Mike Casserly, Editor
"Volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless but because they are priceless." – Anon
(Contributed by Barbara Brown)
With Thanksgiving approaching, this is a fitting time to pause and consider our many blessings here at the NJ studio, including:
- An extraordinary team of talented and dedicated volunteers
- A great facility in a beautiful setting
- Many financial contributors
- A supportive Board
- National Headquarters' extensive technical and executive support
- Staff that enjoy the work, the volunteers and each other
We also thank the Checkers who came in the Wednesday we were closed to fight the implacable Backlog. You disposed of over 350 files in a single day! We also got a lot of Bookmarking and Correcting done. And we thank everyone who was inconvenienced by our recent power outages (one scheduled and one not) for your patience and good humor during these trying times!
The staff also thanks the Board for our attendance at last month's National Achievement Awards, at the Westin Hotel. We got to meet this year's six very impressive achievement winners, and to hear them talk about the great impact RFB&D recordings have made in their lives. (To see a press release and photos of the event follow the links at: www.rfbd.org).
Award winner Kristen Witucki, who graduated from Vassar with a 3.58 G.P.A. despite being blind since birth, talked of her deep appreciation for the many excellent readers on her literature recordings. Kristen even tracked down her favorite reader, whom she learned was born in India, and for whom English was a second language. Through RFB&D Ms. Witucki learned that "everyone has a voice and a story to tell." Kristen is now studying at Columbia's Teacher's College in New York City.
Closing Dates
We will close Wednesday evening, November 24, at 5 p.m., and reopen the following Monday. In December we will close at 8:30 p.m., Thursday the 23rd, and will reopen Monday morning, January 3.
Staff News
This month we say a sad farewell to part-time temporary staff member Becky Barclay. Due to her busy life beyond the studio, Becky has decided to return to the volunteer ranks (where she'll do the same work for less money!). Becky's replacement is Margaret Breidenthal, who began volunteering here 2 1/2 years ago. Margaret studied English literature on the graduate level, and is married to Tom Breidenthal, Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel at Princeton University. Margaret has two daughters: Maggie, a freshman at Fordham University and a volunteer here last summer, and Lucy, a sophomore at Princeton High School. Welcome Margaret!
We also greet new staff member Karyn Grunwald, who is assisting Development Director Sandi Wilson 20 hours/week. (Another reason to give thanks!) Karyn was a volunteer at the West Windsor studio (when?) Now, when she isn't at the studio Karyn may be found volunteering at the Mercer Street Friends, publishing the newsletter for Roosevelt, NJ, or folk dancing.
Volunteer News
Our ranks are growing; 26 new volunteers have joined us (i.e., attended at least three times) since September 1st: Anne Burns, James Butera, Tissa Chaven, Devaki Chokshi, Roger Cohen, Helen Davies, Zack Faigen, Chris Gibbs, Mark Grundman, Tom Lear, Mike Logalbo, Claudia Mattei, Kevin McCarty, Danielle Mulvaney, George Newlin, Bijal Padya, David Pakula, Kelly Powers, Brad Simpson, Barbara Stoop, Tanjit Taggar, Jennifer Taggart, Ann Tannous, Arsenio Ustaris, Tobi Whitney and Liz Zadnick. Welcome!
We also have eight new Readers: Ellen Arzt, Mary Ellen D'Amato, Larry Epstein and Lou Jerome - General; Maurice Harding – Chemistry; Ann Mann – Spanish, Mary Michaels – Computer End User; and Marty Sacks – Physics. Congrats to all!
Attention music mavens! The Westminster Conservatory Community Choir is giving two concerts next month in Princeton. Among the singers will be staff member Frances Ertel, while former Westminster faculty member and RFB&D volunteer Lois Laverty will be playing in the orchestra. The dates are Dec. 10 and Dec. 18. For more info, call (609) 921-2663.
If you'd like to see some nice photos of Sandy Shapiro's recent trip to the Galapagos visit this website: http://homepage.mac.com/sshapiro/galapagos.html. Norm Avrutin just returned from a vacation in China, as did Anne Laughlin. (Funny, they didn't run into each other while over there.) Anne Young on her two weeks in Egypt :"You have to have a video camera to capture the place!" And Ginny Mayer recently visited Uruguay, her native country, as well as Argentina.
Production Notes
1) Readers: all websites should be spelled out, including those that incorporate easily recognizable words. For example, for the website: www.google.com the Reader should spell "google," but not ".com". (Other web suffixes such as ".org", ".net" and ".gov" also do not require spelling, as they are commonly understood.)
2) Readers and Directors: every time you come to a new mark (for a page, chapter, etc.) please look up at the computer screen to confirm you are on the correct page or heading. The only way to correct problems with marks is to re-record from that point in the file.
3) Tip Sheets – here's a tip: there's a lot of good information on the tip sheets – that should not be ignored! The tip sheet for each book is specific to that basket, and should be followed carefully!
4) Checkers: if you SMIL a file please don't forget to note this on the worksheet! Inaccuracy in this area slows down the creation of our master tapes.
'Tis the Season (to be shopping)
Consumer Correspondent Tony Gruenewald writes: "Who hasn't uttered the words, 'I wish there was something I could do to help'? Now you can. Start shopping! At www.iGive.com/RFBDNJ you can buy the items you've always wanted -- like that CD box set, clothes, or the oversized coffee-table photography book you've had your eyes on, only without the guilt.
It's FREE, no invisible costs or tricky obligations. Shop for everyday items at the over 400 stores at the Mall at iGive.com, like Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, and Lands' End. Up to 26% of each purchase is donated to the New Jersey Unit of RFB&D!
Join now at www.iGive.com/RFBDNJ
Or you can shop at Ten Thousand Villages on Sunday, December 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. and they will donate 15% of your purchases to the studio! (You just have to tell them to do so.)
Speaking of presents and good causes, we're looking for aspiring "wrap artists" to help us raise money at Barnes & Noble on December 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rap with the customers about the great work you do at RFB&D while wrapping their gifts. The sign-up sheet is by the Sign-Out Log. Or call the studio.
Of course, you don't have to visit one of those big box stores to find a great selection of books for sale. Right here, in the Volunteer Lounge, you'll find shelves bursting with (slightly used) classics such as The Grapes of Wrath and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Impress your friends with your own copy of The Essential Galbraith, Computer Algorithms or even Quantum Mechanics! At only $5 for hardcover and $3 for softcover books, your wallet will thank you, your mind will thank you, and as for us, it goes without saying!
While we're on the subject of funding sources, please see the list, at the studio, of foundations we will soon be approaching. If you know one of the contacts at any of these organizations please let staff know. Thanks again!
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
New Jersey Unit
69 Mapleton Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-750-1830
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