Ohio Catholic newspaper marks milestone in service to blind

Published: 2005-12-15

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNS) -- The Catholic Exponent, newspaper of the Diocese of Youngstown, marked a quiet milestone recently when it mailed the 100th issue of selected "Exponent on Tape" highlights to the blind and visually impaired in six counties of northeastern Ohio. The audiotapes are mailed 26 times each year at no charge, with production fees absorbed by the newspaper. The Knights of Columbus helped fund initial start-up costs. Lou Jacquet, editor and general manager of the newspaper, and his wife, Geri, spiritual care coordinator at Humility House, a Catholic nursing home in the Youngstown suburb of Austintown, record the programs at the studios of the Catholic Television Network/Youngstown, with the engineering assistance of Robert Gavalier, CTNY general manager. "The programs are routinely mailed to between 55 and 60 households," Lou Jacquet said. More than 100 people have been served since the tapings began in 2003.

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