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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>September 4, 2019<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 1725<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. The turnout for this event was good as approximately 55 federationists attended the festivities on Saturday, August 31. All of us need to work harder to attract more of the public to attend as well as to 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. 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 Darlene Houck, Isaiah and John Nelson, Linda Bible, and 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> I have been informed by Isaiah Nelson he is currently planning a trip to the Biltmore House and Estate the weekend of December13-15 2019. This will be a wonderful time of the year to visit the Biltmore House and Estates as it will be beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. The cost will be $80 for adults and $40 for children under the age of twelve. This price will include the tour of the Biltmore House, winery, and lunch on Saturday December 14. Overnight accommodations will be available at Rocky Bottom the evenings of Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14. If you plan to stay at Rocky Bottom there will be an additional $20 charge. Isaiah Nelson states he will accept half of the payment by September 27, and the final payment no later than October 25. For further information regarding this statewide outing, you can contact Isaiah Nelson at (803) 413-2434. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> All of you by now should have received the letter regarding the details for the NFB of SC five night cruise to the Bahamas which is schedule to occur November 14-19 2020. We will be departing from Charleston on Saturday, November 14 on the Carnival Cruise line Sunshine. I am told there has been a great deal of interest regarding the cruise by our travel consultant, Elizabeth Harvey, so I would encourage you to go ahead and book your cabin as soon as possible. I would like to point out that if you book your cabin now, you have a year to pay for your cruise as the deadline for your final payment is not due until September 8, 2020. This will be a wonderful opportunity to have fun as an organization and to raise funds for the NFB of SC. For all booking questions and to make payments please contact: Elizabeth Harvey, Travel Consultant, (803)767-6897, cell phone or email at elizabeth@twosisterstravelco.com. To mail payments please send them to:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Elizabeth Harvey <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>300 Westridge Rd. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Elgin, SC 29045<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For payments, Ms. Harvey can accept credit/debit cards over the phone or check/money order via mail. Please let Ms. Harvey know if you have any questions. <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> Over the weekend just about every discussion included Hurricane Dorian headed this way. While I’m glad Hurricane Dorian over Labor Day weekend did not target the Fun Day Festival at RBRCCB, we should all keep in our thoughts and prayers those being affected by the hurricane. Information received indicates that the Fun Day Festival was an outstanding success. Our thanks go out to the chapters and individuals who sold Fun Day tickets as this always enhances the profits statewide. In my thoughts, I remanence about the bygone Fun Day Festival era. In the 1980’s we did not have a Conference Center which we have enjoyed since 1991. During the 80’s the Fun Day Festival was conducted outdoors utilizing a house trailer which was designed for the sale of food, etc. Tents were also used. Participants enjoyed the outdoor activity utilizing the Old Dining Hall. Speaking of the Old Dining Hall, just one thing, we found this old building to be on the Historical Registry. The Historical Society got wind that we were going to demolish the old facility in order to construct a new and modern building. The society contacted us about this and we managed to satisfy the society by promising to use some of the wood in the new building. We placed some of the wood from the Old Dining Hall around the fireplace in the dining room in the new Conference Center. From the beginning we were fortunate to have the support of the neighborhood in discussing the kind of Fun Day we would have. Our longtime neighbors, now deceased, Flora and Gus Ross, participated in the festival and helped make it a success. The Labor Day Fun Day Festival has given funding tremendously and we have greatly benefitted from the proceeds which finances this program for the blind. The years have gone by and many who have helped in the past, including many blind members, are no longer with us. It’s good that our members recognize the importance of the Labor Day Fun Day Festival as we need as much positive assistance as possible. After attending most of these festivals I would be remiss if I did not let you know that physically I cannot attend as I have in previous years. Let me thank all of you for a job well done.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Transforming our dreams into reality: Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind would not exist except for Dr. Capps’ authorized payment of an insurance claim which led to a visit to Rocky Bottom, obtaining the property in 1979, constructing several facilities and amenities leading up to our 40th year of service to the blind. Many hands were involved, volunteering many hours and giving sacrificially.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>