The Bozeman Chapter:
Low Vision Center: Ken (406) 551-4920
Bozeman Chapter: Todd (406) 600-7548
Book Club: Lori (828) 421-4838
Crafts: Christi: (406) 586-6370
Bozeman Chapter Leaders:
President: Todd Fahlstrom
Vice President: Anthony Barton
Secretary: Zara Berg
Treasurer: Tim Gilmer
For Zoom info: If you can't make a meeting in person, but can use a phone, please call Todd in advance; he'll help you connect.
Events
Jan. 23, 30 Low Vision Center drop-in
Jan. 23, 30 Social Connection Hour
Jan. 29 Book club BELGRADE library
Low Vision Center: 220 W. Lamme, Ste. B9-2. Open Thursdays 10AM – 3PM; please drop in! or call for appointment (406) 551-4920.
Volunteers: 23 Beth am, Jenny pm, 30 Ken.
Although the chapter is blessing folks with their 2025 dues, if you want to give, we welcome contributions to support chapter programs, including the Low Vision Center. Please mail to BMAB, PO Box 6797, Bozeman, MT 59771. If you'd like to give specifically to state-wide MAB including the Summer Orientation Program, giving is easy at website www.mabsop.org/donate.html or mail to MAB, 1802 W. Park, Anaconda, MT 59711.
Thank you!
Social Connection Hour: Jan. 23, 30
11-12 PM. Enjoy learning and visiting with individuals with vision loss throughout the state. Topics are diverse and informative. We use the zoom platform: you can choose to connect via phone, computer, or tablet. Please E-mail bozemanmab@gmail.com or call Todd at Todd (406) 600-7548 for connection links. Past recordings can be found on the MAB web site at: www.mabsop.org under social connection hour.
Book club 2025:
The yearly calendar for book club is still in the planning stages. Our usual meeting place, the Belgrade Community Library, is changing location this winter and will be unavailable during at least February and March. This doesn't mean we've given up on meeting those months; it just means that we are still deciding on workarounds. However, we've been able to book their meeting room for Wednesday, January 29 from 1PM until 3PM to squeeze one last literary gathering in before their big move. We are breaking from our five-year tradition of a set calendar of monthly genre assignments. For January, reread a book of your choice that helps you get through the winter doldrums. You must have read this book previously and consider it a good friend. Be prepared to discuss why you consider this book a mental health boost, as well as anything new you discovered in your book by reading it again. Bonus if your book includes a winter scene! Please reach out to Lori if you would like to host a book club meeting or have other ideas for our 2025 calendar. We look forward to reading with you in 2025!
Book club recaps:
Your Bozeman MAB book club has been leveling up the fun and engagement over the last few months.
In September, we read Thriving Blind and were able to meet the authors, Kristin Smedley and Charlie Collins, during a special afternoon event at the 2024 MAB Convention.
Thanks to funding from our local chapter board, October found us cuddling the eight kitty residents of the Cat Show Cat Café. There was nothing like a meeting space full of cats to promote the discussion of mystery novels! Have you ever noticed how many who-done-it's prominently feature feisty felines?
November was another story. In fact, it was a few stories. All attendees shared with us their personal non-fiction picks and why we should or should not also read them. Here they are:
The Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan
An account of an Irishman condemned to death and sent to Tasmania… Who ended up being a Civil War general in America and a governor of the Montana territory.
Aging for Beginners by Ezra Bayda
A humorous, upbeat, and mindful guide to adjusting to being over 50.
Lovers in Auschwitz by Keren Blankfeld
The incredible (and weighty) true story of two Holocaust survivors who fell in love in Auschwitz, only to be separated upon liberation, lead remarkable lives apart, and reunite 70 years later.
Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen, Ivy Ross
Did you know that art actually changes your brain? Yeah, we didn't either.
From The Wizarding Archive by J. K. Rowling
A collection of essays published on Pottermore and commentary from the author of the Harry Potter novels that goes further in depth into the background information on wizard history that never got used in the books, as well as discussion of her writing process/journey.
And in December, we met at McKenzie River Pizza to have our holiday celebration, which included reading/reciting poetry while munching on the delicious offerings of the restaurant. Much cheer was had.
Enjoy great local music: Kim Hoffman, a Bozeman chapter member (and a twin), has a gift to play keyboard. Several of us have taken in her talent and are amazed by all she does. Kim often plays at the Valhalla. She notes, "The meatballs and their chowder are quite delicious, and not bad prices either. They are located just off of Bridger Drive, if you are driving away from Bozeman take the first left turn after Birdie Drive: 875 Bridger Drive Unit B. https://valhallabozeman.com I plan on playing there quite a bit this winter, so if people are out and about on a Saturday night, they can feel free to call or text me to see if I am playing." Call Kim at: (406) 596-0612.
CCTVs for sale: contact Roy Thomas
Merlin 19 inch screen CCTV by Enhanced Vision, model MRVE 18A – VA. $1900
Aladin Ultrapro 75 CCTV, model NM7 (2002) $175
Our chapter board needs you! Chapter elections in early April; candidate statements needed by mid-Feb. Please share your skills. Info: Todd (406) 600-7548
Thank you to all who participated in our November chapter meeting about transportation. Agency representatives who attended would like our chapter's ongoing suggestions about improving sidewalks and traffic signals, as well as about bus and para-transit service. Agency meetings are usually available by zoom. Our chapter may have the opportunity to apply for a grant to help Galavan. Please contact Todd to be involved.
Thank you to those who donated, helped, and participated at convention: you help us thrive! Thanks to these convention sponsors: Ability Montana and Medical Eye Specialists at Bronze level, and Advanced Eye Care and Vanda Pharma/non-24 at Copper level!
Young home-schoolers need art materials:
magazines (preferably on cooking or outdoors for cutting out pictures),
newspapers to be used for paper Mâché,
and just about any art supply.
Please bring to a chapter meeting. Thank you!
Thank you to Bozeman Lions and Sweet Pea Lions for hosting Christmas lunch and gift cards! Thanks to Todd for organizing the party afterwards, and to all who attended, bringing Christmas cheer to us all!
Happy New Year!
Be a member of MAB (application at website mabsop.org) and support activities for people with visual impairment!
Stay Connected:
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Would you like to Volunteer?
If you want to be a volunteer, please contact us at: (406) 442-9411.
You can also Open and Fill out the Volunteer form but you must contact us before you can volunteer. All volunteers must be screened and approved before they can participate.