CMCNFB Chapter President’s Report

Dear Chapter Members, Friends, and Colleagues,

Well, we did it.  This is the first publication of “eye” on Central Minnesota NFB of Minnesota newsletter.  We are most grateful to Lori Peglow, who is the editor of this newsletter.  None of us here in the CMC chapter can say thank you enough to Lori for her willingness to take on this publication.  Many thanks, Lori!

Congratulations to Bev Stavrum for her being elected to the State Board of the NFB of Minnesota.  This is a tremendous honor for our Chapter.  Watch for a tribute to Andy Virden in the section called “Virden’s Corner.”  Andy was President of the Central Minnesota Chapter for many years.  I will also make comment on a Virden family scholarship trust foundation whereby scholarships are available to chapter members and their children who attend St. Cloud State University.  Along with this, I will also make brief mention of the spaghetti dinner, which is scheduled to be held on Friday, January 18, 2013, from 4:30 to 8:00 PM at the Eagle’s Club in St. Cloud.  Ticket costs for this event are:  Ages 0-5 free, Ages 6-12: $4.50 and adults $7.00.  Once again, thanks to Lori Peglow for putting this newsletter together.

Rev. Ron Mahnke, President

The Central Minnesota Chapter of the NFB of Minnesota

Keep up with the latest happenings in Central Minnesota.  The Central Minnesota Chapter (CMC) of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Minnesota has been around since the early 1970’s. 

During the annual October “Meet the Blind Month,” various members of the chapter put on displays at different places around Saint Cloud such as the Crossroads Mall, Midtown Square and the Whitney Senior Center.  The group focused on handing out literature and demonstrating various technologies designed to promote independence for blind and low-vision people.  This year the display was held at the Whitney Senior Center on October 17, and was hosted by Bev Stavrum, Jim Cecil, Beth Moline and Gayle Bengston. 

The CMCNFB meets the second Saturday of each month at the American Legion in Waite Park at 12:30 pm.  Join us early, at 11:30 am to enjoy good food (like the “Buck Burger”), good company and a few jokes.  If you have questions or want information, please call Ron Mahnke at 320-229-0583.

We will be contributing articles from Central Minnesota to the State NFB newsletter.  If you have ideas for the newsletter, please call Lori Peglow at 320-597-3777.

Meet Members of the CMCNFB

Six months before Beth Moline was born, her eyes stopped developing.  Beth attended elementary school in St. Cloud where she learned to read and write braille.  She attended middle school at North Junior High in Saint Cloud.  Her seventh-grade math teacher recorded math problems on a tape recorder, pausing after each problem so Beth could record her answers.  This worked well for a while until her study tools started disappearing from the study lab.  In the spring of her eighth-grade year, Beth moved to the Minnesota Braille and Sight Saving School (now the State Academy for the Blind) in Faribault.

Beth started working after tenth grade at the Opportunity Training Center.  Her project was to work in the kitchen at the Masonic Hospital, something she thoroughly enjoyed.  She went on to attend Saint Cloud State University.  In December of 1977, she took a job at Fingerhut. 

Beth has been active in the CMCNFB since 1978.  During October, Beth also goes to the Northland Christian School to give talks and demonstrations on how blind people perform activities of daily living.  One thing she showed the students was how she folds her one-dollar, five-dollar, ten-dollar, and twenty-dollar bills to distinguish one from the other.  She told them that if she had a $100 dollar bill she would frame it!  Beth keeps busy with knitting, crocheting, making latch hook rugs, socializing as well as reading and writing plays and songs.  She also collects old-time music, radio programs and gospel music and watches old-time, classic television shows.  Some of these classics can be found at your local libraries.

Recipes

Blue Cheese Potatoes by Beth Moline

Wash and cut potatoes, with the peelings on into wedges.  Roll the potatoes in Blue Cheese dressing.  Bake on a baking pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Virden’s Corner

Andy Virden was the president of the Central Minnesota Chapter of the NFB of Minnesota for many years.  Under his leadership, hundreds of people found assistance for living with blindness.  As the CMC chapter president, Andy made personal contacts with many individuals.

Andy was born on November 19, 1927 and died on March 22, 2011 because of a tragic accident.  Loyalties to God, to our country and to the NFB were three major themes in the life of Andy Virden.

God — a central part of Andy’s faith life and practice was his relationship to his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.  He gave service to the various committees and boards within his church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park where he was an ever-present figure in the church choir.

Country — Andy was active in the political scene of the USA, especially here in the State of Minnesota.  He was in constant dialogue with Senate and House members.  His voice was heard continually, making a positive contribution to the structure of the democracy in which we live.  He was honored recently by having a brick with his name on it placed in front of the DFL headquarters in the Twin Cities.

CMCNFB — What do you say about a man who, for decades, was president of the CMC Chapter, a man who fought for the needs and rights of the blind here in the state of Minnesota, and on a national level?  What do you say about a man who extended himself, time after time, to those who are blind, giving us encouragement and direction?  We say thank you Andy, for God’s empowerment of you, for your direction and leadership.

We are also grateful for Andy as a historian.  He was keenly aware of significant events in history as well as having knowledge of those who were significant in shaping the governing landscape of our country.  He had an amazing repertoire of people’s names, places, and issues and he could speak forthrightly about issues and concerns at NFB conferences and seminars.

Andy was a businessman.  For a number of years he ran his own business in St. Cloud.  He was well known as the proprietor of his food service enterprise located in the Post Office.  He was very instrumental in helping other visually impaired individuals set up their own business.

Andy was a knowledgeable person who was willing to share his opinions, ideas and feelings across the social strata wherever he went.  He was down to earth, could apologize when needed and then move ahead with solid strength and conviction.  His leadership had a strong influence throughout Minnesota.  All who knew him respected Andy.  We remain very grateful for all he has done for the blind.

Virden Scholarship

In the upcoming weeks, you will be hearing more about the Virden Scholarship Foundation at St. Cloud State University.  We give many thanks to Andy’s family for this!  Watch for further details in the spring issue of Eye on Central Minnesota.