<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi All, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please see the Columbia Chapter May Newsletter! Also, In June the Columbia Chapter will meet in person on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6:15 PM at the Federation Center of the Blind located at 119 S Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205. A meal will be provided for everyone attending in person for $6! This meeting will also be on the Zoom platform for those who do not feel comfortable attending in person. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>District 2 State Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President of the Columbia chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1<sup>st</sup> Vice President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of SC owns and operates Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center. Below is a link to read more about Rocky Bottom and to make a reservation for a mountain retreat!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://rockybottomofsc.com/"><span style='color:blue'>Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please join the National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book at any of the below links!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NatFedofSouthCarolina/"><span style='color:blue'>National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/Computer-Science-Technology-Division-of-the-NFB-of-SC-343263089815304/"><span style='color:blue'>Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/RockyBottomofSC/"><span style='color:blue'>Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/Scabs1944/?refid=46&__xts__%5B0%5D=12.%7B%22unit_id_click_type%22%3A%22graph_search_results_item_tapped%22%2C%22click_type%22%3A%22result%22%2C%22module_id%22%3A1%2C%22result_id%22%3A103680927718372%2C%22session_id%22%3A%22dde06b014c19c1fa49889d82a62edcda%22%2C%22module_role%22%3A%22ENTITY_PAGES%22%2C%22unit_id%22%3A%22browse_rl%3Aaed5eb18-5eed-4148-8ec7-5150ce26bf7b%22%2C%22browse_result_type%22%3A%22browse_type_page%22%2C%22unit_id_result_id%22%3A103680927718372%2C%22module_result_position%22%3A0%7D"><span style='color:blue'>South Carolina Association of Blind Students</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://m.facebook.com/groups/375092969314880?_rdr"><span style='color:blue'>South Carolina Parents of Blind Children</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> NFB Lab 4 <nfbsc.lab.4@gmail.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 18, 2021 4:48 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'Steve Cook' <cookcafe@sc.rr.com>; tracysc1974@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> May 2021 Columbia Chapter newsletter<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Columbia Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina held its meeting on 05/13/2021. There were 27 members in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Janice Crosby. The one minute message was given by Casey Rose, and Melissa Riccobono led the NFB Pledge. Shelley Coppel brought our devotion that centered on mentoring others and sharing knowledge. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our guest speaker for the month was none other than our National Federation’s First Lady, Melissa Riccobono. She spoke on the history of Mother’s Day and about her very own mother.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On the National Sceene we were reminded to register for the National Convention. Since this convention is virtual this year, and the state convention is hybrid, there will also be no chapter assistance provided to members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In state news, we were given information about the state convention. There will be a van leaving the Federation Center at 12:30 on Friday, the 20<sup>th</sup> of august, going to Charleston. The charge will be $25 which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Your seat is only guaranteed after reservation is made and money has been received. You must eat before leaving the Center as the van will not be stopping. Van registration and payment must be made by July 15. Luggage must be kept to 1 weekender bag per person.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our spotlight member for the month was Donna Jean Breece. She wrote an introduction of herself and ended her presentation with a poem that she had written about her blindness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Trivia question for the month was: What novelty item did President Riccobono talk about in his presidential release? Noone knew the answer, so the prize will roll over to next month. However, Steve did give the answer: A Dr. Fouchy bobble head.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We look forward to seeing all of you for our June meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Take Care!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Spittle<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secretary, Columbia Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB of South Carolina <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>