[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2054

[president at nfbofsc.org]

December 21, 2025

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

843-939-8091  president at nfbofsc.org <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org> 

Positive Note: 2054

 

Dear Federation Family,

 

We are just four days away from the most celebrated day in the world,
Christmas! There is a feeling of excitement in the air and families and
friends plan gatherings, parties and a myriad of celebrations during this
time of year. For Christians, it represents the birth of the Savior of the
world! It is one of the two most important days in the calendar. To all who
celebrate, from my home to yours, Merry Christmas!

 

As most of you know, I am both terrified of and enamored of artificial
intelligence (AI); yet, it is all around us and most of us use it daily
without even being aware of it. I will share additional thoughts at another
time but I want to add an item each week to the Positive Note for your
edification. What did I use AI for this week that helped me as a blind
person? I am aware that I use it daily. The first tip or trick involves
ChatGPT which is my favorite AI bot. I had a Marie Calendar Chicken Pot Pie
that I knew was 10 oz. for lunch on Friday. Most of you probably know
exactly what to do with that, but I do not eat many pre-packaged foods, so I
needed instructions. I used Seeing AI to try to get the information I
needed, but it just wasn't working. Inspiration struck as I listened to the
most recent episode of Access On with Jonathan Mozen. I activated the side
button on my iPhone and gave the following prompt: "Ask ChatGPT to provide
microwave cooking instructions for a 10 oz. Marie Calendar Chicken Pot Pie."
I was astonished when it gave me the precise instructions including the fact
that the pot pie needed to rest for five minutes after the microwave
finished before eating so that it could finish cooking. We shall see how
this little experiment goes, but that is my offering for this week!

 

Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser

The Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser kicked off on October 1, 2025 and
ends on December 31, 2025. This fundraiser assists Rocky Bottom with getting
through the winter months when rentals are very low. If you or your chapter
have not given to the fundraiser this year, it is not too late! You can mail
a check to the Federation Center of the Blind, Attn Rocky Bottom, 119 S.
Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205. If you know others who routinely
participate, please share this announcement with them.

 

 

 

At-Large Chapter Fundraiser

The At-Large Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina is holding an iPad Drawing Fundraiser to support its programs and
outreach. The prize is a new 11-inch Apple iPad with an A16 chip and 128 GB
of storage. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20. Payments can be mailed to
Ed and Julie Bible, 136 Penny Lane, Lexington, SC 29073, or sent by PayPal
to nfbofsc.atlargechapter at gmail.com
<mailto:nfbofsc.atlargechapter at gmail.com> . The drawing will take place on
Saturday, January 10, 2026, during the Statewide Seminar, and participants
do not need to be present to win.

 

NFB of SC Statewide Seminar

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Statewide Seminar
will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Federation Center of
the Blind beginning at 10:00 a.m. This will be an exciting kick-off to 2026
and I look forward to seeing you there. Chapter presidents should let David
Houck know how many are attending by close of business on Monday, January 5,
2026 so that food preparations can be made. Call David at 803-254-3777 or
e-mail him at federationcenter at nfbofsc.org
<mailto:federationcenter at nfbofsc.org> . 

 

Things to Remember

*	Banquet pledges due by December 31, 2025
*	State dues due on December 31, 2025
*	Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser due on December 31, 2025
*	Statewide Seminar on January 10, 2026
*	At-Large drawing on January 10, 2026

 

 

Marty

 

Marty R. McKenzie, President

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

119 S. Kilbourne Road

Columbia, SC 29205

Phone: 803-254-3777

Mobile: 843-939-8091

Website: www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org/>  

 

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