august/september 2014 bethlehem special...
TRANSCRIPT
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org
Bethlehem Special Olympics Newsletter
Did you know?
Coaches need to update their certification by taking courses every few years otherwise they run the risk of not being eligible to coach.
Any donations to BSO or any of our sports programs should be reported to the treasurer. We want to thank the contributors with an official letter. They should be able to use these to get tax credits.
BSO Awards Picnic The Awards Picnic was GREAT! On June 28th athletes, coaches,
volunteers, family and friends gathered for the Annual BSO Awards
Picnic. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious and
Bicentennial Park in East Allen Township was really nice. We had a
volleyball game going, there was a basketball court on the other side
of the playground, a ball field on the other side of the pavilion and a
water balloon toss for those who wanted to participate. There was an
adjoining nature trail available for an inspiring walk for those who took
advantage of it. The park was easy to drive too. A BIG THANK
YOU to the Taylor Family’s Rita’s Ice store on Stefko Blvd. that
donated all that DELICIOUS cherry, mango and lemon ice, and to the
Talavara family who made all the arrangements, and to everyone who
helped set up the picnic. If anyone knows of a better park for our
picnic please let the family coordinator (Maria Talavera) know about it
so that she can evaluate it for next year. (pictures on p 2&3)
August/September 2014
Bethlehem Special Olympics PO Box 536 Bethlehem, PA 18016-0536 Phone: 610-264-3616
www.BethlehemSOPA.org
Inside this issue:
Awards Picnic……… p 1,2&5
BSO Rock&Roll Dance p 2-4
2014 USA Games………p 1&7
Celebrity Scoop @ Rita’s p 6
Mark Your Calendar……. p 6
Volunteer opportunities….p 7
Sports Camp 2014…….. p 8-9
Management Team ……..p 10
Training Schedule……… p 11
Thanks to ………...…….. p 11
Special Olympics 2014 USA Games This summer, Special Olympics athletes from all over America
went to New Jersey June 14-21 to compete in 16 different sports in
the 2014 USA Summer Games. We at BSO sent four of our athletes
along with about 250 other Pennsylvania athletes to compete. Our
athletes competed in Aquatics, Gymnastics and Powerlifting. The PA
athletes traveled by bus to Valley Forge PA on June 13 and then
Mercer County New Jersey the next day, and returned on June 21.
BSO Athletes Simone Williams and Zarrah Vitale
competed in gymnastics, Michael Semler in aquatics and Joni
Talavera in Powerlifting. Coaches Alice Moat and Fred Knauss were
Team PA aquatics coaches, and Coach Casey Skoglund was Team PA
Head Gymnastics Coach. All BSO athletes performed very well at
National Games. See pictures on page 5.
BSO Rock and Roll Dance and Basket Raffle Fundraiser - Sept. 12, 2014 at Leithsville Fire Hall.
Participate in the basket raffle even if you can’t attend the dance event.
See raffle and dance ticket information inside on pages 2-4!
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org p. 2
2014 BSO AWARDS PICNIC - HAPPY FACES
Sports MVPs
Aquatics-Rookie: Cory Martino
Aquatics-Advanced: Briana Horvath
Basketball: Marcus Tompkins
Bowling: Denise Frey
Golf: Michael Sopko
Artistic Gymnastics: Zarrah Vitale and
Simone Williams
Rhythmic Gymnastics: Heather Gold
Figure Skating: Matthew Siemon
Powerlifting-Competitor: Chris Spairana
Powerlifting-Participant: Brian Picone
Roller Skating: Simone Williams
Snowshoeing: Chris Wasiewicz
Soccer-Skills: Dedra Sobol
Soccer-5v5: Kyle Lahr
Soccer-7v7: Paul Ahner-Hein
Soccer-11v11: Marcus Tompkins
Softball-Skills: Robert Bernhart
Softball: Paul Ahner-Hein
Volleyball: Lisa Gouker
RAFFLE ENTRIES
AVAILABLE You may participate in the basket
raffle even if you do not attend the
dance. Simply use the form on the
next two pages for your entry.
Select the prize raffles you want to
enter, purchase tickets ($10 for 10
tickets - must be in groups of 10),
and enclose your money with the
entry form mailed to:
Bethlehem Special Olympics
P. O. Box 536
Bethlehem PA 18016.
Hurry! Advance ticket
entries are due Sept. 1.
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org p. 3
2014 BSO AWARDS PICNIC 2014 BSO AWARDS PICNIC
Don Eber Volunteer Award - Barbara Bonner
Gerry Miller Parent Volunteer Award - Deb & Dennis Bednarcik
Dan Morrison/Deb Kohl Coach Award - Bob Sehee
Kelly Frankenfield Athlete Spirit Award - Cory Squitieri
BSO Athlete Hall of Fame Award – Nathan Boyle
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org p. 6
Mark your Calendar for these Upcoming Events: Keep up with events! Visit our web page at www.BethlehemSOPA.org or see “events” on the
Bethlehem Special Olympics Facebook page... more events are being planned.
September 1 - Deadline for Pre-event Raffle entries for Rock & Roll Dance September 12 - BSO Rock & Roll Dance and Basket Raffle - at Leithsville Fire Hall - see Caren Hogan
for tickets FALL SPORTS TRAINING - see Training Schedule, next page September 27 - Morningstar Rotary 5K race to benefit BSO . Contact Louise Tusak, 610-865-7730 if
you can help at the event cheering for runners, handing out water, etc. Saturdays, October 4, 11, 18, 25 -- Haunted Woods, Zionsville PA - volunteers needed for happy
haunting, traffic direction, etc. Contact Donna Boyle if interested. SET UP DATE Saturday, Sept. 20th. Donations of outdoor Halloween decorations needed.
Sun. Oct. 5 - Eastern Fall Sectionals, E. Stroudsburg University October 11 - Freemansburg Halloween Parade - Contact Donna Boyle 610-317-6033 for details. Meet
at Donna’s house at noon to line up. Hot dog picnic follows the parade. Rain Date 10/12. Nov. 7-9 - Fall Festival, Villanova University December 13 - BSO Christmas Holiday Party - NEW LOCATION - more info to follow January 17, 2015 - Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge, Scott Park, Easton PA. Join the Bethlehem Clowns
team and plunge, or just support one of our plungers.
BSO Celebrity Scoop
On Wednesday, July 2, BSO athlete friends served sweet treats at Rita’s on Stefko Blvd. Even with some rain and clouds, it was good fun and good eats when we served Rita’s water ice, soft serve and such to our neighbors and friends.
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org p. 7
National Games was a fantastic experience for our athletes. They ,
had opening and closing ceremonies that were like a rock concert. Their
time there was full of travel, competition, special events and fun. Next
time you see Zarrah, Simone, Joni or Michael give them a big
CONGRATULATIONS.
We have volunteer opportunities available, contact Dana Lindsey,
BSO Volunteer Coordinator, 267-221-7740, if interested in young
athletes, coaching aquatics, and coaching bowling.
SOPA/SOYO MULTI-SPORTS TRAINING CAMP 2014
Thirty-two athletes from Bethlehem were part of the 190 athletes attending SOPA/SOYO Sports
camp August 10-16th. This training camp has offered sports training to Special Olympics PA
athletes for more than 30 years. Bethlehem athletes traveled by bus to Camp Antiochian, near
Ligonier PA for the week-long camp.
A typical day at sports camp starts with breakfast in the dining room, then two-hours of training in
your primary sport. Athletes give their choice of primary sport assignment on the application form.
Primary sports include Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Bowling, Flag
Football, Golf, Lifetime Sports, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, and Volleyball. Then a short break and
lunch in the dining room.
The afternoon includes hour-long rotations to different sports each day of the week. Evening
activities include a dance, talent show, movie night and one off-site trip. This year the off-site trip
was to the Altoona Curve AA Baseball Game vs. the Trenton Thunder. The Trenton Thunder won
4-3, and we all enjoyed the fireworks after the game.
Athletes stay in cabins and are teamed up with SOYO (teen) volunteers and coaches from our own
program. This year it was a bit rainy and cool during the week. In fact, sports activities were
moved to the local YMCA for one of the days. But still it was a lot of fun and the sun was out for the
competition day on Friday. There were lots of tears at the farewell dance on Friday night when we
started counting the days until the start of sports camp 2015 (359 more days).
The teens from NAC Teen SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organizations) work to raise money
all year long to cover the cost of the camp. Our local program pays only for transportation to
camp. The SOYO members from all over the US and sometimes Canada and Mexico also
volunteer during the week of camp to help provide sports instruction and training.
If you would like to know more about camp, just ask these athletes who went this year: Mike
Anders, Kathy Batz, Trisha Bednarcik, Meagan Bickel, Adam Bieniek, Joel Blazure, Doug
Boyle, Nathan Boyle, Eric Clemente, Tabitha Dawkins, Marguerite Ferguson, Craig Garr ,
Karla Garr, Daniel Hogan, Briana Horvath, Amanda Knauss , Tonia Johnson , Kathy Kucey,
Donald Laudenslager, Rachel MacDonald, Joseph Rosa, Michael Semler, Alison Sehee,
Mercedes Semler, Dedra Sobol, Cory Squitieri, Hilary Stonewall, Angelica Viant, Chris
Wasiewicz, Josh Weirback, Nicholas Williams, and Audrey Yanachek
MANY THANKS also to BSO Coaches Jio Adorno, Michael Hernandez, Fred Knauss, Jamie
Mink, and Alice Moat, and those coaches from other counties who helped BSO: Ann Ohmott,
Alexandra Fahoome, Stacy Demshock, and Laila Taweel. They made it possible for our athletes to attend. Coach Jamie Mink served as asst. clinician for Flag Football and Coach Alice
and Coach Fred were the aquatics clinicians during the week.
Sports camp 2015 will be held August 9-15. Interest forms are due at the beginning of April to Alice
Moat, and applications are due in May. If you are interested in going next year, make sure you
watch the BSO Website, Facebook page, email, newsletter and handouts at practice to sign up for
camp.
COACHES from BSO are needed to ensure that our athletes are able to attend camp. We must
provide one coach for every four athletes we take to camp (same sex). Coaches must be 18 years
old and willing to participate in the week-long sports activities. You do not need to be sports
experts (the people there will show you how to help with the sports).
Contact Alice Moat 610-264-3616 if interested in being a coach in 2015!!
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org p. 8
SPORTS CAMP 2014 PICTURES!
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org p. 10
Bethlehem Special Olympics Management Team Alice Moat Manager 610-264-3616 [email protected] Bob Sehee Assistant Manager 610-419-3285 [email protected] Connie Berni Social Media Coordinator* [email protected] Barbara Bonner Secretary 610-681-8696 [email protected] Tom Ehrlacher Database Coordinator 610-262-9774 [email protected] Chris Field Treasurer 484-894-6869 [email protected] Fred Knauss Competition Coordinator 610-662-1952 [email protected] Steve Kucey Athlete Representative 610-533-9677 Emily Mulicka Athlete Mentor* [email protected]
Sue Reddinger Fundraising Coordinator 484-554-1191 [email protected] Dana Lindsey Volunteer Coordinator 267-221-7740 [email protected] Gretchen Siemon Athlete Registration Coord. 610-868-0180 [email protected] Jose Talavera PR Coordinator 610-248-0444 [email protected] Maria Talavera Family Coordinator 610-866-0127 Louise Tusak Special Events Coordinator* 610-865-7730 [email protected] Pete Wilson BSO Website Coordinator* [email protected] Amanda Kunkelman Training Coordinator 610-360-3239 [email protected]
Open Outreach Coordinator * non-voting positions
member. Chris Field is our new Treasurer. He has worked in the
Lehigh Valley for over 20 years at the old First Valley Bank, Good
Shepherd Rehab and currently with Boas Surgical. He is looking
forward to a wedding in 2015 to fiancé Patti. He has 3 children,
Rachel, Ryan and Josh and a grandson, Samuel. He enjoys
watching the Phillies and Redskins and participating in both
baseball and softball leagues." Please thank both Dana or Chris
for the generous giving of their time to help us train, compete
and spend time with our athletes.
ATHLETES, turn in your Penn State Summer Games sports
UNIFORMS. Contact your coach or contact Louise Tusak (contact
information below)
Dana Lindsey is our new Volunteer Coordinator. Welcome her to
the management team and a greater involvement in our BSO family.
She has been an aquatics coach for the past year. Now she will be
responsible for recruitment, retention, and the recognition of our
program volunteers. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, running,
biking, hiking, photography (she’s good at it), cooking, and is a
beginner to knitting and crocheting.
Welcome to another new management team
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates: www.BethlehemSOPA.org p. 11
SPORTS TRAINING SCHEDULE AUG TO DEC 2014 Start Dates, Times, Locations subject to change. Please contact coach to confirm your
participation and that the information has not changed prior to listed start date.
SPORT & SEASON DAY AND TIME LOCATION/ADDRESS COACH CONTACT
AQUATICS
STARTING 9/16
Tuesdays
Rookies: 6-7 PM
Advanced: 7-8 PM
Liberty High School Pool
1115 Linden Street
Bethlehem
Jeanie Earich 610-865-0876
Fred Knauss 610-264-0237
GOLF
March—Oct. Sundays and
Wednesdays
Bethlehem Executive 9 hole
course - Through Nov.
Ron Lewis
610-759-6837
POWERLIFTING
STARTING 9/2
to May
Tuesdays
6 PM to 7 PM
No practices in June
July or August
Freedom High School
Weight Room
3149 Chester Ave.,
Bethlehem
Ron Lobb
484-542-0432
Rollerskating Wednesdays 60 Lehigh st. Whitehall PA
Whitehall Skateaway
Amanda Kunkleman
610-790-7543
Soccer
August to Nov
Sundays
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Hanover Twp. Fields
Harriet Ln. & Crawford
Dr., Bethlehem
Donna Boyle
610-317-6033
Volleyball
Wed 8/25,6-8
-------------
Mondays starting
9/8. 6 to 8 PM
Bethlehem Twp. Comm. Ctr
--------------------
Northeast Middle School,
Bethlehem
Amanda Sehee
610-419-3285
YOUNG ATHLETES
8-week training
session for athletes
2 to 7 yrs old
Coming Fall 2014
Bob Sehee
Many Thanks To …
Stefano’s Restaurants for sponsoring the Stefano’s
Golf Tournament, held each August to benefit both
Bethlehem and Lehigh County Special Olympics.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OATH
Let me win, but if I cannot win,
Let me be brave in the attempt!
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of
Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship
with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Created by The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.
Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics International for the Benefit of Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities
Bethlehem Special Olympics
PO Box 536
Bethlehem, PA 18016-0536
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-9652
PERMIT NO 492
MAIL TO: CURRENT RESIDENT OR
Pennsylvania - Bethlehem PO Box 536
Bethlehem, PA 18016