My shop project is going to be a big surprise for my wife. I think I’ve told almost all my friends what the finished project will be so, if you know, please keep it from my Presh.

I have learned a lot about woodworking, the power tools, (and their names), and terms that I never heard before. Considering the environment, my shop teacher, Ric, has been extremely patient and helpful.

One thing I found out while doing this project with my sleep shades on is that I have become quite intimate or attached to my work. I have become quite the sander. Without ever seeing my work I must touch and feel the wood to see if it is in the condition I want it to be. While sanding I keep feeling with my fingers to see if it is smooth enough. Without vision I can’t say, “ That looks fine”, or “That’s good enough”. Touch seems to be a much more intimate sense than vision, especially when the only sense you are using to assess your work is touch.

I have used tools such as a table saw, miter saw, mortiser, planer and jointer.

Again, thanks Ric for being a good guy.

Alumni Banquet

The center has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Fifth years ago, on November 1, 1959, the Adult Orientation Center took up residence in the YMCA building at the corner of 4th and Keo in Des Moines. To celebrate this historic anniversary we held a fabulous banquet and dance.

About 200 alumni, staff, and friends of the center gathered in the assembly room to rehash old times, eat a delicious meal, and listen to an array of speakers.

The people began to arrive an hour before the 5:00 starting time of the banquet. Everyone had a smile on their face or were listening intently to stories about the center that usually ended up with a hardy laugh.

The alumni came from all over the state and a several others from as far away as San Diego and Hawaii.

As we entered the Assembly Hall we were greeted with the fine music of pianist Curtis Chong. Our table contained a basket full of rolls. We quickly devoured them. After a few minutes our server brought us a bowl of dirty shrimp soup. This was one of my favorite courses of the meal. The soup was followed by a plate of pork tenderloin stuffed with a sausage and seasoning mix. We also had some mixed vegetables and a wild rice dish with mushrooms and celery. For dessert we had a slice of cheesecake with a berry compote drizzled on top. All of the food was prepared by the current students at the center. I was proud of our culinary skills! After dinner we settled in for some tributes, awards, and a student graduation.

Jim Witte, a former manager of the center, talked about the early days of the center. It was very interesting to hear about Jim’s time with Ken Jernigan, the founder of the orientation center.

After Jim Witte was finished speaking Karen Keninger, the director of the Department For The Blind, spoke about the experiences she had growing up blind. I enjoyed hearing Karen’s take on the half full, half empty glass metaphor. She explained that you may have a glass half full or half empty but the important thing is whether you are pouring into the glass or taking from the glass.

A good buddy of mine graduated from the Orientation Center at the banquet. Terry was given his certificate in the frame he had made in shop class. I will truly miss Terry.

After the banquet we walked about one block to the Convention Center for a dance in honor of the anniversary. There we had beverages to drink and watched the center’s instructors let their hair down. Boy, do they know how to party! It was a night full of memories and fun that I will never forget. More later.