Newsletter - Winter 2009

DINING IN THE DARK

A unique experience – DAB’s Dining in the Dark coming in April 2010. More details to follow!

DAB STORE NEWS:

The DAB Store stocks many useful items to assist you as you cope with your vision loss, and many items make thoughtful as well as practical gifts. The 2010 large print wall calendars are now in stock and cost $12.00. The DAB Store is able to process VISA, Mastercard, and Discover credit card purchases, although purchases by check and cash are still welcome. Credit card purchases may be made over the phone with your order being mailed that same day. Please give the store staff a call at 1-888-777-3925 if you have any questions about our inventory or to make a purchase.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

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

We will begin taking reservations on Wednesday, November 4. 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. Please only call Judy between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

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 and Theatre Etiquette Policy can be accessed by following the links at the end of this newsletter. If you are not familiar with these policies, please read them carefully. If you have questions, call the office at 655-2111 or toll free from Kent and Sussex Counties at 1-888-777-3925. We will be happy to answer your questions.

Sunday, December 6: ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BRUNCH AND TRIP TO LONGWOOD GARDENS. Late 1 p.m. brunch at Newton’s on State Street in Kennett Square, PA. Price includes full buffet, coffee, tea, and fountain drinks, as well as tax and gratuity. (Milk and juice are extra.) We will go from there to Longwood Gardens to walk through the decorated Conservatory and grounds, in all their seasonal splendor, and sing along as the organ in the Grand Ballroom plays Christmas carols. Experience the magical Longwood Christmas lights on our way back to the gift shop. Entire trip is $17.

Friday, December 11: CANDLELIGHT DINNER THEATREpresents the Broadway musical, “JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT”. Join New Candlelight Theatre for the holidays with Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family classic ready to please a whole new generation. This colorful retelling of the Biblical story about Joseph, his uncanny abilities, and his designer coat sings out to young and old alike with a score which is wall to wall hits—including “Close Every Door” and “Any Dream Will Do.” 6 p.m. buffet; 8 p.m. show. $47 due November 11.

Saturday, December 19: THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER in Philadelphia hosts DIANA: A CELEBRATION. Nine galleries showcase the life and legacy of Diana Frances Spencer, Princess of Wales. This award-winning exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into her childhood, her engagement to HRH Prince Charles, their fairytale wedding, their children, and Diana‘s tireless charity work. Exhibit highlights include: Diana’s royal wedding gown and accessories, 28 designer dresses, suits, and gowns worn by Diana during her public life, priceless diamond tiaras and family jewels, home movies of Diana‘s childhood, personal letters, photos, and heirlooms. Since this exhibit has minimal interactive elements, it is suggested that you bring a sighted guide. Admission price includes all other areas of the museum, so you will have time to explore on your own. 1 p.m. reservation for ”Freedom Rising”, the museum’s inspirational introductory video. 2 p.m. Diana tour. Bring lunch to eat in the van. Early dinner on the way home at Lonestar in Wilmington. $18 due November 19.

Saturday, January 9: DOVER DOWNS casino and horse racing. Eat in the Festival Buffet ($14.50 before 4 p.m.; $17.50 after 4 p.m.), or you may eat on your own at one of the other restaurants or snack bars in the facility. If you plan to go to the casino, a sighted guide is recommended. Horse racing begins at 5:30 p.m. We will be at Dover Downs 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 16: ECARTE DANCE THEATRE presents its winter concert at Delaware State University in Dover. No charge for tickets 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. Reception with light snack food following the 7 p.m. show.

Saturday, January 30: DICKINSON THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY presents Dave Wickerham, who has been a regular performer throughout the Midwest on both theatre and classical organs and has made several recordings, including “dave@dickinson”. He has recently moved to Florida to fill a position as staff organist for Milhouse Collection and Museum in Boca Raton. This will be Dave’s fourth concert on the Dickinson Kemball. No charge. 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 6: DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE in Lancaster, PA, presents “NUNSENSE”, the best selling show in Dutch Apple history! When Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally poisons most of the convent with her cooking, the remaining sisters must put on a show to raise money to bury the last four “blue nuns” in the ice box! The musical includes a kick line of nuns and so many jokes, you’ll remember why they call it “habit-forming”! Buffet 11: 45 a.m.; show 1:15 p.m. $45 due January 5.

Saturday, February 13: WILMINGTON DRAMA LEAGUE presents the first Delaware production of the blockbuster Broadway hit “RENT”. Inspired by Puccin‘is classic opera La Boheme, “Rent” tells the story of eight young artists in New York’s Alphabet City, as their lives become entwined on Christmas Eve in the 1990’s. For the next year, they share laughter, love, heartbreak, illness, and death. A modern classic, “Rent” is about the resilience and strength that family can bring. Contains adult language and situations. 7:30 p.m. Sensory Seminar, 8 p.m. show. $9 reduced price tickets, seats in the first few rows of the theatre. Dinner prior to the show at the Golden Dove.

Saturday, February 27: GEPPI’S ENTERTAINMENT MUSEUM in Baltimore, MD. Each gallery in the museum is designed to capture a specific period or medium in American pop culture, including comic books and characters, pioneer toys, the beginnings of television and rock and roll, the rise of home entertainment, computers, and video games, and the multimedia culture of today. 1 p.m. guided tour, plus time in the gift shop. $9 adults; $8 seniors, $6.75 students. Bring lunch to eat in the van. Dinner on the way home at Woody’s in Northeast, MD. Menus in Braille and large print.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THE BLIND

Would you like to meet with other blind and visually impaired Delawareans to talk about some of the problems you are facing as a person with vision loss? Peer-facilitated support groups of blind and visually impaired persons meet on a regular basis in each county as follows:

For more information, call Peer Support Coordinator Deborah Briddell at (302) 654-1376 or e-mail her at dbriddell@dabdel.org.

The DAB Newsletter is also available in braille, on cassette tape, and now via e-mail. If you would like to receive your newsletter in any of these formats, please call the DAB office. The newsletter is also available on the web at www.dabdel.org.

DAB Cancellation Policy

DAB Theater Etiquette