Vol. 30, No. 10
DECEMBER 2005
THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE
A publication of Mid-Florida Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT RACHEL BADER
NEXT MFCB MEETING - ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
NOVEMBER GENERAL MEETING REVIEW
CONDOLENCES TO A RELATIVE OF AN MFCB FRIEND
FCB TECH TALK
THANKS FOR ALL THE REFRESHMENTS
FCB E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST AND VOICE CHAT ROOMS
MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
OCLS RECEIVES GRANT TO UPGRADE COMPUTERS COUNTYWIDE
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MFCB
MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT RACHEL BADER
Dear Members and Friends of MFCB,
I'd first like to thank you for allowing me the privilege of again serving as President of MFCB for a final term. I would also like to
congratulate the wonderful group of Officers who all have been re-elected to serve with me. I very much appreciate their ongoing hard
work and dedication to the work of MFCB. I am proud of the successes we've had as an organization in the past few years and am excited
about the opportunities and challenges ahead.
As I write this message, I and a number of our Members have just this past weekend attended the fall Florida Council of the Blind (FCB)
Mid-Year Board Meeting where the meetings of many statewide committees took place. As we'll discuss more at our January General
Meeting, we as a local organization will, in the months ahead, have the opportunity to partner with other local chapters of FCB to continue
work on such issues as transportation and employment, as well as bring the 2006 FCB Annual Convention to our area in May and 2006
American Council of the Blind (ACB) National Convention to Florida in Jacksonville this July. It is certainly an exciting time to be part of
MFCB.
Although I hope to see many of you at our Annual Holiday Luncheon, I want to also take this opportunity to extend my family's best wishes
for a very Happy Holiday Season to you and yours.
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NEXT MFCB MEETING - ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
The next Meeting of MFCB will be the Annual Holiday Luncheon on Saturday, December 3rd, 2005, at 1 PM at Dixie Crossroads, 5250
International Drive, Suite 53, Orlando, FL 32809. Dixie Crossroads is located in the Festival Bay shopping area of I-Drive. The
restaurant's phone number is (407) 226-3772.
If you are scheduling paratransit transportation, this location is within the three-quarter-mile range. Please allow sufficient time to eat
and enjoy your meal. If you utilize fixed-route transportation, you can reach this location via Link 8, although you will have to walk a little in
to the shopping plaza, and cross International Drive for the return trip.
Dixie Crossroads is primarily known as a seafood restaurant and has been in Titusville for quite sometime. Now there's a new one here
in Orlando! If seafood is not on your diet, they also feature steaks, chicken prepared many ways, and ribs, as well as a variety of
scrumptious and filling salads. Prices range from $7.00 to as much as you care to spend!
So join MFCB as we cap off 2005 with good food and great company at Dixie Crossroads for the Annual Holiday Luncheon on Saturday,
December 3rd.
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NOVEMBER GENERAL MEETING REVIEW
32 Members attended the MFCB General Meeting held on Saturday, November 5th, at Booth Towers in downtown Orlando. After the
pledge to the flag, President Rachel Bader allowed those present to introduce themselves. She thanked 1st Vice President Patti Land
and all those who helped run things smoothly during the October General Meeting and White Cane Safety Event in her absence. Then
the Secretary's and Treasurer's reports were read and approved.
Rachel then reviewed what happened at the Orange County Disability Advisory Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 1st. It was held at
the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office in downtown Orlando. At that meeting, Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill
Cowles talked about the changes made in Orange County as a result of compliance with the state of Florida's deadline for accessible
voting.
Also resulting from that meeting itself, Rachel, along with NFB-Greater Orlando Chapter President Dwight Sayer, discussed with Bill
Cowles the possibility of having presentations for the respective blindness organizations regarding accessible voting. What was agreed
upon was to hold a joint meeting of many of the disability organizations in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties at the same Orange
County Supervisor of Elections Office on Saturday, February 8th, 2006 (this date is tentative). In addition to Bill Cowles, the Supervisors of
Elections in Osceola and Seminole counties will be contacted to be in attendance as well.
Rachel then announced that the Accessible Electronic and Information Technology (AEIT) Task Force, the group organized by the Governor
of Florida's Office to review accessibility of state-run websites and internal applications used by state agencies, would hold its November
meeting on Tuesday, November 8th, at the Holiday Inn Airport Select near Orlando International Airport. MFCB Members would be invited
to attend and participate during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Rachel also reminded Members in attendance that the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) Mid-Year Board Meeting would be in two weeks,
from Friday, November 18th, through Sunday, November 20th, at the Sheraton Safari in Lake Buena Vista. As has been mentioned in
THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE, it is an opportunity for MFCB Members to find out what is happening with the various committees on the state
level as well as get an idea of the direction our state affiliate is taking on various issues over the next six months.
Under Committee reports, Jay Bader reported for By-Laws and Membership/Telephone. He did a second reading on a proposed revision
making mention of the Connie Rotter Memorial Scholarship award to the MFCB By-Laws, which passed unanimously. Also, he reminded
Members that if they cannot turn in membership dues for 2006 by the end of this General Meeting, they must arrive by mail to him no later
than Tuesday, November 15th, as per the revision to the By-Laws that was passed at the October General Meeting. The
Membership/Telephone Committee would be contacting those Members who have not paid by Tuesday the 8th to remind them of the new
deadline.
On behalf of the Activities Committee, Patti Land reminded Members about the Betty Sparrow Support Group Fundraiser on Saturday,
November 12th, at the seniors' center on the corner of Marks and Magnolia in downtown Orlando. She also told Members about the
MFCB Annual Holiday Luncheon, which would be on Saturday, December 3rd, at 1 PM, at Dixie Crossroads on International Drive in
Orlando.
Reporting for the Transportation Committee, Chuck Graham talked about the issues that continue regarding Lynx and MV Transportation
for paratransit in our area. And Refreshments Coordinator Jackie Gideons thanked volunteers once again for refreshment
contributions.
For the Nominating Committee, Patti began conducting the Membership in attendance in the election of MFCB Officers for 2006. Here
are the results of those elections:
President - Rachel Bader
1st Vice President - Patti Land
2nd Vice President - Bill Freeman
Recording Secretary - Shelley Justice
Treasurer - Dan Spoone
Membership Secretary - Jay Bader
All Officers were voted in by acclimation, with Rachel being elected for her fourth and final term as President of MFCB.
With no Old or New Business to discuss, a 50/50 Raffle was held, which raised $60. A $25 First Prize was won by Chuck Graham, with
Jay Bader winning a Second Prize of $5.
The following Door Prizes of Christmas Ornaments were awarded:
A Pelican on a Post with Wreath - Lisa Lawson
Standalone 2 Shepherds and Sheep - Rob Batts
Snowman - Nicole Hugues
Bear - Matti Hickson
Santa Claus - Ed Kunse
Congratulations to all the Door Prize winners!
After the Business portion of the November General Meeting was concluded, the Members in attendance were entertained by the
Coventry Players. Their performance on the stringed instruments was well-received.
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CONDOLENCES TO A RELATIVE OF AN MFCB FRIEND
As this issue went to a pressing later than usual, MFCB was informed of an untimely passing. Jamie Wynter Sayer, 24-year-old daughter
from a previous marriage for National Federation of the Blind (NFB)-Greater Orlando Chapter President Dwight Sayer, died on Thursday,
November 17th. She had lived in Orlando with her mother.
In the words of the Kathy Davis, President of the NFB of Florida, "Jamie had dealt with some tough challenges in her young life and
apparently they just became too overwhelming." Once informed of what happened, MFCB President Rachel Bader contacted Dwight
Sayer directly to pass on the organization's condolences to him and his entire family. Jamie Sayer's funeral service was Monday,
November 21st.
All of us at the Mid-Florida Council of the Blind wish the best for Dwight, his wife Patti and son Austin, and the entire Sayer family during
these toughest of times.
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FCB TECH TALK
Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) invites all Members throughout the state of the Florida to participate in Tech Talk, a monthly get-together
for anyone who needs help with their computer and respective applications. John Richards, Chair of the FCB Technology Committee,
who organized this voice chat, says, "Please take advantage of this free tech support session. Have you paid for tech support lately? If
so, then you're aware of the cost."
Tech Talk takes place on the first Monday night of every month at 8 PM. To be a part of Tech Talk, grab a headset and microphone and
head to the FCB General Chat Room at the following link:
http://www.fcb.org/FCBGenRSigIn.htm. From there, just sign in and hit the Enter key
on your keyboard.
There are some Members of MFCB that are part of the FCB Technology Committee and they may even be able to help you. So if you
need help with your computer, join in on Tech Talk. And keep the change in your pocket.
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THANKS FOR ALL THE REFRESHMENTS
MFCB Refreshments Coordinator Jackie Gideons wants to thank all those who provided refreshments over the past year at MFCB
General Meetings. She really appreciates each and every person who volunteers to do so. And MFCB encourages those who want to
contribute their talents for refreshments to contact Jackie at (407) 854-0304 as plans are made for refreshments at the first General
Meeting for 2006 in January.
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FCB E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST AND VOICE CHAT ROOMS
Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) is proud to have its members throughout the state participate in a couple of ways on the Internet. The
FCB E-mail Discussion List is a way for members, locally and statewide, to express themselves freely on a variety of issues. These can
range from those on a local level to issues on a state or even national platform.
MFCB encourages all Members with E-mail and Internet access to sign up and participate in the various discussions as well as maybe
even starting a few. To sign up for the FCB E-mail Discussion List, and for more information about the List, go to the FCB website at
http://www.fcb.org and go to the link for "FCB E-mail Discussion List Information and Instructions."
And FCB has opened up 2 chat rooms for members of the organization. One of these is for general chat, the other is for the FCB Board and
its respective committees to meet. Everyone is invited to sit in on these chats, especially to participate with those in the general chat
room.
For more information about the new FCB chat rooms, especially if you want to know how you can join in on the chats, click on the link
"Voice Chat for FCB" at http://www.fcb.org.
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MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Mid-Florida Council of the Blind has a presence on the World Wide Web. Through the Florida Council of the Blind website,
http://www.fcb.org, there is information available on the Internet about MFCB, especially the MFCB
By-Laws, as well as current and some past issues of the MFCB Newsletter, both in the previous name of MUMBLES and the newer
name of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. MFCB is proud to have people find out what is going on with our organization in this global
manner.
To specifically get to the MFCB section of the FCB website, go to http://www.fcb.org/mfcb.htm.
Feedback is strongly encouraged as to the accessibility and content of the website, so if you have any questions or suggestions, E-mail
webmaster@fcb.org. With your suggestions, changes can be made that better what we have
on the Web.
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OCLS RECEIVES GRANT TO UPGRADE COMPUTERS COUNTYWIDE
The Orange County Library System (OCLS) has received a $73,500 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to upgrade computers
previously granted by the foundation. The grant will allow the library to sustain free, high quality access to computers and the Internet for
library patrons.
Millions of Americans rely on library computers to do research for school or work, take distance-learning classes, find health information,
communicate with family and friends, and keep up with current events. In communities with lower incomes, libraries often provide the
only Internet access.
"Computer and Internet access has become one of the key services that our patrons demand most," said Marilyn Hoffman, Community
Relations for OCLS. "It is critical that we have the resources necessary to sustain this service so that our libraries can help Orange
County citizens access the information they need to live engaged, successful lives.”
The grant is part of the foundation’s U.S. Library Program, which supports the efforts of public libraries to offer free access to computers,
the Internet, and digital information in communities throughout the United States. In 1999, the foundation gave $149,000 worth of
computers and software to the Orange County Library System. Due to technology advances, upgrades to the software and hardware now
are required to ensure that all libraries are able to sustain the initial investment in connectivity for their patrons.
"Libraries deserve to have the necessary resources to provide library patrons with efficient technology," said Martha Choe, director of the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries program. "It is now important for libraries to receive continued support from the
community - government, businesses, foundations, and citizens - to maintain this technology and provide upgrades in the future."
MFCB is encouraged by this news and is hopeful that these computers will continue to be accessible for those with disabilities. So
continue to visit a library in Orange County and enjoy the services available, especially the Subregional Talking Book Library based in
downtown Orlando.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MFCB
The Mid-Florida Council of the Blind knows that the trees are being put up with lots of decorations. Houses will have lights on trees in the
yard and run along the overhang. And the lines at the department stores will be long with overfilled shopping carts with presents to wrap
for friends and family.
So MFCB wishes each and every one who reads THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE a very Happy Holiday Season!
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MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
Notes from Jay: Thanks to all of you who either joined MFCB or renewed an existing membership. With your help, I was very happy to
report to the Membership Secretary of our state affiliate, FCB, that our membership total increased for 2006 to 62. With the deadline
change made from January 7th to November 15th, this was a pleasant surprise; so again, thanks to all who are part of MFCB for 2006.
For those of you who have not renewed your MFCB Membership for 2006, this will be the final issue you receive. If you still want to renew
your membership and continue receiving newsletters, please contact me using the information at the end of this section as soon as
possible. It would be greatly appreciated.
Please welcome the following New Members to MFCB:
LATRICE HAMPTON
2360 Broadway St.
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 324-8894
EDWARD KUNSE
633 Lake Dot Cir., Apt. 902
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 425-8552
And I always accept submissions to THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. All submissions for the January 2006 issue must arrive by regular mail
or e-mail to me by the 15th of December as it will be prepared shortly after that. You will be properly credited with the submission.
If you have any further questions, please call me at (407) 658-2479 or E-mail at
mfcbinfo@bellsouth.net. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Holiday
Luncheon, and Happy Holidays!
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BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
DECEMBER
9 - John Wimberly
13 - Leslie Spoone
18 - Kathy Allen
21 - Richard Dreyer
25 - Patti Land
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