Newsletter - Spring 2008

DAB GOLF TOURNAMENT

DAB is having its annual golf tournament on Monday, May 19th at the Back Creek Golf Course in Middletown. You can help make this fundraising event successful by giving us the names of any potential golfers or companies that might sponsor a hole. Visually Impaired golfers are welcome. Call 655-2111 for more information.

GOOD SEARCH.COM

Doing a search on the internet? Go to www.goodsearch.com and you can benefit the Delaware Association for the Blind. For each search you do on this web site, money is donated to your favorite charity. All you need to do is enter your search information, and in the line where you select your favorite charity, please enter Delaware Association for the Blind. This web site is powered by Yahoo Search and is an easy way to help support the Delaware Association for the Blind. Happy searching!

To sign up for any of the following activities, call as follows:

We will begin taking reservations on Wednesday, January 30. Activities are on a first come first served basis, so call as soon as possible to avoid missing out on an activity you are interested in. Door-to-door transportation is available.

When calling Activities Coordinator Judy Engelgau, please leave a complete message on the answering machine. New Castle County residents who need to speak with Judy can call her toll free at 1-888-757-0880; however, if you live in New Castle County, you should not call Judy to sign up for activities.

When you sign up for an activity where prepayment is required, please remember to send your payment by the due date listed at the end of the activity. If your payment has not been received by this date, we will give your spot on the list to a person on the waiting list. If you are on the waiting list, you will be called to let you know when to send your payment.

DAB’s cancellation policy has been included at the end of this newsletter. If you are not familiar with the cancellation policy, please read it carefully. If you have questions, call the office at 655-2111 or 1-888-777-3925 toll free from Kent and Sussex Counties. We will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Sunday, March 9: CANDLELIGHT DINNER THEATRE presents “West Side Story”. Set in Manhattan’s upper west side, the story explores the enmity between two rival gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and is based loosely on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. With a glorious score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story features some of the most beautiful music of modern musical theater, including “Maria”, “Tonight”, and “I Feel Pretty”. Doors open 12:30p.m. for the dinner buffet; show at 3 p.m. $44 due February 8.

Saturday, March 15: AMERICAN PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE in Washington, DC, tells the stories of America through the individuals who have shaped U.S. culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists who speak American history. Several docents will guide our group in a Highlights tour of the permanent collection, to include American’s Presidents. Time after the 1 hour tour at 1 p.m. to explore other exhibits or the gift shop. No charge. Bring a lunch to eat in the van. Early dinner on the way home at the Fisherman’s Inn. Menus in Braille and large print.

Saturday, March 29: WILMINGTON DRAMA LEAGUE presents “Sylvia” by A. R. Gurney. Greg and Kate move to Manhattan to escape an empty nest...until Sylvia enters their lives. Will man’s best friend drive an irreversible wedge between this couple or turn all three of them into a family? 7:30 p.m. sensory seminar. $8 tickets. Dinner before the show at the Golden Dove Restaurant.

Sunday, April 6: (NCC) MCCARTER THEATRE AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY presents “Argonautika”, the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts. With dazzling theatrics and fantastical storytelling, “Argonautika” recounts Jason’s perilous quest to capture the Golden Fleece. With goddesses at their side, Jason and his crew encounter monsters, nymphs, demons, and other astonishing obstacles. Heroes are made and destroyed, and promises made in the name of love are broken. 12:30 p.m. sensory seminar. 2 p.m. show is described for the visually impaired. $10 tickets. Bring lunch to eat in the van. Dinner on the way home at the Princetonian Diner.

Saturday, April 12: DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE presents “Guys and Dolls”. Slick, high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson attempts to woo a prim and proper missionary on a bet and ends up falling in love. His pal Nathan Detroit has trouble of his own with Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact that she has been engaged to Nathan for 14 years! The hit songs include “Luck Be A Lady”, “A Bushel and a Peck”, and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before”. 11:45 a.m. buffet; 1:15 p.m. show. $43 due March 9.

Saturday, April 19: BOMBAY HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. 1-3:30 p.m. No charge. Since 1937, Bombay Hook has hosted hundreds of thousands of migrating ducks, geese, shorebirds, and neotropical songbirds, all following old traditions of natural history, the spring and fall migrations. Tired and hungry, they seek shelter at Bombay Hook and feed on marsh grasses, fish, and other important foods before continuing their flight. A guide will get in each van for a driving tour through the refuge, with several stops, describing how they manage the land for wildlife. We will walk the Boardwalk trail, which goes through the salt marsh, and get out by the water, where most of the birds congregate, listening for sounds of spring. We will also be able to touch specimens in the auditorium. Bring lunch to eat in the van. Dinner on the way home at Sambo’s Tavern and Restaurant in Leipsic; no one under 21 allowed in the restaurant.

Saturday, April 26: ANNUAL MOVIE AND PIZZA PARTY—Movie matinee at Cinemark Movies 10 in Newport , follow by dinner at Grotto’s Pizza in Wilmington.

Saturday, May 3: DC DUCKS—Splash Down! The most exciting way to experience Washington is on the DC Ducks. Leaving from Union Station, the 90 minute narrated tour goes through the monuments, memorials, National Mall, and into the Potomac River! $28.50 due March 28. Tour 1:30-3 p.m. Bring lunch to eat in the van. Dinner on the way home at Fisherman’s Inn. Menus in Braille and large print.

Saturday, May 10: SUICIDE BRIDGE RESTAURANT AND CHOPTANK RIVER BOAT in Hurlock, MD, located along the Choptank River in the heart of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Enjoy the area’s freshest seafood along the waterfront, including famous crab balls, stuffed flounder, and prime rib for beef lovers. The Choptank River Boat Company operates reproductions of 80 ft. turn of the century paddlewheel river boats, narrated by the captain. Boat ride 1-3 p.m., $13 due April 5. Early dinner at 3 p.m., or order from the less expensive lunch menu until 4 p.m. Menus in Braille and large print. Bring lunch to eat in the van if you like.

Saturday, May 17: SEAFORD MUSEUM AND GOVERNOR ROSS MANSION AND PLANTATION. The museum depicts Seaford’s past from prehistoric times to today, including exhibits on the world’s first nylon production plant, poultry industry, and shipbuilding. The mansion was home to William Henry Harrison Ross (1814-1887), Democratic governor of Delaware from 1851-1855. In 1859 Ross built the Italian villa style house on a 20-acre plantation that includes a granary, stable, smokehouse, corncribs, gatehouse, and slave quarters. 1 p.m. tour $4 for both guided tours combined. 4 p.m. dinner at the Seaford Diner. Bring lunch to eat in the van.

Saturday, May 24: BLUE ROCKS BASEBALL GAME versus the Lynchburg Hillcats. 6:05 p.m. No charge for tickets. Seats in the Reserved Section.

Sunday, June 1: CANDLELIGHT DINNER THEATRE presents “Gypsy”. Jules Styne’s driving score about a show business mother who pushes her children to the limit in the name of art. It is frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-20th century’s conventional musical theatre and features songs like “Everything?s Coming Up Roses”, “Wherever We Go”, and “Small World”. Doors open 12:30 p.m. for buffet; 3 p.m. show. $44 due April 25.

Saturday, June 7: Annual trip to REHOBOTH BEACH. Lunch at Grotto’s Pizza on Rehoboth Ave. Sighted guide recommended, so you can visit your favorite spots on the Boardwalk at your own pace. 12-5 p.m. Eat on your own before the trip home.

Saturday, June 14: ECARTE DANCE THEATRE presents its spring concert at Delaware State University in Dover. No charge for the visually impaired. Guest tickets: $10. Enjoy front row center seats for a contemporary ballet and modern dance performance featuring dancers of all ages and music and dance in a wide variety of styles. Braille and large print programs available, with descriptions of costumes, color choices, and theme of each piece. 5:30 p.m. Sensory Seminar will include an opportunity to touch costumes, different kinds of dance shoes, and any props involved, and a chance to come backstage to investigate dressing rooms, lighting and sound equipment, curtains, etc. A brief dance “class” will be conducted for those interested. Reception following the 7 p.m. show.

When Sighted Guests Are Recommended?

From sporting events to museum tours, dinner theaters to the Delaware casinos, Activity Coordinator Judy Engelgau arranges a wide array of trips and activities for your enjoyment. DAB wants to offer you as many opportunities for recreation and entertainment as possible. Some trips such as shopping at Franklin Mills Mall and visits to the Delaware casinos require more individual sighted help than our staff can provide and so we accommodate this need by allowing people to bring a sighted guest to assist them. If you need this extra help for these few trips, we appreciate your asking a friend or family member prior to signing up for the trip. We cannot match you up with someone else’s sighted guest, and you should not assume that another’s guest will be willing to assist you without first asking them. Often clients use these opportunities to have an outing with a family member or friend. The option of bringing a sighted guest on this type of trip is offered to all so please take advantage of this opportunity so you can enjoy your day out with DAB fully.

DAB STORE VISITING SEAFORD

The staff of the DAB Store will visit the Methodist Manor House, 1001 Middleford Road in Seaford on Wednesday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Many items visually impaired and blind persons find helpful in their every day lives will be on display for sale. Items include low vision, talking, and braille watches and clocks, writing aids such as 20/20 pens, writing guides, and bold line paper, marking and labeling materials, adapted kitchen aids, playing cards and adapted games, large print items such as address books and check registers, magnifiers and magnifier bulbs, sun shields and so much more. We still have a few 2008 large print calendars in stock if you need one. The DAB Store staff is very knowledgeable and can help you in finding products to make your daily activities easier and less frustrating. All products are sold at cost. We apologize for not being able to take your debit or credit cards, but you may pay by personal check. Please give us a call at 1-888-777-3925 for more information or if you would like us to bring a specific product that day. We look forward to meeting with you on April 2nd.

TRANSPORTATION: (NCC) If you need help in obtaining transportation for medical appointments, you can call Debbie Shattuck at 798-4830 for assistance.

The DAB Newsletter is also available in braille and on cassette tape. Call 655-2111 if you would like your newsletter in either of these formats.

DAB Cancellation Policy