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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>October 2018 Minute Message<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Fellow Federationists: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoPlainText><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Ready to Go Down the Ocean, Hon?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>In two short weeks we will be at our state convention at the Carousel hotel in Ocean City. As you think about packing your bags, don’t forget to bring your NFB Swag (shirts, hats, scarves, etc.) for spirit night on Friday, November 9. Get ready to try hockey with the Washington Wheelers. Join our NFB cheer leaders and demonstrate our Maryland spirit. Don’t forget to bring door prizes and items for our bake auction. Of course, bring money too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Where else can you go to a picnic and a play at the same time get in the holiday mood? Our picnic and a play on Friday evening at 6:00 PM does just that. The Braille is Beautiful performers have been busy practicing Santa Rides Again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>In addition to fun and fellowship, the convention will be filled with information and inspiration. The full convention agenda will be on www.nfbmd.org early next week. The agenda is already on NFB NEWSLINE. Select the local channel and then select the State Convention. Everyone is invited to attend the Board of Directors meeting at noon on Friday. The resolutions committee will meet immediately after the board meeting. Anyone may submit a resolution for consideration by the committee. All resolutions must be submitted to the committee chairman, Jesse Hartle, by Friday November 2. His email address is jesse.hartle63@gmail.com.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Would you like to use Aira for free during the convention? You can use it in the hotel or across the street at </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Ocean City Square Shopping Center (that contains such things as Food Lion and Dunkin Donuts). If you don’t know what Aira is, come to the exhibit hall and check it out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Would you like to be able to stream television programs? The access technology team of the National Federation of the Blind will show you some products to stream tv. These are only a few examples of the great information available in the exhibit hall. All of our divisions will be holding meetings throughout the convention. We will have two informative workshops. One is on using GPS hardware and apps. The other addresses how to keep more of your money for the good things in life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Conventions always provide opportunities to think about how blindness is not what holds you back. The Kernel Story Hour will provide food for thought as we discuss stories about how blind people live their lives every day. Blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Adelmo Vigil, our national representative, is sure to address this belief and more during his banquet address. By the way, the grand prize at our banquet this year will be two round trip air fare tickets to Las Vegas, Nevada, so that the winner can attend our national convention On July 7-12, 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Since I am not running for reelection this year, this is my last minute message to you as president. Thank you very much for all of the love and support you have extended to me over the years. I am sure you will do the same for my successor. I know we will have a great convention. I look forward to seeing each of you in Ocean City on November 9-11. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Important Dates.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>November 9-11 – Annual State Convention, Carousel Hotel, Ocean City, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>March 8, 2019 - Basket and Bag Bingo, The Lodge, 2832 Nine Mile Circle, Catonsville, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>July 7-12, 2019 – National Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>August 14, 2019 – Annual Crab Feast. Note: New location. Tall Cedars, 2501 Putty Hill Ave., Parkville, MD 21234 .<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sharon Maneki, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>