** North Carolina Looks Back to Its Roots
History played a significant role in the 2011 North Carolina Council of the Blind state convention as the members were reminded of their roots in the mid-1960s. When five North Carolinians met in Greensboro for the charter meeting, they were joined by three representatives from the American Council of the Blind - Durward McDaniel, Floyd Qualls and Oral Miller. More than 40 years later, Oral Miller returned to North Carolina as the 2011 convention's national guest and speaker.
Meeting in Raleigh Sept. 9-11, NCCB offered members a diverse program encompassing presentations on wills and health care powers of attorney, stroke prevention and treatment, state agency reports, radio reading services, blindness prevention in North Carolina, Lions services to the blind, medical research projects, ACB legislative activities, and guide dogs trained specifically for kids.
The Saturday evening banquet featured an address by Oral Miller, president of the D.C. Council of the Blind and former ACB board member; the awarding of scholarships to Justin Salisbury, East Carolina University, and Bradley Hinson, UNC-Charlotte; and the presentation of ACB life memberships sponsored by NCCB to Caroline Ward and Terry Lewis.
The Sunday business session, Sept. 11, began with a moment of silent meditation in memory of those whose lives were tragically taken on Sept. 11, 2001. The convention concluded with the election of new officers for 2011-2012: president, Allen Casey;
first vice president, Ron Eller; second vice president, Tamika Polk; secretary, Anne Brewer; treasurer, Jane Ferrita; board members at large, Gretha McLamb and Terry Lewis. Oral Miller delivered a charge of responsibility to the officers.
** Out of Sight Sweatshirts
Just in time for holiday-giving or just to keep you warm and cozy on a cold, blustery day, the Tennessee Council of the Blind has a limited supply of gray sweatshirts available. The sweatshirts are 100 percent cotton (grown in the USA). The front of the shirt has the TCB logo in black ink, and the back of the shirt has Tennessee Council of the Blind, "Out of sight but not out of touch" in black lettering.
The TCB logo is a 5" black diameter circle outer ring. Across the top are the words "Tennessee Council" flowing within the ring in black text. Centered at the bottom of that ring are the words "of the Blind" flowing within the ring in black text. At both three and nine o'clock position is a thin black arc flowing within the ring. The center circle is white with black bold letters "TCB" printed horizontally, followed by the braille representation of the three letters underneath each of the three letters.
Each sweatshirt costs $12 plus $3 shipping. Order yours today while supplies last! Contact Michael Fulghum at (615) 391-3940 or [email protected]to place your order. Please make your check out to TCB and send to 4936 Tulip Grove Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076.