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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>October 23, 2017 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1628<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> During the past month Rocky Bottom has greatly benefited as the recipient of much needed repairs done by volunteers from various civic and church organizations. A few weeks ago, a group from the Salem Lions Club, longtime friends of Rocky Bottom, spent an entire day repairing and replacing the railings around The Samuel M. Lawton Hall as well as building a railing along the trail nearest to the pond. This past weekend, a small group of volunteers from Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia arrived at Rocky Bottom Thursday afternoon, October 19. This is the fourth time the missions team from Mt. Hebron has come to volunteer their services at Rocky Bottom and I am told they did a wonderful job in the Ellenburg Lodge completing such tasks as painting the outside deck, replacing five exhaust fans and shower heads in many of the bathrooms, painting one of the bed rooms, and replacing caulking in the kitchen. I would like to especially recognize Ed and Julie Bible, David Bundy, and Jennifer Bazer who are members of Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church and who continue to play an instrumental role in the partnership between the Church and Rocky Bottom. Also this past weekend, a number of Boy Scouts and their leaders from Troop 425 in Lexington, South Carolina volunteered their services at Rocky Bottom by clearing out the trail located near the pond. They are planning to return to Rocky Bottom in the near future to clear out other hiking trails located around our property. Linda Bible tells me this coming weekend, a group from Holland Street Baptist Church located in West Columbia will be volunteering their services at Rocky Bottom. They are planning to bring a group of workers to power wash the deck on the back side of the Conference Center as well as doing much needed grounds keeping around the banks of the creeks which border our property. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Throughout the years, Rocky Bottom has benefited a great deal by having many wonderful individuals and organizations volunteer their services at our facilities. We owe a great deal of gratitude and appreciation to these individuals and organizations for their hard work and their continued support of Rocky Bottom. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want: blindness is not what holds you back. Joining me for comments in this Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC. Here is Dr. Capps. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The weekly Positive Note has now entered its 32nd year of continued service to the blind of the state. Its inception was in August of 1986. At that time the primary purpose was to disseminate up-to-date information without delay. For many years now it has grown in service concerning information in numerous areas with the state President Frank Coppel leading the way. I feel privileged to be able to participate primarily in saluting members across the state for their service. The NFB of SC has many dedicated and committed members who we believe are unsurpassed across the country. From time to time over the years we have received responses from those members who have been “spotlighted” showing genuine appreciation. Recently we received the following responses from two of our spotlight members. Here are the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“From Jamie Allison, September 26, 2018 Good afternoon,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Dr. Capps, I want to offer a heartfelt and sincere thank you for choosing me to spotlight on this week's positive note. I still feel like I am a NFB rookie in comparison to so many of my Federation heroes who have been working for many years to advance the organization and the rights and roles of blind citizens. It was quite an honor to be chosen and I was pretty taken aback when David called me to get the information you would need to write the piece. I really enjoy reading the Positive Note each week and want to also thank you for taking the time to contribute to it. Know that mom and I both think of you and Betty almost daily and we are constantly praying for you both. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> David, let me also think you for your hard work in assisting President Coppel and Dr. Capps with getting the Positive Note produced and sent out each week. I know there is a lot of time and effort that goes into it and it is much appreciated! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>:From Winnifred Spears, September 27, 2017 Dear Dr. Capps:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Lenora had the article in the “Positive Note” read at our meeting. Thank you for such a nice article on me. It has been a pleasure to volunteer; otherwise I would not have met so many great people and friends. Our chapter is small but we are going strong. We want to figure out how to get some young people interested. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Last week I spent a few days in my favorite place, that’s right, in Rocky Bottom. It was my second visit this year. With this being the Autumn season, God’s creation was evident everywhere. This was highlighted with the outstanding weather we had. Upon our arrival we were greeted by the fine Resident Manager, Linda Bible who advised me that JJ, our resident duck, still resides in the Eddie Mae Lucas Webb Memorial Pond. JJ has a new girlfriend. More power to him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Live the life you want - Be an example for others to follow.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>