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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>October 24, 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 1680<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 am pleased to announce the National Seniors Retreat held at Rocky Bottom and sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind Seniors Division this past week was a tremendous success. Although there was excitement on Monday afternoon as a result of a horrible accident that occurred approximately 100 yards from the entrance to Rocky Bottom and which unfortunately resulted in the death of a truck driver, the overall training provided to the twelve seniors who participated in the program was well received. As I reported last week, twelve seniors from across the country were encouraged to use their sleep shades during such training as cane travel, Braille, cooking class, and other independent living activities. Each afternoon, seniors participated in a group discussion designed to assist individuals to cope more effectively with their visual loss and to answer questions related to blindness issues. On Thursday afternoon, we traveled to a nearby apple orchard where the seniors were asked to wear their sleep shades and utilize the cane skills they learned during the week. Friday afternoon, closing ceremonies were held and each participant received a Braille/print certificate designed by Tracy Spittle which recognized their accomplishments during the program. I would like to take this time to thank everyone who contributed in any way to make this program a huge success. I would like to recognize the instructional staff which consisted of Liz Lewis, Shelley Coppel, Tom and Linda Anderson from Kansas, and Ruth Sager. Other staff included Michael Hartz, Christine Filter, the nurse, Barry Chavis, Carolyn Phillips, Tiffiny Mitchell, who donated drinks for the week, and Linda Bible. Of course, many thanks goes to Lenora Robertson, Ellen Taylor, JW and Ora Bell Smith for their outstanding work in the kitchen. Finally, a very special thank you goes to Ruth Sager, President of the National Seniors Division, for her willingness to hold this training program at Rocky Bottom. President Sager was pleased with the facilities at Rocky Bottom and she indicated to me she is considering to hold a similar training program for seniors in the fall of 2019. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Congratulations to the Anderson Chapter and their President Krystal Reece and member Roxie Reed for holding a very successful Meet the Blind Month activity at a shopping mall in the Anderson area on Saturday October 20. I understand from Carey Burris members walked through the mall using their white canes. Other members manned a table and disseminated NFB literature to the public. <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 spotlight a valued Associate member of the NFB of SC who has made an impact on the federation. You may recall that he won the Associate Member of the Year Award at the 2018 NFB of SC Columbia Convention this past August. I am speaking of Larry Warrington whose lovely wife Valerie also won the Donald C. Capps Award at that same convention in August. Larry was born in Baltimore, Maryland and he moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his mother when he was 8. So, he has lived most of his life in SC. Larry attended Myrtle Beach High School, and upon graduating from there, he went to Newberry College. In 1993 he graduated from Newberry with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> At the beginning of his career Larry Warrington worked in accounting for a small construction company in Newberry, and then in 1998 he went to work with the SC Office of the State Auditor. In his time at the auditor’s office, he earned his CPA license and progressed to the position of Audit Manager.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Valerie and Larry have been married since June, 2001, though they dated a number of years before then. They met through Valerie’s cousin who worked with him at the construction company in Newberry.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Larry got involved with the Federation through Valerie. He first started by taking her to chapter meetings and it steadily progressed from there. He began providing transportation for local chapter members and assisting with local fundraisers before becoming involved at the state level. He has helped with Fun Day at Rocky Bottom and with Board Retreats. He has assisted with streaming the State Conventions and with the Midlands Gives campaigns. He also assisted Valerie with her duties as Treasurer by getting mail from the Center, taking deposits to the bank, and with data entry. He has never been to a national convention, but he has been to 20 State Conventions, and numerous state-wide seminars. He has helped with streaming of the SC State Conventions since 2009. Generally, this involves finding a site on which to broadcast the convention, and monitoring the broadcast during the day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In his spare time, Larry loves to play with his daughter Alivia and watch college football. He also enjoys doing projects around the house. With his wife Valerie being President of the Newberry Chapter and Treasurer of Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC, they work together as a team which deserves our respect for their dedication of time, energy and resources, making a difference in the federation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Braille places the world at your fingertips!”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>