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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>June 6, 2018 <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 1660<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> Saturday, June 2, was a typical hot summer’s day, however, this did not appear to stop approximately 120 federationists representing nine chapters of the NFB of SC from attending the statewide picnic which was held at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia. As promised, there were no speeches or program, just a great deal of food, fun and fellowship. Special thanks goes to Tiffiny Mitchell, Chairperson of the Statewide Picnic Committee, as well as to the volunteers who helped to make this event a huge success. Our last Statewide Picnic was held fourteen years ago on May 29, 2004. I believe it is very important for us as a federation family to come together in this type of setting at least once a year and I would love to see us resume this tradition on a yearly basis. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Please continue to make your hotel reservations for the 2018 NFB of SC State Convention which will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Columbia, August 10-12. Room rates are very affordable. Rates for this year’s convention are $109 per night for up to four in a room. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 14 percent. The deadline to make reservations will be July 15, 2018. There will also be a limited number of rooms available for the $109 rate on Thursday, August 9, for those individuals wanting to arrive to the hotel a day prior to the official start of the convention. If you pay in advance, your reservation will be guaranteed: however, you will not have to pay as long as you arrive by 6:00 p.m. Any amount you pay, of course, will be applied toward your bill. The Marriott Hotel has given the NFB of SC a block of rooms to reserve until July 15. If you wait until after July 15, to make your hotel reservation, the hotel may not have an available room for you and you will not be eligible for the convention room rate of $109. You can make your room reservations by calling the Marriott toll free reservation telephone number (800) 593-6465 or (803) 771-7000 and inform the reservationist you are reserving a room for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am very sad to report to you three members of our federation family passed away during this past week. Vernon Smith, President of our Union Chapter, informed the state office on Wednesday afternoon, May 30, that long time chapter member Mary Maness passed away on Tuesday, May 29. Yesterday morning, we received the sad news regarding the passing earlier this week of Ruby Bryant a longtime federationist and blind licensed vendor. Ruby was very active at one time in the Columbia and Florence chapters as well as a leader in the Blind Merchants Division. Last evening, Shelley and I along with others received the very sad news Hazel Arms a longtime member and leader in the Greenville chapter and Seniors Division passed away at approximately 8:15 p.m. Hazel was a hard working federationist who enjoyed raising money for her chapter, Rocky Bottom, the Seniors Division and for the NFB of SC. She especially loved Children’s Camp at Rocky Bottom where she volunteered as a worker for many years. These three individuals will be greatly missed and we, as a federation family, need to keep these three individuals and their families in our thoughts and prayers. <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> This week we are spotlighting a special federationist who has been the President of three local chapters not to mention President of the School for the Blind Alumni Association. I am speaking of Milton Tant. Milton Tant was born and raised in Easley, SC but later moved to Augusta, GA for a while before moving to Aiken, SC. Milton then attended the SC School for the Blind in Spartanburg where he graduated in 1967. Milton has always loved to meet with the students at the School and for ten years he was the Alumni Association President. Completing high school, Milton moved to Augusta, GA where he worked as a massage therapist at the YMCA for ten years. After that time Milton became a blind vendor at the Commission for the Blind where he worked at Consolidated Apparel in Jackson, SC then at the main Post Office on Assembly St. in Columbia and last at the Rest Area on 1-95 South which is just north of Florence. Milton worked 32 years in the Business Enterprise Program. Milton tells me that he has been happily married to Melinda, celebrating 12 years as of April 23. Milton has been President of three local federation chapters including Florence, Cherokee and he is presently the Spartanburg Chapter President. The Spartanburg Chapter meets monthly on the second Saturday at the Mountain View Nursing Home where Milton resides. They are growing and now have 20 members. Milton says he has attended 5 national conventions and 25 state conventions. He hopes to be strong enough to attend the Columbia Convention in August. Milton’s hobbies include reading, sports (and anyone who knows Milton knows Clemson is his team) and being blessed to have people read tings to him from his computer. Milton says he would like to thank Dr. Capps for his example as much has been learned from the love and support of the Capps over the years. One more thing about Milton, he has suffered a stroke and as much as he loves to attend Rocky Bottom (especially Senior Camp) and federation events like the June 2 statewide picnic, he is a fighter and although he cannot walk he can still be President of the Spartanburg Chapter. As was stated before, if at all possible, he will try to attend the August 10 to 12 state convention. Milton welcomes visitors at the Mountain View Nursing Home in room 306A west wing, which is located at 340 Cedar Springs Road in Spartanburg; so stop by when you get the opportunity. Milton is a good example of someone who does not let his circumstances stop him as he “lives the life he wants!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Father’s Day: “The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family."<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>