(note)  the formatting of this document has been corrupted
in one of its transmissions.  However, the text seems in tact.

David Andrews

THE
OBSERVER

The Montana
Association 
For The
Blind




Summer
1998





Montana Association For The Blind
Box 352, Butte, MT 59703-0352
(406) 723-3383

an affiliate of
The National Federation of the Blind
=0CWho We Are . . .
      The Montana Association For The Blind Is a
501 (C) 3 consumer organization comprised of
blind and sighted people committed to changing 
what it means to be blind.  The aims and
purposes of the Montana Association For The
Blind are:
      1.    To work for the prevention of blindness;
      2.    To aid in the physical restoration of the
            blind;
      3.    To aid in providing vocational
            rehabilitation for the blind;
      4.    To work for the social and economic
            improvement of every blind person in the
            State.
      The Montana Association For The blind has
eleven local chapters around the State.  The
organization sponsors an annual training
program, The Summer Orientation Program for
the Blind and Partially Sighted.  The Montana
Association For The Blind is a chartered affiliate
of The National Federation of the Blind.
      Our quarterly newsletter, The Observer, is
produced in large print, Braille, 3.5" computer
disk, on cassette, or via E-Mail.  Dues for
membership are $5.00 annually.  To receive more
information about the Montana Association For th
Blind, to make address changes for the
newsletter, or to be added to our mailing list,
call (406) 723-3383.  Financial contributions to
offset our newsletter costs are appreciated.
      Our goal is to provide coverage of local and
State interest and we encourage MAB members
to submit articles for publication in The
Observer.  Articles are to be limited to 220
words or less which is the approximate capacity
of one column page.  Please submit items in the
most final form possible.  We will gladly assist
in summarizing long articles to meet this size
and final editorial decisions rest with the
Editor.   Articles may be submitted in print,
3.5" computer disk, cassette tape, or by
electronic mail to: Myrle Tompkins, Observer
Editor, 1307 9th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601. 
Phone (406) 443-4352; or to E-Mail address 
MABNEWS@AOL.COM.
      Disk and cassette subscribers: You may
duplicate materials, but PLEASE return the tape
or disk to the return address on the envelope. 

      Braille Subscribers: You  may keep the
Braille text of your newsletter, but PLEASE
return the binder with the attached
instructional sheet to the return address on it=FEs
original envelope.  The Observer is expensive to
produce and these efforts will help hold the
costs down.  Thank you.=0C* *    THE OBSERVER    * * 
Newsletter of The Montana Association For The
Blind
(an affiliate of The National Federation Of The
Blind)
P.O. Box 352, Butte, MT 59703-0352 (406) 723-
3383

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Article

 1.         MAB News
 1.         1998 MAB Convention Highlights
 2.         Awards
 2.         Scholarships
 2.         Convention Recap 
 2.         By-Laws
 3.         1998 Resolutions Committee Report
 4.         State Library News
 5.         Western Montana Radio Reading Service
 5.         Eastern Montana radio Reading
            Service Update 
 6.         Chapter News
11.         Personal Glimpses
12.         NFB Scholarship
12.         Raising The Bar
12.         MAB Large Print Cook Books
12.         MAB Summer Orientation Program
12.         Reading Aids
13.         1999 MAB Convention
13.         A.E.R. Conference 
13.         Introducing the MAB OBSERVER Staff
=0CMAB News  At the 1998
convention President
Domme made a personal
announcement that he
was being placed on
the pancreas transplant
list at the Mayo Clinic. 
He has been under
going evaluation since
March 1998 for this
treatment for his
diabetes and has
decided to go ahead
with the transplant. 
Doctors at the Mayo
Clinic feel that with
Pat's history of
transplanted organs 
(Pat had a kidney
transplant in February
1985) that he would be
a good candidate for a
Pancreas Transplant. 
Doctors also feel that
Pat will have to wait
about 8 - 10 months,
but should be ready to
go anytime for a
Pancreas.  Pat's
feelings that taking on
two responsibilities of
this magnitude, of
being President of the
organization and
dealing with a recovery
from a organ
transplant, would
divide his time and
neither responsibility
would benefit.  He has
stated that he would
chose recovery from
the operation as his
priority and would
resign as President
from the Association. 
He feels that after his
recovery is handled he
can run for this office
when elections are
held.  Pat's previous
transplant came from
his mother - a related
donor kidney and he
would have to wait for
a cadaver organ for
this transplant.  We
wish the best for
President Domme.

1998 MAB Convention
Highlights  Following
are some of the
highlights of the 1998
MAB Convention=FEs
business meeting.
                                                      The session was
opened by President
Pat Domme with
recognition of  the
family members who
have helped out during
the convention.
                                                      Linda Hurlock
reported the results of
the District elections. 
All incumbents were
returned to office. 
District 1 Jim Marks,
District 2 Ben Longie,
District 3 Kay
Kjellstrom, District 4
Sharon Larson, District
5 Sara 'Pinky' Bradley.
                                                      Jim Marks presented
the resolutions.  A
summary of them
follows the article on
the by-laws.  All
resolutions were
passed.
                                                      MR. Bruce Gardener,
NFB representative,
gave a brief talk.
                                                      Ted Robbins,
chairman of the By-
laws Committee, read
the proposed changes.  
A summary of them
follows this article.
                                                      It was moved that
the President form a
committee to actively
support the Business
Enterprise Program.  A
second motion directed
the MAB to take
possession of the
equipment used by the
Eastern Montana Radio
Reading Service with
the intention of looking
for a group to restart
the program.  This
equipment is currently
held by the State of
Montana.  Both motions 
passed unanimously.A motion was made an
passed to write the
State of Montana and
show some interest in
the equipment used by
the Eastern Montana
Radio Reading Service. 
(See the follow-up
article on the Eastern
Montana Radio Reading
Service.)  
      The Contributions
Committee report was
given by Betty Lou
Berg, Chairman. 
Committee members
were from Kalispell,
Helena, Great Falls,
Missoula, Butte,
Bozeman and Billings. 
The Committee
recommended:  Senior
Companion Program,
$500; Montana Talking
Book Library, $500;
Western Montana Radio
Reading Service, $400;
Ski and Trek for Light
Montana, $400 (Ski for
Light Montana $250;
Trek for Light Montana
$150); and National
Federation of the Blind,
$500. The recommended
contributions totaled
$2,300. The Board of
Directors recommended
a do-pass.  The
Convention accepted
the Committee=FEs report
and recommended
contributions.

Convention Banquet -
Mr. Bruce Gardiner
gave an after dinner
talk on his experiences
in growing up with
juvenile macular
degeneration.  Donna
Sevalstead, Beaverhead
County Commissioner,
also spoke on the need
for disabilities
awareness at the local
level.  She also alluded
to some of Ben Longie=FEs
epxperiences when he
was a licensed driver.
Awards - Awards were
given to the following
in recognition of their
service: Keith Denton -
Dan Burke
Beaverhead Chapter -
Bonnie Jacobsen
Bozeman Chapter -
Bernice DeHaas
Capital City Chapter -
Lorraine Cattermole
Great Falls Chapter -
Patty Howse
Missoula Chapter - Dale
Davis
Park County Chapter -
Lois Haymond
Silver Bow Chapter -
Mildred Adkins
Yellowstone Chapter -
Andy Seitz
Scholarships - The 1998
scholarship recipients
are Kere Shepard and
David Donaldson.

Convention Recap -
There were 108
members attending the
convention. The
Beaverhead and Silver
Bow Chapters extend
their thanks for the
record attendance, door
prizes contributed by
MAB Chapters and
numerous businesses,
and vendor support
and displays.  

By-Laws
Ted Robbins, chairman
of the by-law
committee, read the
proposed changes. 
By-law II Section 7
Section 7a.  (changed
from 7 to 7a) A
reasonable expense of
board members
attending board
meetings shall be paid
by the treasurer upon
presentation of the
expense account IN
WRITING.  
(add) SECTION 7b.  A
reasonable expense
incurred by any  Board
Member to preform
his/her duties,
including travel of a
representative to visit
chapters lying within
the confines of his/her
district shall be
reimbursed upon
presentation of the
expenses in writing. 
The Board of Directors
gave a do pass
recommendation. It was
moved and passed
unanimously that the
by-law addition be
adopted.
Section 8.  (Currently
reads) In the event of
a vacancy in the office
of the president, the
vice-presidents shall
succeed in order. 
Section 8.  (change to
read) In the event of
any vacancy in the
offices of president or
any Vice President, the
vice-presidents shall
succeed in order.  The
Board of Directors
recommendation was a
do-pass. It was moved
and passed unanimously
that the by-law change
be adopted.

 1998 Resolutions
Committee Report by
Jim Marks, Resolutions
Committee Chairman
Resolutions were read
from Braille text at the
State Convention by
Jim Aldrich, Joy Root,
and Bruce Breslauer. 
The Convention passed
all nine and the
following  is a
summary.  The complete
text may be obtained
from the MAB office.
9801 Certification of
Braille Literacy for
Teachers and Aides:
Petitions the Board of
Education and Office of
Public Instruction to
establish standards in
Braille competency for
instructors of Braille.
9802 Braille Literacy
for Blind Children Law:
Directs the MAB to
work on the passage of
a Braille Literacy Law. 
9803 Social Security
Linkage - Hill: Calls
upon Rep. Rick Hill to
support  and co-
sponsor HR612, a bill
which restores the
Social Security
earnings   limits
linkage between senior
citizens and the blind. 
9804 Social Security
Linkage =FE Burns, and  
9805 Social Security
Linkage - Baucus: Calls
upon Senators Burns
and Baucus to support
and co-sponsor S375 a
bill which restores the
Social Security
earnings limits linkage
between senior citizens
and the blind. 
9806 Funding for Older
Blind Services: Charges
Montana Blind-Low
Vision Services to find
new and alternative
funding for
independent living
services for older blind
Montanans. 
9807 Montana Blind-Low
Vision Services
Autonomy and
Responsiveness to the
Blind: Calls upon the
Department of Public
health and Human
Services to enhance the
autonomy of Blind-Low
Vision Services, to
increase the
representation of the
blind in the governance
of the agency, and to
pay particular attention
to the unique
vocational rehabilitation
and independent living
needs of the blind. 
9808 Access to
Information Technology:
Insists on a policy of
equal access to
information technology
used by the public and
directs the MAB to
work for the passage
of a law to protect
access to information
technology by the
blind. 
9809 Business
Enterprise Program:
Praises Montana Blind-
Low Vision Services for
acting on a previous
call from the MAB to
reinstate a business
enterprise program and
calls upon the agency
to deliver the program
as soon as possible. 

=0CState Library News  
                                                      Christie Briggs
accepted the  position
of Regional Librarian,
effective February 2. 
She replaces Sandra
Jarvie, who served
eight years in this
position.
                                                      Susan Merrin
replaced Christie as the
Coordinator of
Volunteer Services.
                                                      We are starting to
catch up on the
backlog since
implementation of the
Keystone library
automated system.  We
anticipate at least a
full year of "working
out the kinks" in the
new system.
                                                      The Montana
Cassette Book collection
(for our local recording
program) is focusing on
vintage books to add to
our historic book
category. Thanks to
one of our patrons,
"The Great Divide:
Travels in the Upper
Yellowstone in the
summer of 1874" by the
Earl of Dunraven is
being considered for
recording. We anticipate
that under Susie
Merrin's direction, the
Montana Book Collection
Group will gather
recommendations for
other marvelous books
as well.
                                                      We appreciate ideas
and suggestions from
everyone.  We will
continue to work
together to accomplish
improved patron
service.


=0CWestern Montana Radio
Reading Service
(WMRRS) - We are in
the midst of the KUFM
Signal Extension
Project which will
dramatically improve
reception for many
listeners and serve
some for the first time.
New radios have been
ordered for Butte,
Helena, Kalispell,
Hamilton, and Dillon. 
We have also contacted
potential listeners in
Dillon.
      We are a subcarrier
channel of KUFM/KGPR
and are anxious to
have this project
completed. It=FEs
completion deadline is
October 31 and,
according to William
Marcus, for some areas
it is =FElooking good=FE for
completion by this
summer.
      Upon completion of
the project, KUFM has
indicated that they will
ask us to begin paying
a monthly subcarrier
maintenance fee.  This
is currently provided
free of charge.  
      We have also
received a letter of
notification from TCI
Cable Company that
they need our office
space and have asked
us to move by August
1, 1998.  This space
has been provided rent
free since 1981.  This
move might cause some
interruption of service
this summer.
      Both of these
factors will have a
dramatic financial
impact on WMRRS but
we believe that
everything will work
out.  We look forward
to having a facility to
serve you better than
ever into the 21st
century. 

Eastern Montana Radio
Reading Service Update 
This service consists of
a radio reading service
put out by the In
Touch Network and
only carry's national
news and stories.  As
we know Eastern Radio
Reading Service
stopped local
programming about 8 or
10 months ago.  LIFTT
has the equipment and
wishes to have the
equipment removed as
they need the space. 
Therefore the state
would place the
equipment in the public
auction to get rid of
excess and obsolete
equipment.  This would
mean the loss of having
the proper equipment
for the eastern part of
our state.  The Montana
Association for the
Blind would take possession of the
equipment with the
hopes of keeping the
option open for a Radio
Reading Service on the
Eastern side of the
state.  On or about
June 1, 1998 Eastern
Montana Radio Reading
Service will go off the
airways and no longer
offer any program of
any kind.  A committee
of interested persons is
being formed, for more information or to
volunteer for the
committee call the State
office of the MAB 406
723-3383 or Andy Seitz,
P.O. Box 324, Billings,
MT  59103, or call him
at 406 252-1232.

=0CChapter News
Bozeman Chapter- 
      The Bozeman
Chapter meets each
month at 2 p.m. on the
second Friday.  Except
for the January
meeting (when it was
very cold) we have had
23 to 25 people
attending.  We had
musical entertainment
in January and March,
while several other
programs have been
focused on getting to
know each other better. 
In February several
couples were asked to
describe how they met
and when they married. 
In March all of those
who had attended
Summer School were
asked to tell about
their experiences and
make recommendations
to those considering
attending this year.
      Seventeen Bozeman
people attended the
State convention at
Fairmont, a record for
a meeting not held in
Bozeman.  At the
meeting in May a
number of them
reported on their
experiences and
impressions - generally
favorable.  The
speakers were
especially well received.
      The Chapter plans
to give three $500
scholarships to visually
impaired students
attending Montana State
University. 
Applications were sent
to the MSU Resource
Center and distributed
to eligible students. 
The names of the
winners will be
announced at our June
meeting.
Bernice DeHaas
reporting.=0CBuffalo Hills Chapter
(Kalispell) -                                                            =
     We meet
on the first Friday of
each month at 1 p.m. at
Buffalo Hills Terrace. 
For the past several
months we have
scheduled speakers to
talk on subjects that
directly affect our
members.  Dr. Roger
Barth from the Glacier
Eye Clinic spoke about
Macular Degeneration
and other eye diseases. 
His talks are always
followed by a question
and answer period.  Dr.
Stan Smith, a Low
Vision Specialist, from
Kalispell spoke on low
vision and brought
several vision aids that
people could try.
                                                      Our Chapter also
participated in the
Kalispell Share-Fair at
the Gateway West Mall. 
The Share-Fair is an
event where the public
is educated about
organizations in the
community.  It was our
turn to educate the
public about the
Montana Association For
The Blind.  We thought
it was very successful
and are looking
forward to doing it
again next year.
                                                      The Chapter will no=
t
be meeting in July or
August although we are
in the process of
planning some fun
outdoor events.  If you
want any information
about the Buffalo Hills
Chapter you may call
Nancy Buhre, President,
at (406) 257-8859 or
Peter Petitte, Vice
President, at (406) 862-
0439.
                                                      Have a great
summer.=0CBeaverhead Chapter
(Dillon) - 
      The Chapter is
recovering from their
successful joint efforts
with Butte in
organizing the 1998
State Convention.  Mr.
Nikolai Stevenson was
the featured speaker. 
His topic was =FELiving
With Macular
Degeneration=FE.  He was
both informative and
understanding for
those many members
who have macular
degeneration.  Mr.
Stevenson is the
President of the
ASSOCIATION FOR
MACULAR DISEASES,
INC.  Write to the
association at 210 East
64th Street, New York,
NY 10021 or telephone
(212) 605-3719 for
Information on macular
degeneration.

 Silver Bow Chapter
(Butte) - 
The Silver Bow Chapter
had their Easter
Brunch at the Country
club on April 19.
Deedee Dunn played the
piano and we all sang
old-time songs. Rita
Layman, president,
announced that Lana
Nelson, Dorothy O'Brien,
Betty Lou Berg, Pat
Domme, Lee and Duran
DuBoise and she would
be attending the State
Convention. The
Chapter's newlyweds
Vicki and Tom King,
who were married in
August, were at the
brunch and Tom gave
the blessing. Rhonda
Hook provided the table
decorations which were
used as door prizes at
the end of the brunch.
Everyone present had a
great time.=0CCapital City Chapter
(Helena) - 
                                                      March - Rosemary
Rougle had sold 56
calendars and was the
top salesperson.  The
Montana "Aging
Horizons" TV program
will be interviewing
President Myrle
Tompkins and Vice
President Peggy
Barnekoff in May to
learn more about
blindness, the MAB, and
the Summer Orientation
Program.  Members
expressed concern
about the format and
quality of the new
USWest phone
directory.  The small, 
light print  and 
"Yellow Pages" are
particularly difficult to
use with a CCTV.
April - Jim Hopkins
reported that he had
recently returned from
the V.A. Center at Palo
Alto, California and
would like to talk with
other Veterans about
his experience.  Jim
and Ed Porter will be
attending the State
Convention.  Renee
McDaniel gave a very
informative
demonstration of some
of the equipment
available through
Montana Low Vision
Services.  
A Chapter newsletter is
sent out the week prior
to our meetings as a
reminder of coming
events.  Chapter
meetings are held on
the 4th Monday at 7
p.m. at the Eagles=FE
Manor.  On a sadder
note - Dick Cattermole,
Loraine's husband,
passed away on May 23. 
The Chapter will miss
his quiet, friendly
manner.=0CGreat Falls Chapter - 
     1998 began a bit
slowly with only fifteen
members in attendance. 
February improved and
a pot luck during
March drew  even more
members.  Previous
members and new
members are showing
interest too.  We are
hoping to offer a wider
variety of activities for
our members to
participate in and show
their contributions to
our organization.  
     Our fund raisers
have had a sluggish
start.  The Buttrey
Share Card Program
doesn=FEt have many
months to live due to
Albertson=FEs  acquisition
taking place.  We are
planning other fund
raisers.  Our plans
include a spring or
summer fund raiser.
     We have had
several members
participate in activities
including United Way
workshops, a health
fair and our local 
meetings.  Thanks to
our members who travel
into the community,
lead us in prayers, the
Pledge of Allegiance,
and those reading our
printed materials. 
      Special
congratulations to Kay
Kjellstrom.  Her efforts
in organizing the
Washington Forum and
as Director of the
Summer Orientation
Program, display the
strength, courage and
confidence we hope to
spark in those
individuals just
beginning to cope with
vision loss.
      Our Chapter was
graced with a visit
from the newly hired
representatives in the
Great Falls Blind and
Low Vision Services
office, Craig Dunlop,
Rehabilitation
Instructor, and
Stephanie Kilian,
Orientation and Mobility
Instructor.  It was a
pleasure to have them
introduce themselves
and speak to us. 
                                                      We looked forward
to the State Convention
and were able to help
by giving a donation,
door prizes, and
helping our members
attend. 
     We have bad/good
news also.  Gerald
Merrit took his wife
Caroline to California to
celebrate her birthday
with her sister in
February.  While in
California, Gerald spent
time in a Sacramento
hospital with a
bacterial disease which
almost took his arm. 
Gerald is home now and
doing well he says, but
Caroline's nephew, Dan
Goodau, died in March
due to diabetic
complications.  Our
prayers and sympathy
are sent on angel's
wings their way. 
Donations in memory of
Anna Robbins' parents'
have been made by 
the Great Falls Chapter
to the Memorial Loan
Fund also.

Missoula Chapter - 
                                                      Know those awful
disability awareness
activities in which
school children wear a
blindfold so they can
experience so-called
blindness?  The
Missoula Chapter
confronted the IDEA
PTA as well as school
teachers and
administrators with our
assertion that blindness
simulation hurts blind
people by reinforcing
rather than eliminating
myths about blindness. 
A blindfolded child
learns the wrong
things about blindness
because the activity
doesn=FEt take into
account the long hours
of rehabilitation and
skill development we
undertake as competent
blind people.  Nor does
it foster positive
attitudes about
blindness.  Since we
believe we shouldn=FEt
just criticize, the
Chapter undertook the
project of presenting
to several schools
about blindness.  We
promoted the can-do
attitudes of the able
blind to several
hundred children in
about seven schools. 
More presentations are
planned.  The response
from the children and
school officials has
been overwhelmingly
affirmative.
      The Missoula
Chapter continues
supporting some of our
spin-off activities.  Our
Braille Study and
planning luncheons
march on.  And the
student group, the
National Association of
Blind Students, meets
every Friday at the
University of Montana
as its members study
Braille, discuss
blindness topics, plan
activities, and have an
old fashioned good
time.  Four of our
members --- Carolyn
and Bob Brock and Jim
and Karen Marks ---
participated in the
Convention of the NFB
of Idaho in Sandpoint. 
The Missoula Chapter
had two sets of
speakers so far this
year.  In February,
Barbara Rolf of the
Montana School for the
Deaf and Blind and
Connie Peterson of
Missoula School stalked
about their work with
blind children in
elementary and
secondary schools.  In
April, Counselor Del
Addias talked about
ways the MAB and
Montana Blind-Low
Vision Services could
improve the
employability of the
blind in Montana. 
Lastly, our Chapter is
proud to have two
award winning members
among our midst.  Dale
Davis won the Chapter
award for his
contributions to our
group.  And Dan Burke
won the Keith Denton
award for his
contributions to the
whole state.  Way to
go, guys!
Jim Marks reporting.

Northwest Chapter
(Kalispell) - 
                                                      Our Chapter had to
make some changes and
are back on course. 
We are meeting on the
second Friday at 1:30
p.m. in the meeting
room of the Flathead
County Library.
                                                      Two couples of the
group enjoyed
attending the State
Convention at Fairmont
Hot Springs May 1 - 3. 
It was very well
planned, interesting
speakers, good
accommodations, and
meeting many very
interesting folks from
throughout the State.
       Our summer in the
Flathead will probably
find us enjoying
outings with picnics
and fellowship.  Always
meeting on the second
Friday at 1:30 p.m. 
Come join us.
Aggie Gustafson
reporting.

Park County Chapter
(Livingston)
      The group enjoyed a
Christmas dinner and
fellowship at the
Paradise Inn. 
President Lois
Haymond=FEs brother,
Raymond Stephens, was
a guest.  He also is a
victim of Macular
Degeneration.
      January found
Celeste Mezzuli telling
about her training at
the Perkins School for
the Blind in Boston,
Massachusetts.
      Our February
speaker, Diana Frelich,
was wonderful.  She
grew up in the Great
Falls area where the
Montana School for the
Deaf and Blind is
located.  She started
out very young to
volunteer with the
children at the school
and in her own public
school wherever she
saw a need.  As she
grew older, the more
interested she became
and the more hours she
spent as a volunteer
with the visually
impaired and hearing
handicapped.  She held
us totally mesmerized.
Eunice Nelson
reporting.






White Cane Chapter
(Lewistown) -                                                            =
          
January - No meeting. 
                                                      February - Met at
the Meadows with the
regular members and a
new member, Ray
Conard, who has
macular degeneration. 
Ray is a Lewistown
resident.
                                                      Bob Brassey and Jim
Schultz had interest in
helping with the Books
for the Blind when it
was getting started.
                                                      Both President Tim
Hayward and 1st Vice
President Ed Durbin
reported on Ski for
Light which was held
in Lewistown and will
be held here again next
year.
                                                      March - Our biggest
and best surprise was
the adopted baby son
of Ed and Trissy
Durbin.  He was 4 days
old when they got him.
He  weighed 5 pounds
13 ounces at birth and
was up to 6 pounds 10
ounces by meeting time. 
He has been named
Jared Wilson Durbin. 
Our congratulations to
the happy couple.
                                                      April - Members
discussed the
candidates, Phyllis
Rohloff and Kay
Kjellstrom, who running
for District
Representative, and
local and National
happenings and gave
their opinions of each. 
A card was signed for
Ed, Trissy and son
Jared Wilson Durbin.
                                                      No meeting is
scheduled for May. 
Katherine Kurns
reporting.=0CYellowstone Chapter
(Billings) -
      January - We
started a project to
place pamphlets in
Ophthalmologists=FE and
Optometrists=FE offices.
      February - We lost
our meeting place and
now meet at Pizza Hut
at 1604 Grand Avenue
on the 2nd Tuesday at
7:30 p.m. and will
continue meeting there. 
Meeting time will
change to 7:15 p.m. in
September.
      April - We decided
to hold a fund-raising
raffle for a 13 inch
Panasonic TV/VCR. 
Tickets are $2 each or
3 for $5.  Get in touch
with Tracy Rector, Jim
Aldrich, or any Chapter
member to purchase
tickets.
      Twelve members
from our Chapter
attended the MAB
Convention at Fairmont
Hot Springs.  We all
agreed that it was a
great Convention, and
we vote to hold it at
Fairmont EVERY year. 
Thanks, Dillon!  We
welcomed two new
members this month,
Chris and Kathy
Presley.  We are
working on getting the
Radio Reading Service
back in operation.
      We lost Marlene
Ashworth to lung
cancer and extend our
sincere   sympathy to
Lee and family.
      Our annual picnic
will be held August 11,
and we invite members
from all the other
Chapters in the State
to attend.  See you all
late summer.  Marge
Moberly reporting.=0CPersonal Glimpses -  
Nancy Buhre
                                                      After the State
Convention last year,
and talking to
representatives as well
as owners, I decided to
apply for a guide dog. 
I was accepted to
Leader Dogs for the
Blind in Rochester,
Michigan.  My schooling
was from the 3rd to
the 28th of August last
summer.  I came home
with an 18 month-old
male Golden Retriever
named Zodiak.
                                                      Since arriving home=
,
we have been busy
traveling around the
town on foot, by car
and bus, as well as a
trip on the train last
fall to help my dog
learn my routes and
his environment. 
Recently, we had to
wait in vain for the
taxi to come get us for
over an hour after my
class at the Community
College got done at 7:45
p.m.  When all avenues
had been exhausted,
the only thing for us
to do was to walk
home.  It was now 9:00
p.m., and we were 2 =AB
miles from home.  I told
him =FEWell Zo, it=FEs up to
you to get the two of
us home safely.=FE  He
had only been to the
campus once before in
the daylight, so I
wasn=FEt sure if he would
know the way, but with
only a couple of
commands he got us home safely and in
record time!  It greatly
bolstered my confidence
in him, and I now have
no qualms about going
anyplace with him no
matter what time of
day!!  Plus he is such
a good companion!!=0CNFB Scholarship
      Jim Marks, NFB
Scholarship Committee
Member, announced that
Rik James is one of 26
finalists who will be
awarded a scholarship
ranging from $3,500 to
$10,000 at the 1998
National Federation of
the Blind Convention in
Dallas, Texas.  Rik is in
graduate study in
orientation and mobility
instruction at Louisiana
Tech in Ruston,
Louisiana. Only a few
Montanans have ever
won the national
scholarship.  Rik is to
be congratulated for
the honor and
recognition.

Raising The Bar
      =FERaising The Bar=FE, an
article written by Dan
Burke of the Missoula
Chapter,  first
published in the Winter
Issue of the MAB
OBSERVER, is in the
May issue of the Braille
Monitor.   Dan
produced a fine article
and is worth reading.

MAB Large Print Cook
Books
      The MAB=FEs Large
Print Cook Books are
still available at only
$10 each!  These make
excellent gifts.  The
cook books were
produced as a service
project and are sold at
cost.  Contact Kay
Kjellstrom at (406) 453-
0452 or the MAB Office
at (406) 723-3383 to
place your order.=0CMAB Summer Orientation
Program                                                                 I=
t has been
54 years since the MAB
conducted it=FEs first
Summer Orientation
Program.  We think
that Dorothy Bridgeman
and Keith Denton were
in this first class and
we=FEre interested in
hearing from anyone
who may have more
information.  We=FEd also
like to hear from
anyone who would care
to reminice about the
SOP.

Reading Aids
                                                      Have you ever falle=
n
asleep while listening
to your talking book? 
You wake up and want
to continue listening
but now you can't find
where you stopped. 
Rewinding is a
frustrating process. 
Jim Daily has solved
this problem with his
"Talking Book Marker". 
It is a hand held
switch that plugs into
the talking book
machine.  As you 
listen, holding the
switch, falling asleep is
no problem.  The book
shuts off as soon as
your hand relaxes. 
Call Jim at (406) 782-
2202 or write to him at
835 Emma Street, Butte,
MT 59701,  for more
information about this
handy switch.

 =0C1999 MAB Convention
      The Missoula
Chapter invites all to
the party we=FEre
throwing on April 30
through May 2 when
our Chapter hosts the
1999 MAB Convention in
Missoula.  We will
celebrate the end of
the 20th Century and
look forward to
changing what it means
to be blind in the 21st. 
Be sure to read your
Observer for more
details as next year=FEs
Convention draws
nearer.

A.E.R. Conference 
      Great Falls will be
the site of the
Association for the
Education and
Rehabilitation of the
Blind and Visually
Impaired Conference. 
It is scheduled to be at
the Best Western
Ponderosa Inn from
October 14 - 16, 1998.
      Events include: a
Braille and Speak
workshop conducted by
Duran DuBoise. 
"Should Vision be a
criteria for O. and M.
Certification?" by
Michael Graham.  
      Registration is
$75.00 before September
and $100.00 after.
Contact Lee DuBoise for
more information at
(406) 496-4925 or E-Mail
lduboise @mt.gov.=0CIntroducing the MAB
OBSERVER Staff =FE This
issue of the Observer
is the first one
produced by the newly
appointed editor and
editorial staff.  I=FEm
Myrle Tompkins and am
replacing Rik James as
editor.  Rik did a very
commendable job of
keeping the Observer
going and it is my goal
to continue in this
light.  
                                                      Our editorial staff
includes Lee DeBoise
and Kere Sheppard.
They will assist in
developing the contents
of each newsletter, and
Al Tompkins will be
responsible for
assembling the final
copy for distribution.
                                                      We look forward to
this  opportunity to
serve MAB members and
hope to hear from 
you.  We=FEll do our best
to keep you informed
of local and State
happenings in a timely
manner.
