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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>COLUMBIA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FEBRUARY 10, 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SELF-DEFENSE CLASS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There will be a self-defense class at the center on Saturday, April 1 from 1:00 until 3:00 with snacks after the class. The charge is only $10 for two hours of self-defense and food refueling. You may make checks payable to Nanci Francis (please note the spelling of her name) along with cash is welcome. You may mail checks to Jennifer Bazer, leave with David at the center with Jennifer’s name on the envelope, or provide cash or a check at the January 12 Columbia chapter meeting. Checks or cash can be sent to: Jennifer Bazer, 155 Derby Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170. Checks are to be made out to Nanci Francis. Please contact Jennifer Bazer if you would like to participate at 803-661-6622 or jhipp25@sc.rr.com. If you need transportation, please contact Tiffiny Mitchell. I look forward to a large participation as we learn how to keep ourselves safe and defend ourselves in various situations!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB ORLANDO 2017 CONVENTION DETAILS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You can now begin to make your hotel reservations to attend the upcoming 2017 Orlando National Convention. The dates for this year’s national convention will be July 10, to July 15, 2017 and will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. The 2017 room rates are singles and doubles, $83; and triples and quads, $89. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 12.5 percent. No charge will be made for children under seventeen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested. Please note that the hotel is a no-smoking facility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For 2017 convention room reservations you can call the hotel at (866) 996-6338. You may also write directly to the Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819-9357. The hotel will want a deposit of $95 for each room and will want a credit card number or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a $95 check. If a reservation is cancelled before Thursday, June 1, 2017, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. The schedule of the convention is as follows; Monday, July 10, Seminar Day, Tuesday, July 11, Registration and exhibits, Wednesday, July 12, National Board Meeting and division and committee meetings, Thursday, July 13, Opening General Session, Friday, July 14, General session, Saturday, July 15, Banquet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> At last Saturday’s Statewide Seminar the Columbia Chapter sold the most Orlando bus fund tickets and received $300. Tiffiny Mitchell won the drawing as the seller of the winning ticket and received $100 and Anthony Doyle was the buyer who received $300. Bus funds will be distributed equally at the NFB Orlando convention among those registered and attending sessions. The Columbia Chapter van will go to the NFB convention leaving on July 9. The chapter will cover the cost for gas and the cost per person is $75 non-refundable and non-transferrable. We will only take 6 to 10 passengers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BINGO FEBRUARY 16<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Telephone Pioneers will be sponsoring a free BINGO on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FEBRUARY 9 COLUMBIA CHAPTER MEETING<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> President Tiffiny Mitchell gaveled the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Ike Nelson and his kitchen crew served a delicious pork chop dinner. Dr. Capps introduced Catherine Williams as our speaker for Black History Month, as she was raised in Summerville in the era of segregation. Catherine is a longtime Columbia Chapter member who is active in ticket sales, works on Ike’s kitchen crew and volunteers in many ways. Martha Robertson is not doing well at all and please keep Mike and Jean Sutton in your prayers at this time. Also, one of our BINGO volunteers passed away last Tuesday. Leanna Hall sang several hymns for the devotional service. There will be a Second Annual Friendship Gathering on Friday, February 10 between 3 and 8 p.m. Bring finger food; there will be music and games. Bring an $8 gift of grocery items for a Chinese gift exchange. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> During the Statewide Seminar last Saturday the chapter raised $177 on a Sweetie Bag drawing. On Saturday, March 18 there will be a fundraising breakfast at the Federation Center. Time is from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. and the cost is $12 per person.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There was no Treasurer’s report. There was a 50-50 drawing. A DART drver, BC, won $39 and donated the winnings back to the chapter for the March breakfast fundraiser.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tiffiny Mitchell, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Columbia Chapter, NFB of SC<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>