The Outlook


Official Newsletter of the Sight-Loss
Support Group of Central PA, Inc

The Sight-Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania, Inc.
Turning Darkness into Light Since 1982

P.O. Box 782, Lemont, PA  16851
office@slsg.org            www.slsg.org          814-238-0132

THE OUTLOOK Newsletter

Fall 2025

THE SEPTEMBER MEETING IS CANCELLED!

Mt Nittany Residences is replacing the flooring in their community room so our meeting space is off limits for several weeks in September. Our regular monthly meetings will resume in October.

2nd THURSDAYS SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

October 9: Dan Longmore, pastor of the Marsh Creek Brethren in Christ Church in Howard, PA, will share his story – how he lost his vision and how he set upon his spiritual path to become a pastor. Prepare to be uplifted.

November 13: “Show and Tell”. Please bring an item or two that helps you cope with your vision loss to share. High tech, low tech, or no tech. Sometimes it’s the simple things that help the most. This is a golden opportunity to learn from one another.

December 11: Holiday Party. We always celebrate the season with a feast and J.T. Thompson playing festive music on the piano. This year, please RSVP so we can better plan our celebration. You are welcome to bring a friend or spouse. Please RSVP by December 4, 2025; call 814-238-0132.

Our 2nd Thursdays lunch group meets on the second Thursday of each month (thus the name) at Mount Nittany Residences, rain, snow, or shine. If you are new to vision loss or are an old hand, this is a good place to be. We always share a simple lunch, learn from one another, and enjoy each other’s company.

When: The second Thursday of each month, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Where: Mt Nittany Residences, 301 Rolling Ridge Dr, State College, in the community room on the first floor.

Details: Lunch is provided and is “on the house.”

2nd Thursdays is a collaboration between the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, North Central Sight Services, and the Sight-Loss Support Group. Staff members from each organization attend the meetings.

JUDY ALEXANDER March 11, 1934 – July 1, 2025

A Remembrance by Josie Kantner

I met Judy in 2002 when I joined the Board of Directors of the Sight-Loss Support Group. She too was a new Board member and new to sight loss as well. That says a lot about Judy. Macular degeneration had begun to take its toll on her eyes and her response? Get involved with the community’s organization that helps individuals adjust to vision loss. She was a bright, energetic, and caring woman who took a daunting challenge and used it for good, both for herself and for her community. Judy was a tender of people and an advocate for individuals dealing with blindness and low vision. She poured her energy into the Sight-Loss Support Group for many years.

Her first assignment was to breathe new life into the Sight-Loss Support Group’s signature fundraiser, the Swim for Sight. She raised a remarkable $14,000 in her first year and $12,000 the second year. These donation totals were not equaled before or after Judy’s tenure as fundraising chairman. From fundraising she moved on to a new challenge - starting a monthly daytime support group meeting that complemented the traditional evening meetings. The Lunch Bunch began at the downtown office and was an informal brown bag get-together. As the group grew, Judy moved the Lunch Bunch to Mt Nittany Residences and it has never stopped. The group lives on today as Second Thursdays, meeting monthly, same time, same place. This is one of Judy’s enduring legacies for which I will always be grateful.

Judy and I became friends and our monthly Board meetings became an excuse to have dinner out afterwards, along with her husband Shelton, our affable chauffeur. A discussion of politics was often on the menu. We were on opposite sides of the Democrat/Republican fence but our conversations were always spirited, respectful, and above all, fun. I learned a lot from these insightful and knowledgeable people and valued their friendship immensely. I remember one dinner in particular – it was Judy’s birthday and the three of us celebrated at the new Thai restaurant in Lemont. I got to hear the sweet story of how Judy and Shelton met when they were young Fulbright scholars in France. Judy was studying theology, and all l know about Sheldon’s pursuits that year was that he was pursuing Judy. In time, they married and moved to State College when Shelton joined the faculty of the Earth and Mineral Sciences Department at Penn State. They never left, raising their two daughters, Cindy and Cathy, in a town they came to love. One way she settled into her new home was through volunteering at Centre Community Hospital and other local organizations. Beyond her family and volunteer work, Judy was an excellent golfer, loved to hike, took up riding horses in her 40s, and traveled to many corners of the world.

Judy lived her best life, she made a difference, and it was a privilege to know her.

FALL 2025 SHOWS

VIEW VIA VOICE BY THE SIGHT-LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

SCHEDULE OF AUDIO-DESCRIBED EVENTS

Please call the Sight-Loss Support Group at 238-0132 to reserve the audio-description service and for specific ticket information for the visually impaired. Reservations are due at least two weeks before the scheduled performances. Additional information is available on the website www.slsg.org or on our Facebook page. Tickets are required for all performances.

On the day of the performance, pick up your pre-ordered tickets from the person handing out your Audio-Description Equipment. At Eisenhower, your tickets will be at the Audience Services Desk (across the lobby from the Will Call desk). At all other events, pick up your tickets at the Audio-Description Equipment table.

DO NOT GO TO THE “WILL CALL” WINDOW!

DISNEY’S MOANA TUES., OCTOBER 14, 2025 LIVE-TO-FILM CONCERT. 6:30 PM, PSU NORTH AMERICAN TOUR EISENHOWER AUDITORIUM

Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide present Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert North American tour, a celebration of the music and songs from the 2016 award-winning Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic. The event features a full-length screening of the beloved movie, accompanied by live performances of a unique on-stage musical ensemble of top Hollywood studio musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters, and vocalists. The screening of Moana will be presented with English captions. Inspired by Polynesian mythology, Moana tells the story of the strong-willed daughter of a village chief tasked with returning a mystical relic to a legendary goddess. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) in the hope of returning the relic to Te Fiti and saving her community. PLEASE RESERVE THE AD SERVICE BY SEPTEMBER 30th.

Crazy for You SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 20252:00 PM MATINEE, PSU PLAYHOUSE THEATRE

Put on your dancing shoes as you are transported back to the Roaring Twenties by Crazy for You, the Tony Award®-winning, toe-tapping, romantic musical comedy that has delighted audiences worldwide. Featuring iconic Gershwin songs such as “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Embraceable You,” Crazy for You delivers comic high jinks, spectacular dance numbers, and fun for the entire family. Following the triumph of last season’s smash hit Cabaret, Josh Rhodes’ direction and choreography will delight you with this brand-new production of a deliciously old-fashioned musical.

PLEASE RESERVE THE AD SERVICE BY OCTOBER 18TH.

ANTIGONE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 20257:30 PM, PSU PAVILION THEATRE

"Antigone: A Modern Rebellion"

In a contemporary world fraught with political tension and familial duty, Antigone finds herself at a crossroads between conscience and law. The daughter of a once-mighty family, she is driven to defy the tyrannical decree of King Creon, her uncle, who has outlawed the burial of her brother Polynices, branding him a traitor. Faced with the harsh realities of a corrupt system, Antigone’s act of defiance to honor her brother’s spirit places her in direct opposition to the state and the laws that bind it. What follows is a tragic clash between the values of family, justice, and duty—one that questions the very nature of right and wrong in a world where resistance may cost everything.

The tone is defiant, unapologetically fierce, and deeply emotional. Strong visuals of resistance—graffiti, a raised fist, the push-pull of family loyalty versus societal obligation—capture the essence of Antigone's struggle. This is a story of fighting for justice against the forces that seek to suppress it.

PLEASE RESERVE THE AD SERVICE BY NOVEMBER 1st.

SIX THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025

7:30 PM, PSU EISENHOWER AUDITORIUM From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of twenty-first century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their heads over! The New York Times says SIX “totally rules!” (Critic’s Pick), and The Washington Post hails SIX as “exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!”

The musical won the 2022 Tony Award for Original Score. The SIX: Live on Opening Night Broadway album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed one billion streams worldwide! Advisory SIX includes flashing lights, strobe effects, theatrical haze, and loud music. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

PLEASE RESERVE THE AD SERVICE BY NOVEMBER 6TH.

WINTER/SPRING SHOWS 2026

The 2026 winter/spring shows are listed below. It’s a full season of amazing shows. For the shows you really want to see, we urge you to get your tickets early. Many of the shows are quite popular and tickets may go quickly. There will be a description of these shows in the winter/spring issue of The Outlook. Here’s the lineup.

HADESTOWN: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

7:30 PM, PSU, Eisenhower Auditorium

THE MORRIS AND ESSEX LINE: Friday, March 6, 2026

7:30 PM, PSU, Pavilion Theatre

PEPPA PIG, MY FIRST CONCERT: March 26, 2026

6:00 PM, PSU, Eisenhower Auditorium

THE MUSIC MAN: Tuesday, April 7, 2026

7:00 PM, PSU, Eisenhower Auditorium

OUR TOWN: Saturday, April 18, 2026

2:00 PM Matinee, PSU, Playhouse Theatre

DETROIT ’67: Saturday, April 18, 2026

2:00 PM, PSU, Penn State Downtown Theatre

MY FAIR LADY: Saturday, April 25, 2026

2:00 PM, PSU, Penn State Downtown Theatre

For information on shows at Eisenhower Auditorium follow the link for the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State.

https://cpa.psu.edu/

For performances at the School of Theatre venues – the Playhouse Theatre, the Pavilion Theatre, and the Penn State Downtown Theatre - follow the link to the School of Theatre. https://arts.psu.edu/academics/school-of-theatre

HUNGRY EYES

“Some say the eye is a window to the soul – as a doctor I know the eye is a window to the body”. - Neal Adams

In his book, Healthy Vision, ophthalmologist Neal Adams says he gauges a patient’s overall health just by looking into his or her eyes. Your eyes often show how well your body is overall. “The back of the eye can be the first place we as doctors see signs of many disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even life-threatening cancer”.

Exciting news in the field of Alzheimer’s research underscores this eye/body connection. Emerging evidence from researchers at the University of Rhode Island holds great promise for identifying certain changes in the retina as biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, long before clinical symptoms appear. The eyes do indeed serve as a mirror of general health and reflect symptoms of hidden imbalances. The health of the eyes and the body are profoundly interrelated.

Let’s look at the eye/body connection through the lens of food, Years of research point to a direct connection between nutrition and eye health. When we take steps to prevent and treat vision problems with proper nutrition we are taking care of our whole body. Natural foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains contain a broad variety of nutrients that interact and support each other in a harmonious balance that cannot be achieved through a combination of pills.

Certain nutrients essential to eye health are obtained in two ways: from vitamin A and from a precursor to vitamin A called carotenoids, which are found in colorful fruits and vegetables. The body converts the carotenoids to retinol (a type of vitamin A) in the small intestine. Other carotenoids are

lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients are antioxidants and are found naturally in the macula (the center of the retina). They need to be replenished regularly. Vitamins A, C, and E, along with lutein and zeaxanthin, are antioxidants that remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals are potentially damaging agents resulting from oxidation, a process that contributes to cell aging and death. Antioxidants slow down this process.

Another class of nutrients is polyphenols, a large class of chemical compound synthesized by fruits, vegetables and certain teas and juices. Polyphenols have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. The major sources of polyphenols in the average diet are flavonoids, which may help blood flow to the retina while fighting free-radical damage from ultra-violet sunrays. Another polyphenol is catechin; the highest concentration is found in green tea.

Other nutrients important for eye health are selenium and essential fatty acids. Selenium is a trace mineral absorbed into proteins that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the structure of cell membranes in the eyes and support visual function. Also, omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

OK, we’re done with the eye-health and nutrient tutorial. On to our primary focus - what are we to eat? Don’t be overwhelmed by all the foods listed here. Keep it simple. Eat a wide variety of foods each day, make your plate colorful, and be sure to include enough protein.

Vitamin A: Sweet potatoes, carrots, beef liver, butternut squash, dried apricots, fish oils, egg yolks, and dairy.

Vitamin C: Oranges, kiwi, red and orange peppers, grapefruit, kale, strawberries, cauliflower and cabbage.

Vitamin D: Fortified milk, cod liver oil, salmon, herring, mushrooms, beef liver, and eggs.

Vitamin E: peanuts, almonds, mangos, and sunflower seeds.

Carotenoids (precursors to vitamin A)

Beta-carotene: carrots, spinach, broccoli, leafy greens, cantaloupe, pumpkins, winter squash, and cabbage.

Lutein/zeaxanthin: kale, spinach, collard greens, corn, green peas, broccoli, tomatoes, and eggs. Also, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as oranges, papayas, tangerines, peaches, corn, and tomatoes.

Polyphenols

Flavonoids: blueberries, limes, lemons, onions, apples, and pomegranates.

Catechin: green tea, cocoa, acai oil, and vinegar.

Selenium: brown rice, wheat, eggs, tuna, shrimp, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, and chicken.

Omega-3 fatty acids: salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, sardines, mackerel, and canola oil.

The Mediterranean Diet is a simple, traditional, and delicious way to nourish your eyes. This way of eating (it’s not really a diet) is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and heart heathy fats. Beyond supporting eye health, the Mediterranean Diet can help manage weight, protect your heart, and help prevent diabetes. BON APPETIT!

CHANGES AT THE SIGHT-LOSS SUPPORT GROUP’S

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bill Muzzy has been the President of the Sight-Loss Support Group’s Board of Directors for 10 years and we have been grateful for his leadership. Recently, he acknowledged this milestone and decided to step down from the position of President. Bill has been an able and dedicated president, keeping us on an even keel, steering our ship through some uncertain times from 2015 to 2017. During this time, we transitioned to a new organizational structure and shifted from a brick and mortal office to a virtual office concept. Thanks to Bill and a dedicated Board these changes have bolstered the organization and set a clear path. Many thanks to Bill for his long tenure, steady leadership, and commitment over the past decade. Fortunately, Bill is not leaving us; he remains on the Board and will continue to be a key organizer of the 2nd Thursdays support group meetings.

Sight-Loss Support Group of Central PA, Inc. P.O. Box 74 Boalsburg, PA 16827

Louise Victor and Josie Kantner will be co-presidents of the Board of Directors. Louise will continue as treasurer and coordinator of View Via Voice, our audio-description program. As always Josie will coordinate the monthly support group meetings, help people who are new to sight loss, and write the newsletter. Long-time Board member Eileen Rivoir is our webmaster and tech guru, Jodi Moore serves as secretary, and we are delighted to welcome our newest Board member, Linda Eggebeen. Here’s to another ten years!

THE OUTLOOK

Fall 2025

We would like to thank the Centre Foundation for their support through the

Kathryn K. and Roy D. Shoemaker Fund and the Sight Loss Support Fund,

as well as the Lion’s Clubs of the Centre region, and other generous donors.