The South East Connecticut Community Center of the Blind 2^nd Annual White Cane Pancake Breakfast will take place on Sunday, October 15, from 8 to 11 AM at the VFW Post 189, located at 110 Garfield Avenue in New London, CT 06320.  Tickets are $15 each, $5 for children up to ten years old, and are available by calling 860 447-2048.

“This community breakfast brings people together to have a good time and get to know each other better”, said Wendy Lusk, Executive Director of the SE CT Community Center of the Blind.  Lusk says the white cane symbolizes the independence of blind and low-vision people as productive contributors to a healthy, diverse society.

The Sunday morning breakfast will feature pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, fruit, coffee and juice, along with fun and prizes.

Tickets for the White Cane Pancake Breakfast are likely to sell out, so order yours by calling 860 447-2048.

The Connecticut Library for Accessible Books (CT LAB) announced a new partnership with nine Connecticut public libraries who have volunteered and committed to serve as Connecticut Library for Accessible Books (CT LAB) hub libraries.  The aim of this new initiative is to spread information about CT LAB services and offer opportunities for patrons to engage with CT LAB closer to home. 

Each hub library is equipped with an informational display featuring CT LAB resources and services. The promotional materials are in large print and braille formats.  Hub libraries also feature Digital Talking Book players and cartridges available for in-library demonstrations.

In preparation, CT LAB conducted in-person training sessions for staff at each hub library so that they can answer basic questions about CT LAB and demonstrate how to use Digital Talking Book players and cartridges.  Looking ahead, CT LAB staff will collaborate with hub libraries to plan informational and training sessions on CT LAB and its offerings for new and current CT LAB patrons.

The public libraries serving as hub libraries are Bristol Public Library, Danbury Public Library, Darien Library, Killingly Public Library, Otis Library in Norwich, Simsbury Public Library, Slater Library in Jewett City, Stratford Library, and Weston Public Library.

A few items of note for current CT LAB patrons related to the hub libraries.    
* Patrons should continue to place all book requests with CT LAB by calling (860) 704-2220 or (800) 842-4516, or emailing [email protected].  Hub Libraries are not equipped to fulfill book orders and requests.

* Patrons will continue to receive books and talking book players from CT LAB in the mail, as usual.

* Patrons have the option to pick up and return Talking Book cartridges and players at any of the hub library locations.  To schedule pick up at one of the hub libraries, please contact your CT LAB Reader’s Advisor.  Talking Book cartridges and players may be returned to any of the hub libraries with out prior arrangement. The hub libraries will forward all CT LAB materials returned to their locations to CT LAB in Middletown.

* CT LAB plans to work with the hub libraries to offer training and information sessions at the hub library locations.  CT LAB will share information with patrons as events are scheduled.

Please contact CT LAB at (860) 704-2220 or (800) 842-4516 if you have any questions.

The Connecticut Library for Accessible Books (CT LAB), formerly the Connecticut State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH), is a network library of the Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).  CT LAB lends books and magazines in audio and braille formats, for free, to any Connecticut resident who is unable to read regular print due to a visual, reading, or physical disability.

Readers register with CT LAB and materials are delivered to individuals via U.S. mail or are downloaded by patrons to their personal computers and mobile devices.  The NLS collection includes nonfiction, fiction, bestsellers, magazines, and the NLS music section.  Titles are available in a variety of world languages.  The collection is intended to appeal to patrons of all ages. 

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for our picnic this year. The pavilions at Camp Harkness are a perfect place for our event. The sun was shining. The sky was blue and the air was comfortable. Members enjoyed hotdogs and hamburgers were expertly grilled by Chris and Tyler. In addition several members brought a rainbow of potluck dishes including salads, beans, and desserts. Everything was delicious. Kevin provided the smooth background music. After we ate, we played a few games of bingo with our wonderful callers, Almaz and Sofia. And no event is complete without a raffle, right? A good time was has by all.

Click here to see all the picnic pix.

Miria Gray, Community Education Director for Chelsea Groton Bank, presents Executive Director Wendy Lusk with a check for a grant to fund the Lunch & Learn Programs at the Center. In these monthly sessions, guest speakers educate members on a wide variety of topics including the latest in digital and accessibility solutions, energy conservation, artificial intelligence, and resources on aging. Afterwards, members are treated to a delicious lunch.

When the call went out from the Trust for Public Land for disabled Connecticut residents to be photographed for a social media campaign promoting accessible parks and other open spaces, two center members said “Yes!”  Tammy Paradis and Kevin Harkins found themselves at Seaside Park in Bridgeport on a sunny July 11 for the professional photo shoot featuring disabled persons enjoying a summer day on the shores of Long Island Sound.  A total of fourteen volunteers from across the state took part in the event, and each was paid $100 for an hour and a half of work.

“Everything went off like clockwork and we had a blast”, said Harkins… “It’s just one of the ways the Center of the Blind is getting the word out about who we are and what we stand for.”

“We really appreciate Jim driving us”, said Paradis…  “Our volunteer drivers are very important to us.”

On Sunday July 9, the Day published a nicely written article and photos about the Center and our mission. It was part of an insert called Challenging Adversity. Click to see this article in the Day’s online edition.

On Thursday July 6, 2023, Executive Director Wendy Lusk, Vice President Kevin Harkins, and Secretary Tammy Paradis gave a television interview on SEC-TV. The program called “Born Political”, is hosted by Joe de la Cruz. The show is available on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly-kUVZj_JE.

What can be better than summer at the sea shore? Center members and volunteers are rushing plans to completion for our annual outing at Camp Harkness in Waterford, CT. It takes place in mid-July and goes from mid-afternoon to dusk, with food, games, music, and swimming or just enjoying a “quiet walk on the beach”.

The annual picnic is one of our biggest events of the year and provides something for everybody. The Center will provide hotdogs and burgers, condiments, soda and water—(alcohol is not permitted). Members will bring side dishes or desserts or make a $10 donation.

Individuals and organizations wishing to make a donation to help us out with expenses may call the office or click the Donate Now button at the top of your screen.

If you’ve ever thought of finding a meaningful way to serve your community, the South East CT Community Center of the Blind would like to talk to you. We are looking for volunteers with a variety of interests, from helping with crafts to assisting in the office and running errands. We Really Need Drivers! If you can provide transportation to center activities and meetings, as well as doctors’ appointments and shopping, give the office a call. Help out when your schedule allows and discover the satisfaction of helping where it’s most needed. Transportation is often described as the biggest difficulty for people who can’t see to drive themselves. Paratransit and public transportation are not always options, particularly outside of their operating hours or to and from locations not situated near bus routes. Many of our long-time drivers prefer not to drive at night or like to winter in Florida.

As a Center volunteer, you will meet interesting people and your time will be immensely appreciated. (Note that volunteer drivers will be subject to a background check).

To learn more, call Wendy at, 860 447-2048.

The Center of the Blind has begun offering an audio version of its monthly member newsletter, available to those having difficulty reading the publication or who find it easier to listen to it.  The audio newsletter can be heard by dialing a local phone number and is updated on the same day that the publication is emailed.  Members can volunteer to be readers for the program by contacting the office.  Readers are able to record their spoken parts using their mobile devices.

“The more readers the better”, said Kevin Harkins, who is coordinating the project and providing training in instruction as needed.  Harkins says he hopes this will make it easier for more of our members to keep up with all that’s going on at the Center.