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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>September 5, 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 1673<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> I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended and volunteered their services at the Fun Day Festival held at Rocky Bottom this past Labor Day weekend. When considering the fact plans for Fun Day did not begin in earnest until after July 15, the turnout for this event was good as approximately 45 federationists attended the festivities on Saturday, September 1. All of us need to work harder to attract more of the public to attend as well as encourage more of our members to sell their Fun Day tickets and to attend the Fun Day festivities. The weather this weekend was spectacular and everyone appeared to have a great time enjoying each other’s company and raising money for Rocky Bottom. All things considered, I truly believe the 37th annual Fun Day Festival was successful. Next week I will share with you the breakdown of the proceeds regarding this year’s Fun Day festival. Many thanks go to Lenora Robertson, Ellen Taylor, Glenda Ulick and the rest of the “Food Crew” for preparing four outstanding meals Saturday and Sunday morning. I would like to especially thank Valerie and Larry Warrington, their niece, Haily, and Libby Farr for helping where ever needed. I would also like to recognize David and Darleen Houck, Linda Bible, Jennifer Bazer for their assistance on Saturday as well as Jeff Baser who did a great job handling the duties of auctioneer. RBRCCB is an extremely important and vital program of the NFB of SC and all of us as members need to work diligently and creatively in the years to come to increase the amount of monies raised during the Fun Day Festival. As I have stated many times, Rocky Bottom belongs to all of us. We need to work “as one team with one goal” and be proud we have such a unique facility in South Carolina. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Tiffiny Mitchell, Chairperson of the 2019 NFB national convention transportation committee. “By now, just about everyone has heard that the 2019 NFB National Convention will be held in Las Vegas next year from July 7-12. Our committee is preparing to find out approximately how many in SC plan to attend and use the transportation arranged by the state organization. We will hold a conference call on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. We are asking that you call in to find out more information about transportation arrangements thus far. We will be able to answer some questions also, so please be thinking of what you’d like to ask during the call. The call in number is (862) 902-0241. The access code is 358-8716. To keep the background noise to a minimum, once you have entered the conference, please press *6 to mute your phone. If you would like to make a comment press the same keys to unmute. Also, please state your name before asking a question or making a comment. This will help ensure that everyone can hear all comments and get the most from the information provided. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call at (803) 603-2098. I look forward to talking to you soon!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Thom Spittle, president of the Computer Science and Technology Division. “Hi Everyone. The Computer Science Technology Division will be holding a training workshop and help session on Saturday, September 15, 2018. At the Federation Center of the Blind, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205, from 10am to Noon. This session will cover the Seeing AI app for iPhones. There will also be a help session for those of you who need help getting started, or with a specific problem with your device. If you would like to attend, please email Thom Spittle at thom3of5@gmail.com, or call the CSTD Helpline at 803-402-3526, and leave your name and that you would like to attend. If you would like to help with the workshop, please contact Thom Spittle in one of the above ways. As always, if you have any Workshop suggestions, or need help, call the Helpline at 803-402-3526.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am extremely sad to report to all of you, Ruth Weeks, a charter member of our state organization passed away on Saturday September 1, at 10:00a.m. “Miss Ruth” as she was affectionately known by many of our members, was one of a small group of blind individuals who came together with their leader, Dr. Samuel M. Lawton, to form the Aurora Club of the Blind in Spartanburg, SC in 1944. As you recall during the presidential report at our state convention, I stated next year will mark the seventy-fifth anniversary for this organization and I recognized Ruth Weeks who was present at the convention as being the only living charter member. Funeral Services will be held at 2 on Wednesday, September 05, 2018 at Una First Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Cash officiating. Interment will be at Good Shepherd Memorial Park. I know Ruth Weeks will be greatly missed and all of us in our federation family need to keep her family and friends 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 saddened to report the passing of our charter NFB of SC member Ruth Weeks of Spartanburg. The following is her obituary from the Spartanburg Herald Journal:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> “Cowpens, SC-- Ruth Weeks, 99, passed away on Saturday, September 01, 2018. She was the daughter of the late Clara Crosby Weeks. She was a member of Una First Freewill Baptist Church and worked at Spartanburg County Courthouse for twenty-eight years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Survivors include a niece, Mary Stone of the home; two nephews, Don Adams of Inman and Joseph Adams of Spartanburg; many great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Rosie Adams; a brother, Bill Crosby.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 on Tuesday, September 04, 2018 at Stribling Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 2 on Wednesday, September 05, 2018 at Una First Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Cash officiating. Interment will be at Good Shepherd Memorial Park.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The family is at the home of Don and Lucille Adams, 103 Conifer Road Inman 29349.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The following is my spotlight article on Ruth Weeks which was published in the Positive Note in 2009: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> “A very special lady, Ruth Weeks of Spartanburg, truly deserves to be in the "spotlight." Ruth will celebrate her 90th birthday in July. Born in Kershaw, most of her life was spent in Spartanburg. At age seven in 1926, Ruth enrolled in the School for the Blind. Herbert Hoover was President and she remembers the 1929 Great Depression. At School Ruth was recognized for her singing talents. To the best of my knowledge Ruth is the only living charter member of the Federation, then known as the Aurora Club. She was present in 1944 when our founder, Dr. Sam Lawton arranged for the first gathering of the blind in Spartanburg. In the 1920's and 1930's when Ruth was in School, there were no televisions, computers, cell phones, microwave ovens, or stereo technology but there was one very valuable program featuring Braille literacy. When Ruth entered the School in 1926, there were not many automobiles on the road except for the Model T Ford which many of us remember. Having been a member of the federation for 65 years (1944 - 2009), Ruth only missed a few meetings of the Spartanburg Chapter. She has attended most of the state conventions and was honored for her years of service in August of 2000 receiving the NFB of SC Presidential Citation and was further honored with a standing ovation from the Banquet audience. As previously stated, there were very few jobs available to Ruth during her long career but she did assist in jury selections in the courthouse as all prospective jurors were drawn by Ruth. Ruth is an avid reader and fully utilized Braille when she started School in 1926. One of Ruth's favorite activities is attending Senior Blind Week at RBRCCB. She let me know that she wants to attend Senior Camp this year as well. Congratulations to Ruth Weeks who has been blessed in living a very long life, making many hundreds of friends both in the federation and in other places.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Ruth was very special and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends, family and the members of the Spartanburg Chapter. As many of you are aware, Ruth Weeks did attend the August 2018 NFB of SC convention in Columbia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Longevity with a purpose touches the lives of many.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>