We extend a big Thank You once again to the Eastgate Sunrise Lion's Club for sponsoring this year's Tony Petraco Memorial BOWL-A-THON that took place on Sunday February 12, 2012, at Suburban Bowlerama. This is the 22nd year for this event, and it typically raises $1200-1500 for the ForSight Vision Children's Program which helps to provide blind children "the same experiences that sighted children have," according to Bill Rhinesmith. The program helps about 15 area blind children, their siblings and families.

The York Dispatch captured the day for us with some great photos.

Thanks to all who participated and made this day possible.

We recently marked the passing of a special York resident, Mr. Walter Zeigler, who has been a supporter of ForSight Vision for quite a while.  Here at ForSight Vision, we are grateful for Mr. Zeigler's support and furthermore for his service to his community and, in fact, his country.

You see, Walter Zeigler was a WWII veteran. His plane was shot down over Austria, and he spent months as a prisoner of war in German custody. 

Water later wrote a narrative of his ordeal; and when he died, he left his legacy in our hands. We here at ForSight Vision felt that his story should live on.  Thus, we shared his papers and his account of his Army Air Corps experience with the York County Heritage Trust Library/Archives. Now others can know the story of this fine American.

In fact, June Lloyd, Librarian Emerita of York County Heritage Trust, wrote about Walter's life in a piece published by York Daily Record/York Sunday News.

We encourage you to read Walter's story and share it with others. 

June Lloyd is librarian emerita of York County Heritage Trust and can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow her local history blog at www.yorkblog.com/universal.

The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind has published a True No Measure Cookbook with more than 200 recipes. The recipes which include appetizers, salads, main entrees, desserts, soups and drinks do not require measurement in their preparation. It’s a handful of this and a can of something else. No one half cups or teaspoons or ounces. This cookbook has become very famous. We’ve had hundreds of request for it across the US. All have found the recipe results very delicious and satisfying.

The True No Measure Cookbook is available in large print, in braille, in CD and in daisy format. It can also be sent in Word format for downloading. The price is 12.50 for all formats except braille which is 25.00. There are no shipping costs or sales tax. Order by sending a check or money order payable to PCB and mail to the PCB office 931 N. Front St. Harrisburg, PA 17102. For more information call Susan Litchenfels at 412-429-1727 or the PCB office at 877-617-7407.

Blindness an 'inconvenience' for sports journalist

JOHN WALK The York Dispatch

Updated: 07/28/2011 11:53:15 AM EDT

In 1958, Ed Lucas became one of the first blind students in the country to graduate with a bachelor's degree.

In 1980, he made history by becoming the first disabled person in the United States to win full custody of his children from a non-disabled spouse.

In 2001, Ed and his son, Chris, were chosen to carry the Olympic flame through the streets of New York City on its way to the 2002 Winter Olympics.

And in 2006, Lucas and his second wife, Allison, were the first and only couple to be married at home plate in what is now the old Yankee Stadium.

Those are just some of the items on the long list of accomplishments and experiences that the now 72-year-old Lucas has racked up through his life.

And they're likely shining examples that Lucas points to when he tells people "don't give up."

ForSight Vision in York is set to honor Lucas on Sunday at a dinner at Sovereign Bank Stadium before a York Revolution ballgame. ForSight Vision presents the award each year to individuals across the nation who have overcome vision disabilities.

On Oct. 3, 1951, the then 12-year-old Lucas had just finished watching the famous playoff game between the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers on television. It's famous for the walk-off home run by the Giants' Bobby Thompson, commonly referred to today as the "shot heard 'round the world."

Playing in a sandlot baseball game with his friends that afternoon, Lucas was struck between the eyes by a line drive. Over the next couple days, Lucas' vision disappeared completely and never returned.

"I became very depressed," Lucas said.

His mother sent him to St. Joseph's School for the Blind, where Lucas learned how to live with his blindness, thanks to the discipline of the nuns at the school.

"When I first started there, I walked with my hands out in front of me. I made sure I didn't walk into anybody or anything. A nun came up and slapped my hands down. She said 'we're all in the same boat here, so pick up your oar and start rowing.'"

Around the same time, Lucas' mother introduced him to Yankees'' player Phil Rizzuto, who worked at a men's clothing store in New Jersey during the offseason. Rizzuto took Lucas under his wing, and that relationship proved to be one of the starting points of what eventually led to Lucas' career in sports journalism.

Lucas has met senators, governors, and U.S. presidents. He has interviewed Hall of Famers such as Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.

He has worked in public relations, sales and covered baseball as a sports writer and broadcaster.

He continues to freelance for yesnetwork.com -- he was the first reporter to ask Derek Jeter about his 3,000th hit at the news conference following the monumental achievement earlier this month.

And he also tours the country to do speaking engagements, hoping to spread his message.

"My message is to let people know to don't give up," Lucas said. "No matter who you are. No matter how young or how old you are. I was told 'you can't do this, you can't do that.' That aggravated me. No matter if you're young or old, each one of us has some sort of disability. My blindness is an inconvenience. But I didn't give up."

Sunday's events will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for the buffet, program and baseball game are $30 per person or $15 for children 12 and younger. Reservations can be made by contacting Karen at ForSight Vision, 848-1690, ext. 108.

-- Reach John Walk at 505-5406 or jwalk@york dispatch.com.