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NCSS Associate Spotlight: Paul Diehl

What eSight Means To Me ...

The Recipe for a Warm Autumn

Opening Our Doors

In honor of National White Cane Safety Day on October 15, North Central Sight Services opened its doors to the community. During the week of October 10, a series of tours were conducted to further educate the community about the NCSS mission. Groups were taken through our various areas of employment and services at our facility located at 2121 Reach Road in Williamsport.

North Central Sight Services employs a business model that promotes increased employment opportunities for the blind

FALL 2016 | ISSUE 4

Shop Smart Online This Holiday SeasonAs the temperature begins to cool, the holiday season is right around the corner. Before you begin your holiday shopping consider some of these tips courtesy of our Document Management department.

1. Always practice secure habits when sharing personal information, such as name, address, and credit card number, online. Be sure that you trust the recipient of the information you are about to disclose.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ncsight.org 1

Prevention. Independence. Employment.

eSight UpdatePAGE 4

Plankenhorn Holiday PartyWednesday, December 7th

Well, it sure has been a beautiful Summer here in PA. For those of us who like the warmer weather, we have been happy. Anyway, as of this writing, the first day of Fall is upon us. This has been a very interesting year for our organization. Financially, it has certainly been a challenge. Medical insurance, shrinking margins and other environmental factors have taken their toll. However, on the program side, there have been a lot of very positive events. Our Employment is up significantly from last year. We have six new Associates and our Distribution in particular has shown significant growth. We have added several items to the Federal Procurement List which should in time provide increased employment hours for our Associates who are blind and help us meet our financial obligations. In late September, we held our first weekend at Camp Victory for our young children and their families. A great time was had by all and I know we will definitely grow this program over time.

President’s Notes

Robert B. Garrett, President/CEO

Our Prevention Program continues to thrive along with our Functional Vision Clinic. Both programs are very solid and showing steady growth. Our eSight Journey has been amazing. If you are not aware of this technology, I’d encourage you to visit www.esighteyewear.com and check it out. Because of the generosity of many donors, we have purchased six units and plan to ramp up this program even more over the next year. In closing, I want to thank our Board of Directors, our generous donors and the dedicated NCSS Associates who help us achieve our mission every day. Each individual plays a critical role in our success. We certainly wouldn’t be able to serve as many people as we do without their tireless dedication to the cause. Thanks so much and let’s make 2017 even more exciting with continued growth and financial stability.

sight supporters in Your Community

A North Central Sight Services client got her wish to continue piano lessons thanks to our social services team and the kindness of a local moving company. Williamsport/Keystone/Allied Relocation Services moved 14-year-old Jazmin Yost’s piano from her grandmother’s house to her great-grandmother’s house in Mill Hall free of charge. We couldn’t ask for better community supporters! Jazmin, pictured left, playing her piano.

(570) 323-9401 or 1-866-320-25802

NOVEMBER

and visually impaired in our community. This week of tours showcased these various jobs in action.

In 1957 the Lycoming County Association for the Blind manufactured rubber door mats from recycled automobile tires. From those humble beginnings, North Central Sight Services has increased its’ portfolio of employment opportunities. Current jobs range from packaging, order processing and shipping to sorting plastics for recycling and document management.

We often hear feedback that community members do not understand our range of employment and services until they enter our facility. These tours served as a great way for us to introduce these groups to our wonderful group of associates who work hard every single day.

Do you have a group that would like to tour our facility? Give us a call at 570-323-9401.

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ncsight.org 3(570) 323-9401 or 1-866-320-2580

NCSS ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT

North Central Sight Services Associate Paul Diehl, pictured with one of his birdhouses, enjoys making these little gems on the weekends (rainy weekends in particular!). He makes 12 in a batch each time he makes them. Currently, we have them on sale at our Low Vision Stores in Williamsport and Bellefonte. Each birdhouse sells for $20 and he creates them in a rainbow of colors!

White cane day October 15

What the White Cane means to me ...

“The white cane to me has given me increased mobility and independence. It allows me to determine my location and surroundings better, to avoid obstacles. I even use the white cane (holding it folded up) as an identifier that I am blind even when holding the arm of a sighted guide, such as my wife. To me this is a vital support tool since becoming blind 7 years ago.”

-Steve Britton, NCSS Greeter and Advocate

(570) 323-9401 or 1-866-320-25804

What eSight means to me ...

“eSight means seeing my brother graduate from high school while sitting in the bleachers at our football field.” - Sierra Diggan, NCSS Associate and eSight user since February 2016

“The ability to fill out paperwork and read small print.” - Rudy Vanemon, NCSS Associate and eSight user since February 2016

Check out their inspirational journey by visiting our NCSight page on YouTube.

2. Ensure that the website address begins with “https” and not just “http.” The “s” in “https” denotes the fact that this website is secure. For an added layer of protection look for the “lock icon” in the top left corner next to the website address. You can click on the lock icon to further read about the company’s privacy settings. Nothing is guaranteed, however, so always use your best judgement when interacting with vendors online.

3. Companies publish privacy policies for a reason. Read privacy policies to ensure that the company you are doing business with online is in fact using your information in the correct manner. You want to ensure that they are not selling your information to other marketing companies. Once your information is sold there is no guarantee as to how the information is handled.

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ncsight.org 5(570) 323-9401 or 1-866-320-2580

Nothing can keep you warm as the temperature begins to drop like a hot plate of comfort food. I’m sharing a special Haas family recipe that is easy to make, and easy to eat! I also incorporated our most popular low vision kitchen aids that will help make preparing this treat . . . well, comforting! Join our Cooking Classes this year to broaden your kitchen skills and to learn new recipes that are simple and delicious.

The Recipe to a WARM AUTUMNTracy Haas, Programs & Services Director

3 cups flour 2 sticks butter or margarine1 cup sugar½ tsp. soda1 quart applesauce or 1 quart cherry pie fillingCinnamon and sugar 1/2 Cup Buttered Soft Bread Crumbs

Crumb Dessert (Apple or Cherry)

Combine flour, sugar, soda and butter. Blend with pastry blender. Put half of the mixture in pan, packing down slightly. Spread applesauce or cherry pie filling evenly over crumb mixture. Add remaining crumbs; spread evenly and pack down slightly. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

The Ove’Glove® is a “handy” oven mitt for hot dishes.

Visit our Low Vision Store: Tools for Everyday for more cooking aids.

Did you know we offer Cooking Classes? This monthly class focuses on kitchen skills through the preparation of dishes in our Vision Resource Center in a small group setting. The class is usually held the last Monday of each month.

In-Sight Oct. 13 • Nov. 17 • Dec. 15Held at Various Locations TBA11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Groups & Classes

Adventures GroupOct. 20 Green Barn Berry Farm3:30 p.m.

Life Skills & EducationOct. 6 • Nov. 10 • Dec. 1North Central Sight Services11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Cooking Class Oct. 17 • Nov. 21 • Dec. 12North Central Sight Services10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

3.5x Eschenbach pocket magnifierThese magnifiers are very compact and fit easily into a pocket or purse.

$12.00 plus tax

Color Coded Pill BoxEach compartment is color coded for each day of the week. Extra deep compartments come with a secure lid.

$16.74 plus tax

Low Vision Bingo CardLow vision bingo card is much easier to see.

$1.80 plus tax

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

There is an app for that?

Check out “YellowPages”!

The Yellow Pages app helps you find everything from business listings to movie times. It’s quick and easy to use, and perfect for any situation.

Features of this FREE app:• Hands free, turn-by-turn voice navigation• Search listings with nothing more than the sound of your voice• Rate and review your favorite, and not-so- favorite, businesses

TOOLS FOR EVERYDAY

LOW VISION STORESWILLIAMSPORT • BELLEFONTE

Our Rating

5 Out of 5 Stars

Availability

iOS 9.2+

(570) 323-9401 or 1-866-320-25806

Lori Love, Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

Veterans’ GroupOct. 19 • Nov. 16 • Dec. 21North Central Sight Services10 a.m. - Noon

Tioga CountySight Loss Support Group MeetingFriday, November 16thLamb’s Creek Food and Spirits11am to 1pm

Bradford CountyTuesday, October 11thStarlite Lanes, N. TowandaBeginning at 12:00 noon

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” -Audrey Hepburn

Call Diane Gonzalez at 570-268-0755

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November 21stSticky Bun Sale

Benefits The United WayCall 570-323-9401 for more details!

Upcoming fundraiser lions cornerUPCOMING FUNDRAISERS

Picture Rocks Lions ClubCitrus Fruit Sale

Taking orders until November 7th

Florida Navel Oranges 20 lbs. $19.00 40 lbs. $30.00

Pink Grapefruit20 lbs. $18.0040 lbs. $28.00

Lions Appreciation NightHeld October 3rd

A huge thank you again for your tireless support of North Central Sight

Services throughout the year!

Plankenhorn Holiday PartyWednesday, December 7th

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Genetti Hotel, Williamsport

Reservations are due by Monday, November 28th

Call 570-323-9401ext. 121

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PA I DWilliamsport, PA

Permit No. 542121 Reach Road PO Box 3292 Williamsport, PA 17701-02921-866-320-2580

Bellefonte Branch/Low Vision Store221 W. High Street Bellefonte, PA 168231-814-424-7183

Our Mission is to provide exceptional programs, services, and employment to the blind and vision-impaired as well as excellent education, prevention services and products to all customers.

our focus is your vision

Help Us go green: E-mail ncss@ncsight.org to receive our newsletter electronically.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Prevention of Blindness and Social Services Programs receive funding from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Lions Clubs of 14G, the Lycoming County United Way, the Clinton County United Way & the Bradford County United Way.

Help Us go green: E-mail ncss@ncsight.org to receive this newsletter electronically

Visit our Low Vision Stores: Tools for Everyday in Williamsport and Bellefonte for thoughtful gifts with comfort and accessibility in mind.

You can also help support our mission when you shop online. Visit ncsight.org and click on Get Involved for a list of ways you can shop, save and support North Central Sight Services and the vision of your community!

Shop, Save & Supportthis holiday season