President’s Corner

Hello everyone in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community,

Wow – summer is over already and now school has started for many of us- hope you all had a great summer and vacation!  UAD would like to share a few updates with you! The Deaf Friendship Day at the Lagoon in August had about 30 people from the Deaf community getting together for some fun. We had more people who attended in 2017 compared to this year but we’re still getting feedback that most of them appreciate having it in August/September instead of July due to it being a little cooler and more people being back from vacations.

The events team are still working on finding someone (possibly from out of state) to come and perform at Sanderson Center.  We have a tradition of hosting something big almost every year. This year was the Hedy vs Heidi movie. Last year was Dack Virnig. Two years ago was Sean Forbes. Who do you think it’ll be for next year!?

The new website is still under development. There’s a lot of parts to it that we have to make sure is working right. The payment system for donations and membership renewals, the membership database, UAD Directory online and the UAD Announce (email blast system). That means we have decided to hold off on announcing our new UAD logo until then so both the new website and logo can come out at the same time. 🙂

We have announced a few weeks ago with our partnership with Sanderson Community Center that we have come to an agreement to give up the UAD Bookstore office space in exchange for space in the glass display cabinets next to the conference room. This will allow Sanderson Center to get an office space they really need for their staff and allow the newly hired Community Program Manager Morgann Smith to move into her own office. One pro of UAD bookstore being moved is that the volunteers will no longer need to come in and wait for customers. Now they’ll just wait for a call – it’s now a bookstore by VP!  Depending on how that goes for the next couple months – we may continue to phase out or continue with the VP store. Please come check out the new display cabinets near the conference room whenever you’re at Sanderson Center.

We were notified by Sanderson Center that UAD’s tree (out front next to the cement sign) is one of the three trees that are slowly dying. That tree was planted Oct. 11, 1997 as part of a community ceremony and that’s where the time capsule was buried. Six Deaf organizations planted a tree that day as part of this ceremony. So we have voted and decided to replace it with a new Silver Maple tree. The new tree represents a new lively chapter for the future of UAD and the deaf community. Together we’ll grow tall and strong. Want to see the old Bulletin article about that day? Check it out here.

Last but not the least, we will like to announce that Pamela Mower will serve as the Chairperson for the UAD Conference in 2019! Yes, it is coming! So please don’t make any plans for any weekend in August/Sept/October until we finalize when the conference will be!  We want YOU to attend the conference!  🙂

If you’re interested in becoming an UAD member please feel free to sign up online for just $10 a year. Here’s the link: https://www2.uad.org/register/individual-membership/ There’s some benefits of being a member like getting discounts to various events/workshops, being allowed to vote at our conferences or special meetings, and with more members you’ll be helping us fight and protect our rights. 

That’s all we have for now. If you have any questions feel free to email me at uad.pres@gmail.com.  Thank you,

Stephen Persinger, UAD President

To a Higher Glory

April 29, 2018 – Darlene Bonnell, 81, passed away in her sleep after a brief illness. She attended the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah where she met Robert (Bobby) Bonnell, her husband of 61 years. She worked for many years as a bookbinder at Deseret News Press. One of their greatest pleasures was doing missionary work together in New York, New York. After funeral services, interment took place at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery in Cottonwood Heights. 

July 4, 2018 – Jolene Yazzie, 70, is remembered by her sweet and kind words and love she had for everyone. She was full of life and could talk for hours telling her stories. After funeral services, traditional singing was held, with sunrise burial the following morning at the cemetery at the Kanosh Indian Reservation.

To see the program, click on this link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/CFSV2/obituaries/media/3953/585059-YazzieJolene.pdf

July 9, 2018 – Keith Anderson, 94, passed away. He was born on April 17, 1924, in Idaho, and attended the Idaho School for the Deaf, graduating in 1945. When he was young, he worked for dry cleaners, ironing formal dresses and drapery. Keith at one time owned an appliance store where there were all kinds of appliances such as toasters and vacuum cleaners. He enjoyed fishing and collecting coins. Keith and Winona were married for 40 years. Surviving is his widow, Winona. His remains were interred at a Lewiston UT cemetery. 

August 2, 2018 – Ronald Johnston, 80, passed away. He worked at Hill Air Force Base for 30+ years and 25 years for the school for the Deaf and Blind. Ron enjoyed sports, including basketball and baseball, but football was his favorite. He coached his boys while they played football and loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed fishing, especially with his wife. Services were held in Ogden with interment at the Hooper Cemetery. Ron is survived by his widow, Carol Johnston and his twin daughters, Connie Johnston-Ruberry of Kansas of and Bonnie Walker of Australia.

August 8, 2018 – Tracy Quayle Row, 46, passed away, She was very creative, enjoyed writing on the computer, she loved her cat and Shayne’s dog, being with people, crocheting, painting pictures, reading books and walking in the mountains. A celebration of life was held in Salt Lake City. Tracy is survived by her husband, Shayne.

August 13, 2018 – Alden Broomhead, 83, took his last ride for life on his 4-wheeler. He is survived by wife Jackie. Services were held in Grantsville with interment in Tooele.

August 15, 2018 – Joan Bauman, 83, passed away peacefully in Gooding, Idaho.  She was a native of Wisconsin. When Joan was ten years old she and her family moved to Ogden, Utah with a caravan of 4 to 5 families. She attended Ogden Utah School for the Deaf for one year and in the spring of 1947, her family then moved to Gooding, Idaho, where her parents operated the Riverside Dairy. She worked as a cottage mother at the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind and later worked side by side with her husband at 303 Commercial Printing. She loved nature, politics, gardening, canning, and crocheted many afghans for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was truly a creative and noble soul whose hands were a gift to all who had the honor and privilege of knowing her. Her legacy lives on and she will be dearly missed. A graveside service was held in Gooding.

To see a picture of Joan Bauman, go to https://www.demarayfuneralservice.com/notices/Joan-Bauman.

August 26, 2018 – John O’Neill, 75, passed away peacefully in Layton. John married Geraldine Monson, they later divorced. Together they had one beautiful daughter, Stephanie O’Neill.John worked as a computer analyst at Hill Air Force Base for 20 plus years. He enjoyed being outdoors fishing with family and friends. He learned the trade of welding and loved it. He also enjoyed woodworking and was a collector of many tchotchkes. John is survived by his daughter Stephanie O’Neill (Renee’), of Riverton, A graveside service was held in West Jordan.

To see a picture of John, click on this link: http://www.memorialutah.com/obituary/redwood/john-james-oneill/.

September 5, 2018 – Roger Lobdell, 83, passed away in Taylorsville. He was born in LeMars, Iowa and married Elvira Vasquez; they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on November 30. Roger enjoyed fishing, hunting, and bowling. He was a huge fan of the Utah Jazz, he couldn’t wait to watch every game on TV! He loved to work on genealogy as well. Above all, Roger loved to spend time with his family whenever possible. Roger is survived by his wife Elvira  Lobdell. Interment was held in West Jordan after services.

To see pictures of Roger, go to http://www.memorialutah.com/obituary/redwood/roger-littlefield-lobdell/

Weddings

July 31, 2018 – Jae White and Russ Nielsen were united in a garden ceremony, with Russ’ son Tristan in attendance.  A dinner with taco bar followed.

August 17, 2018 – Erin Kelly and Karston Watkins were united at the Manti LDS Temple. The next day, a reception was held at the Pioneer Chapel in Santa Clara.  Erin is a representative for the Sego Lily Center for the Deaf in St. George. A month later, Karston and Eric pulled up roots and moved north to the Salt Lake City area.

News of Note

Utahns competing for place on national deaf soccer team

By Brad Rock, Deseret News

Two Utahns have been invited to the U.S. Deaf Soccer Women’s National Team training camp in Fremont, Michigan.

Sophie Post and Payton Degraw accepted invitations to attend the camp July 21-26. The national team is coached by former U.S. Women’s National Team player Amy Griffin. The women’s team won Deaflympics gold medals in 2005, 2009, and 2013 and is the two-time (2012 & 2016) defending Deaf World Cup champion.

In order to qualify for the national team, players must have an average hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their best ear.

Post, who has a hearing loss of 65-70 decibels, is a 4.0 student and will be a sophomore at Murray High School. She played on the Spartans soccer team last year. She attended the national training camp in Austin, Texas, in late December and early January.

DeGraw, whose hearing loss is 110 decibels, will be a senior at Brighton High School, where she maintains a 3.5 GPA.

NDDVH Taking Over SLCAD’s Hotline Services

Hello Deaf Community!

Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf is making an exciting change! We will be partnering with the National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline (NDDVH). We will no longer be providing hotline services in our agency starting on THIS SUNDAY, July 1st, 2018 and on.

Fear not! The NDDVH is an excellent organization and they are trained to deal with all kinds of abuse. Their hotline advocates answers videophone calls and emails 24/7 in ASL! They will communicate with us if you need our advocates and we will help you right away! Please check out this video that gives more information!

NDDVH’s Contact Info:

VP: 855 812 1001

Email: nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org.

Feel free to email or call me if you have any questions to this new transition.

Erin Kelly

Hotline Coordinator

Southern Utah Victim Advocate Coordinator

Register NOW for Sego Lily Center for Abused Deaf’s Gala!

Sego Lily is now pleased to announce the fifth annual “The Return of the 5th:  Purple Tie Gala”!  The theme will be Star Wars.

DATE OF GALA: October 13th, 2018

WHERE: Utah Cultural Celebration Center (UCCC)- 1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City, UT 84119

WHAT TO EXPECT: Delicious dinner, games, and socializing plus silent AND live auctions! Our Emcees will be Darth Vader and Princess Leia. There will also be a short skit with Darth Vader and Princess Leia during the event as an added element of entertainment. The goal is to raise $25,000 as we gather to remember the lives lost at the hand of domestic violence and celebrate the domestic violence survivors in our community.

DRESS CODE: Star Wars COSTUMES! (NO MASKS, please)

QUESTIONS: Please contact Pamela Mower, the Event Chair, at SLCADGala@gmail.com

SPONSORS:

Jedi GOLD Sponsor:

ASL Communications

Master Yoda SILVER Sponsor:

To be announced!

Princess Leia BRONZE Sponsor:

5 Star Interpreting

DSA Conference to be held in the Northwest

Deaf Seniors of America (DSA)’s 15th Biennial Conference will be in Seattle next year!

We invite deaf seniors in Utah to come! It’ll be September 2-8, 2019.

For flyer: https://tinyurl.com/y86gsvj7.

For registration, hotel, conference info: http://dsa2019seattle.org/.

If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Scheppach at ellenscheppach@gmail.com

Chuck Baird Honored in Olathe

At the Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture, located in Olathe, Kansas, Chuck Baird was posthumously honored when the Chuck Baird Art Gallery was recently opened. His career spanned over 35 years and included painting, sculpting, acting, storytelling, and teaching.

Chuck passed away in 2012. He was a famed artist who helped establish De’VIA, a type of painting depicting the life of a deaf individual in a hearing world.

He was a brother of Ruth Ann Wilding, formerly of Utah and now Maryland. 

To see examples of Chuck Baird’s art, go to  https://www.pinterest.com/rdeaf21/chuck-bairds-art/

USD Update

Michelle Tanner

The Utah School for the Deaf (USD) is continuing to push the boundaries.  With the start of the 2018-19 school year, USD is looking towards a very active, positive and productive school year.  Many fun events are planned for this year.  Students will have opportunities to travel and experience other cities in the nation, and some will even get to visit Peru.  

As you may have noticed, the website for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind has been completely revamped.  Please take some time and peruse the USDB website at usdb.org.  There is a great deal of information that you may appreciate. If you have any recommendations for improvements, please let me know.   

With the start of the school year, volleyball season has been in session.  Our girls have been getting better and better each day.  We are very proud of their hard work and effort.  We applaud what they have accomplished!

As a member and only deaf school in the League of Innovative Schools, we are hosting the annual League of Innovative Schools Conference next month in October.  Superintendents from large, small, urban and suburban schools will convene in Park City for a three-day conference.  As part of the event, superintendents will be visiting three different school districts from this area that participate in the League of Innovative Schools.  These include Evanston, Juab, and USDB.  We will have our ambassadors, (some JMS students) tour groups of students through the school highlighting our innovative practices.  We are looking forward to this event and the opportunity to spotlight our school.  

At the Utah School for the Deaf, the students are the focus.  Their learning and growth have great value to us.  We will continue to keep that attention on these remarkable students and giving them opportunities to thrive!   

JMS Update

Aimee Breinholt

Welcome to a new school year!  We are excited with the many wonderful things that are happening with academics, school activities and renovations!  Our students have jumped back into the rigor of academic studies.  We have worked with the State Board of Education to establish ASL classes based on the national content standards for K-12.  All of our students are now concurrently taking English and ASL.  We are thrilled to have these classes established and see our students’ knowledge grow!  If you are curious about the standards please visit https://www.gallaudet.edu/k-12-asl-content-standards.

Along with our studies come lots of activities and clubs that strengthen student language, peer interaction, and are just pure fun.  We are proud of our girls volleyball team that has shown tremendous growth in one year.  Their home games are finished but they still have several away games.  If you can make it, we would love to have you join us as we cheer them on.  Their schedule can be found on our website at www.usdb.org.  The end of September brings the annual Shakespeare competition in Cedar City.  We have a group of students that will be competing there.  Break a leg theatre troupe!  Our academic bowl team is training and practicing for upcoming competitions.  Our First Lego League (FLL) is busily coding and researching as they work to prepare for competitions that will be held in January.  We have two teams that will compete in Battle of the Books.  Students are busily reading so they are ready for these meets.  The end of September will bring our first meeting for our girl scouts troop.  Watch throughout the year as these girls go about learning to serve the community.  Our reading clinic is up and running.  We have several students on a waiting list hoping to participate.  If you would like to help tutor please contact Trish Vierra (trishv@usdb.org). After school activities are planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Students have been learning about Deaf culture, playing hockey, and enjoying the outdoors.  Now students are looking forward to a field trip to Wheeler Farm, pumpkins, and yoga.  

We are thrilled to announce a new updated website.  Please peruse through the site and take a special look at our JMS page. Calendars, activities, and special projects are posted there.

https://www.usdb.org/programs/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing/jean-massieu-school-of-the-deaf/

In addition to a new look for our website, we have a new look at the school.  Walls have been painted, new carpet installed, and now brick pillars are being put in.  This adds an energy to the school.

As always we are so grateful for your continued support. We love our Deaf community!  

Flash News:

The UAD board has agreed that we will publish UAD Bulletin 3 times a year of instead 4 times a year.  It will be January, May, and October every year.

Etcetera

The UAD Bulletin is available online to everyone. For more information, you may contact the editor, Philippe Montalette, at 801-331-5533 or events@uad.org.

We are working to update the Facebook page for Utah Association of the Deaf. To see what is coming up, check the flyers within the UAD Bulletin.

Join us in Facebook, type in search “Utah Association of the Deaf”.

Want to learn a little about Utah Deaf history? There is a website, 

http://www.utahdeafhistory.com/, titled Utah Deaf Historical Digital Library, where you can read various articles – Utah Association of the Deaf, National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Gallaudet University (Utah connection), Deaf Latter-Day Saints, and more. Jodi Kinner spent several years of spare time to develop these articles and is commended for her devotion to the project. If you would like to contribute information or pictures that are missing from any of these articles, please contact Jodi at JodiBKinner@gmail.com.