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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is time to register for the Maryland state convention, which will take place November 9-11 in Ocean City, Maryland. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Why attend?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Workshops for families on Friday, a hospitality family dinner, and a special parent lunch Saturday at noon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>An exhibit hall filled with the latest technology to explore.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A chance to work one on one with a blind cane travel instructor to gain tips for working on travel with your child.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Activities for children of all ages both Friday and Saturday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A reunion for all participants in the NFB BELL Academy, and a chance for these students to appear on the convention agenda in order to tell all attendees about BELL.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sessions Saturday and Sunday filled with informative speakers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A banquet Saturday evening with a keynote presentation, scholarships, and more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A chance for kids to learn all about blind hockey from a professional blind hockey team.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A chance to network with other families with blind children. Strengthen old friendships, and create new ones!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And, I am sure there is more! We are still in the planning process, so we will pass along other details as they become available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please do the following as soon as possible to make sure you are able to be with us in Ocean City. First, register using the following link.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://nfbmd.org/convention/register">http://nfbmd.org/convention/register</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please be sure to order a box lunch for Friday, as we will all be eating together. Also, purchase your parent lunch and banquet tickets. Make sure to sign children 8 and under up for childcare. (children 9 and 10 are able to be either in childcare, or they can participate in activities for tweens instead.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of tween and teen activities… If you have a child between the ages of 9 and 18, please email Melissa Riccobono at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:melissa@riccobono.us">melissa@riccobono.us</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>so that we can plan for your child to attend tween or teen activities. We need as accurate a count as possible, so make sure we know your child will be joining us. Sighted sibblings are also welcome for these activities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, please reserve your hotel room by calling the Carousel Hotel at 410-524-1000.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As always, if you have questions, or need any type of financial assistance in order to join us, contact Melissa Riccobono at 443-803-0266, or <a href="mailto:melissa@riccobono.us">melissa@riccobono.us</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We want as many families as possible to experience convention and all it has to offer, so we are happy to do what we can in order to make this possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hope to see many of you in Ocean City!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melissa<o:p></o:p></p></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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