<div>Thanks so much to all for making this happen, and I hope you all enjoyed yrselves as much as I did. At first I was like "butterfly garden, meh, probably not" but I went and it truly impacted me. I'm grateful that NFB is organizing more events like this, and I think it's more important than ever to have these kinds of experiences on the way to truly living the lives we want. I strongly encourage everyone to experience what these outings have to offer; make the effort to make it happen for yourself. Let's build that future; and let's go build the federation. <br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 10:40\u202fAM Donna Posont via NFBMI-Talk <<a href="mailto:nfbmi-talk@nfbnet.org">nfbmi-talk@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Hello Friends,<br>
<br>
Thanks so much for those who participated in the Butterfly inclusion night<br>
at the Meijer Gardens last night. It was a glorious time to experience the<br>
wonder of nature and have the opportunity to observe on our own terms. It<br>
was also great to see lots of blind people from various parts of the state<br>
and even enjoy seeing children using their canes to explore. Stay tuned for<br>
more exciting adventures sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind<br>
of Michigan Members at Large chapter. We will plan another outing in a few<br>
months enabling participants of the Members at Large chapter to meet and<br>
greet since we are located in various parts of Michigan and beyond.<br>
<br>
Thanks and Blessings,<br>
<br>
Donna Posont<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
From: <a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a> <<a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a>> <br>
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2025 9:56 AM<br>
To: <a href="mailto:f.wurtzel@att.net" target="_blank">f.wurtzel@att.net</a>; <a href="mailto:mariawurtzel@gmail.com" target="_blank">mariawurtzel@gmail.com</a><br>
Cc: <a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a><br>
Subject: Butterflies are Blooming<br>
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From: <a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a> <mailto:<a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a>><br>
<<a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a> <mailto:<a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a>> > <br>
Sent: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 4:04 PMSubject: FW: Butterfly night-Members at<br>
Large outing<br>
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From: <a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a> <mailto:<a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a>><br>
<<a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a> <mailto:<a href="mailto:donnabutterfly50@gmail.com" target="_blank">donnabutterfly50@gmail.com</a>> > <br>
Sent: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 3:54 PM<br>
To: 'NFB of Michigan Wayne County Chapter List'<br>
<<a href="mailto:nfbmi-wayne-county@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfbmi-wayne-county@nfbnet.org</a> <mailto:<a href="mailto:nfbmi-wayne-county@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfbmi-wayne-county@nfbnet.org</a>> >;<br>
'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List' <<a href="mailto:nfbmi-talk@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfbmi-talk@nfbnet.org</a><br>
<mailto:<a href="mailto:nfbmi-talk@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfbmi-talk@nfbnet.org</a>> ><br>
Cc: Butterfly night-Members at Large outing<br>
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Greetings,<br>
<br>
This Thursday the Members at Large chapter is inviting you to join us for a<br>
fascinating, fun-filled evening of fellowship at Meijer Gardens in Grand<br>
Rapids.<br>
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<br>
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<br>
Inclusive Nights | Blind or Low Vision<br>
<br>
Inclusive Nights s| Blind or Low Vision<br>
<br>
Fred & Dorothy Fitcher Butterflies are Blooming<br>
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<br>
Join us for a special after-hours event\u2014designed for visitors who are blind<br>
or have low vision and their guests\u2014during the Fred & Dorothy Fichter<br>
Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. Experience the magic of Michigan\u2019s<br>
largest tropical conservatory through guided conversation, touchable<br>
sculptures and materials, and vivid descriptions of the lush surroundings<br>
and fluttering butterflies. This inclusive evening offers a unique way to<br>
connect with nature and art in a welcoming, accessible environment.<br>
<br>
Know Before You Go<br>
<br>
Event Details<br>
<br>
* Doors open at 6 pm for this event.<br>
* Registration is required. <br>
* Visitors who are blind or low vision may register themselves and up<br>
to four guests. Parents may register for their children.<br>
* This is an open house event. Feel free to arrive up until 7:30 pm.<br>
* Light packaged salty snacks and juice will be provided.<br>
* The James & Shirley Balk Café will be closed.<br>
* The DeVos\u2013Keeler Gift Shop will be closed.<br>
* The outdoor Sculpture Park will be open.<br>
<br>
What to Expect<br>
<br>
* Tickets will be scanned at the door for entry.<br>
* Staff and volunteers are available as human guides.<br>
* Posted signs and staff and volunteers posted throughout the space<br>
will provide wayfinding and guidance.<br>
* Staff and volunteers stationed at several carts will have engaging<br>
tactile materials to touch and explore.<br>
* Gloves are available to touch some sculptures.<br>
* Reduced noise and smaller crowds allow for better access and a more<br>
engaging experience.<br>
* Quiet spaces are available for breaks if needed.<br>
* Temperature in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory is kept at 85<br>
degrees, with 70% humidity.<br>
* Dress in layers. A coat rack is available outside the conservatory.<br>
<br>
Plan Ahead<br>
<br>
* Bring essentials: Pack your own navigation tools and magnification<br>
devices.<br>
* Wagons and strollers are allowed. A limited number of wheelchairs<br>
are available.<br>
* Butterflies are attracted to bright hues. If you would like to<br>
encourage the possibility of a butterfly landing on you, wear brightly<br>
colored clothing.<br>
* Butterflies do not bite! If a butterfly lands on you, enjoy the<br>
moment. Then lightly brush the butterfly away when you are ready.<br>
* Additional accommodations can be requested within registration.<br>
* We have an app! Visit the App Store- New Window<br>
<<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meijer-gardens/id6654930413" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meijer-gardens/id6654930413</a>> or Google Play-<br>
New Window<br>
<<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cuseum.frederikMeijerGardensAndSculpturePark&pcampaignid=web_share" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cuseum.frederikMeijerGard<br>
ensAndSculpturePark&pcampaignid=web_share</a>> to download and explore our app<br>
before you visit.<br>
* View more information about our spaces and accessibility features<br>
here <<a href="https://www.meijergardens.org/plan/accessibility/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.meijergardens.org/plan/accessibility/</a>> .<br>
<br>
* search -+ Add to Google Calendar- New Window<br>
* + iCal / Outlook export<br>
<<a href="https://www.meijergardens.org/?method=ical&id=17345&occurrence=2025-04-10" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.meijergardens.org/?method=ical&id=17345&occurrence=2025-04-10</a>> <br>
<br>
Tags: Spring <<a href="https://www.meijergardens.org/tag/spring/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.meijergardens.org/tag/spring/</a>> <br>
<br>
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Date<br>
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Apr 10 2025<br>
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Time<br>
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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm<br>
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More Info<br>
<br>
cart -Register Here- New Window<br>
<<a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/459/tickets?eventId=67b77c3c748c6541e26b8b2b&date=2025-04-10T18:00:00-04:00&cart=true" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/459/tickets?eventId=67b77c3c748c6541e2<br>
6b8b2b&date=2025-04-10T18:00:00-04:00&cart=true</a>> <br>
<br>
cart -<br>
<<a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/459/tickets?eventId=67b77c3c748c6541e26b8b2b&date=2025-04-10T18:00:00-04:00&cart=true" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/459/tickets?eventId=67b77c3c748c6541e2<br>
6b8b2b&date=2025-04-10T18:00:00-04:00&cart=true</a>> Register Here- New Window<br>
<br>
<<a href="https://www.meijergardens.org/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.meijergardens.org/</a>> | Redirects to homepage<br>
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</blockquote></div></div>