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2019
SeniorS’ Chat
Hello Happy Hands Members and Friends,
July and August “Brown Bag” lunch meetings at NVRC were rather different from our
regular lunch meetings. In July we chatted with two military ladies about the needs
for deaf people. The ladies were working on their term paper regarding services for
deaf / hard of hearing people. This chat helped everybody to get a better understanding
over many deaf issues facing the deaf. In August we had large group chat. It was fun
as everyone shared their travel experiences.
The picnic at Algonkian Park in June was really nice and pleasant. We had several guests. Some of us
explored the park to find the river and swamp nearby.
We moved the September lunch meeting from the 4th to the 11th, as many of us will be in Seattle, WA for
the Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) Conference. We are looking forward to getting over with hot, hot, hazy
summer.
Stay Happy with Our Awesome Hands!
~ Don
Don’s Column
HAPPY BIRTHDAY…to the folks
with birthdays in September
Sharon Svenningsen [3rd]
Elsie Zekas [17th]
Ryland Thomas [24th]
PAGE 2
Happy Hands Luncheon September 11, 2019 at 10:00 AM
Luncheon Menu:
Sandwiches will be ordered from Potbelly.
Here are the sandwich choices:
Turkey Breast
Smoked Ham
Roast Beef
Vegetarian
Please give your choice of sandwich and bread
(white or wheat) to Melanie Williams at
[email protected] or Steve Williams at
[email protected] by September 6. Each
sandwich will be $6.00. Please bring cash.
You can buy sodas and chips at NVRC. We will
provide desserts.
After lunch, we will have 50/50 prizes and games.
For more information about the meeting, contact
Don Ames at [email protected].
Food Committee
Meals Coordinator:
Ann Marie Swiatkowski
Lunch Coordinator of the Month:
* September — Melanie & Steve Williams
* October — Paul & Peggy Daniels
* November — ?
* December — Nancy Rarus
* January — Jill Moebus
* February — ?
* March — Janet Blakely
* April — Kea Manfredonio
* May — ?
* June — Picnic
HH Committee for 2019-2020
Chair — Don Ames
Vice Chair — Jill Moebus
Secretary — Cheryl Rockburn
Treasurer — Selina Gilson
Member At Large — Tom Dowling
Member At Large — Ross Gilson
Member At Large — Kea Manfredonio
Member At Large — Rocky Rockburn
Member At Large — Steve Williams
Ex Officio — Nancy Rarus
Sunshine Club — Lynn Keefe
Membership — Pat Beech
Newsletter Editor — Pat Beech
Memorial — Pat Beech and Peggy Daniels
Historian — Pat Beech
Happy Hands on July 10, 2019
PAGE 3
Sitting: Debbie Jones, Jill Moebus, Megan Buehler-Brazas, and Serry Fahmy
Standing: Nancy Rarus, Don Ames, George Herberger, Elizabeth Phillips,
Lanny Quarles, Eileen Goran, and Pat Beech
Happy Hands on August 7, 2019
Sitting: Serry Fahmy, Lois Herberger, Jill Moebus, and Kathy Jones
Standing: Pat Beech, Nancy Rarus, Denise Proulx,
Don Ames, Paul & Peggy Daniels, and Cindy Pettie
Cindy Pettie and
Laurie Dowling
Photos taken
at Dulles Town Center
on July 31
Sitting: Pat Beech, Lanny Quarles, Nancy Rarus, Elizabeth Noriega, and Melanie Williams
Standing: Mark Markiewicz, Tim Lavelle, Jill Moebus, Steve Williams, and Al Manfredonio
Celebration of Life
on September 22, 2019
Celebration of Life for Elaine Shaffer
Sunday, September 22, 2019
2:00PM — 4:00PM
Northern Virginia Resource Center
for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons
3951 Pender Drive, Suite #130, Fairfax, VA
For more information,
contact Pat Beech at [email protected].
PAGE 4
PAGE 5
Janet Bailey joined the National Genealogy Society Board of Directors in 2018. She
chairs the awards committee and acts as the NGS office liaison. She provided
leadership to the Fairfax Genealogical Society, first as education chair in 2013, and
then as president from September 2015 to May 2018. An early recruit to genealogy,
Janet has been researching, writing, and hosting reunions for more than thirty-five
years. She completed her sixth course at Salt Lake Institute on Genealogy (SLIG);
has attended IGHR and Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP); and is
an alum of Gen-Fed.
Janet is a nationally certified Sign Language interpreter. She earned a BA from Huron College in South
Dakota and did post graduate work at Gallaudet University. She co-founded the nation’s first and largest
interpreting services business, Sign Language Associates, Inc. She served as its president and CEO from
1982-2008. She was active within her national professional association, The Registry of Interpreters for
the Deaf, Inc., and served as its president from 1991-1995.
Source: https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/bod/
Janet Bailey presents
on October 2, 2019
“An Introduction to Genealogy”
Happy Hands will have Christmas Lunch at Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm
on December 4, 2019. The address is: 42920 Broadlands Boulevard,
Broadlands, VA 20148. More details will be provided in the October
issue.
Pat Beech made reservation for 30 people in a private dining area. For
more information, contact Pat at [email protected] or Nancy Rarus at
Christmas Lunch on December 4, 2019
At Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm
Thanks to:
Nancy Rarus and Pat Beech for planning the gatherings in the Food Court at
Dulles Town Center in July and August
Pat Beech for pictures at the events in July and August
Pat Beech for doing the monthly HH Newsletter issue
Sharon Svenningsen for proofreading the monthly HH Newsletter issue
Debbie Jones for stuffing the monthly HH Newsletter hardcopies and getting them ready for mail
In Memory of
Elaine Liner Shaffer 1930- 2019
Elaine Liner Shaffer, age 88, of Sterling, VA,
passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at
INOVA Loudoun Hospital Center in Leesburg,
VA.
Born in Louisiana in 1930, she was the daughter
of the late Oliver E. and Ilar (Murry) Liner.
Elaine attended the Louisiana School for the
Deaf and graduated from Gallaudet University
with the Class of ’52. She retired from Melpar/
Raytheon after 25 years. After retirement she
began working as part of the team which created
the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Persons. Through the
NVRC she made countless friends and advocated for numerous members of the Deaf
Community, and was honored with a lifetime achievement award for her contributions. She was
a long-time member of Happy Hands Deaf Seniors, and a proofreader on the newsletter staff.
Her family and friends all know her for her quick sense of humor, her love for Louisiana, and
her great enjoyment of camping and other activities with Deaf groups. Elaine was preceded in
death by her husband of 64 years, Kenneth V. Shaffer, in 2016.
She is survived by her daughter Karen Fletcher (Donald) of Lovettsville, VA and son Lance
Shaffer of Sterling, VA; grandchildren Jenny Seaton (Jesse), Carrie Sowdon (Carl), and Brian
Fletcher; great-grandsons Tanner Seaton and Ryan Sowdon, and baby great-granddaughter,
Evelyn “Evie” Sowdon. She is also survived by sister Faye Melancon (Lolan) of Louisiana, and
was predeceased by sister Jo Corrick and
brother in law George Corrick of Florida.
Visitation was held on July 19, 2019 at
Loudoun Funeral Chapel in Leesburg, VA.
A private family burial was held at Mt.
Pleasant United Methodist Church
Cemetery in Taylorstown, VA. A memorial
service will be held at NVRC on September
22, 2019 (see page 4). Donations can be
made to NVRC.
PAGE 6
In Memory of
Thayer Theresa Dow 1936- 2019
Thayer Theresa Dow died on July 12,
2019. She was born deaf with Cerebral
Palsy in Melrose, MA on November
16, 1936. She went to American
School for the Deaf, and graduated
from Gallaudet with a degree in
Library Science in 1964. She worked
at Verizon for 19 years. Her major achievements were doing computer work and developing
web pages. She loved reading books and doing computer work.
Source: Class of 1964 50th Anniversary Memory Book
One day at work, one of Thayer’s co-workers asked if anyone was interested in taking flying
lessons, as one of his friends was an instructor. Thayer raised her hand. All of her co-workers
thought it was not possible because she was deaf and had CP. She signed up to take flying
classes. Thayer had two instructors: one in Frederick, MD flying a piper plane and another in
Gaithersburg, MD flying a Cessna plane. Neither of the instructors knew sign language so
they taught her by hand over hand, writing back and forth, and gesturing and motioning to
what she needed to do next to steer the plane. Thayer received her pilot’s license and was a
pilot for 10 years. She enjoyed taking trips around Maryland, West Virginia, and
Pennsylvania. One time, Thayer and a friend planned to fly to an island off of the south of
Maryland to have a picnic, then fly back home. On their way, the plane’s compass stopped
working! Thayer safely landed the plane at the closest airport, not realizing it was a military
airbase! It all worked out, and Thayer still laughs about it today.
Source: https://mailchi.mp/dc3e3479f802/nehds-2018-year-in-review-855507
Game Day on June 9, 2011
Carolyn Willis, Sharon Svenningsen, Jack Otterman, Thayer Dow, and Rose Otterman
PAGE 7
Sunshine
News
Leo Yates, Sr. celebrated his 90th
birthday with his children on July
18 at Sakura, one of his favorite
restaurants. Pictured on left are:
Leo Yates, Jr., Leo Yates, Sr.,
and Sarah Yates. The next day,
they went to Fredericksburg, VA
to visit family. They surprised
Jack and Evelyn Yates. Pictured
on right are: Jack, Leo Sr., and
Sarah.
Ashby Ponds in Ashburn, VA held its 5th Annual
Diversity & Inclusion Fair on July 30, 2019. This fair
had booths displaying cultures, religions, and other
things that provided diversity. The Sign Language
Club had a very good attendance at its booth, which
featured different Sign Language books and Hershey
kisses. Those who successfully fingerspelled their
names received a candy kiss.
On July 3, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Resource Center
for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons announced the appointment of Eileen
McCartin, Ph.D., as the new executive director of NVRC effective August 1, 2019.
Dr. McCartin has been on the NVRC Board of Directors since 2014 serving as
Chair and Vice-Chair, participating on several committees, planning educational
and fundraising events, writing grants and supporting NVRC’s mission. She has
taught deaf and hard of hearing students from preschool through college age at
local public schools and at Gallaudet University. As a school administrator, she
was knowledgeable, organized, and experienced in leading teams to positive
outcomes. She is experienced in assistive technology and is well-acquainted with
the changing technology available to support those with hearing loss. She is fluent
in American Sign Language and has some experience with Cued Speech.
Source: https://nvrc.org/nvrc-announces-appointment-of-new-executive-director/
PAGE 8
Sunshine News
(continued)
NVRC hosted a farewell reception for Robert “Bob” Loftur-Thun on
July 15, 2019. After four years of serving as Interim Executive
Director of NVRC, and with the selection of a permanent Executive
Director, Bob said “goodbye.” He said that it had been a privilege
and a wonderful educational experience to serve the deaf and hard of
hearing community. He felt that they made good progress as an
organization over the last four years with stronger financial
performance and new program initiatives. He said that as someone
who is hard of hearing and passionate about tech employment
opportunities for young deaf and hard of hearing students, he hopes
to be able to volunteer to support NVRC in such initiatives.
Rebecca (Becky) Hinckley passed on May 28, 2019. She was born on May 12,
1947 in Nashville, TN. She attended David Lipscomb College where she met David
Hinckley. They got married in August 1967. In 1981, Becky became interested in
learning to sign. In 1983, while visiting the Fairfax Church of Christ, she asked
about starting a deaf ministry. Over the years, Becky earned both State and National
Level Interpretation Certifications. During 1988-2008, she interpreted for Fairfax
County Schools. When she retired in 2008, she held the position of Lead Interpreter
at W. T. Woodson High School. Becky is survived by her husband of 51 years,
David; three children: Ellyn (Jay Sergio), Jonathan (Tanya), and James (Ramona);
eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Donations can be made to Fairfax
Church of Christ or Capital Caring.
Harlan Lane died in France from Parkinson’s disease on July 13 at the age of 82. He
was a hearing person whose work in psychology and linguistics was transformed in
the early 1970s, when he met deaf students communicating in ASL at University of
California in San Diego. He wrote several books such as “When the Mind Hears: A
History of the Deaf” (1984), “The Mask of Benevolence: Disabling the Deaf
Community” (1992), and “A Journey into the Deaf World” (1996).
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Lane
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/28/obituaries/harlan-lane-dead.html
https://my.gallaudet.edu/intranet/announcements-archive/passing-of-dr-harlan-lane
Mary Beth Miller died in New York on August 5, 2019. Mary Beth
graduated from Kentucky School for the Deaf and Gallaudet
University. She was one of the first National Theatre of the Deaf
performers. She helped to found the New York Deaf Theatre. She
was in countless sign language books and videos. She also had one-
woman comedy shows. More details about her memorial service
will be shared as soon as details are finalized.
PAGE 9
Article on Deaf Printers
Washington Post on June 24, 2019
Washington Post had a story on Deaf Printers in the June 24, 2019
issue. The printers are all in their 70s. Some had started in the days of
the Linotype machine. For decades, being a printer was a very good
shop.
In picture on left, the deaf printers fingerspelled “The Washington
Post” at a gathering on June 12 at Gallaudet University, which is
creating an online exhibit about deaf printers. [Photo credit: John Kelly
at The Washington Post]
For more information about the Linotype machine, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linotype_machine
Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/deaf-printers-once-helped-create-every-days-washington-post-
newspaper/2019/06/24/3dd82e10-8d38-11e9-b08e-cfd89bd36d4e_story.html
The Virginia Association of the Deaf is pleased to announce the
selection of Virginia’s Deaf Mother of the Year for 2019:
Laurie Dowling of Fairfax, Virginia.
Congratulations, Laurie, for an honor well deserved!
VAD President
Jeanne Lavelle
Deaf Mother of the Year Committee Chair
Donna Graff-Viall
2019 Deaf Mother
of the Year
PAGE 10
Five Steps to Prepare
For Natural Disasters
Being prepared ahead of time is key for natural disasters. If you are able to stay in the house, here are five
steps:
1. Plan for a natural disaster. For example, have your family pick a windowless safe room and pick a
family member to open windows. For added protection, get under something sturdy like a heavy table, or
cover yourself with a mattress.
2. Create an emergency disaster kit. Keep a well-stocked kit ready at all times. Fill the kit with first aid
items such as bandages, gauze, tweezers, cleansing wipes, flashlight, transistor radio, portable phone
charger, extra batteries, and fire extinguisher. Also, have enough bottled water and perishable food items to
last at least 72 hours.
3. Help protect your home and family. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Know fire safety. If a power line falls, don’t move or dr ive over it. Contact local author ities
immediately. Never leave any candles unattended. Design a fire escape plan.
5. Store your valuables safely. Protect impor tant documents such as insurance papers, bir th cer tificates
and passports. For maximum security, you can put them as well as family heirlooms or prized possessions
in a waterproof and fire-resistant safe.
Source: http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/online_features/senior_living/steps-to-prepare-for-natural-
disasters/article_c7485c6f-a02b-5eed-8202-baa1da8dc0bf.html
Deaf Couple Open A Pizzeria
in D.C. With All Deaf Employees
Melody and Russ Stein own and runs Mozzeria, a
Neapolitan-style pizzeria in San Francisco. They will
open a second restaurant at 1300 H St. NE in Spring
2020. The restaurant will seat roughly 100 people and
need at least 30 waiters, chefs, and hosts. This
location will sit just seven blocks from the first deaf-
run Starbucks signing store, which opened in October
2018.
Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/07/0
8/she-proved-them-wrong-deaf-couple-opened-
pizzeria-san-francisco-with-all-deaf-employees-dc-is-
next/
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
“There’s A Proper Place For
All The Stuff That No Longer Sparks Joy”
This column by Laura Daily was in the June 17, 2019 issue of The Washington Post. Other than Goodwill and
Salvation Army, here are some suggestions for where to take your stuff to.
Books:
Local libraries can turn the books into cash through book sales.
There is an organization called Comfort Cases in Rockville, MD. This organization packs books for ages 3
to 16 into duffel bags or backpacks for kids going into foster care. For more information about Comfort
Cases, see https://www.comfortcases.org/. For lists of what could go into cases, see
https://www.comfortcases.org/whats-in-a-comfort-case.
Business Attire:
Dress For Success is an organization that helps women achieve economic independence by providing a
network of support, professional attire, and tools. This organization has affiliates in 40 states and
Washington, DC. For more information, see: https://dressforsuccess.org/.
Career Gear is an organization that helps low-income men. For more information, see:
http://www.careergear.org/.
Prom attire and accessories:
Organizations such as Prom Dress Exchange in Denver and Chicago’s Glass Slipper Project provide
juniors and seniors with dresses, shoes, accessories, etc. For places in Northern Virginia, see:
https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/what-to-do-with-old-prom-and-bridesmaids-dresses/. For donating
wedding dresses, see: http://www.stanthonysbridal.com/.
T-shirts and men’s shoes:
Men’s shelters are the best outlet for these kinds of items.
Children’s clothes and toys:
Preschools, elementary schools, foster-care programs and domestic violence centers can always use extra
kid stuff.
Furniture:
You can help formerly homeless families build homes by donating to Furniture Bank. See:
https://accacares.org/furniture/.
If you don’t see your items on the list, most charities have a wish list on their website. Check to see if they
will accept used or only new items. If you cannot find an ideal recipient, consider posting in neighborhood
websites such as Nextdoor.com or ask your local church.
Source:
https://www.theoaklandpress.com/lifestyles/there-s-a-proper-place-for-all-the-stuff-that/article_14223d0c-
7b38-11e9-81d9-1b8b9ff8d241.html
P.S. If you need to recycle contact lenses, corks, and Christmas lights, see:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/contact-lenses-corks-and-christmas-lights-can-all-be-
recycled-heres-how/2019/06/24/49e7694c-92d2-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html
Happy Hands
Luncheon
Events for September 2019
Happy Hands
Fine Tuners
PAGE 13
VAD
Conference
(see below)
Don Ames, Chair
Jill Moebus, Vice Chair
Pat Beech, Editor
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: www.nvrc.org
VP 571-350-8656
3951 Pender Drive
Suite 130
Fairfax, VA 22030
URL:
http://nvrc.org/resources
/happy-hands/
If Fairfax County Government is closed due to weather conditions, NVRC will be closed, too.
For more information about Maryland Deaf Senior Citizens, Inc. (MDSC), contact Leslie Zinza at
[email protected], or see: http://www.mddeafseniors.org/.
For more information about Frederick Deaf Seniors, contact Jackie Kanekuni at
For more information about Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf (NVAD), contact Melanie
Williams at [email protected].
Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD) will have a conference during September 20-21, 2019. For more
information, see: http://vad.org/.
For more information about the Cascades Coffee Chat group, contact Bev Young at [email protected].
This group meets @ 10:00AM at Starbucks Marketplace, 210-21 Southbank Street, Sterling, VA 20165.
PAGE 14
Why You Need to Make “When I Die” File
Before It is Too Late
Having a “When I Die” file may be the most important thing you can do before you depart. This will save
your loved ones or executor incalculable time, money, and suffering.
Here is a list of the things you need to put in your “When I Die” file:
An advance directive that is signed (and notarized if necessary)
A will and living trust (with certificate of trust)
Marriage or divorce certificate (s)
Passwords for phone, computer, email, and social media accounts
And more…….
Source: https://time.com/5640494/why-you-need-to-make-a-when-i-die-file/
