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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'>(These guys always put out a great publication!)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'>QUE PASA<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'>September 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Quarterly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>(Published in March, June, September, and December)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Adelmo Vigil, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>E-mail: <a href="mailto:Avigil74@gmail.com">Avigil74@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>(575) 921-5422<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>James Babb, Editor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>E-mail: <a href="mailto:jim.babb@samobile.net">jim.babb@samobile.net</a><span class=MsoHyperlink><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>(505) 291-3112<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Tonia Trapp, Assistant Editor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>E-mail: <a href="mailto:Tonialeigh513@earthlink.net">Tonialeigh513@earthlink.net</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>(505) 856-5346<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><w:Sdt SdtDocPart="t" DocPartType="Table of Contents" DocPartUnique="t" ID="22049151"><p class=MsoTocHeading>Contents<o:p></o:p><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal'><w:sdtPr></w:sdtPr></span></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034475">PREAMBLE<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>. 1</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034476">EDITOR’S NOTE<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>. 1</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034477">PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>. 2</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034478">THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CELEBRATES ITS 75TH<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>.. 3</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034479">ORLANDO, 2015 NATIONAL NFB CONVENTION!<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>. 5</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034480">CAR DONATION PROGRAM<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>... 7</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034481">WHAT I MISS HERE IN NEW MEXICO<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>.. 7</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034482">WHITE SANDS CHAPTER GETS PRO-ACTIVE ON TRANSPORTATION<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>.. 10</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034483">FRANCIS D. OPDYKE<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>. 11</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034484">GOOD EATING<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>.. 13</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034485">USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>. 14</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoToc1><a href="#_Toc428034486">MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS<span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>. 15</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></w:Sdt><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034475">PREAMBLE</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico (NFBNM) is a 501 (c) 3 consumer organization comprised of blind and sighted people committed to changing what it means to be blind. Though blindness is still all too often a tragedy to those who face it, we know from our own personal experience that with training and opportunity, it can be reduced to the level of a physical nuisance. We work to see that blind people receive services and training to which they are entitled and that parents of blind children receive the advice and support they need to help their youngsters grow up to be happy, productive adults. We believe that first-class citizenship means that people have both rights and responsibilities, and we are determined to see that blind people become first-class citizens of these United States, enjoying their rights and fulfilling their responsibilities. The most serious problems we face have less to do with our lack of vision than with discrimination based on the public’s ignorance and misinformation about blindness. Join us in educating New Mexicans about the abilities and aspirations of New Mexico’s blind citizens.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>(Adapted from NFB of Ohio newsletter.) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034476">EDITOR’S NOTE</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNoSpacing>by Jim Babb, Editor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Hello fellow Federationists and friends, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We hope you enjoy this issue of Que Pasa, the newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico. We would like to thank all of you who sent articles, recipes and announcements. Without these there would be no newsletter. Several of the articles are about our 75<sup>th</sup> anniversary convention in Orlando. I wish to thank Tonia Trapp, Assistant Editor, for her help in editing and organizing the articles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034477">PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNoSpacing>by Adelmo Vigil, President, NFB of New Mexico<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Convention in Orlando in July was a record-breaking convention. It was our seventy-fifth anniversary, and the activities and the energy demonstrated the impact that the National Federation of the Blind has had in the past 75 years. The agenda was again packed with great information and direction for the future of our organization. If you have not had an opportunity to hear President Mark Riccobono's banquet address and presidential report, I suggest that you take some time to do so. Our thanks go to Daphne Mitchell for taking charge of the exhibit hall table, and to everyone who worked the table during exhibit hall hours.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I look forward to seeing you at the State Fair Parade on Saturday, September 12. We have invited the NMSBVI Albuquerque Preschool to join us in the parade. The New Mexico Commission for the Blind's Orientation Center in Alamogordo will also join us again this year. They have been partnering with us for many years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are planning for our annual leadership training in Albuquerque on October 30 and 31 for all State board members, Chapter and Division presidents and all their board members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are also planning to host a parent training on November 14, 2015, at the Hotel Cascada in Albuquerque. We invite all parents of blind children in New Mexico to be a part of this training. Your children can live the life they want, if they receive proper instruction in the blindness skills necessary for them to read, write, and travel independently.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>During our state convention on April 8 through 10, 2016, we will be celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of our affiliate in New Mexico. We are planning a great convention, so mark your calendar. I look forward to seeing past presidents and many friends, and I look forward to meeting new members of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>During our last board of directors meeting, we discussed the need to expand our outreach to Spanish speakers. If you know of individuals who would benefit from having a Spanish-speaking Chapter At Large, you can refer them to me by phone or by email.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Again we will continue to call on members of each local chapter and division to help us move forward and grow as an affiliate. We can change what it means to be blind for children, youth and adults of all ages in New Mexico.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034478">THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CELEBRATES ITS 75TH</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>by Pat Munson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While traveling to Florida to the 75th annual National Federation of the Blind (NFB) convention, which was my 39th, I had many thoughts. I expected a very busy time with much eating with friends we see only once a year, listening to and learning from many interesting speakers, and who knew what else. All conventions hold pleasant surprises, so my husband Jack and I were really looking forward to it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Almost everything went well on the trip after I had a go-round with someone in security; the lovely lady discarded my small water bottle that I liked. After I recovered from my loss, the rest of the trip to Florida was OK, but it was well past dinnertime when we reached our room, so we ate snacks we brought from home and went to sleep.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After breakfast the next morning with a California friend, we took a walk around the huge complex. At one end was our hotel and then a convention center with another hotel on the far side. Halfway along the convention center, Jack started seeing signs for the National Education Association convention. We are members, so we took a look. We even found the delegation from New Mexico.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our convention had about 3,000 attendees, but the teachers' convention had about 12,000. We listened to some of the business being discussed, chatted with a number of educators and then started back to our hotel. As you recall, I was able to teach in public schools for 35 years, because the NFB had gotten the vision requirement removed from all teaching credentials.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>By the time we got back to our room, we had to rest for some time. We had left our California pal who was going to a market to buy fruit and other items for her room. We simply ate at the takeout place in the hotel. The very long hike to the educators' meeting had worn us out.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The following day many of our friends arrived, so we chatted around the hotel, and I attended a meeting for seniors. We discussed all those documents one must have in order before departing this earth. By the way, blind seniors can have all documents prepared, signed, and then recorded so we can review them at our leisure.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The good or bad part of the trip was the Island restaurant we ate at out by the pool. It had lots of very tasty spices in the food, so we ate there most every evening. The very bad part was the desserts. I now have five pounds to drop!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After that, it was attending meetings, more chatting and eating! There was yet another meeting for blind seniors. At this one we spent a goodly amount of time discussing how to keep in touch when we live at a distance. Many blind seniors have local, state and national meetings on the telephone. This method works well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The convention consumes a great deal of time, but most of the 35 New Mexicans attending were able to gather for the NFB of New Mexico caucus chaired by NFBNM president Adelmo Vigil. After going around the room so we all had a chance to say who was there, we discussed our nut and T-shirt sales at our table in the exhibit hall. We discussed the rest of the business, and we ended the meeting with a group photo. By that time in the evening, some of us most likely looked a bit "wilted."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This was the 75th convention of the National Federation of the Blind, and the first convention chaired by our new president, Mark Riccobono. From pounding the meeting to order for the opening session to pounding the gavel to close the convention, all agreed he had done a fantastic job!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are some of the most noteworthy topics that were highlighted during the General Sessions at the convention: The NFB continues to advocate for blind parents, because the courts still think the blind cannot care for infants and young children. Our opponents lose every time, but there are still personnel in areas of this country that do not know the law. Also, we have a blind woman working in the Peace Corps. The US government was not sure the Peace Corps was ready for someone who is blind, so we had to do more educating.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Of course, there were many speakers about technology, because working folks, students and those keeping up with things have to have the machines speak, besides explaining pictures and so on.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The whole experience was like a many-ring circus. There were meetings for sighted and blind parents, and various activities for blind youngsters, students, and the rest of us. There was certainly much to learn about blindness for everyone!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We finally got home on a Saturday evening, and we were happy as clams to be back to our simple life with everything so handy. Without the work of the NFB for the past 75 years, we most likely would not have our nice situation. We loved our experiences, but we are definitely getting OLD! It is time for the younger folks to take up the work to expand opportunities for all the blind of this nation!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034479">ORLANDO, 2015 NATIONAL NFB CONVENTION!</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>by Veronica Smith<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Was I crazy? Had I lost my mind? Some said yes, some said no, but no matter, my mind was made up and I was heading to Orlando with my daughter and her friend. This was my daughter’s second convention, my tenth, and her friend’s first. Each time you go, there is always so much to learn and see, and so many new people to meet, that it can be a bit overwhelming at times. But when all was said and done, we had the time of our lives!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The first real day of the convention, July 8, was filled with hyped energy. We all got up early and made our way downstairs to the “hallway,” where we all met to begin assembling the umbrella mosaic. As we moved through the line, some of us were given blue umbrellas, some were given white, and all of us received a wrist band that numbered us. Then we were sent outdoors to stand on either a blue dot or a white one. I believe my group all stood on blue dots. Though it was exciting, it was extremely hot and humid. Announcements were made every few minutes reminding us that the umbrellas were meant for the world record, not to make shade. These announcements sounded something like this: “Please put your umbrella down at this time. If and only if there is an emergency and help is needed, then and only then should you open your umbrella and swing it around” When it was time, the announcement was made, “When I say B, everybody open your umbrella and hold it up till I say put it down.” So they said, "N F B," and up went the umbrellas. A drone flew overhead observing us as a person stood at the top of the hotel watching the time. After 5 minutes, we were told to put our umbrellas down, and voila, the world record was made! 2480 people held up umbrellas all in the same place.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After we all made our way back into the general session, more and more exciting things happened. I guess I have to say my favorite thing that happened was when the color guard marched in as if they were part of the Music Man. That sure left a smile on my face. Another thing that I greatly enjoyed was when Daphne Mitchell sang “Glory Federation.” In fact, everyone who got up and sang the songs was amazing! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As for our new president, he did a spectacular job. When he spoke, I could imagine him looking and talking directly to me. I heard the sincerity in his voice when he talked about the changes that need to be made. And oh my goodness, the speech at the banquet was awesome!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, the Exhibit Hall was bustling. Our New Mexico Affiliate brought 10 cases of red chile, green chile, and plain pistachios, and we sold every single bag. We also took a dozen or more Alien T-shirts, and we are proud to say that we sold each and every one of them. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The wonderful thing about having our National Convention in a place like Orlando is that there are so many things to do there. For me, my nephew and some good friends live nearby. My nephew and his family took us to the Disney World parks, and my friend took us to see the Disney Hotels. When I left Orlando on July 13, I said I was exhausted and probably wouldn’t be back for a couple of years. But a week after I got back, I’m already talking about the fun we’ll have next year!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034480">CAR DONATION PROGRAM</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>by Brianne Kotschwar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ladies and gentlemen,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am the Coordinator for the Car Donation Program for the NFB of New Mexico. The Car Donation Program accepts any vehicle, from cars and motorcycles to boats. Someone will pick up the vehicle being donated, regardless of its condition. Depending on the condition of the vehicle, it will be sold at an auction or sold to a salvage yard. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The NFB gets the money, and the person donating the vehicle will be able to get a tax deduction for their donation. The beautiful thing is, we are not asking for money, just going to different businesses and asking them if they would help us spread the word. I thought each month, we would do a different thing; for example, we could go to a restaurant or a church and ask if they can hand out flyers or even post a sticker on their cash register. I really need everyone's help with this. My thought for September would be for us to go to our churches and see if they could help us out. If anyone has any suggestions of places to go, please let me know. I have posted a link where you can find materials to hand out. Thanks so much everyone for your help and support! Please let me know if you have any questions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To donate a vehicle, call 1-855-659-9314.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034481">WHAT I MISS HERE IN NEW MEXICO</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>by Peggy Chong<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When I research my articles about historic blind people of New Mexico, I find myself longing for the Libraries For The Blind that I have been a patron of over the past many decades. It used to be that I could call up my library for the blind in Iowa and ask if they could transcribe an article into Braille for me, send an inaccessible .pdf via email to the local library, and then mail me a Braille copy and email me the .brf file. I used this option many times when teaching Saturday School in Iowa.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The library recorded books for me that were written by the blind of Iowa, one written by an extended family member of mine. I found these books invaluable for researching my family history and the histories of the Iowa counties where my family lived. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Back in our younger years, several of us Minnesotans pooled money together and had the Trivial Pursuit game brailled. After a few changes in our lives, or maybe more than a few, I had given away my copy of the Braille volumes of the game and then wanted them back. I called back to Minnesota, even though I had not lived there in many years, and they were most helpful. They would not braille the game volumes for me again, but they sent me the .brf files, and I had the Iowa Library for the Blind braille them for me. Of course, they kept the .brf files and offered them to other patrons.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here in Albuquerque, I have found my public library to be most helpful. I can check out books, scan them and use them. But it is not the same as having a clean, error-free copy of a book to use for research purposes. I have had library staff read things to me at the Albuquerque Special Collections library where the librarian has been very interested in my research. But still, I do not have the hard copy to refer back to; consequently, I have had to go back more than once to review or take down another piece of data from the same article that had not seemed important at the time. Research takes a lot longer here.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our state library for the blind is full of wonderful staff, and they do the best they can with what they have. But they do not have Braille services, either paper or electronic. They provide just a bit more than the basic library for the blind. I do not want to move back to Minnesota where it gets so cold, or Iowa with its months of ice. But I would like to bring options from those libraries for the blind to this state. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are some of the services we could have here in New Mexico, already available at other libraries for the blind in this country, that I would like to have access to:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. Having the library purchase a 3D printer demonstrated at last year's NFB National Convention. It could print kits of items, or samples for blind school children, such as the following: in the health area, the heart, lungs and other organs; in the science area, types of bugs and parts of plants; in the history area, replicas of monuments; and the list goes on. If the necessary infrastructure were in place, the 3D kits could even be sold to parents, public school systems, or blind individuals. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. What I call Braille transcription on demand. In the blindness community, that means a month, but we could strive for better time. Patrons could mail or email various documents for transcription, including long newspaper articles, magazine articles, inaccessible conference materials, work-related manuals, a medical insurance handbook, or even the manual for the new stove I bought. These documents would be recorded or put into electronic Braille and then emailed or drop-boxed back to us. No, this would not violate any library policy as the format would be that of the Library of Congress material, and a Library of Congress player or a Braille display would be needed to access it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. A certified Braille transcriber, not necessarily brailling onto paper, but preparing electronic files to be sent electronically to patrons. The public libraries already have electronic options of printed materials for downloading materials on a daily basis, so why not our library for the blind?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. Training for the staff at public libraries so they can download books from BARD when a blind patron walks in. Think of how many Seniors would benefit from this and how such a service could engender a more positive attitude about blindness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5. Downloading descriptive videos and TV programs onto a cartridge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6. I would like to see the library have the ability to produce detailed tactile maps, graphics, pictures and the like. Currently, I do not believe that they have the sophisticated technology to produce such things.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>7. An accessible work station at the library where staff can show patrons and/or their family members how to download material. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>8. Cooperation with other state agencies. For instance, the library could put other agencies' documents or brochures into alternative formats, and the accessible formats could be promoted by both the state agency and the library for the blind. Wouldn't it be great to have the library ask the Governor, before her or his State of the State Address, for a copy of the speech to be prepared in an alternate format to be released and emailed to patrons after the speech?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I dream of these options becoming reality. Do you?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034482">WHITE SANDS CHAPTER GETS PRO-ACTIVE ON TRANSPORTATION</a> <o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>by Larry Lorenzo<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Recently the Alamogordo City Commission addressed a budget short-fall, and they considered cutting services, including public transportation. Because of strong advocacy, transportation was maintained with level funding. However, the White Sands Chapter decided to be pro-active on this important issue. A resolution commending the City Commission for its positive action was presented formally at a Commission meeting. The resolution is copied at the end of this article.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Some background on public transportation will help the reader understand the current status of this issue in the Alamogordo area. For many years, public transportation was extremely limited. Due to the efforts of the disability community, with the local chapter of the NFB being a major player, things changed. Congresswoman Yvette Herrell spearheaded an initiative to expand public transportation to include trips to Las Cruces. Las Cruces is a major shopping and medical resource in the area. It is also home to the NMSU main campus. The Mescallero tribe also agreed to participate in this venture, which was mutually beneficial: The new service provided tribal members access to Alamogordo, Tularosa, and Las Cruces, while other Local residents gained access to casinos and other points of interest on the Reservation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As a result, public transportation in the Alamogordo area is now supported by local and federal funding, as well as funding from the Mescallero tribe. What is even more amazing is that the service includes 3 counties: Otero, Lincoln, and Donna Ana. Oftentimes, jurisdiction is given as an excuse for fractured transportation services, but jurisdictional issues did not hinder the development of a comprehensive transportation system in this case.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We in the NFB understand that high-quality, effective transportation is at the heart of an inclusive society. Transportation remains a serious challenge in New Mexico, so we must persevere in advocating for this critical issue.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Resolution (funding public transportation)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS: accessing goods, services, and employment is a vital part of healthy economic and social community life,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and WHEREAS: Many blind, visually impaired and other people with disabilities rely on public transportation for independent and inclusive lifestyles,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and WHEREAS: many residents of Alamogordo including increasing numbers of seniors, students, retirees, and low income workers depend on public transportation for good quality of life activities,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the White Sands Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind on 05/19/2015 commend the Mayor and City commission for taking a progressive and positive stance towards continued funding of public transportation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034483">FRANCIS D. OPDYKE</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>by Peggy Chong<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Francis "Fannie" Opdyke was reported blind just a few hours after birth in 1886. She was born in Seneca County, New York. There is no indication of the names of her parents, and there were several Opdyke families in Seneca County in the 1900's, making it hard to track her early life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As a blind child, she was enrolled at the school for the blind in Batavia, New York for the school year beginning in 1894. Fannie learned all the techniques of blindness that were taught at that time: Braille, Braille shorthand music, piano, and typewriting. As a student, she would play the piano for school performances and graduations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While at the school for the blind in New York, she was presented with several career options for which she could be trained prior to her graduation. Blind women had been accepted as music teachers in most parts of the country. As a music teacher, she could most likely make a decent living, not needing to rely on the charity of others. But a new profession had also opened up to blind people because of the typewriter. Some blind women were finding success as typists in businesses. This is the profession Fannie chose to prepare for while still at school. As she told a news reporter, a blind music teacher could teach many children and adults how to play the piano, but as a blind teacher, if the student did not succeed, many were quick to blame the blind teacher rather than the lack of talent of the sighted pupil. A blind secretary, on the other hand, should be judged on her skills in the office.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fannie graduated in 1908 from the New York State School for the Blind. At the commencement ceremonies, she played a piano piece from Chopin. After graduation, she joined the Blind Women's Club that met in New York City, and she participated in their fundraisers. This was a group of blind women supporting each other. Many of them were employed in a variety of professions around New York City. Fannie would often read in Braille to the members and guests at their events. The group devoted much of their time and effort toward supporting and raising money for a camp for blind girls.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When moving to New York City, Fannie took rooms at 136 East 47th St. in New York City. On October 1, 1909, Fannie became a secretary at the law offices of attorney Catherine V. Curry. Her duties included writing letters from a graphophone in the offices. Her employer commended Fannie on how quickly she learned the graphophone and the accuracy of her work, noting that she was just as good as, if not better than, the other secretaries in the office. Fannie could type accurately at the rate of 70 words a minute. Through mapping out the forms, understanding how far to roll a form into the typewriter and how far to space over, Fannie was able to fill out the necessary legal forms without sighted assistance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Her next job was as a typist/Dictaphone operator in New York City at the Condemnation Department in the city's court system. She again excelled at her work. She was also quite adept at the six-key, a shorthand machine used at that time by many secretaries in New York to take notes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In 1916, Fannie and another blind girlfriend, Clara Barnum, about 10 years older, decided to take a huge risk and take the train to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they both got typing jobs. There is no indication as to why two blind women would leave the bustling city for a small, western town with no supporting clubs of the blind or former teachers to call for advice. Fannie took a job with the law offices of W.C. Reid, the attorney for the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe Railroads. To her credit, her employer told the New York School for the Blind that because of her skill, Fannie had a higher rate of pay than many of the secretaries in the office. By 1917, she was the lead secretary in the office, earning a salary of $90 a month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fannie would walk from her home to her offices by herself each day. She and her friend Clara took rooms at 513 Marquette. Later, they bought the house and took in lodgers. Many times, the women lodgers were of their own age. They had a nice garden of flowers and vegetables that they enjoyed nurturing. Clara may not have been employed as long as Fannie, but she continued to live with Fannie for several decades in Albuquerque. Fannie retired from the law offices in 1936.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Back home in New York, in 1924, Fannie was honored by the Business and Professional Women's League of New York City. She and eight other blind women in New York City received awards for their achievements. Fannie had achieved much in her life, and to many blind and sighted women, she was seen as courageous for moving to the Wild West. Fannie's name was foremost in articles that covered the award ceremony, noting Fannie as a pioneer in the field of blind secretaries. The BPWL worked with The New York League of Blind Women, where Fannie had once been a member, to assist blind women to find jobs and get the necessary training for work in the secretarial field.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Back in Albuquerque, Fannie joined the Friendship League for the Blind as a consultant. This was a charity that operated a sheltered shop from time to time. Fannie supported the use of white canes when they were purchased by the Friendship League in 1939. She said that many blind people were afraid to walk alone with just a cane, because many drivers did not know what the cane was or what it symbolized. Her efforts working with the Friendship League involved educating the public about the blind and how they traveled. There is no indication that Fannie used a cane, but as she talked to many people about how to use a cane, she may have been one of the first blind persons in New Mexico to use a cane for traveling. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>By 1939, Fannie was very ill and unable to work or participate in her community service projects. However, this did not stop her from being active in her church, working on the calling committee for the Apostolic Cathedral in downtown Albuquerque. Fannie passed away on April 22, 1944. She died from burns suffered in a fire in her home. Her bathrobe and nightgown caught fire from the gas heater in her room.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034484">GOOD EATING</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>MINT MELON SMOOTHIE<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by Veronica Smith<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When I drink this, I feel like a princess at the Spa!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1 cup ripe honeydew melon cubes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1 cup plain yogurt<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>14 large fresh mint leaves<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Put all ingredients in your blender and process for a few minutes or until all is blended. To cool quickly, add 5 to 8 ice cubes to the blender while processing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034485">USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>505-468-1290 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bernalillo County Clerk <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Get information on how and where to register to vote, early voting, and absentee voting. If you are not in Bernalillo County, call your County Clerk for this information. Let's all vote this November.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1-800-712-6600 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A free telephone number information service for business and government. This replaces 1-800-712-3000. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.politifact.com"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>www.politifact.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As we get into the election season, you can check statements from politicians by going here. Do politicians of either stripe lie or stretch the truth? Check them out. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_Toc428034486">MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS</a><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>September 12: NM State Fair Parade, Albuquerque <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let's all gather and march proudly!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>September 18-19: NM Commission for the Blind State Rehabilitation Council meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Albuquerque office, 2200 Yale Blvd. SE<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>October 24, 6:00-8:00 PM: Albuquerque and West Mesa Chapters annual White Cane Banquet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This event will be held at the Wise Pies Arena (formerly the Pit), 1111 University Blvd. SE. Please submit your registration form with payment if you plan to attend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>October 7: NM Commission for the Blind Board Meeting <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Orientation Center, 408 North White Sands Blvd. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Alamogordo, NM <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>December 4: NM Commission for the Blind State Rehabilitation Council meeting <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Albuquerque office, 2200 Yale Blvd. SE<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>