[Nfb-editors] [PalmettoBlind] Summer 2012 Palmetto Blind
Robert Leslie Newman
newmanrl at cox.net
Tue Aug 21 15:11:03 UTC 2012
The Palmetto Blind
The voice of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
NFB of SC President Parnell Diggs, first blind candidate to run for the
US House of Representatives
in the SC 7th Congressional District
SUMMER 2012
Web page: <http://www.nfbsc.net/> http://www.nfbsc.net
E-mail: nfbsc at sc.rr.com
The PALMETTO BLIND, published quarterly in large print, cassette
tape and Braille by the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.
Donald C. Capps, Editor.
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is
chartered under the laws of the state of South Carolina to promote the
spiritual, social and economic well-being of all blind South Carolinians.
The state organization is an affiliate of the nation's oldest and largest
organization of the blind--the National Federation of the Blind.
The PALMETTO BLIND is the voice of the National Federation of
the Blind of South Carolina and is available free of charge to any blind
individual or member in large print, Braille or cassette. Other subscribers
are encouraged. If readers desire to do so, donations to cover the annual
subscription cost of $10.00 per year may be made payable to the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina and sent to:
David Houck, Treasurer
National Federation of the Blind of SC
119 S. Kilbourne Rd.
Columbia, SC 29205
Readers receiving the cassette edition of the PALMETTO BLIND are
requested to handle the tapes with care, returning them promptly for the
benefit of other readers. In the event that you receive a bad tape, before
returning it, please enclose a note or attach a rubber band around the
cassette tape to prevent further circulation. Braille or large print copies
may be retained for personal libraries.
If you or a friend would like to remember the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina (also known as the SC Aurora Club
of the Blind, Inc.) in your will, you can do so by employing the following
language: "I give, devise, and bequeath unto the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina (aka SC Aurora Club of the Blind, Inc.), a
non-profit organization, the sum of $________________ (or "_______________
percent of my ___________estate" or "the following stocks and
bonds:____________") to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind
persons and to be held and administered by the direction of its Executive
Committee and Board of Directors."
Table of Contents
NFB of SC 42nd Annual Statewide Seminar An Outstanding Success
By David Houck
Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr.'s 90th Birthday Celebration By Donald
Capps
State Senate and House Resolutions Honoring Ralph M. Ellenburg,
Sr. on His 90th Birthday
Ellenburg Honored by Billy Cannada
Congratulations to the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year!
2012 Leadership Seminar - Building Chapters and Developing
Leadership By David Houck
72 Years of Devotion by Parnell Diggs
From the President's Desk By Parnell Diggs
More than a Chicken Dinner By: Cameron Mills
First Vision Awareness Summit Held in March 2012 By Steve Cook
Fond memories of Fred Vercher By Debra Canty
Second Hand Rose helps National Federation of the Blind
Rocky Bottom Hosts the 2012 Spring Session of Senior Camp By
Frank Coppel
From the Editor By Donald Capps
Final Thought
NFB of SC 42nd Annual Statewide Seminar An Outstanding Success
By David Houck
Saturday, January 7, 2012 was a warm, balmy day with
temperatures approaching 70 degrees by the afternoon, quite unlike early
January weather. Following the Federation Center's 50th anniversary
celebration on October 18, 2011, members flooded in from throughout the
state and saw for themselves the beautifully renovated facilities and
grounds. Approximately 200 were in attendance, looking forward to the day's
activities.
Throughout the day, chapter leaders and members dropped off
state dues, Dallas bus fund tickets sold and bus reservations were made. A
variety of auction items were on display for auction during various times
throughout the seminar. These included three designer cakes by Donna Early
and cakes by others, an electronic hand held magnifier, baskets stuffed with
a variety of items, glass bowls, Lynn Hornsby's fudge, etc. By the end of
the day there were several competitive bids on many items and $913 was
raised for the Federation Center's program budget.
NFB of SC President Parnell Diggs kicked off the Statewide
Seminar welcoming the large audience. There was sad news to report as Diane
Collins, NFB of SC board member, RBRCCB Ex-Officio board member and
President of the Barnwell Chapter had passed away earlier that day resulting
from a long term bout with heart problems. Jeff and Diane were responsible
for the donation of the Federation Center's ice machine which bears a plaque
in their honor and Diane Collins and her mother, Margaret Copp both had a
great interest in the development of the existing playground at RBRCCB a
half dozen years ago. Her stature in the Barnwell Chapter kept the chapter
enthusiastic and she even worked with the development of other chapters like
the Allendale Chapter. Recently, NFB of SC board member Fred Vercher also
had passed after a long illness resulting from diabetes. His many
federation involvements were also extolled. Dr. Donald Capps recounted his
experiences concerning Avis Wilson-Griggs who also passed recently. She was
directly related to other well known federationists. These three will be
greatly missed as a moment of silence was observed by the seminar
participants.
David Houck gave announcements concerning where to take dues,
bus tickets and reservations and what is on the literature table (brochures,
kernel books, RBRCCB reservation forms, etc.) which got snatched up quickly.
Columbia Chapter President Frank Coppel welcomed the audience as the chapter
was glad to host the Statewide Seminar for 42 years now. Lenora Robertson
excited the attendees about the Dallas bus ticket fund as she and others
were very busy accepting tickets all day in advance of the afternoon
drawing. President Diggs stated that Dallas chartered bus reservations
would be $70 per person. The bus will leave for the Dallas NFB convention
at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, arriving in Dallas Sunday afternoon July
1. The return trip was decided to be on Friday morning, July 6, arriving
back in Columbia on Saturday, July 7. Hotel reservations can be made now by
calling the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas at 214-761-7500. New members are
encouraged to read the January Braille Monitor to apply for a Jernigan Fund
scholarship for those who have never attended a state convention before.
President Diggs spoke about the NFB Pre-Authorized Check or "PAC
Plan" whereby a monthly donation set by you is withdrawn from your checking
account to assist the national organization. PAC Plan forms were on hand
for distribution.
Juan Sims from the SC Commission for the Blind was on hand
representing Commissioner Kirby who was unable to be present. Following a
few comments, he opened the meeting for questions from the audience. He
reassured the audience that assistance for Senior Blind Camps and Children's
Camps would continue by the Commission. However, the Commission was
suffering from 42% in budget cuts or about $2.2 million. It was hoped that
a half million dollars in state funding which matches five times federally
would be approved in the near future. It was confirmed that the Older Blind
Program has suffered and no older blind clients would be referred for
adaptive computer training at the Federation Center for the foreseeable
future. The Independent Daily Living Program has been cut by $24,000 to
$40,000. There are no Prevention of Blindness counselors and only four
Older Blind counselors to cover the entire state and Rehabilitation Center
training for the older blind has been discontinued. Juan Sims stated that
every department has been hit financially and Children's Services has only
two counselors to cover the entire state.
Maggie Park, President of the SC School for the Deaf and the
Blind reported that they have suffered cuts as well but they have also been
busy increasing their service to blind students. Wrestling is back at
SCSDB. Wal-Mart has set up a mini store for training blind students in
retail operations. Substantial funding has been secured to place the latest
in technology for the blind (Apple products, etc.) for use by the blind.
These funds will affect building renovations and other tactile renovations,
making utilization of the campus much easier and safe for the students.
Funding was secured to bring in many more students for education and
training. A Denny's Restaurant was set up for student restaurant training
which should open in the very near future. It seemed that many of the
seminar participants wish they were young enough to participate in these
employment opportunities for the blind. President Maggie Park presented a
tactile NFB bird house in blue and yellow for the auction which was sold for
$51, purchased by Frank Coppel.
Steve Cook, President of the NFB of SC Computer Science and
Technology Division spoke about funding the efforts of the division through
a technology drawing later in the day. Milton Tant was the winner of the
drawing, receiving a talking oven thermometer. President Diggs and Hampton
Miller from the Election Commission spoke of the importance of voting
independently in the upcoming elections and demonstrated the accessible
voting machines. During the noontime lunch break, many hands-on
demonstrations were made and some even registered to vote. During the lunch
break the RBRCCB and NFB of SC Board of Directors met. One thing of
interest was that SC Talking Book Services has a new Director, Sandy Knowles
of Columbia. We all look forward to getting to know her.
Following the great luncheon provided by Isaiah Nelson and his
crew, the afternoon session got underway as Dr. Donald Capps, Chairman of
the RBRCCB Board of Directors reported on the upcoming celebration of
Advisory Board Chairman Ralph M. Ellenburg's 90th birthday. This event will
be held on February 2 in the Rocky Bottom Conference Center. Our new
Resident Manager, Elsie Duncan is doing a great job taking care of the
facilities, grounds and guests. Dr. Capps then proceeded to kick off a
limited fundraising campaign for Parnell Diggs' Congressional election,
raising $575 in just a few minutes from those who wished to support his
campaign.
David Houck, Federation Center Executive Director was called
upon for a Center report. He recounted the events of 2011 leading up to the
Center's 50th anniversary celebration on October 18. Much of the credit
goes to Dr. Capps and Mrs. Betty Capps for directing the campaign to perform
much needed renovations, pay for the celebration expenses and kick off the
next half century of service to the state's blind. He thanked the Center
Board for their support as well as the seminar participants as or 60
chapters and divisions, RBRCCB and the NFB of SC makes up our hub of service
to the blind, although membership in the federation is not required to
become eligible for our many programs of service for the blind.
Steve Cook followed up with a NewslineR demonstration and he was
ready to sign up many more for service, as he is willing to go to local
chapters to demonstrate and sign people up. His goal is to have 1,000 users
signed up by April.
President Diggs gave a presentation concerning a five or seven
day NFB of SC cruise. After hearing all the details, the audience chose the
five day cruise scheduled for January 14-19, 2013 leaving out of the Port of
Charleston, visiting the Bahamas. Many federationists were interested in
the cruise and more details will be forthcoming.
Finally, the bus ticket drawing was made and 5,151 bus tickets
were sold. The Columbia Chapter sold 912 tickets and won the $300 for
selling the most tickets. Rock Hill Chapter placed second with 656 tickets
sold with the Sumter Chapter close behind, selling 641 bus tickets. Betty
Uhlik, member of the Rock Hill Chapter bought and sold the winning ticket
and received the grand prize of $600!
Once the meeting was adjourned for the day everyone returned
home excited about recounting the day's events to their fellow
federationists, families and friends. It was really a great day.
Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr.'s 90th Birthday Celebration
By Donald Capps
On Thursday evening February 2 there was a unique dinner held to honor our
distinguished Advisory Board Chairman, Mr. Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr., the
occasion being his 90th birthday. I know a little something about the
quality of Banquets after all these many years and I can tell you that the
Ellenburg banquet was highly successful and unique in various respects. For
some months we knew that Mr. Ellenburg's birthday was February 2 and we
chose this year to celebrate Mr. Ellenburg's birthday for his 30 years of
service to RBRCCB. We had extended invitations to about 40 people but as
the doors to the majestic Conference Center opened, it was apparent that
more than 40 people would be present. We had to scramble for additional
chairs, as indicated; we had 61 people attend the memorable occasion. We
also had to stretch the food and the food service people headed up by our
Resident Manager Elsie Duncan did an excellent job. Elsie had bought food
for about 40 and no more than 50 and we simply did not know that 61 people
would be in attendance but like those of us in RBRCCB, there were a lot of
relatives and friends who wanted to be present for Mr. Ellenburg's 90th
birthday. Incidentally, he is still active after 90 years of service and of
course his longevity is of help to a lot of people, especially blind people.
The head table was a Who's Who. Here are some of the officials at the head
table: Senator Larry Martin, Sherriff David Stone, Dr. Tom Bowen and his
wife Caroline, Billy Singleton, and of course, our two RBRCCB stars, NFB of
SC President Parnell Diggs and RBRCCB Treasurer, David Houck (who worked at
a rate one could never measure up to in the fact that David did so much to
make the dinner a success knowing that this was no simple get-together).
Senator Larry Martin, member of the SC Senate who lists RBRCCB on his
Legislative Manual page, presented Mr. Ellenburg with a Senate Resolution
thanking him for his years of service. By the way, Senator Martin serves on
the Advisory Board of RBRCCB. We mustn't forget other Advisory Board
members who attended the event like Mr. Phil Marett and his wife Christine
who drove over from Anderson to attend the dinner. A House Resolution was
also presented expressing gratitude for Mr. Ellenburg's life of service.
Rep. Rita Allison has worked many years with the federation and currently
serves on the Advisory Board of RBRCCB. Sherriff David Stone briefly
addressed the dinner audience and finally the head table was accommodating
more than a dozen dignitaries. I think our state President Parnell Diggs
was at his best as he presented more knowledge than I realized calling
attention to the beautiful ten bedroom Ellenburg Lodge which has
accommodated thousands of persons as it celebrates its 13th anniversary and
great facilities are always magnificent. It was my pleasure to discuss some
of my life experiences in that Mr. Ellenburg had been very helpful to me for
some 30 years. I firmly believed that Rocky Bottom would eventually become
synonymous with blindness as Betty and I first visited Rocky Bottom in May
of 1958 and fell in love with its scenic beauty and crisp, invigorating
breeze. I give Betty much of the credit for her being at my side and she
too fell in love with this pristine area. David Houck's invocation was
inspired and I think that prayer reached out to probably 50 people, mostly
Ralph's relatives and when all was said and done, individuals who were very
impressed contributed funds totaling just short of $2,000. David Houck as
well as myself enlisted the publicity of the Pickens Sentinel and this media
release was one of the finest I have ever read. At some point this article
will be published in the Palmetto Blind. The highlight of the event was the
presentation of the Distinguished Service Award which was beautiful in every
respect and we appreciate Dr. Bowen's reading of the plaque. Unless you've
been involved in a major dinner it is difficult to cover some of the things
which may seem minor but are actually very important. The Conference Center
was a thing of beauty and the major compliment goes to our Resident Manager,
Elsie Duncan. Betty was also very helpful. As I turned in for the night
after we had dinner, I was so wound up that I found it difficult to settle
down as one thing I thought as I tried to sleep was that I realized that I
was correct in traveling to RBRCCB to spend a week reviewing appropriate
materials and I believe I had done the right thing. We drove back to
Columbia with our heads held high. Happy birthday Ralph and may you have
many more. Thanks to everyone who assisted with the banquet and especially
to people like Ralph Crittenden who had to design the sound system whereby
everyone in the spacious Dining Hall could hear.
State Senate and House Resolutions Honoring Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr. on His
90th Birthday
(Editor's Note: Senator Larry A. Martin and Representative Rita Allison
presented resolutions honoring Ralph Ellenburg's 90th birthday during the
grand occasion.)
On Motion Of
SENATOR LARRY A. MARTIN
Pickens County
To Congratulate and Extend Very Best Wishes
To
MR. RALPH M. ELLENBURG, SR.
On the Occasion of his 90th Birthday
Thursday, February 2, 2012
As Family and Friends Gather at the
Rocky Bottom Retreat and
Conference Center of the Blind
At Rocky Bottom, South Carolina
Given this 2nd day of February in the year Two Thousand Twelve
*****
REPRESENTATIVE RITA ALLISON
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HONOR AND COMMEND
M R. R A L P H M. E L L E N B U R G, S R.
RECOGNIZING HIM ON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS MILESTONE 90TH BIRTHDAY AND
WISHING HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION; WE THANK HIM FOR ALL HE DOES FOR
THE COMMUNITY, AN ASSET FOR MANY YEARS; HE IS A MAN OF MANY TALENTS, ALWAYS
WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE TO HELP OTHERS; HE BRINGS GREAT PRIDE TO HIS
FAMILY, FRIENDS AND MEMBERS OF HIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS, THE MEMBERS OF THE
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE HIM
ON THIS SPECIAL DAY, WISHING HIM THE VERY HAPPIEST OF DAYS; WE JOIN IN
RECOGNIZING HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY AND WISH HIM MORE YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH,
HAPPINESS AND JOY.
GIVEN THIS 17TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2012, STATE HOUSE, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
Ellenburg Honored
by Billy Cannada , Pickens Sentinel, February 1, 2012
PICKENS COUNTY - For Ralph Ellenburg, helping blind people in
South Carolina has become a lifelong mission, and it is a mission that the
90-year old Easley native plans to keep alive for the foreseeable future.
"As long as I live, I am going to be active with the blind,"
said Ellenburg. "I will help them any way I can. I am healthy and I have
been blessed, so I need to pass that on to other people. As long as I can
maneuver I am going to be maneuvering for the blind."
Ellenburg has been the Advisory Board Chairman at Rocky Bottom
Retreat and Conference Center of The Blind (RBRCCB) for more than 25 years,
and has donated tens of thousands of dollars keeping the organization alive
and well.
"He has paid all the bills at times when we could not meet all
of our expenses," said RBRCCB Board of Directors Chairman and longtime
friend, Donald Capps. "He is a businessman that has always been interested
in helping the organization grow."
Despite his substantial giving, Ellenburg says there is no way
he could do enough for the organization.
"I have been very fortunate in my life," said Ellenburg. "I have
a good family and I have been successful in business. I try to help any
cause that comes along, but I don't regret anything that I have done for the
blind. I just wish I could do more."
The organization provides many services to blind people all over
South Carolina, and Capps says a lot of it was made possible by Ellenberger.
"Our purpose is to assist blind South Carolinians," said Capps.
"At Rocky Bottom, there is no money unless we generate it. I really can't
recall having been associated with so many people that were as generous to
the blind as Mr. Ellenburg."
Ellenberger says when he began working with the blind in the
1980's; it started a journey that he still continues today
"I started with the blind when I was still in business in
Easley," said Ellenburg. "It has been good for them as well as me. I can't
say enough about the blind. I listen to them and I hear from them all the
time. It just does me good to be there for them."
Capps says his friend is unlike many people he has ever known.
"He is a very good person to be around," said Capps. "His
favorite people to help are blind people, and he'll help them about as
quickly as he would close relatives."
The organization is getting set to hold a banquet in his honor
on February 2 at the center, and Capps says it is the least they could do.
"The celebration will be in recognition of a man who is still
active (with the organizations," said Capps. "His giving spirit is unmatched
by anyone."
With an active future ahead of him, Ellenberger says he hopes he
can continue to make contributions to the people he loves.
"I just love the blind," said Ellenberger. "They are fine,
gracious people that will appreciate anything you do for them. They're doing
me a favor by letting me be there rather than me doing them a favor for
helping them."
Congratulations to the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year!
United Way of the Midlands newsletter, February 14, 2012
John D. Baker was a philanthropist long before he knew what the
term meant.
He was exposed to the idea of "giving back" at 16 when he
attended a ceremony honoring his father, David, who chaired the Columbia
United Communities Fund Drive (the predecessor to United Way). He started
volunteering with March of Dimes shortly thereafter, and he continues his
involvement in the community to this day.
a b o u t t h e r e c i p i e n t- John D. Baker
John D. Baker was born in Columbia and graduated from the
University of South Carolina. He joined his father and his father's cousin,
Lee, at Baker & Baker in June 1979. John was a philanthropist long before
he knew what the term meant. He was exposed to the idea of "giving back"
at 16 when he attended a ceremony honoring his father, David, who chaired
the Columbia United Communities Fund Drive (the predecessor to United Way).
He started volunteering with March of Dimes shortly thereafter, and he
continues his involvement to this day. John was awarded the Elaine Whitelaw
award, the highest honor ever bestowed on a March of Dimes volunteer, at the
March of Dimes National Volunteer Leadership conference.
As President of the Tree of Life Congregation, John was one of
the first supporters of the new Chabad Labovitch movement, which runs a
successful Jewish Day School in Columbia.
John served on the Richland County Public Library Board of
Trustees. After his chairmanship, RCPL was named Library of the Year in 2001
by the American Library Association. John and his family helped bring
Maurice Sendak, best known for Where the Wild Things Are, to the library. In
2000, John received the Trustee of the Year award given by the SC
Association of Public Library
Administrators.
John and his firm were instrumental in the initial funding of
the United Way of the Midlands Early Childhood Initiative, Vital
Connections. John formed Step Into Reading to raise money for books and put
them into the hands of needy children. In 2001, John accepted the Corporate
Citizen of the Year award from the Carolina's chapter of Volunteers of
America for Step Into Reading.
The State of Israel Bonds in Columbia honored John in 2002 with
the State of Israel's Ben Gurion award for his years of service. John was
awarded the State's highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, by Gov. James
Hodges. John also received the Philanthropist of the Year award given by the
state chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
He is married to the former Marcie Stern, of Columbia, and they
have one child, Gabrielle, who is a Junior at George Washington University.
2012 Leadership Seminar - Building Chapters and Developing Leadership
By David Houck
Saturday, March 3 was a rainy day but that did not keep chapter
presidents and state board members from all across the state from attending
the annual Leadership Seminar. Chapters represented included but are not
limited to the Columbia, Conway, Grand Strand, Greenville, Anderson,
Lancaster, Chesterfield and Upper Dorchester Chapters. NFB of SC President
Parnell Diggs had some important comments about the Leadership Seminar which
are as follows:
"If you missed the Leadership Seminar on Saturday, you missed
one of the best Seminars we have ever held. We discussed the usual items,
such as the nuts and bolts of chapter operations, but we also featured guest
presenters who introduced excellent programs for chapters to consider as
fundraising tools. There was even an item that we will develop for the NFB
of SC. Stay tuned for more details about that in the near future.
One chapter leader, President Daisy Drakeford, wrote us in
advance of the Seminar and requested ideas about generating funds for
chapter activities, and Dr. Capps provided a wealth of experience for the
chapter to use in the coming months to build the chapter treasury.
Additionally, he mailed President Drakeford a list of successful fundraising
initiatives which has been developed through the years. Other chapters
received a memorandum about this in the mail this week, and I hope you will
consider sparing a small donation for our Lancaster Chapter. A small amount
from lots of friends will go a long way.
During the Seminar, we distributed some Cruise tickets, which
are being sold at a cost of $10 per ticket for a chance to win a choice of a
cabin for two on the Carnival Fantasy during the NFB of SC Cruise on January
14 through 19, 2013, or $1000. The beauty of this method of selling tickets
is that proceeds will benefit the NFB of SC treasury immediately. In other
words, please start selling your tickets now because the drawing will be
here before we know it. There is no reason why we cannot sell at least one
thousand tickets statewide. I have already begun selling my first ten
tickets, and I know that others have already taken tickets as well. Dorothy
Barksdale, I believe, was the first member to accept an allotment of
tickets. Like Dorothy, we should all do what we can to make this initiative
a huge success beyond what we generate from cabin reservations on the
Cruise. Frank Coppel is reserving a cabin and plans to buy a ticket in
hopes of gaining some spending money for the cruise and the off-ship
attractions in Freeport and Nassau. I am doing likewise."
At the outset of the Leadership Seminar as well as at the end of
it, there were presentations concerning chapter fundraising opportunities.
Levern Wilson of Conway spoke about the use of advertising, chapter
brochures and their chapter's website in recruiting and fundraising. They
also brought with them Jane Atkins who spoke of using e-commerce as a
fundraising tool through her service. Toward the end, Ed Bible brought a
representative from ACN who spoke about a similar e-commerce opportunity
using services we already are using and receiving a percentage of the sales
for the non-profit organization.
President Diggs also involved seminar participants in lively
discussions about what makes a good chapter and what is the most important
thing a chapter should do. Results included recruiting, fundraising,
meeting locations, having meetings the same time each month, making sure
members are aware of upcoming events, and leadership development within the
chapter. I can recall at an NFB Leadership Seminar in Baltimore in 1985
that Dr. Jernigan stated the most important thing a chapter, state
organization or even the national organization could do was making certain
of the succession to the presidency. Many chapters remain strong if they
have several experienced leaders
The afternoon luncheon consisted of a variety of sub sandwiches,
chips and cookies. Everyone continued to eat their lunch as the seminar
resumed, not wishing to waste any time. Dr. Capps utilized his years of
experience in chapter growth and development to share how chapter presidents
can make a real difference in motivating the membership and reaching out to
the community. In fact, the state office carries Suggested Guidelines for
the Operation of NFB of SC Chapters, authored by Dr. Capps as an operations
manual for the chapter president to follow. Model chapter constitutions and
chapter fundraising ideas are also written materials at the disposal of
chapters from the state office and can be issued upon request. The
Leadership Seminar only lacked one thing if you are a chapter president and
were not present, and that was YOU! However, for all those who did attend,
there was much to consider, discuss and implement with their local chapter
at their next meeting. All in all, it was a great Leadership Seminar and
our hats are off to President Parnell Diggs as well as to President Emeritus
Dr. Capps for a job well done.
72 Years of Devotion
by Parnell Diggs
(Editor's Note: Both Parnell Diggs and Donald Capps are well known
Federation members across the United States. It is the purpose of
disseminating this article to reach many of our friends and others who also
might wish to know about this excellent article by Parnell Diggs)
From the Braille Monitor Editor: When I think about the
blessings of a long marriage and an example of an inseparable couple, two
people come to mind: Betty and Don Capps. They were the original inspiration
for finding a prominent place in the February issue to commemorate
Valentine's Day for lovers of all ages, but when I asked NFB of South
Carolina President Parnell Diggs for a contribution of several paragraphs
about them, he found it impossible to write only a few words. Here is his
wonderful tribute to the power of love, to the importance of going for what
you really want and figuring out how to get it, and to the commitment of two
valentines who continue to enrich each other's lives.
Those of us who have grown to know and love the National
Federation of the Blind know that the organized blind movement was
established in 1940 and that Dr. Jacobus tenBroek presided over the first
convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania, with sixteen people registered. But this piece is not about
Wilkes-Barre.
It is about Mullins, South Carolina, and a place called Procter
Street, where two Federationists formed a bond that proved to be the
foundation of the love of a lifetime. Coincidentally, this star-crossing
also happened in 1940: when a twelve-year-old boy whose family had just
moved to Procter Street saw a beautiful, blond-haired girl walking down the
street in front of his house. He described Betty Rogers as "the prettiest
girl in the city," and conveniently she lived just three houses up the
street. Less convenient, however, was the fact that during the school year
he found himself over two hundred miles away from Procter Street at the
South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, and he could call on her only
during summers and holidays.
But call on her he did, and the preteen courtship of Donald
Capps and Betty Rogers ensued. He had observed that Betty (about ten years
old at the time) had received a new bicycle for Christmas. Since he did not
own a bicycle, young Capps often strolled down to her house and asked if he
could ride the bike. In fact, he recalls putting more mileage on that bike
than she did.
They also made good use of a swing on Betty's front porch. It
was big enough for three, but most of the time he was successfully able to
dissuade others from joining them. In his Kernel Book story entitled "The
Value of Greeting Cards," Dr. Capps writes, "That particular swing stands
out in my mind. When I was fourteen-and-a-half and Betty was twelve, we were
swinging together one summer evening, and I managed to steal a kiss. Was it
puppy love?--I think not."
In the summer of 1944, when Capps was fifteen, he walked from
his home about ten blocks to Mullins High School, where he asked to meet
with a school administrator about entering public school in eleventh grade.
This was thirty years before Public Law 94-142, at a time when it was widely
accepted that blind students attended residential schools, and that was
that. "We don't have any visually impaired students," Mr. McCormick said.
But, being the resourceful lad that he was, Capps was able to talk his way
into the student body at Mullins High School, rising to the top ten percent
of his class, and graduating in 1946.
That fall Capps enrolled at a business school in Columbia, South
Carolina, completed the program in 1947, and remained in Columbia, accepting
a position as a junior claims examiner trainee at Colonial Life and Accident
Insurance Company. Betty was still in high school, and he found himself once
again seeing her when he could get to Mullins. Over the next two or three
years, then, Capps often (as in at least two hundred times) hitchhiked to
Mullins to see Betty and back to Columbia to continue building a career. "I
would just depend on my old thumb (recalled Capps). "It never failed me.
Always someone would stop and pick me up. I was never stranded; it was the
most incredible thing."
Dr. Capps recently observed that "Times have changed so much
since 1946. As a seventeen-year-old youngster you would not dare to get out
on the highway and just thumb anything that comes along and hop in the car.
That's what I did." On one of these trips to Mullins in July of 1948,
recalled Mrs. Capps, he popped the question, so Donald Capps and Betty
Rogers were married on June 25, 1949, only twenty-two days after Betty
graduated from high school. By then his hitchhiking days had ended, and the
couple settled-down in Columbia, South Carolina.
In 1954 young Capps was asked by his boss to review a package
that had been sent to Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company: a box of
greeting cards and some literature about the National Federation of the
Blind. He was so impressed with the package that he crossed the country,
along with Mrs. Capps, to attend the 1956 NFB convention in San Francisco,
California. With no interstates, it was a five-day drive one-way (Dr. Capps
doesn't care to fly when he can avoid it), but the trip took three weeks and
included both the national convention and a leadership seminar conducted by
Dr. tenBroek.
They would attend fifty-five of the next fifty-six national
conventions together, with Mrs. Capps missing only the Boston convention of
1958, because she was under doctor's orders not to travel so close to
delivering their second child and only daughter Beth. Their only son Craig
had been born in 1955.
While still in his twenties, Dr. Capps developed a close
friendship with Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, who would eventually succeed Dr.
tenBroek as NFB president in 1968. That year in Des Moines, Iowa, Capps was
elected first vice president of the National Federation of the Blind and
held that position until 1984. He had served as second vice president from
1959 through 1968.
But even after twenty-five consecutive years in the leadership
of the National Federation of the Blind and a career-spanning thirty-eight
years at Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company, Capps was still only
in his mid-fifties. It was then that he decided to retire as a claims
examiner and dive into Federation work and service to his blind brothers and
sisters fulltime. In 1985 the convention enthusiastically returned him to
the NFB board of directors: a position he would hold for twenty-two
consecutive years, until 2007. That year he told the convention that he and
Betty were stepping back, not stepping away: thereby ending forty-seven
years of service on the national board.
Dr. Capps believes that, when we elect someone to office in the
Federation, we elect his or her spouse too. Mrs. Capps agrees and has been
by her husband's side as they traveled to all fifty states, a handful of
foreign countries, as well as Europe, Africa, and Australia, attending
international meetings as representatives of the National Federation of the
Blind.
With more than a half century of service now behind them, Dr.
Capps recalls a wise decision he made (while still in his twenties and
lacking experience in the Federation) that has affected the rest of their
lives. Life is filled with watershed moments, and one such moment for Dr.
and Mrs. Capps came at the 1957 national convention in New Orleans,
Louisiana. He had been a state president for less than one year, and the
Cappses were attending only their second convention. Here is how Dr. Capps
recalled the incident. "Durward McDaniel (a national board member at the
time), who seemed to be a good enough man, called me up to his room. I was
green as a gourd. He said that we needed to amend the constitution. I said,
`what's the problem with the current one?' He said, `Well, not so much wrong
with it, we need a provision mandating that a person in office can't serve
over two consecutive terms.' I said, `You mean to tell me, if you had the
best leader for the blind in the world and he had served his two terms?'
`Well,' McDaniel responded, `you might apply that to it.'"
Capps was onto him, and McDaniel admitted that the proposed
amendment was aimed at Dr. tenBroek and Dr. Jernigan. It was the beginning
of the Federation's civil war, and Dr. Capps refused to be persuaded to take
a position that was contrary to his beliefs. "Well, see you later," Capps
said to McDaniel. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Beginning in 1968 and for many years thereafter, Dr. Capps had
the best seat in the house, right next to the podium, during most of Dr.
Jernigan's banquet addresses. Regarding his friendship with Dr. Jernigan,
Dr. Capps said, "I loved Dr. Jernigan like a brother, I really did, and
likewise. We [meaning Dr. and Mrs. Capps and Dr. and Mrs. Jernigan] went
together for our anniversaries on the QE2. This was shortly before Dr.
Jernigan was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
"I really miss Dr. Jernigan," reflects Dr. Capps, now
approaching his mid-eighties. "There are times when I really would like to
talk to him about things." Dr. and Mrs. Capps both recall Dr. Jernigan (at a
much earlier time) skipping and running down the street with Craig and Beth
in front of the Cappses' home.
At the 2007 convention banquet in Atlanta, Georgia, the National
Federation of the Blind bestowed upon Donald Capps the title Doctor of the
Federation and bestowed upon Betty Capps the title Keeper of the Spirit of
the Federation. In the tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Capps, Mrs. Jernigan observed
that "two people are one. Exactly and precisely what I meant to say. For who
among us does not think of Don and Betty Capps in the same breath, does not
know that they are one heart, one mind, one treasure of the Federation!" In
June of 2012 Don and Betty Capps will celebrate sixty-three wonderful years
of marriage.
It can be said that the Federation is in their blood. It can
also be said that they are in the Federation's blood, for they are a crucial
component of the Federation's identity, strength, and vitality. In the
Federation's voluminous library of materials accumulated through the decades
is an audio recording of the 1969 convention banquet held in Columbia, South
Carolina. That year the banquet address was entitled "Blindness: New
Insights on Old Outlooks." Dr. Jernigan was holding the audience in the palm
of his hand. And, as Dr. Jernigan adeptly dispelled the world's archaic
views of blindness, if you listen to the audio recording very carefully, you
can hear the voice of Dr. Capps coming over the microphone, spurring his
young friend to lead us onto the barricades with the exclamation, "Go man,
go!"
Response from Dr. Marc Maurer, NFB President:
March 21, 2012
Dr. Donald Capps
1829 Belmont Drive
Columbia, South Carolina 29206-2813
[nfbsc at sc.rr.com]
Dear Don:
Thank you for your letter dated February 29, 2012. I liked the article about
you and Betty that appeared in the Monitor myself. A good bit of it was
known to me, but there were the parts I did not know. It seems to me that I
have known you and Betty forever. Because Betty is not usually the person
making the public presentations, the details of her life are somewhat less
well known to me. However, the two of you are always working on the same
projects, carrying the same load. I am honored to know you and fortunate to
have you as friends.
As you may know, I encountered grits and honeybuns for the first
time in 1969. I met these before I met you. It is astonishing which memories
stick with you. The 1969 convention was a magical time.
Affectionately,
Marc Maurer, President
National Federation of the Blind
>From the President's Desk By Parnell Diggs
It's a great time to be a member of the NFB of SC. On this very
day, we are fighting for fair wages for blind workers in America. Since
1938, sighted workers have enjoyed the right to work for no less than a
minimum wage in this country, a right guaranteed under the so called Fair
Labor Standards Act; however, this protection does not apply to blind
workers.
Recently, Congressman Clyburn joined the fight to ensure that
blind workers are paid fairly for the work they do, and our initiative is
gaining momentum. The struggle must continue until every blind person in
America has the right to fair pay.
The work that we do in this big program of work with the blind
makes a huge difference in my life as a blind person, and the same is true
for all blind people living in America. At an NFB of SC Board meeting in
the early 1990s, a blind man attended and said that he was satisfied with a
$1 per hour wage. I could not believe that anyone could agree to be treated
in such a way.
Even though some people may disagree with the fact that our work
has as much value as the work performed by a sighted person, we must insist
on this measure of equality until it becomes a reality. I look forward to
working by your side to make it happen.
I also look forward to being at the NFB of SC Convention with
you during the second weekend of August. We have many things to be thankful
for in the Federation including our improved quality of life, our
friendship, and the Federation spirit, which will keep us strong until all
of our goals are accomplished. Thank you for all you do.
More than a Chicken Dinner
By: Cameron Mills
For over 25 years Rogers Townsend & Thomas has supported the
National Federation of the Blind-Columbia Chapter by participating in a
yearly fundraiser dinner that usually occurs in the month of April. In 2011
I was given the opportunity to participate and organize the fundraiser along
with Jackie Hearn; we were sent a total of 75 tickets in 2011 and at first
we were unsure if we could sell that many tickets but our will and
determination brought great rewards. Rogers Townsend & Thomas employees and
people outside of the office teamed up and were determined to put us in
position of reaching our goal of selling 75 tickets. In 2011, through the
collective effort of many people we raised $525, selling all 75 tickets at
$7 a dinner. We were ecstatic. In 2011 we experimented with a new way of
supporting more than the blind; we turned our attention to the homeless and
hungry. We thought outside of the box. I remember thinking what if we gave
people the opportunity to donate plates. The reaction was ground breaking
and people opened their arms to help those less fortunate. Family, friends,
and employees who necessarily couldn't be here to eat their dinner were able
to donate it. Helping others is an uplifting experience. The feeling was
indescribably rewarding.
This year we were sent 100 tickets that cost $8 a dinner. I
remembered thinking wow last year it was hard to sell 75 tickets and the
price had gone up a dollar per plate. We would have to think larger and turn
towards the community for support. This was my second year working on the
fundraiser and I had one goal on my mind, raising as much money as possible.
I called family, friends, and posted flyers all over the firm. I knew we
could do it; we would just have to take one step at a time! April 26th 2012
was the day we made not a small step but a major step. I'm happy to report
we raised enough money for 125 plates, totaling $1,010. We literally almost
doubled the amount of money we raised in 2011.
So what happened on April 26, 2012 that was so extraordinary?
125 plates arrived at the firm around 1:30 p.m. and everything was set in
motion. With the help of Graham Inabinette we started loading a little over
90 plus plates into the inside and outside of his truck. We were on our way
to deliver hot BBQ meals to Harvest Hope and both of us wondered what it was
going to be like. The time had come and we arrived at Harvest Hope, around
40-50 people were waiting outside; young, middle-aged, and old. We could see
how people looked at us and instantaneously we caught uplifting vibes, it
was evident these people were waiting on us and were thankful for what we
were doing. We conversed with the volunteers at Harvest Hope and then were
given the great opportunity to speak with Chris Daly, Chief Operating
Officer at Harvest Hope. On this day we gained a greater understanding of
how many people needed help in the community and how the community goes
about in helping them.
Mr. Daly gave us a donation form with the amount of food we
donated. When I signed the form for what we donated I was overjoyed to see
the 90 plus plates we delivered weighed 159 pounds. Mr. Daly wanted me to
extend his thanks to Rogers Townsend & Thomas and let us know how meaningful
it was to receive hot plates, which isn't an everyday item at Harvest Hope.
Graham and I walked out the front door and realized how much good we had
done that day, what a rewarding experience to help people who are hungry.
The day was still long and it was time to take over all the
checks and money to the National Federation of the Blind. I pulled up to the
center and was immediately approached by Boy Scouts who thought I was there
to pick up plates, one of them asked for my ticket. The center was packed
and I made my way to the office of the Executive Director David Houck. Now
was the time I could see all our hard work pay off. I introduced myself to
Mr. Houck and told him about how much money we raised and how we raised it.
He was thrilled to see how much progress we made in a year's time and I
explained to him how we reached that success. He thought the idea was
marvelous and I felt good inside about what we accomplished. He then asked
about Mr. Rogers and proceeded to tell me about all the great things Rogers
Townsend & Thomas has done for the National Federation of the Blind. Simply
said he described Mr. Rogers as "brilliant" and that he played a huge role
in passing a lot of legislation dealing with the blind. He told me that
without Rogers Townsend & Thomas they would not be in the position they are
in today. He then asked about Jackie Hearn and wanted me to extend his
thanks to everyone here at Rogers Townsend & Thomas for their support. He
told me they delivered close to 3,000 plates yesterday and that the funds
would play a significant role in their operations.
On the way home I felt a strong sense of what it means to be a
community, to help your fellow man and woman, and to have pride in what you
do and the manner in which you do it. I saw firsthand how Rogers Townsend &
Thomas along with others were able to help build a stronger community by
opening their arms. I look forward to next year's 60th Annual Barbecue
Dinner and now that you know a little more about how our efforts impacted
the community I hope you will too.
First Vision Awareness Summit Held in March 2012
By Steve Cook
The first-ever Vision Awareness Summit was presented by Freedom
Scientific at the Federation Center of the Blind on March 27, 2012. The
event was held in Columbia, SC and featured blindness products available
through Freedom Scientific, one of the foremost leaders in the assistive
technology field. There were over 70 people in attendance ranging from
blindness professionals to educators to potential customers.
This presentation was sponsored by the Computer Science and
Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of SC, CNI
Systems, and the SC Commission for the Blind. Charles Madsen, Bill Kilroy,
and Ron Miller represented Freedom Scientific. Fred Key and Steve Cook were
responsible for putting the event together. Fred Key is the CEO of CNI
Systems. Steve Cook is the Assistive Technology Consultant with the SC
Commission for the Blind and President of the Computer Science and
Technology Division of the NFB of SC. Key and Cook promoted the event in
South Carolina and worked with Madsen to coordinate the agenda.
Some blindness products that were demonstrated were Open Book, a
text to speech program, the Pearl (a camera that works in conjunction with
Open Book), JAWS screen reading software, focus 40 blue Braille display, and
the PlexTalk portable digital daisy book player. In fact, all who
registered for the event had their names entered in a drawing for a
PlexTalk, which was given away at lunch as a door prize!
Open Book and the Pearl
Open Book is an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) program that
allows a blind person to take hard copy material. Such as letters, bills,
magazines, books and any other typed text they choose to read. And with the
use of a scanner, gives a blind person equal access to type text through
speech output.
The Pearl, in conjunction with the Open Book software, is a
camera that connects to any computer to give a person portability to read in
any location. With the Pearl camera you can scan in books without having to
press a keystroke. This is great for college students in a classroom
setting, professionals in the office, or for anyone at home.
JAWS
JAWS is a keyboard driven screen reader, which allows a blind
person to be able to hear spoken text that is available to a sighted person
on the computer screen. JAWS works in the majority of Microsoft products.
This software gives the user access to Word files, Excel spreadsheets, Power
Point presentations, the internet, and other software programs.
Focus 40 Blue Braille Display
The Focus 40 Blue Braille display allows a person to read print
displayed on the screen on a separate Braille display. The user can also
maneuver around the screen; enter text on the screen with the Braille
display, edit, and do many other tasks as well.
PlexTalk
The PlexTalk is a portable digital daisy device that will allow you to
create recordings, play recorded books in several formats on the go,
download podcast in a wireless environment, navigate through books by
chapter, headings, words, and phrases, etc., depending on how the book is
digitally marked.
All thanks are expressed to those who sponsored this event: the
Federation Center for holding the event, CNI Systems, the SC Commission for
the Blind, The computer Science and Technology Division of the NFB of SC,
and most especially, Freedom Scientific for agreeing to bring this fantastic
program to South Carolina.
Fond memories of Fred Vercher
By Debra Canty
Fond memories of Fred Vercher...
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that
He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares
for you. ( 1 Peter 5:6-7 *NKJV )
To be separated from a loved one is hard to bear And though the
sorrow and pain are deep, May you find comfort in knowing That your love and
memories And the compassion of those who remain Are yours to hold and keep.
Fred Vercher was one of the 3 persons that I met when I attended
my first statewide seminar in 2001 at the federation center.
Fred was always an encourager and since I was newly blind, he
would always give me pointers on mobility, orientation, being an officer,
fundraising, networking, traveling and to just name a few.
No matter what, Fred wouldn't utter an unkind word on anyone's
behalf, he would always see the positive side of situations.
Fred would always help with getting the luggage on the buses as,
we traveled from state to state enhancing the quality of life for the blind.
Fred loved listening to country music and planning bus trips to
fellowship with his federation family and others.
Fred believed in the philosophy of the federation and did his
part in passing the information on to others as well.
He loved his vending business and would always have a snack or
two on hand on the buses traveling from here to there.
Fred found the love of his life in Sherry and they married on
June 9th a few years ago and I attended the lovely wedding.
Fred was such a special guy and he will be truly missed but,
his memories and legacy will live on!!!
Christmas In Heaven.
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below.
With tiny lights like Heavens stars reflecting on the snow, the
sight is so spectacular.
Please wipe away the tears for I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, but
the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring for it is beyond
description to hear the Angels sing.
I know how much you miss me and I see the pain inside your heart
but, I am not so far away, we really aren't apart, because, I will always be
in your heart, so be happy for me, dear one, you know I hold you dear and
know that I am spending Christmas with Jesus this year.
I sent each of you a memory of my undying love, this gift came
from my Heavenly home above, after all love is a gift more precious than
pure silver or gold, it was always more important in the stories that Jesus
told, please love and keep each other as, my Father said to do, for I can't
count the blessings or love he has for each of you.
So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear, remember, I
am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
Author unknown
Second Hand Rose helps National Federation of the Blind
Clarendon Citizen, April 30, 2012, By Konstantin Vengerowsky
Konstantin Vengerowsky/Clarendon Citizen - Linda Tansill (left)
and Pam Kline of The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift Store present a
$500 check to Marty McKenzie, president of the Clarendon County Chapter of
the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, at their monthly
meeting on April 19.
Marty McKenzie knows firsthand that sight is not something that
should be taken for granted. McKenzie is legally blind and can only perceive
light.
A Barrineau community native, he was born with macular
degeneration, a medical condition causing damage of the retina and the loss
of sight in the center of the visual field. Today, McKenzie is principal of
the division of outreach services for the South Carolina School for the Deaf
and the Blind.
"Vision is a powerful sense that most people take for granted," he said.
"But when you don't have it, you adjust to living without it."
Growing up, McKenzie was able to read large print with a
magnifying glass. His vision deteriorated as he grew older and by the time
he was in graduate school, he could only make out light and dark.
McKenzie serves as president of the Clarendon County Chapter of
the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.
The NFB is the largest and most influential membership
organization of blind people in the United States, according to its website.
The nonprofit consumer organization strives to improve the lives of the
blind through advocacy, education, research, technology and programs and
encourages independence and self-confidence.
The Clarendon County Chapter is comprised of roughly 25 members,
10 of whom are legally blind, said McKenzie. The members meet once a month
for a potluck supper, discussing various issues facing the blind community.
The chapter collaborates with local organizations, particularly churches, to
bring more awareness about blindness. Last year they did a Hymn Sing at the
Trinity United Methodist Church in Alcolu. They also invite guest speakers
to their meetings. Every year, the organization sends delegates to the NFB
South Carolina state convention, the national convention as well as taking a
retreat to the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind in
Pickens County.
The chapter does not have any source of funding besides their
own fundraising, McKenzie said. In their best year, that amounts to roughly
$1,500.
The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift Store's recent donation
of $500 to the chapter was a large boost to the organization, McKenzie said.
"This is literally a third of our budget," he said.
Pam Kline, co-founder of The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift
Store, said that they plan to donate on a regular basis to various other
local organizations, as well as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in
Memphis, Tennessee.
The Clarendon County Chapter of the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every
month at the Clarendon County Council on Aging building in Manning. For more
information on the chapter, contact Marty McKenzie at (843) 389-3816 or
marty2 at ftc-i.net. Yearly membership is $10 and the organization is open to
anyone.
The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift Store is located at 507
S. Mill St., in Manning. The store accepts any gently used items for
donations. For more information, contact the store at 433-2220 or Pam Kline
at (907) 317-4370.
Rocky Bottom Hosts the 2012 Spring Session of Senior Camp
By Frank Coppel
At approximately 6:00 pm, on Sunday, May 20, the dining hall in
the Conference Center at Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the
Blind was filled with excitement as 23 Seniors exchanged hugs and renewed
friendships as the 2012 Spring session of Senior Camp got under way. The 23
participants travelled to Rocky Bottom from as far away as the coast of
South Carolina and as near as Greenville.
After a delicious meal prepared by Lenora Robertson and her
daughter Ellen Taylor, introductions were made and a review of the week's
activities were discussed. After the over view of week's activities,
campers participated in two "ice breakers" led by Shelley Coppel, Shannon
Cook, and Liz Lewis which were designed to better acquaint participants with
each other.
The 2012 spring session of Senior camp consisted of activities
such as morning walks, Bingo, and a night at the movies. A group discussion
led by Shannon Cook which covered a variety of independent living techniques
as well as a second group session led by Shelley Coppel which covered such
topics as self advocacy and other blindness issues were held during the
week. On Tuesday, May 22, campers and staff went on a field trip to Brevard
North Carolina to enjoy shopping and lunch at a local restaurant. Of
course, one of the highlights of the week was the Talent Show which was held
Wednesday afternoon. When campers were not participating in scheduled
activities, they were enjoying themselves relaxing on the deck at the
Conference Center.
Many thanks go to a wonderful staff who are very caring and who
work extremely hard in assisting me as Director to ensure Senior Camp is a
tremendous success. All reports indicate that everyone had a great time at
the spring session of Senior Camp and are looking forward to the fall
session of camp which will be held September 16-20.
>From the Editor
By Donald Capps
Now that President Diggs has completed a successful experience
in running for Congress, things will be taking on a different outlook. It
was essential that we worked real hard to garner the vest possible support
from the NFB of SC to attend the Dallas national convention. You will note
that Cameron Mills has written an excellent article on the highly successful
barbecue the Columbia Chapter held last April. The calendar for Rocky
Bottom is virtually complete including reservations and we are back to
normal. We are glad that we supported Parnell's election in this
legislative area. This issue of the Palmetto Blind is replete with articles
providing the blind across the state with an opportunity to be informed on a
variety of issues affecting the blind.
It is a distinct honor to be a member of the NFB of SC by
working closely with all of you.
Final Thought
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
- William Blake
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The Palmetto Blind
The voice of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
NFB of SC President Parnell Diggs, first blind candidate to run for the
US House of Representatives
in the SC 7th Congressional District
SUMMER 2012
Web page: <http://www.nfbsc.net/> http://www.nfbsc.net
E-mail: nfbsc at sc.rr.com
The PALMETTO BLIND, published quarterly in large print, cassette
tape and Braille by the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.
Donald C. Capps, Editor.
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is
chartered under the laws of the state of South Carolina to promote the
spiritual, social and economic well-being of all blind South Carolinians.
The state organization is an affiliate of the nation's oldest and largest
organization of the blind--the National Federation of the Blind.
The PALMETTO BLIND is the voice of the National Federation of
the Blind of South Carolina and is available free of charge to any blind
individual or member in large print, Braille or cassette. Other subscribers
are encouraged. If readers desire to do so, donations to cover the annual
subscription cost of $10.00 per year may be made payable to the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina and sent to:
David Houck, Treasurer
National Federation of the Blind of SC
119 S. Kilbourne Rd.
Columbia, SC 29205
Readers receiving the cassette edition of the PALMETTO BLIND are
requested to handle the tapes with care, returning them promptly for the
benefit of other readers. In the event that you receive a bad tape, before
returning it, please enclose a note or attach a rubber band around the
cassette tape to prevent further circulation. Braille or large print copies
may be retained for personal libraries.
If you or a friend would like to remember the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina (also known as the SC Aurora Club
of the Blind, Inc.) in your will, you can do so by employing the following
language: "I give, devise, and bequeath unto the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina (aka SC Aurora Club of the Blind, Inc.), a
non-profit organization, the sum of $________________ (or "_______________
percent of my ___________estate" or "the following stocks and
bonds:____________") to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind
persons and to be held and administered by the direction of its Executive
Committee and Board of Directors."
Table of Contents
NFB of SC 42nd Annual Statewide Seminar An Outstanding Success
By David Houck
Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr.'s 90th Birthday Celebration By Donald
Capps
State Senate and House Resolutions Honoring Ralph M. Ellenburg,
Sr. on His 90th Birthday
Ellenburg Honored by Billy Cannada
Congratulations to the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year!
2012 Leadership Seminar - Building Chapters and Developing
Leadership By David Houck
72 Years of Devotion by Parnell Diggs
From the President's Desk By Parnell Diggs
More than a Chicken Dinner By: Cameron Mills
First Vision Awareness Summit Held in March 2012 By Steve Cook
Fond memories of Fred Vercher By Debra Canty
Second Hand Rose helps National Federation of the Blind
Rocky Bottom Hosts the 2012 Spring Session of Senior Camp By
Frank Coppel
From the Editor By Donald Capps
Final Thought
NFB of SC 42nd Annual Statewide Seminar An Outstanding Success
By David Houck
Saturday, January 7, 2012 was a warm, balmy day with
temperatures approaching 70 degrees by the afternoon, quite unlike early
January weather. Following the Federation Center's 50th anniversary
celebration on October 18, 2011, members flooded in from throughout the
state and saw for themselves the beautifully renovated facilities and
grounds. Approximately 200 were in attendance, looking forward to the day's
activities.
Throughout the day, chapter leaders and members dropped off
state dues, Dallas bus fund tickets sold and bus reservations were made. A
variety of auction items were on display for auction during various times
throughout the seminar. These included three designer cakes by Donna Early
and cakes by others, an electronic hand held magnifier, baskets stuffed with
a variety of items, glass bowls, Lynn Hornsby's fudge, etc. By the end of
the day there were several competitive bids on many items and $913 was
raised for the Federation Center's program budget.
NFB of SC President Parnell Diggs kicked off the Statewide
Seminar welcoming the large audience. There was sad news to report as Diane
Collins, NFB of SC board member, RBRCCB Ex-Officio board member and
President of the Barnwell Chapter had passed away earlier that day resulting
from a long term bout with heart problems. Jeff and Diane were responsible
for the donation of the Federation Center's ice machine which bears a plaque
in their honor and Diane Collins and her mother, Margaret Copp both had a
great interest in the development of the existing playground at RBRCCB a
half dozen years ago. Her stature in the Barnwell Chapter kept the chapter
enthusiastic and she even worked with the development of other chapters like
the Allendale Chapter. Recently, NFB of SC board member Fred Vercher also
had passed after a long illness resulting from diabetes. His many
federation involvements were also extolled. Dr. Donald Capps recounted his
experiences concerning Avis Wilson-Griggs who also passed recently. She was
directly related to other well known federationists. These three will be
greatly missed as a moment of silence was observed by the seminar
participants.
David Houck gave announcements concerning where to take dues,
bus tickets and reservations and what is on the literature table (brochures,
kernel books, RBRCCB reservation forms, etc.) which got snatched up quickly.
Columbia Chapter President Frank Coppel welcomed the audience as the chapter
was glad to host the Statewide Seminar for 42 years now. Lenora Robertson
excited the attendees about the Dallas bus ticket fund as she and others
were very busy accepting tickets all day in advance of the afternoon
drawing. President Diggs stated that Dallas chartered bus reservations
would be $70 per person. The bus will leave for the Dallas NFB convention
at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, arriving in Dallas Sunday afternoon July
1. The return trip was decided to be on Friday morning, July 6, arriving
back in Columbia on Saturday, July 7. Hotel reservations can be made now by
calling the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas at 214-761-7500. New members are
encouraged to read the January Braille Monitor to apply for a Jernigan Fund
scholarship for those who have never attended a state convention before.
President Diggs spoke about the NFB Pre-Authorized Check or "PAC
Plan" whereby a monthly donation set by you is withdrawn from your checking
account to assist the national organization. PAC Plan forms were on hand
for distribution.
Juan Sims from the SC Commission for the Blind was on hand
representing Commissioner Kirby who was unable to be present. Following a
few comments, he opened the meeting for questions from the audience. He
reassured the audience that assistance for Senior Blind Camps and Children's
Camps would continue by the Commission. However, the Commission was
suffering from 42% in budget cuts or about $2.2 million. It was hoped that
a half million dollars in state funding which matches five times federally
would be approved in the near future. It was confirmed that the Older Blind
Program has suffered and no older blind clients would be referred for
adaptive computer training at the Federation Center for the foreseeable
future. The Independent Daily Living Program has been cut by $24,000 to
$40,000. There are no Prevention of Blindness counselors and only four
Older Blind counselors to cover the entire state and Rehabilitation Center
training for the older blind has been discontinued. Juan Sims stated that
every department has been hit financially and Children's Services has only
two counselors to cover the entire state.
Maggie Park, President of the SC School for the Deaf and the
Blind reported that they have suffered cuts as well but they have also been
busy increasing their service to blind students. Wrestling is back at
SCSDB. Wal-Mart has set up a mini store for training blind students in
retail operations. Substantial funding has been secured to place the latest
in technology for the blind (Apple products, etc.) for use by the blind.
These funds will affect building renovations and other tactile renovations,
making utilization of the campus much easier and safe for the students.
Funding was secured to bring in many more students for education and
training. A Denny's Restaurant was set up for student restaurant training
which should open in the very near future. It seemed that many of the
seminar participants wish they were young enough to participate in these
employment opportunities for the blind. President Maggie Park presented a
tactile NFB bird house in blue and yellow for the auction which was sold for
$51, purchased by Frank Coppel.
Steve Cook, President of the NFB of SC Computer Science and
Technology Division spoke about funding the efforts of the division through
a technology drawing later in the day. Milton Tant was the winner of the
drawing, receiving a talking oven thermometer. President Diggs and Hampton
Miller from the Election Commission spoke of the importance of voting
independently in the upcoming elections and demonstrated the accessible
voting machines. During the noontime lunch break, many hands-on
demonstrations were made and some even registered to vote. During the lunch
break the RBRCCB and NFB of SC Board of Directors met. One thing of
interest was that SC Talking Book Services has a new Director, Sandy Knowles
of Columbia. We all look forward to getting to know her.
Following the great luncheon provided by Isaiah Nelson and his
crew, the afternoon session got underway as Dr. Donald Capps, Chairman of
the RBRCCB Board of Directors reported on the upcoming celebration of
Advisory Board Chairman Ralph M. Ellenburg's 90th birthday. This event will
be held on February 2 in the Rocky Bottom Conference Center. Our new
Resident Manager, Elsie Duncan is doing a great job taking care of the
facilities, grounds and guests. Dr. Capps then proceeded to kick off a
limited fundraising campaign for Parnell Diggs' Congressional election,
raising $575 in just a few minutes from those who wished to support his
campaign.
David Houck, Federation Center Executive Director was called
upon for a Center report. He recounted the events of 2011 leading up to the
Center's 50th anniversary celebration on October 18. Much of the credit
goes to Dr. Capps and Mrs. Betty Capps for directing the campaign to perform
much needed renovations, pay for the celebration expenses and kick off the
next half century of service to the state's blind. He thanked the Center
Board for their support as well as the seminar participants as or 60
chapters and divisions, RBRCCB and the NFB of SC makes up our hub of service
to the blind, although membership in the federation is not required to
become eligible for our many programs of service for the blind.
Steve Cook followed up with a NewslineR demonstration and he was
ready to sign up many more for service, as he is willing to go to local
chapters to demonstrate and sign people up. His goal is to have 1,000 users
signed up by April.
President Diggs gave a presentation concerning a five or seven
day NFB of SC cruise. After hearing all the details, the audience chose the
five day cruise scheduled for January 14-19, 2013 leaving out of the Port of
Charleston, visiting the Bahamas. Many federationists were interested in
the cruise and more details will be forthcoming.
Finally, the bus ticket drawing was made and 5,151 bus tickets
were sold. The Columbia Chapter sold 912 tickets and won the $300 for
selling the most tickets. Rock Hill Chapter placed second with 656 tickets
sold with the Sumter Chapter close behind, selling 641 bus tickets. Betty
Uhlik, member of the Rock Hill Chapter bought and sold the winning ticket
and received the grand prize of $600!
Once the meeting was adjourned for the day everyone returned
home excited about recounting the day's events to their fellow
federationists, families and friends. It was really a great day.
Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr.'s 90th Birthday Celebration
By Donald Capps
On Thursday evening February 2 there was a unique dinner held to honor our
distinguished Advisory Board Chairman, Mr. Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr., the
occasion being his 90th birthday. I know a little something about the
quality of Banquets after all these many years and I can tell you that the
Ellenburg banquet was highly successful and unique in various respects. For
some months we knew that Mr. Ellenburg's birthday was February 2 and we
chose this year to celebrate Mr. Ellenburg's birthday for his 30 years of
service to RBRCCB. We had extended invitations to about 40 people but as
the doors to the majestic Conference Center opened, it was apparent that
more than 40 people would be present. We had to scramble for additional
chairs, as indicated; we had 61 people attend the memorable occasion. We
also had to stretch the food and the food service people headed up by our
Resident Manager Elsie Duncan did an excellent job. Elsie had bought food
for about 40 and no more than 50 and we simply did not know that 61 people
would be in attendance but like those of us in RBRCCB, there were a lot of
relatives and friends who wanted to be present for Mr. Ellenburg's 90th
birthday. Incidentally, he is still active after 90 years of service and of
course his longevity is of help to a lot of people, especially blind people.
The head table was a Who's Who. Here are some of the officials at the head
table: Senator Larry Martin, Sherriff David Stone, Dr. Tom Bowen and his
wife Caroline, Billy Singleton, and of course, our two RBRCCB stars, NFB of
SC President Parnell Diggs and RBRCCB Treasurer, David Houck (who worked at
a rate one could never measure up to in the fact that David did so much to
make the dinner a success knowing that this was no simple get-together).
Senator Larry Martin, member of the SC Senate who lists RBRCCB on his
Legislative Manual page, presented Mr. Ellenburg with a Senate Resolution
thanking him for his years of service. By the way, Senator Martin serves on
the Advisory Board of RBRCCB. We mustn't forget other Advisory Board
members who attended the event like Mr. Phil Marett and his wife Christine
who drove over from Anderson to attend the dinner. A House Resolution was
also presented expressing gratitude for Mr. Ellenburg's life of service.
Rep. Rita Allison has worked many years with the federation and currently
serves on the Advisory Board of RBRCCB. Sherriff David Stone briefly
addressed the dinner audience and finally the head table was accommodating
more than a dozen dignitaries. I think our state President Parnell Diggs
was at his best as he presented more knowledge than I realized calling
attention to the beautiful ten bedroom Ellenburg Lodge which has
accommodated thousands of persons as it celebrates its 13th anniversary and
great facilities are always magnificent. It was my pleasure to discuss some
of my life experiences in that Mr. Ellenburg had been very helpful to me for
some 30 years. I firmly believed that Rocky Bottom would eventually become
synonymous with blindness as Betty and I first visited Rocky Bottom in May
of 1958 and fell in love with its scenic beauty and crisp, invigorating
breeze. I give Betty much of the credit for her being at my side and she
too fell in love with this pristine area. David Houck's invocation was
inspired and I think that prayer reached out to probably 50 people, mostly
Ralph's relatives and when all was said and done, individuals who were very
impressed contributed funds totaling just short of $2,000. David Houck as
well as myself enlisted the publicity of the Pickens Sentinel and this media
release was one of the finest I have ever read. At some point this article
will be published in the Palmetto Blind. The highlight of the event was the
presentation of the Distinguished Service Award which was beautiful in every
respect and we appreciate Dr. Bowen's reading of the plaque. Unless you've
been involved in a major dinner it is difficult to cover some of the things
which may seem minor but are actually very important. The Conference Center
was a thing of beauty and the major compliment goes to our Resident Manager,
Elsie Duncan. Betty was also very helpful. As I turned in for the night
after we had dinner, I was so wound up that I found it difficult to settle
down as one thing I thought as I tried to sleep was that I realized that I
was correct in traveling to RBRCCB to spend a week reviewing appropriate
materials and I believe I had done the right thing. We drove back to
Columbia with our heads held high. Happy birthday Ralph and may you have
many more. Thanks to everyone who assisted with the banquet and especially
to people like Ralph Crittenden who had to design the sound system whereby
everyone in the spacious Dining Hall could hear.
State Senate and House Resolutions Honoring Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr. on His
90th Birthday
(Editor's Note: Senator Larry A. Martin and Representative Rita Allison
presented resolutions honoring Ralph Ellenburg's 90th birthday during the
grand occasion.)
On Motion Of
SENATOR LARRY A. MARTIN
Pickens County
To Congratulate and Extend Very Best Wishes
To
MR. RALPH M. ELLENBURG, SR.
On the Occasion of his 90th Birthday
Thursday, February 2, 2012
As Family and Friends Gather at the
Rocky Bottom Retreat and
Conference Center of the Blind
At Rocky Bottom, South Carolina
Given this 2nd day of February in the year Two Thousand Twelve
*****
REPRESENTATIVE RITA ALLISON
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HONOR AND COMMEND
M R. R A L P H M. E L L E N B U R G, S R.
RECOGNIZING HIM ON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS MILESTONE 90TH BIRTHDAY AND
WISHING HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION; WE THANK HIM FOR ALL HE DOES FOR
THE COMMUNITY, AN ASSET FOR MANY YEARS; HE IS A MAN OF MANY TALENTS, ALWAYS
WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE TO HELP OTHERS; HE BRINGS GREAT PRIDE TO HIS
FAMILY, FRIENDS AND MEMBERS OF HIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS, THE MEMBERS OF THE
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE HIM
ON THIS SPECIAL DAY, WISHING HIM THE VERY HAPPIEST OF DAYS; WE JOIN IN
RECOGNIZING HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY AND WISH HIM MORE YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH,
HAPPINESS AND JOY.
GIVEN THIS 17TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2012, STATE HOUSE, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
Ellenburg Honored
by Billy Cannada , Pickens Sentinel, February 1, 2012
PICKENS COUNTY - For Ralph Ellenburg, helping blind people in
South Carolina has become a lifelong mission, and it is a mission that the
90-year old Easley native plans to keep alive for the foreseeable future.
"As long as I live, I am going to be active with the blind,"
said Ellenburg. "I will help them any way I can. I am healthy and I have
been blessed, so I need to pass that on to other people. As long as I can
maneuver I am going to be maneuvering for the blind."
Ellenburg has been the Advisory Board Chairman at Rocky Bottom
Retreat and Conference Center of The Blind (RBRCCB) for more than 25 years,
and has donated tens of thousands of dollars keeping the organization alive
and well.
"He has paid all the bills at times when we could not meet all
of our expenses," said RBRCCB Board of Directors Chairman and longtime
friend, Donald Capps. "He is a businessman that has always been interested
in helping the organization grow."
Despite his substantial giving, Ellenburg says there is no way
he could do enough for the organization.
"I have been very fortunate in my life," said Ellenburg. "I have
a good family and I have been successful in business. I try to help any
cause that comes along, but I don't regret anything that I have done for the
blind. I just wish I could do more."
The organization provides many services to blind people all over
South Carolina, and Capps says a lot of it was made possible by Ellenberger.
"Our purpose is to assist blind South Carolinians," said Capps.
"At Rocky Bottom, there is no money unless we generate it. I really can't
recall having been associated with so many people that were as generous to
the blind as Mr. Ellenburg."
Ellenberger says when he began working with the blind in the
1980's; it started a journey that he still continues today
"I started with the blind when I was still in business in
Easley," said Ellenburg. "It has been good for them as well as me. I can't
say enough about the blind. I listen to them and I hear from them all the
time. It just does me good to be there for them."
Capps says his friend is unlike many people he has ever known.
"He is a very good person to be around," said Capps. "His
favorite people to help are blind people, and he'll help them about as
quickly as he would close relatives."
The organization is getting set to hold a banquet in his honor
on February 2 at the center, and Capps says it is the least they could do.
"The celebration will be in recognition of a man who is still
active (with the organizations," said Capps. "His giving spirit is unmatched
by anyone."
With an active future ahead of him, Ellenberger says he hopes he
can continue to make contributions to the people he loves.
"I just love the blind," said Ellenberger. "They are fine,
gracious people that will appreciate anything you do for them. They're doing
me a favor by letting me be there rather than me doing them a favor for
helping them."
Congratulations to the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year!
United Way of the Midlands newsletter, February 14, 2012
John D. Baker was a philanthropist long before he knew what the
term meant.
He was exposed to the idea of "giving back" at 16 when he
attended a ceremony honoring his father, David, who chaired the Columbia
United Communities Fund Drive (the predecessor to United Way). He started
volunteering with March of Dimes shortly thereafter, and he continues his
involvement in the community to this day.
a b o u t t h e r e c i p i e n t- John D. Baker
John D. Baker was born in Columbia and graduated from the
University of South Carolina. He joined his father and his father's cousin,
Lee, at Baker & Baker in June 1979. John was a philanthropist long before
he knew what the term meant. He was exposed to the idea of "giving back"
at 16 when he attended a ceremony honoring his father, David, who chaired
the Columbia United Communities Fund Drive (the predecessor to United Way).
He started volunteering with March of Dimes shortly thereafter, and he
continues his involvement to this day. John was awarded the Elaine Whitelaw
award, the highest honor ever bestowed on a March of Dimes volunteer, at the
March of Dimes National Volunteer Leadership conference.
As President of the Tree of Life Congregation, John was one of
the first supporters of the new Chabad Labovitch movement, which runs a
successful Jewish Day School in Columbia.
John served on the Richland County Public Library Board of
Trustees. After his chairmanship, RCPL was named Library of the Year in 2001
by the American Library Association. John and his family helped bring
Maurice Sendak, best known for Where the Wild Things Are, to the library. In
2000, John received the Trustee of the Year award given by the SC
Association of Public Library
Administrators.
John and his firm were instrumental in the initial funding of
the United Way of the Midlands Early Childhood Initiative, Vital
Connections. John formed Step Into Reading to raise money for books and put
them into the hands of needy children. In 2001, John accepted the Corporate
Citizen of the Year award from the Carolina's chapter of Volunteers of
America for Step Into Reading.
The State of Israel Bonds in Columbia honored John in 2002 with
the State of Israel's Ben Gurion award for his years of service. John was
awarded the State's highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, by Gov. James
Hodges. John also received the Philanthropist of the Year award given by the
state chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
He is married to the former Marcie Stern, of Columbia, and they
have one child, Gabrielle, who is a Junior at George Washington University.
2012 Leadership Seminar - Building Chapters and Developing Leadership
By David Houck
Saturday, March 3 was a rainy day but that did not keep chapter
presidents and state board members from all across the state from attending
the annual Leadership Seminar. Chapters represented included but are not
limited to the Columbia, Conway, Grand Strand, Greenville, Anderson,
Lancaster, Chesterfield and Upper Dorchester Chapters. NFB of SC President
Parnell Diggs had some important comments about the Leadership Seminar which
are as follows:
"If you missed the Leadership Seminar on Saturday, you missed
one of the best Seminars we have ever held. We discussed the usual items,
such as the nuts and bolts of chapter operations, but we also featured guest
presenters who introduced excellent programs for chapters to consider as
fundraising tools. There was even an item that we will develop for the NFB
of SC. Stay tuned for more details about that in the near future.
One chapter leader, President Daisy Drakeford, wrote us in
advance of the Seminar and requested ideas about generating funds for
chapter activities, and Dr. Capps provided a wealth of experience for the
chapter to use in the coming months to build the chapter treasury.
Additionally, he mailed President Drakeford a list of successful fundraising
initiatives which has been developed through the years. Other chapters
received a memorandum about this in the mail this week, and I hope you will
consider sparing a small donation for our Lancaster Chapter. A small amount
from lots of friends will go a long way.
During the Seminar, we distributed some Cruise tickets, which
are being sold at a cost of $10 per ticket for a chance to win a choice of a
cabin for two on the Carnival Fantasy during the NFB of SC Cruise on January
14 through 19, 2013, or $1000. The beauty of this method of selling tickets
is that proceeds will benefit the NFB of SC treasury immediately. In other
words, please start selling your tickets now because the drawing will be
here before we know it. There is no reason why we cannot sell at least one
thousand tickets statewide. I have already begun selling my first ten
tickets, and I know that others have already taken tickets as well. Dorothy
Barksdale, I believe, was the first member to accept an allotment of
tickets. Like Dorothy, we should all do what we can to make this initiative
a huge success beyond what we generate from cabin reservations on the
Cruise. Frank Coppel is reserving a cabin and plans to buy a ticket in
hopes of gaining some spending money for the cruise and the off-ship
attractions in Freeport and Nassau. I am doing likewise."
At the outset of the Leadership Seminar as well as at the end of
it, there were presentations concerning chapter fundraising opportunities.
Levern Wilson of Conway spoke about the use of advertising, chapter
brochures and their chapter's website in recruiting and fundraising. They
also brought with them Jane Atkins who spoke of using e-commerce as a
fundraising tool through her service. Toward the end, Ed Bible brought a
representative from ACN who spoke about a similar e-commerce opportunity
using services we already are using and receiving a percentage of the sales
for the non-profit organization.
President Diggs also involved seminar participants in lively
discussions about what makes a good chapter and what is the most important
thing a chapter should do. Results included recruiting, fundraising,
meeting locations, having meetings the same time each month, making sure
members are aware of upcoming events, and leadership development within the
chapter. I can recall at an NFB Leadership Seminar in Baltimore in 1985
that Dr. Jernigan stated the most important thing a chapter, state
organization or even the national organization could do was making certain
of the succession to the presidency. Many chapters remain strong if they
have several experienced leaders
The afternoon luncheon consisted of a variety of sub sandwiches,
chips and cookies. Everyone continued to eat their lunch as the seminar
resumed, not wishing to waste any time. Dr. Capps utilized his years of
experience in chapter growth and development to share how chapter presidents
can make a real difference in motivating the membership and reaching out to
the community. In fact, the state office carries Suggested Guidelines for
the Operation of NFB of SC Chapters, authored by Dr. Capps as an operations
manual for the chapter president to follow. Model chapter constitutions and
chapter fundraising ideas are also written materials at the disposal of
chapters from the state office and can be issued upon request. The
Leadership Seminar only lacked one thing if you are a chapter president and
were not present, and that was YOU! However, for all those who did attend,
there was much to consider, discuss and implement with their local chapter
at their next meeting. All in all, it was a great Leadership Seminar and
our hats are off to President Parnell Diggs as well as to President Emeritus
Dr. Capps for a job well done.
72 Years of Devotion
by Parnell Diggs
(Editor's Note: Both Parnell Diggs and Donald Capps are well known
Federation members across the United States. It is the purpose of
disseminating this article to reach many of our friends and others who also
might wish to know about this excellent article by Parnell Diggs)
From the Braille Monitor Editor: When I think about the
blessings of a long marriage and an example of an inseparable couple, two
people come to mind: Betty and Don Capps. They were the original inspiration
for finding a prominent place in the February issue to commemorate
Valentine's Day for lovers of all ages, but when I asked NFB of South
Carolina President Parnell Diggs for a contribution of several paragraphs
about them, he found it impossible to write only a few words. Here is his
wonderful tribute to the power of love, to the importance of going for what
you really want and figuring out how to get it, and to the commitment of two
valentines who continue to enrich each other's lives.
Those of us who have grown to know and love the National
Federation of the Blind know that the organized blind movement was
established in 1940 and that Dr. Jacobus tenBroek presided over the first
convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania, with sixteen people registered. But this piece is not about
Wilkes-Barre.
It is about Mullins, South Carolina, and a place called Procter
Street, where two Federationists formed a bond that proved to be the
foundation of the love of a lifetime. Coincidentally, this star-crossing
also happened in 1940: when a twelve-year-old boy whose family had just
moved to Procter Street saw a beautiful, blond-haired girl walking down the
street in front of his house. He described Betty Rogers as "the prettiest
girl in the city," and conveniently she lived just three houses up the
street. Less convenient, however, was the fact that during the school year
he found himself over two hundred miles away from Procter Street at the
South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, and he could call on her only
during summers and holidays.
But call on her he did, and the preteen courtship of Donald
Capps and Betty Rogers ensued. He had observed that Betty (about ten years
old at the time) had received a new bicycle for Christmas. Since he did not
own a bicycle, young Capps often strolled down to her house and asked if he
could ride the bike. In fact, he recalls putting more mileage on that bike
than she did.
They also made good use of a swing on Betty's front porch. It
was big enough for three, but most of the time he was successfully able to
dissuade others from joining them. In his Kernel Book story entitled "The
Value of Greeting Cards," Dr. Capps writes, "That particular swing stands
out in my mind. When I was fourteen-and-a-half and Betty was twelve, we were
swinging together one summer evening, and I managed to steal a kiss. Was it
puppy love?--I think not."
In the summer of 1944, when Capps was fifteen, he walked from
his home about ten blocks to Mullins High School, where he asked to meet
with a school administrator about entering public school in eleventh grade.
This was thirty years before Public Law 94-142, at a time when it was widely
accepted that blind students attended residential schools, and that was
that. "We don't have any visually impaired students," Mr. McCormick said.
But, being the resourceful lad that he was, Capps was able to talk his way
into the student body at Mullins High School, rising to the top ten percent
of his class, and graduating in 1946.
That fall Capps enrolled at a business school in Columbia, South
Carolina, completed the program in 1947, and remained in Columbia, accepting
a position as a junior claims examiner trainee at Colonial Life and Accident
Insurance Company. Betty was still in high school, and he found himself once
again seeing her when he could get to Mullins. Over the next two or three
years, then, Capps often (as in at least two hundred times) hitchhiked to
Mullins to see Betty and back to Columbia to continue building a career. "I
would just depend on my old thumb (recalled Capps). "It never failed me.
Always someone would stop and pick me up. I was never stranded; it was the
most incredible thing."
Dr. Capps recently observed that "Times have changed so much
since 1946. As a seventeen-year-old youngster you would not dare to get out
on the highway and just thumb anything that comes along and hop in the car.
That's what I did." On one of these trips to Mullins in July of 1948,
recalled Mrs. Capps, he popped the question, so Donald Capps and Betty
Rogers were married on June 25, 1949, only twenty-two days after Betty
graduated from high school. By then his hitchhiking days had ended, and the
couple settled-down in Columbia, South Carolina.
In 1954 young Capps was asked by his boss to review a package
that had been sent to Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company: a box of
greeting cards and some literature about the National Federation of the
Blind. He was so impressed with the package that he crossed the country,
along with Mrs. Capps, to attend the 1956 NFB convention in San Francisco,
California. With no interstates, it was a five-day drive one-way (Dr. Capps
doesn't care to fly when he can avoid it), but the trip took three weeks and
included both the national convention and a leadership seminar conducted by
Dr. tenBroek.
They would attend fifty-five of the next fifty-six national
conventions together, with Mrs. Capps missing only the Boston convention of
1958, because she was under doctor's orders not to travel so close to
delivering their second child and only daughter Beth. Their only son Craig
had been born in 1955.
While still in his twenties, Dr. Capps developed a close
friendship with Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, who would eventually succeed Dr.
tenBroek as NFB president in 1968. That year in Des Moines, Iowa, Capps was
elected first vice president of the National Federation of the Blind and
held that position until 1984. He had served as second vice president from
1959 through 1968.
But even after twenty-five consecutive years in the leadership
of the National Federation of the Blind and a career-spanning thirty-eight
years at Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company, Capps was still only
in his mid-fifties. It was then that he decided to retire as a claims
examiner and dive into Federation work and service to his blind brothers and
sisters fulltime. In 1985 the convention enthusiastically returned him to
the NFB board of directors: a position he would hold for twenty-two
consecutive years, until 2007. That year he told the convention that he and
Betty were stepping back, not stepping away: thereby ending forty-seven
years of service on the national board.
Dr. Capps believes that, when we elect someone to office in the
Federation, we elect his or her spouse too. Mrs. Capps agrees and has been
by her husband's side as they traveled to all fifty states, a handful of
foreign countries, as well as Europe, Africa, and Australia, attending
international meetings as representatives of the National Federation of the
Blind.
With more than a half century of service now behind them, Dr.
Capps recalls a wise decision he made (while still in his twenties and
lacking experience in the Federation) that has affected the rest of their
lives. Life is filled with watershed moments, and one such moment for Dr.
and Mrs. Capps came at the 1957 national convention in New Orleans,
Louisiana. He had been a state president for less than one year, and the
Cappses were attending only their second convention. Here is how Dr. Capps
recalled the incident. "Durward McDaniel (a national board member at the
time), who seemed to be a good enough man, called me up to his room. I was
green as a gourd. He said that we needed to amend the constitution. I said,
`what's the problem with the current one?' He said, `Well, not so much wrong
with it, we need a provision mandating that a person in office can't serve
over two consecutive terms.' I said, `You mean to tell me, if you had the
best leader for the blind in the world and he had served his two terms?'
`Well,' McDaniel responded, `you might apply that to it.'"
Capps was onto him, and McDaniel admitted that the proposed
amendment was aimed at Dr. tenBroek and Dr. Jernigan. It was the beginning
of the Federation's civil war, and Dr. Capps refused to be persuaded to take
a position that was contrary to his beliefs. "Well, see you later," Capps
said to McDaniel. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Beginning in 1968 and for many years thereafter, Dr. Capps had
the best seat in the house, right next to the podium, during most of Dr.
Jernigan's banquet addresses. Regarding his friendship with Dr. Jernigan,
Dr. Capps said, "I loved Dr. Jernigan like a brother, I really did, and
likewise. We [meaning Dr. and Mrs. Capps and Dr. and Mrs. Jernigan] went
together for our anniversaries on the QE2. This was shortly before Dr.
Jernigan was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
"I really miss Dr. Jernigan," reflects Dr. Capps, now
approaching his mid-eighties. "There are times when I really would like to
talk to him about things." Dr. and Mrs. Capps both recall Dr. Jernigan (at a
much earlier time) skipping and running down the street with Craig and Beth
in front of the Cappses' home.
At the 2007 convention banquet in Atlanta, Georgia, the National
Federation of the Blind bestowed upon Donald Capps the title Doctor of the
Federation and bestowed upon Betty Capps the title Keeper of the Spirit of
the Federation. In the tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Capps, Mrs. Jernigan observed
that "two people are one. Exactly and precisely what I meant to say. For who
among us does not think of Don and Betty Capps in the same breath, does not
know that they are one heart, one mind, one treasure of the Federation!" In
June of 2012 Don and Betty Capps will celebrate sixty-three wonderful years
of marriage.
It can be said that the Federation is in their blood. It can
also be said that they are in the Federation's blood, for they are a crucial
component of the Federation's identity, strength, and vitality. In the
Federation's voluminous library of materials accumulated through the decades
is an audio recording of the 1969 convention banquet held in Columbia, South
Carolina. That year the banquet address was entitled "Blindness: New
Insights on Old Outlooks." Dr. Jernigan was holding the audience in the palm
of his hand. And, as Dr. Jernigan adeptly dispelled the world's archaic
views of blindness, if you listen to the audio recording very carefully, you
can hear the voice of Dr. Capps coming over the microphone, spurring his
young friend to lead us onto the barricades with the exclamation, "Go man,
go!"
Response from Dr. Marc Maurer, NFB President:
March 21, 2012
Dr. Donald Capps
1829 Belmont Drive
Columbia, South Carolina 29206-2813
[nfbsc at sc.rr.com]
Dear Don:
Thank you for your letter dated February 29, 2012. I liked the article about
you and Betty that appeared in the Monitor myself. A good bit of it was
known to me, but there were the parts I did not know. It seems to me that I
have known you and Betty forever. Because Betty is not usually the person
making the public presentations, the details of her life are somewhat less
well known to me. However, the two of you are always working on the same
projects, carrying the same load. I am honored to know you and fortunate to
have you as friends.
As you may know, I encountered grits and honeybuns for the first
time in 1969. I met these before I met you. It is astonishing which memories
stick with you. The 1969 convention was a magical time.
Affectionately,
Marc Maurer, President
National Federation of the Blind
>From the President's Desk By Parnell Diggs
It's a great time to be a member of the NFB of SC. On this very
day, we are fighting for fair wages for blind workers in America. Since
1938, sighted workers have enjoyed the right to work for no less than a
minimum wage in this country, a right guaranteed under the so called Fair
Labor Standards Act; however, this protection does not apply to blind
workers.
Recently, Congressman Clyburn joined the fight to ensure that
blind workers are paid fairly for the work they do, and our initiative is
gaining momentum. The struggle must continue until every blind person in
America has the right to fair pay.
The work that we do in this big program of work with the blind
makes a huge difference in my life as a blind person, and the same is true
for all blind people living in America. At an NFB of SC Board meeting in
the early 1990s, a blind man attended and said that he was satisfied with a
$1 per hour wage. I could not believe that anyone could agree to be treated
in such a way.
Even though some people may disagree with the fact that our work
has as much value as the work performed by a sighted person, we must insist
on this measure of equality until it becomes a reality. I look forward to
working by your side to make it happen.
I also look forward to being at the NFB of SC Convention with
you during the second weekend of August. We have many things to be thankful
for in the Federation including our improved quality of life, our
friendship, and the Federation spirit, which will keep us strong until all
of our goals are accomplished. Thank you for all you do.
More than a Chicken Dinner
By: Cameron Mills
For over 25 years Rogers Townsend & Thomas has supported the
National Federation of the Blind-Columbia Chapter by participating in a
yearly fundraiser dinner that usually occurs in the month of April. In 2011
I was given the opportunity to participate and organize the fundraiser along
with Jackie Hearn; we were sent a total of 75 tickets in 2011 and at first
we were unsure if we could sell that many tickets but our will and
determination brought great rewards. Rogers Townsend & Thomas employees and
people outside of the office teamed up and were determined to put us in
position of reaching our goal of selling 75 tickets. In 2011, through the
collective effort of many people we raised $525, selling all 75 tickets at
$7 a dinner. We were ecstatic. In 2011 we experimented with a new way of
supporting more than the blind; we turned our attention to the homeless and
hungry. We thought outside of the box. I remember thinking what if we gave
people the opportunity to donate plates. The reaction was ground breaking
and people opened their arms to help those less fortunate. Family, friends,
and employees who necessarily couldn't be here to eat their dinner were able
to donate it. Helping others is an uplifting experience. The feeling was
indescribably rewarding.
This year we were sent 100 tickets that cost $8 a dinner. I
remembered thinking wow last year it was hard to sell 75 tickets and the
price had gone up a dollar per plate. We would have to think larger and turn
towards the community for support. This was my second year working on the
fundraiser and I had one goal on my mind, raising as much money as possible.
I called family, friends, and posted flyers all over the firm. I knew we
could do it; we would just have to take one step at a time! April 26th 2012
was the day we made not a small step but a major step. I'm happy to report
we raised enough money for 125 plates, totaling $1,010. We literally almost
doubled the amount of money we raised in 2011.
So what happened on April 26, 2012 that was so extraordinary?
125 plates arrived at the firm around 1:30 p.m. and everything was set in
motion. With the help of Graham Inabinette we started loading a little over
90 plus plates into the inside and outside of his truck. We were on our way
to deliver hot BBQ meals to Harvest Hope and both of us wondered what it was
going to be like. The time had come and we arrived at Harvest Hope, around
40-50 people were waiting outside; young, middle-aged, and old. We could see
how people looked at us and instantaneously we caught uplifting vibes, it
was evident these people were waiting on us and were thankful for what we
were doing. We conversed with the volunteers at Harvest Hope and then were
given the great opportunity to speak with Chris Daly, Chief Operating
Officer at Harvest Hope. On this day we gained a greater understanding of
how many people needed help in the community and how the community goes
about in helping them.
Mr. Daly gave us a donation form with the amount of food we
donated. When I signed the form for what we donated I was overjoyed to see
the 90 plus plates we delivered weighed 159 pounds. Mr. Daly wanted me to
extend his thanks to Rogers Townsend & Thomas and let us know how meaningful
it was to receive hot plates, which isn't an everyday item at Harvest Hope.
Graham and I walked out the front door and realized how much good we had
done that day, what a rewarding experience to help people who are hungry.
The day was still long and it was time to take over all the
checks and money to the National Federation of the Blind. I pulled up to the
center and was immediately approached by Boy Scouts who thought I was there
to pick up plates, one of them asked for my ticket. The center was packed
and I made my way to the office of the Executive Director David Houck. Now
was the time I could see all our hard work pay off. I introduced myself to
Mr. Houck and told him about how much money we raised and how we raised it.
He was thrilled to see how much progress we made in a year's time and I
explained to him how we reached that success. He thought the idea was
marvelous and I felt good inside about what we accomplished. He then asked
about Mr. Rogers and proceeded to tell me about all the great things Rogers
Townsend & Thomas has done for the National Federation of the Blind. Simply
said he described Mr. Rogers as "brilliant" and that he played a huge role
in passing a lot of legislation dealing with the blind. He told me that
without Rogers Townsend & Thomas they would not be in the position they are
in today. He then asked about Jackie Hearn and wanted me to extend his
thanks to everyone here at Rogers Townsend & Thomas for their support. He
told me they delivered close to 3,000 plates yesterday and that the funds
would play a significant role in their operations.
On the way home I felt a strong sense of what it means to be a
community, to help your fellow man and woman, and to have pride in what you
do and the manner in which you do it. I saw firsthand how Rogers Townsend &
Thomas along with others were able to help build a stronger community by
opening their arms. I look forward to next year's 60th Annual Barbecue
Dinner and now that you know a little more about how our efforts impacted
the community I hope you will too.
First Vision Awareness Summit Held in March 2012
By Steve Cook
The first-ever Vision Awareness Summit was presented by Freedom
Scientific at the Federation Center of the Blind on March 27, 2012. The
event was held in Columbia, SC and featured blindness products available
through Freedom Scientific, one of the foremost leaders in the assistive
technology field. There were over 70 people in attendance ranging from
blindness professionals to educators to potential customers.
This presentation was sponsored by the Computer Science and
Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of SC, CNI
Systems, and the SC Commission for the Blind. Charles Madsen, Bill Kilroy,
and Ron Miller represented Freedom Scientific. Fred Key and Steve Cook were
responsible for putting the event together. Fred Key is the CEO of CNI
Systems. Steve Cook is the Assistive Technology Consultant with the SC
Commission for the Blind and President of the Computer Science and
Technology Division of the NFB of SC. Key and Cook promoted the event in
South Carolina and worked with Madsen to coordinate the agenda.
Some blindness products that were demonstrated were Open Book, a
text to speech program, the Pearl (a camera that works in conjunction with
Open Book), JAWS screen reading software, focus 40 blue Braille display, and
the PlexTalk portable digital daisy book player. In fact, all who
registered for the event had their names entered in a drawing for a
PlexTalk, which was given away at lunch as a door prize!
Open Book and the Pearl
Open Book is an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) program that
allows a blind person to take hard copy material. Such as letters, bills,
magazines, books and any other typed text they choose to read. And with the
use of a scanner, gives a blind person equal access to type text through
speech output.
The Pearl, in conjunction with the Open Book software, is a
camera that connects to any computer to give a person portability to read in
any location. With the Pearl camera you can scan in books without having to
press a keystroke. This is great for college students in a classroom
setting, professionals in the office, or for anyone at home.
JAWS
JAWS is a keyboard driven screen reader, which allows a blind
person to be able to hear spoken text that is available to a sighted person
on the computer screen. JAWS works in the majority of Microsoft products.
This software gives the user access to Word files, Excel spreadsheets, Power
Point presentations, the internet, and other software programs.
Focus 40 Blue Braille Display
The Focus 40 Blue Braille display allows a person to read print
displayed on the screen on a separate Braille display. The user can also
maneuver around the screen; enter text on the screen with the Braille
display, edit, and do many other tasks as well.
PlexTalk
The PlexTalk is a portable digital daisy device that will allow you to
create recordings, play recorded books in several formats on the go,
download podcast in a wireless environment, navigate through books by
chapter, headings, words, and phrases, etc., depending on how the book is
digitally marked.
All thanks are expressed to those who sponsored this event: the
Federation Center for holding the event, CNI Systems, the SC Commission for
the Blind, The computer Science and Technology Division of the NFB of SC,
and most especially, Freedom Scientific for agreeing to bring this fantastic
program to South Carolina.
Fond memories of Fred Vercher
By Debra Canty
Fond memories of Fred Vercher...
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that
He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares
for you. ( 1 Peter 5:6-7 *NKJV )
To be separated from a loved one is hard to bear And though the
sorrow and pain are deep, May you find comfort in knowing That your love and
memories And the compassion of those who remain Are yours to hold and keep.
Fred Vercher was one of the 3 persons that I met when I attended
my first statewide seminar in 2001 at the federation center.
Fred was always an encourager and since I was newly blind, he
would always give me pointers on mobility, orientation, being an officer,
fundraising, networking, traveling and to just name a few.
No matter what, Fred wouldn't utter an unkind word on anyone's
behalf, he would always see the positive side of situations.
Fred would always help with getting the luggage on the buses as,
we traveled from state to state enhancing the quality of life for the blind.
Fred loved listening to country music and planning bus trips to
fellowship with his federation family and others.
Fred believed in the philosophy of the federation and did his
part in passing the information on to others as well.
He loved his vending business and would always have a snack or
two on hand on the buses traveling from here to there.
Fred found the love of his life in Sherry and they married on
June 9th a few years ago and I attended the lovely wedding.
Fred was such a special guy and he will be truly missed but,
his memories and legacy will live on!!!
Christmas In Heaven.
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below.
With tiny lights like Heavens stars reflecting on the snow, the
sight is so spectacular.
Please wipe away the tears for I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, but
the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring for it is beyond
description to hear the Angels sing.
I know how much you miss me and I see the pain inside your heart
but, I am not so far away, we really aren't apart, because, I will always be
in your heart, so be happy for me, dear one, you know I hold you dear and
know that I am spending Christmas with Jesus this year.
I sent each of you a memory of my undying love, this gift came
from my Heavenly home above, after all love is a gift more precious than
pure silver or gold, it was always more important in the stories that Jesus
told, please love and keep each other as, my Father said to do, for I can't
count the blessings or love he has for each of you.
So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear, remember, I
am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
Author unknown
Second Hand Rose helps National Federation of the Blind
Clarendon Citizen, April 30, 2012, By Konstantin Vengerowsky
Konstantin Vengerowsky/Clarendon Citizen - Linda Tansill (left)
and Pam Kline of The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift Store present a
$500 check to Marty McKenzie, president of the Clarendon County Chapter of
the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, at their monthly
meeting on April 19.
Marty McKenzie knows firsthand that sight is not something that
should be taken for granted. McKenzie is legally blind and can only perceive
light.
A Barrineau community native, he was born with macular
degeneration, a medical condition causing damage of the retina and the loss
of sight in the center of the visual field. Today, McKenzie is principal of
the division of outreach services for the South Carolina School for the Deaf
and the Blind.
"Vision is a powerful sense that most people take for granted," he said.
"But when you don't have it, you adjust to living without it."
Growing up, McKenzie was able to read large print with a
magnifying glass. His vision deteriorated as he grew older and by the time
he was in graduate school, he could only make out light and dark.
McKenzie serves as president of the Clarendon County Chapter of
the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.
The NFB is the largest and most influential membership
organization of blind people in the United States, according to its website.
The nonprofit consumer organization strives to improve the lives of the
blind through advocacy, education, research, technology and programs and
encourages independence and self-confidence.
The Clarendon County Chapter is comprised of roughly 25 members,
10 of whom are legally blind, said McKenzie. The members meet once a month
for a potluck supper, discussing various issues facing the blind community.
The chapter collaborates with local organizations, particularly churches, to
bring more awareness about blindness. Last year they did a Hymn Sing at the
Trinity United Methodist Church in Alcolu. They also invite guest speakers
to their meetings. Every year, the organization sends delegates to the NFB
South Carolina state convention, the national convention as well as taking a
retreat to the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind in
Pickens County.
The chapter does not have any source of funding besides their
own fundraising, McKenzie said. In their best year, that amounts to roughly
$1,500.
The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift Store's recent donation
of $500 to the chapter was a large boost to the organization, McKenzie said.
"This is literally a third of our budget," he said.
Pam Kline, co-founder of The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift
Store, said that they plan to donate on a regular basis to various other
local organizations, as well as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in
Memphis, Tennessee.
The Clarendon County Chapter of the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every
month at the Clarendon County Council on Aging building in Manning. For more
information on the chapter, contact Marty McKenzie at (843) 389-3816 or
marty2 at ftc-i.net. Yearly membership is $10 and the organization is open to
anyone.
The Second Hand Rose for Charity Thrift Store is located at 507
S. Mill St., in Manning. The store accepts any gently used items for
donations. For more information, contact the store at 433-2220 or Pam Kline
at (907) 317-4370.
Rocky Bottom Hosts the 2012 Spring Session of Senior Camp
By Frank Coppel
At approximately 6:00 pm, on Sunday, May 20, the dining hall in
the Conference Center at Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the
Blind was filled with excitement as 23 Seniors exchanged hugs and renewed
friendships as the 2012 Spring session of Senior Camp got under way. The 23
participants travelled to Rocky Bottom from as far away as the coast of
South Carolina and as near as Greenville.
After a delicious meal prepared by Lenora Robertson and her
daughter Ellen Taylor, introductions were made and a review of the week's
activities were discussed. After the over view of week's activities,
campers participated in two "ice breakers" led by Shelley Coppel, Shannon
Cook, and Liz Lewis which were designed to better acquaint participants with
each other.
The 2012 spring session of Senior camp consisted of activities
such as morning walks, Bingo, and a night at the movies. A group discussion
led by Shannon Cook which covered a variety of independent living techniques
as well as a second group session led by Shelley Coppel which covered such
topics as self advocacy and other blindness issues were held during the
week. On Tuesday, May 22, campers and staff went on a field trip to Brevard
North Carolina to enjoy shopping and lunch at a local restaurant. Of
course, one of the highlights of the week was the Talent Show which was held
Wednesday afternoon. When campers were not participating in scheduled
activities, they were enjoying themselves relaxing on the deck at the
Conference Center.
Many thanks go to a wonderful staff who are very caring and who
work extremely hard in assisting me as Director to ensure Senior Camp is a
tremendous success. All reports indicate that everyone had a great time at
the spring session of Senior Camp and are looking forward to the fall
session of camp which will be held September 16-20.
>From the Editor
By Donald Capps
Now that President Diggs has completed a successful experience
in running for Congress, things will be taking on a different outlook. It
was essential that we worked real hard to garner the vest possible support
from the NFB of SC to attend the Dallas national convention. You will note
that Cameron Mills has written an excellent article on the highly successful
barbecue the Columbia Chapter held last April. The calendar for Rocky
Bottom is virtually complete including reservations and we are back to
normal. We are glad that we supported Parnell's election in this
legislative area. This issue of the Palmetto Blind is replete with articles
providing the blind across the state with an opportunity to be informed on a
variety of issues affecting the blind.
It is a distinct honor to be a member of the NFB of SC by
working closely with all of you.
Final Thought
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
- William Blake
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[PalmettoBlind] Summer 2012 Palmetto Blind
Robert Leslie Newman
Personal Website-
Adjustment To Blindness And Visual impairment
http//www.thoughtprovoker.info
NFB Writers' Division, president
http://www.nfb-writers-division.net
Chair of the NFB Communications Committee
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