The National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota is an organization focused on consumer advocacy for blind people and promoting a positive philosophy of blindness.  We are also a family.  Here is a column that we print from time to time, containing items that would not normally be sent out on our membership listserv but which are noteworthy and of interest to members.  Did you or a Federationist you know get a new job?  Go on a major trip?  Win an award?  Have a child?  Something else important to you?  If you have news you would like shared in this column, send it to the Bulletin editor, Tom Scanlan, and he will pass it along. Here’s the news since our last issue:

Several Federationists will be graduating with high school diplomas or college degrees this spring, including Hannah Furney, Jordan Richardson, Catherine Jacobson, and Quinn Haberl.  Congratulations to all.

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Suzanne Fearon, daughter of long-time Federationist Maxine Schrader.  Suzanne had also been a member and had been battling cancer for more than 20 years.

We also learned that several months ago, Norm Grow, the brother of Janiece Duffy, passed away.  He had been in a rehabilitation facility recovering from cancer and suffered a heart attack.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Maxine and Janiece during this difficult time.     

Congratulations to Ryan Strunk, who starts his new job in accessibility and marketing at Target in April.  Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc. will miss him, but of course, he still will be an active member of the NFB of Minnesota.

We are pleased to announce the engagement of Rob Hobson and Deborah Jensen.  We tried to talk them into having their wedding as part of the annual NFB of MN convention, but alas, the happy couple will be married in August in Omaha.  All the best to them.

If we have missed any noteworthy news here, please send it along for the next column!