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On Friday evening, January
30th, our National Federation of the Blind National Research and Training
Institute (NFBNRTI) was formally opened. It was a splendid occasion and
Connecticut was well represented with Mary Brunoli, Ben Snow, Annie Orr,
Junerose and Jim Killian and Bruce and myself in attendence. Hospitality
and food prevailed. As always, we had the opportunity to mingle with old
friends and meet new ones.
When we arrived at our National Center we were greeted with places to
change into our party clothes (after seven hours on the train), and a
place to check our luggage. Then we were directed to the dining room.
No sooner had Bruce and I chosen some lovely veggies, dips, sandwiches
and drinks, when we were pressed into service by Ramona Walhof. We were
to escort folks from the dining room to the library in the new building.
This gave us the opportunity to have a private tour given by Ramona. This
was the place where some of the most sumptuous delicacies would be served,
along with liquid refreshments. There were some 30 restaurants represented
with very special offerings: clam chowder, chicken wings, shrimp and much,
much more, each in its own outstanding sauce.
From the library Ramona led us down hallways and upstairs to the "Great
Room". This room was set up for the most part with long tables and
chairs. There were two huge screens on either side of the stage.
Once the 1300 invited guests were gathered in this beautiful room we were
entertained with choral singing, bagpipes, R & B music and, of course,
more food.
Many dignitaries including the Governor of Maryland Robert Erlich and
the mayor of Baltimore paid tribute to our organization and its leaders
for our efforts in improving the lives of blind people in the country
and in the world.
Your president had the privilege of presenting a substantial check to
President Maurer in the amount of $107960.72, which was one-half of a
bequest left to us by Ethel Goedeke's estate in memory of Ethel and her
husband Joseph. It is a long-standing policy of the NFB that one-half
of bequests is given to our national organization. In this instance, this
gift was most timely for both our national organization and our Connecticut
affiliate. It put the Capital Campaign over the top and it gave our treasury
a needed boost.
Believe it or not, there are still some finishing touches to be done on
our new Research and Training Institute. For those of you who have ever
built a house - you can relate.
We can be very proud of all of our efforts which have gone into the creation
of our new building. In years to come it will touch many of our lives
and the lives of those who come after us.
A final and exciting note. This building was the dream of our beloved
deceased president, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan. Therefore it is most fitting
that this new building was named for him and is an apt tribute to his
lifelong service and dedication to improving the lives of the blind.
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