in many areas, but one thing was sure. She needed someone to recruit, interview, train and manage volunteer readers and staff.

Having retired shortly before as Educational Programs Director at the Institute of Texan Cultures, Bonnie’s thoughts went there. She remembered a close, personal friend from her beginning docent class who had gone on to become the Institute’s Director of Volunteers. Her name was Sally Wiskemann, and she was about to retire from the Institute.

Bonnie left Sally alone in her retirement for about 30 days. Then she called her and said something like this ”Girl, have I ever got a job for you” Sally listened and then said something like…”Count me in.”

Sally has interviewed and trained every reader for Owl Radio. She has given vocabulary tests, enunciation tests, etc. and preaches to readers to be happy on air as the listeners can tell. (Sally is also a director of a women’s barbershop chorus, and she puts her vocal singing knowledge to work, helping our volunteer readers on how to use their voices.)

Once a year Sally surveys readers, and with help from a crew, also surveys a sample of our listeners. And every Monday morning she can be heard reading on air, too. She practices what she preaches. Does Sally do anything else? Yes, she’s a member of and secretary to the Low Vision Club Board of Directors. Bonnie made a good choice, didn’t she?

“We Got The Word Out”

Thanks to the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, we pulled out all the stops to inform the world about Owl Radio. Our goal was to reach the 40,000 to 50,000 blind or visually impaired citizens of our area. Using 25,000 postcards, public service announcements on radio and TV, billboards, and even a special website, we “got the word out”. And our participation at health fairs jumped “big time.” Just ask Cindy Garcia.

Have you seen us on Facebook or Twitter?

We adopted Facebook and Twitter social media tools to bring awareness of our mission and the services we offer… also to provide an opportunity to cultivate relationships with volunteers, donors, partners, and other nonprofits… and to build online communities and movements.

If you are not currently a member, you can sign up for a free Facebook or Twitter account at www.facebook.com or www.twitter.com.

Bowling Group

We have an LVC Bowling Group with volunteers waiting to assist you on the first and third Monday of each month. The group meets from1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the AMF Wonder Lanes, 1948 Austin Highway.

Game Day

Held the last Saturday of each month at Luby’s Cafeteria, 911 N. Main. Come and join in the fun. Fliers at the Resource Table at LVC meetings.

Would You Like To Volunteer?

If so, call Cindy Garcia mornings (Tuesday through Friday) at the Low Vision Resource Center Office at (210) 829-4223. We need volunteers in all areas, but the biggest need is to make reminder telephone calls to 10 or
12 people about the LVC meeting each month. We will send you a list of names and a reminder letter each month.

A Special Thank You

The Low Vision Resource Center would like to thank all of our many friends who have contributed to our support in 2011. This includes memorials to many former members or workers for Owl Radio. As you know, we do not
charge dues. We exist because of your generous tax-deductible donations and the annual contributions of others.

We also want to thank the many volunteers who help us to serve the visually impaired. Under the guidance of Executive Director Bill Phelps and those serving on the Low Vision Center Board of Directors, we have made great progress.