The Purdue University North Central American Sign Language Club will host a series of Silent Coffee House and Silent Tea events that are open to the community. All events are free and open to ASL students as well as community members. Children are welcome to attend with their parents or adult.
These are fun, casual events for all to enjoy through participation or as an observer. They are intended to be a means for students and community members to get together to communicate using only American Sign Language and meet others interested in learning and expanding their ASL skills. Some participants are learning ASL to better communicate with friends, co-workers or family members, others use it as their primary means of communication. All skills levels are welcome to attend.
There will be an ASL Game Night on Nov. 10 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building Assembly Hall, Room 02. There will be a variety of activities for participants of all ages.
Silent Lunches will take place in the PNC cafeteria for the remainder of the semester. The group will in the near the main cafeteria entrance and will be as visible as possible.
Silent Lunches will be Nov. 5 from 11:20 a.m. to noon; Nov. 11 from noon to 12:45 p.m. and Nov. 19 from 11:20 a.m. to noon.
Silent Coffee Houses will be offered at Evelyn Bay Company, 3800 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso. The coffee houses will be from 6 to 9 p.m. with a fun group activity beginning at 7 p.m.
Future ASL Coffee House dates events will be Nov. 13 and Dec. 11.
There will a Silent Dinner Dec. 7 at Culver's Restaurant, 3966 Frontage Road, Michigan City from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
For both the dinner and coffee houses, participants use ASL for conversation and to place orders - a student may translate orders into English for the server or participants may point to the menu or write out an order.
Further information about the coffee houses may be obtained by contacting Joanna Witulski at pncaslwitulski@yahoo.com.
Further information about the Silent Lunches and the ASL program at PNC may be obtained by contacting Karen Donah, continuing lecturer and coordinator of American Sign Language, at 462-4197, ext. 5432 or kdonah@pnc.edu. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Donah.