[NFBV-Potomac-Announce] Happiest of Holidays, Richmond Seminar, Dues, Potomac Chapter Stepping Up, and a Baby Takes the Prize

[Christine Grassman]

Hello all, and the happiest of holidays to all of you. However and whatever you celebrate or have celebrated, wherever you will be over the next couple of weeks, and whomever you are sharing the time with, I wish you all safety, health, love, and laughter.
So much has been happening in the past few weeks.
We had our holiday party, fabulously hosted by Tracy and Sharon Soforenko, who were, as usual, phenomenal hosts, opening and preparing their home to over 20 individuals, ordering food, preparing desserts, donating adult libations, and ensuring that all felt like family. And of course, we are family.
We missed a few individuals so much, some of whom dealt with medical issues and surgical procedures and could not join us.
Nancy Yeager, an absolute paragon of RSVP coordination and updating, could not join us, but she ensured that we had a Braille copy of the guests so that we knew exactly who needed to pay up.  Her daughter Tracy, in her usual fashion, made it easy to orient oneself to the environment, the food and drink, and assisted with the obtaining of the latter.
A young lady named Emily, who as I understand it is a neighbor of the Soforenkos, also provided good-natured assistance and conversation.
The Greater Alexandria Holiday party, held via Zoom, was also a wonderful festive and fun gathering, with a holiday outfit contest, a carols singing contest, a Price is Right-like contest, and just an all-out blast. By the way, November Kathleen Orozco, (Ember), won the holiday outfit contest in her Mommy’s Little Angel costume.
Please remember as we approach the New Year two vital things:
1. Pay your dues for the next year (we will discuss how, send out information and discuss at the January meeting), and
2. Please, please let John know as soon as possible whether you plan to attend any part of our Richmond seminar. John has just sent out the details again, and he and Tracy sent them out earlier.  You will make John’s job much easier if you let him know before the definitive deadline of January 2.

Next year, the Potomac Chapter will have to swing into action in preparation for an in-person (yay!) seminar.  I want you all to start thinking about, making a list, and sharing with me how you think you can best help.  We all expect each other to step up, so you might as well share with me how you would like to do so.  
 Just a quick shout-out to our Recording Secretary, Arielle Silverman. Her book is phenomenal, an absolute must-read for those of us who grew up blind, for those of us who are growing up blind, and anyone and everyone who is raising, working with, teaching, or otherwise interacting with people with disabilities. Guess what? That is every single one of us, whether we know it or not. 
The book is exceedingly well-written, discusses feelings and scenarios that will be familiar to those who grew up blind, and provides ample scholarly discussion and resources about disability, marginalization, and why it is so important for universal design and a complete restructuring of the perceptions of people with disabilities by all, including those of us with disabilities. 
If anyone wants information about how to obtain Arielle’s book, please get in touch with me, or better yet, with her. If you are on Facebook she has a page here: 
https://m.facebook.com/groups/justhumanquest/?tsid=0.2683606733246132&source=result


Be safe, be happy, and I look forward to seeing you all soon. 
Christine