December 2021

From our Executive Director, Barbara Loh:

In celebration of the joys of giving in this holiday season, I want to share Cynthia Simison and Mary Harding’s story with you about how their friendship and shared passions were able to continue to grow despite Mary’s macular degeneration diagnosis. While I was already an ardent “believer” in our mission, their ongoing connection, enriched by one of our radios, helped rekindle my passion and enthusiasm for what we do here every day at Valley Eye Radio. I hope it will do the same for you.

I am giving my donation in support of Valley Eye Radio in memory of my dear friend, Mary Jackson Harding, of Northampton, who died in September, a few days shy of her 95th birthday.

While a friend of my family for most of my life, having been a contemporary of my late parents, it was in the past decade in the wake of the death of my brother that Mrs. Harding became my sage and wise advisor in life.  We shared a passion for the written word, especially mystery novels and newspapers.

Then, as macular degeneration robbed her of her sight, I suggested she consider the radio reading service, and Valley Eye Radio entered her life – FOR THE BETTER. It meant our regular Saturday morning visits were as lively and engaging as ever as you helped ensure she stayed abreast of the latest news in the Pioneer Valley as well as providing her a resource for a wide spectrum of content to enjoy.

Thank you for all you do to enrich the lives of all the Mary Hardings in Western Massachusetts.

Cynthia Simison, Executive Editor, The Springfield Republican

While Mary passed away this fall, this story will stay with me throughout the holidays and beyond. Please think of “all the Mary Hardings in Western Massachusetts” as you consider your ways to give and care during our End of Year campaign.

Thanks.

  • There’s still time to help us end the year on a high note with our annual year end fundraiser.


    Please check out our website www.valleyeyeradio.org for more information or send a check to: Valley Eye Radio, 1 Federal St., Bldg. 101-1, Springfield MA 01105.  

    Thanks for your support!

  • Valley Eye Radio had the pleasure of hosting more special guests recently with the visit to our Springfield studios by State Rep. Michael Finn (D- Sixth Hampden District) and State Sen. John Velis (D- Second Hampden and Hampshire District) who came to find out first-hand about our mission and our service to those who have difficulty in reading print materials for themselves.

    Our thanks to Sen. Velis and Rep. Finn for their continued support of our mission.

  • Could Poland follow the UK in leaving the European Union?

    Courtesy of our friends at the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, our listeners will hear from Gedeon Werner with a timely presentation from their latest Instant Issues Online event featuring Mr. Gedeon Werner, Novak Family Endowed Polish Chair at the School of Business at Quinnipiac University, on Poland’s Quarrel With the EU: A Prelude to Polexit?

  • Thanks to our collaboration with Holyoke Medical Center, we were able to rebroadcast more of their Health Education Series with presentations on Kidney Stones, Lung Cancer and Substance Use Treatment.
  • Valley Eye Radio also had more outreach programming for veterans this month with the rebroadcast of the 5-part Military Veterans’ Healthcare Virtual Lunchtime series sponsored by Baystate Health, Central Hampshire Veteran Services, the VA and the Western Mass. Veterans Outreach Project.

    The travel saga of the “Accidental Travel Writer”, David Mould continues on Valley Eye Radio with “Three Journeys in Central Asia”, the latest in this fascinating series presented through Storrs Library.

Happy Birthday to all of those in our volunteer reader family who were born in the month of December:  Joe got to hear from friends and family on the 4th, Cynthia got her cake and presents on the 6th, Chris T. shared his day with family and friends on the 13th, Jody gets to celebrate twice as much on the 25th and Marie feels the love on the 29th.

Happy Birthday wishes to all!

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