<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">I reserved my room on the. On Tuesday, February 4, and my name is on the list, and I do want to Transportation to and from Hotel.<div>Thank you very much. That is awesome that they did extend the deadline until the 12th.</div><div>Regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Stephen Yerardi.<br><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Feb 6, 2025, at 7:20 PM, Shara Winton via Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb@nfbnet.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">But, please don’t delay. The hotel has been so kind to extend our hotel block reservations for a few more days. The deadline is now Wednesday February 12. Please read the below information for everything you need to know to come to our upcoming state convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Our Transportation Guru, Debbie Malone is steadily working on securing our transportation from the Boston area to Springfield and back again for our upcoming state convention. Below I have listed the individuals who we have signed up to utilize this transportation option. Please take a moment to review the list. If your name is on the list and it shouldn’t be or if your name isn’t there and you wish to ride on the bus, please let me know ASAP. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The cost of using the bus for your convention transportation, will depend on the number of people who intend to ride. So it is very important that we have an accurate count. Thank you for your attention to this matter. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Bus riders to State convention 2025<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">1. Cullen Gallagher<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">2. Kinshuk Tella <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">3. Bronwen Tedesco<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">4. Jen Bose<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">5. Adam Roberge<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">6. John Oliveira-one way <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">7. Sengil Inkiala<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">8. Kobena Bonney (one-way)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">9. Stephen Yerardi<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">10. Kristina Constant<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">11. William O’Donnell<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">12. Stephanie Valdes<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">13. Kyra Sweeney<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">14. Shirley Dorris<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">15. ElizabethAnn Johnson<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">16. Sean Taylor<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">17. Debbie Malone<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">18. Paul Bedard<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">19. Isabel Rosario <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">20. Nick<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">21. Shannon Canton<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">22. Tom Geraci<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">23. Christopher Suplice<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">24. Laurie Mattioli<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">25. Manahil Jafri<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">26. Marc Kelley<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Also, if you haven’t pleas make your hotel reservation now. The deadline for making your reservation at our convention rate of $139 per night is, Wednesday, February 12. You will need to call the hotel to make your reservation<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in">This year’s room rate at the <b>Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel</b> is <b>$139 per night plus tax</b>. Rooms must be reserved by <b>February 12, 2025</b>.<br>To book, please call the hotel directly at <b>1-413-781-1010</b> and mention the <b>NFB of Massachusetts Convention</b> to secure our special rate. Note: Online reservations will not guarantee this rate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in">If you are a student, Please call me directly to book your room. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Seventy second state convention of the NFB of Massachusetts. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in">All participants must be registered to attend the state convention. The early bird <b>registration fee is $100</b>, which includes five meals. You’ll also have the option to choose your <b>Saturday lunch</b> and <b>Banquet Meal</b> preferences. All other meals will be served buffet-style, with a variety of delicious choices to suit all tastes.<br>If you’re attending for just <b>Saturday</b>, you can select a <b>day pass</b> with lunch or a <b>day pass with lunch and banquet</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in"><b>Register now</b>: <a href="https://nfbma.org/state-convention/registration">Convention Registration</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Scholarships</b><br>Are you a blind or low-vision college student? We’re offering <b>four scholarships</b> to be awarded at our Saturday evening banquet. Applications are due by <b>February 15, 2025</b>. You can find the application form <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnnPuVIutta_h38GnT7t-TqdUuAoPWoqfTZN7Ja2Ijdg226Q/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnnPuVIutta_h38GnT7t-TqdUuAoPWoqfTZN7Ja2Ijdg226Q/viewform</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in">. For questions about scholarships, please contact <b>Kyra Sweeney</b> at <b><a href="mailto:kyra.sweeney94@gmail.com">kyra.sweeney94@gmail.com</a></b> or <b>310-430-3817</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The convention will take place at the <b>Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel</b>, located at <b>One Monarch Place, Springfield, MA</b>. You can easily reach the hotel via <b>Lyft, Uber, train, bus, or plane</b>.<br>The closest airport is <b>Bradley International Airport (BDL)</b> in <b>Windsor Locks, CT</b>, just 14 miles from Springfield. Alternatively, you can fly into <b>Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)</b>, 94 miles away, and take a train, bus, or rideshare to Springfield.<br>If you're traveling by train or bus from within Massachusetts, and not with our community bus, several routes are available to Springfield. For assistance with travel plans that are not those of our private bus, , please contact <b>Mika Pyyhkala</b> at <b>617-308-1114</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you have any question or need any other help, please contact me. We can’t wait to see you at the 2025 NFB of Massachusetts State Convention—<b>Chasing Your Dreams and Living Courageously</b>!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">With love, hope and determination<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.nfbma.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">sharawinton@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>Massachusetts-NFB mailing list</span><br><span>Massachusetts-NFB@nfbnet.org</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/massachusetts-nfb_nfbnet.org</span><br><span>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Massachusetts-NFB:</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/massachusetts-nfb_nfbnet.org/spyerardi%40gmail.com</span><br></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>