Central Kentucky Radio Eye (CKRE) begins the year with much to be thankful for. We have a group of dedicated volunteers who assist our studio manager, Sarah Nix, to produce the daily broadcast of the reading of newspapers, magazines and other radio programs. You can read more about volunteers and radio programs in this issue of Radio Eye.

We have wonderful donors who answered our Annual Appeal, and especially the Lexington Lions whose continuing support is appreciated.

CKRE thanks both the University of Kentucky and the NiSource Charitable Foundation for major contributions to our Moving Campaign, which will help us relocate and expand our service. And I am happy to say construction of the Northside Branch Library (which will become our new home in 2008) is well under way - the bricking is done and the roof is going on.

It's always nice to know our listeners appreciate and enjoy CKRE. Last year, new listener Lynn Fordham, who had recently lost his sight, learned about CKRE through an article in the Hamburg Journal that his wife Jo happened to read. Lynn not only joined our service, but he and his wife made a major gift, which will help strengthen the future of CKRE. Our thanks go to Lynn and Jo for their tremendous generosity. We also want to acknowledge (former) listener Joseph Wile, Sr., who made a bequest to CKRE. Mr. Wile was an avid listener for several years, until he passed away. He loved CKRE and regularly sent us poems of appreciation. Like many of our listeners, Mr. Wile enjoyed the companionship of CKRE and its volunteer voices. And we greatly appreciate that he chose to remember CKRE in his will. (See more about making a bequest on page 5.)

Additionally, we appreciate great relations with organizations serving the same population as CKRE. One such group, The Bluegrass Council of the Blind, has long been a friend of CKRE, and you can read more about that organization in this issue.

With the support of so many people, CKRE has much to be thankful for.

Margaret Chase
Chair & Executive Director

FAREWELL TO AL CRABB
Al Crabb's last day at Central Kentucky Radio Eye, December 30, capped 17 years of service to a station that was started out of compassion for his father, who was blind. Alfred Crabb, Sr. listened to and relied on a similar service in Nashville, TN, and his son, who lived in Lexington, asked why Central Kentucky didn't have a radio reading service. "You know what happens when you ask questions like that," Al said in between readings on a recent Sunday morning. In November 1990, Central Kentucky Radio Eye began to broadcast, and Al was its founder and first director.

Some readers have spent more than a decade listening to Al's voice reading the Sunday Lexington Herald-Leader or various other publications and numerous books. "In the reading of that book, Skipping Christmas, he put so much feeling and sincerity," said Patricia Rand, a Lexington listener for about four years. "I'm very thankful for it. I do like the other programs, too. This reading of the papers in the morning is a must for me," Rand said. "I do wish him the very best.

Jean Sharon, a former correspondent for the Woodford Sun, said she started listening to CKRE 10 years ago, and she helped get the Woodford Sun on CKRE for the first time. "I just thought it was special that he (Al Crabb) had such a great idea and that he worked with this for so many years," Sharon said. "The times that I do listen are very special," said Sharon, who lives in Midway and listens to the Lexington Herald Leader most often. She values the obituary readings.

Those feelings, shared by Al's father in Nashville, are what inspired Al to start such a service in Lexington. He said he remembered visiting with his father there, and the radio readers on in the background were like companions to the conversation.

Al said in December he is taking a long vacation in Europe with his wife. All at Central Kentucky Radio Eye wish him bon voyage on his vacation and in retirement - and many thanks for his years of service.

By Dori Hjalmarson.

CKRE Board of Directors
Margaret Chase, Chair
John Hamm, Treasurer   Jo Staggs-Neel, Secretary
Dr. Dan Folks,   Linda Gorton,   Martha Goss,   Marge Holmes,
Dr. James Kemp,    Barbara McGroarty,   Carl Nathe,
Kate Savage,   Janell Turner,   Bob Heiple,   Melanie Kilpatrick

CKRE Staff & Editors
Margaret Chase, Executive Director & Editor
Sarah Nix, Studio Manager

Central Kentucky Radio Eye, Inc.
University Station Box 1030, Lexington, KY 40506
Phone: (859) 257-2702   Email: CKREweb@lsv.uky.edu
Streaming our Broadcast on Internet at www.RadioEye.org

As I began my duties, researching and recording articles for a monthly show called "And Also...." I found a new world opening up for me. I had the opportunity to learn about the causes and effects of visual impairments and other disabilities on real people. As I was drawn to the issues that arise from the struggles of impairments, the threads of accessibility, service animals, assistive technology, and the Americans with Disabilities Act became woven into my life's daily fabric. I began to see the world around me, complete with its obstacles, through the eyes of our audience.

Four years later, I still am thrilled by the fact that I am hosting a monthly radio show. Just the name of the program has changed to "Disability News," so my enthusiasm has also undergone a change. The idea that the articles and information that I read to CKRE listeners each month might be of some help is now the source of my excitement. Possibly, an article that I read about the resources that are available for making a home accessible might help someone achieve that goal.

Or information on a show about the ADA might help my listeners become advocates for their civil rights. The information that I read on "Disability News" might actually improve a life. How cool is that??
By Diane Curtis

CKRE and Community Outreach
The purpose of CKRE's Outreach Committee is to reach out into the community and tell people "Who We Are" and "What We Do."

This past year CKRE attended over thirty events in the community, including "Meeting the Challenges of Aging" at UK, the "50-Plus Festival" in Frankfort and the Mission Fair at the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Lexington.

Other Outreach events included Home Charities Annual Peace and Global Citizenship Fair, a presentation to the Veteran's Administration Support Group, Shiloh Baptist Church Family Fun Resource Fair and Woodland Arts Fair.

Our Outreach Committee includes myself, Marge Holmes (chair), and several board members, with additional support from the staff.

Whenever I give presentations or attend fairs, it never ceases to amaze me how many people have never heard of Central Kentucky Radio Eye. And, it always gives me great pleasure to talk to a person who says "I know someone who could use your service." Yes! By Marge Holmes

If you would like to make a gift that has a lasting effect, please consider a bequest in your will. Your bequest can be given in memory or honor of someone special to you. And it will help strengthen and secure CKRE in the years to come.

If you choose to remember CKRE, have your attorney include Central Kentucky Radio Eye, Inc. when they prepare or revise your will. Our tax ID Number is 61-1148801.

Thank You.

Not just a faceless organization, this is a place to gather and learn. Its name doesn't tell the whole story. The Bluegrass Council of the Blind (celebrating its 30th anniversary this year) is more than an advocacy and referral organization for the blind and visually impaired. It's a place to find everything from friendly conversation to the latest in assistive technology.

The Council's doors are open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. weekdays, with appointments available by calling 859-259-1834. The office is located at 1093 South Broadway, Suite 1220, in downtown Lexington.

Executive director Paula Weise says the council's Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) Support Group is probably one of the best-kept secrets of the organization. "VIP offers support, camaraderie and information - we have special speakers at each meeting," she says, "Everything that comes out of those meetings is very positive. Activities vary from meeting to meeting. There could be bingo or just time to socialize.

"Attendance ranges from 20 to 40 people at the monthly meetings, held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at the council's office. For more information about attending, call 859-259-1834. For those who travel only by Wheels, the council offers to pay the fare.

While membership in the council is encouraged, it is not required. Anyone can participate in its activities.

For more information, call 859-259-1834, stop by the office at 1093 South Broadway, Suite 1220, or visit their website.
By Karri Sandino

"About 10 million visually impaired people live in the United States," said Noreen Grice, one of the authors. "I hope this book will be a unique resource for people who are sighted or blind to better understand the part of the universe that is invisible to all of us."

The book will be available through NASA libraries, the National Federation of the Blind, Library of Congress repositories, libraries, museums, and Ozone Publishing.

We currently need volunteers to operate audio equipment and monitor sound levels from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Mondays and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

We are located on the UK campus in the Margaret I. King Building. Training is provided and no previous experience is necessary. Please call Sarah at 859-527-2702 or e-mail us for more information at CKREweb@lsv.uky.edu.