By Chuck Frederick, Duluth News Tribune

(Editor’s Note:  This article was published in the Duluth News Tribune on Saturday, July 28, 2007.)

Julie Vogt’s debut CD isn’t unique because of the wonderful music on it, nor is the gospel record unusual because it took her 14 years to record—one year for every song. The sweet-sounding, piano-and-vocals work of art is, however, more than a little special because Vogt produced it almost entirely with the help of blind people.

Blind people like her.

By Tom Scanlan

Bill Laack is a long-time member of the NFB of Minnesota Metro Chapter, and has always lived the NFB philosophy of leading a full life on terms of security, equality, and opportunity.  Bill has participated in many NFB activities including chapter meetings, conventions, and running in our move-a-thon to raise money for the NFB of Minnesota in which he so strongly believes.

By Jeffrey Thompson

(Editor’s Note:  Jeff is the past president of our student division, and the newest member of the NFB of Minnesota board of directors.)

By Scott LaBarre

By Mary Hartle-Smith

(Editor’s Note:  Mary Hartle was the first president of our student division, and Joyce Scanlan was its first secretary.  After graduating from college and working in Minnesota, Mary moved to Iowa where she met and married Mike Smith.  They now live in Mesa, Arizona, and Mary serves on the board of directors of the NFB of Arizona.)

By Sharon Monthei

(Editor’s Note:  This is the winner of the 2007 Metro Chapter essay contest.  Sharon Monthei is a very active member and past treasurer of the Metro Chapter.)

By Jennifer Dunnam, President

As I write this it has been a little over a week since you elected me as your new president and since Joyce Scanlan handed me that fine wooden gavel with the NFB of Minnesota logo engraved upon the handle.  Joyce has led us long and well, and has done more than anybody else has to improve life for blind people in Minnesota, not to mention her important work throughout our country.  It is my great fortune to have her experience to call upon, as well as an affiliate full of capable and committed people with whom to work.

By Tom Scanlan

The National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota convention on the weekend of November 2, 2007 marked an historic point in our organization’s 87-year history.  Joyce Scanlan has been elected president every two years for 34 of those 87 years.  This year, she chose not to run again. 

By Joyce Scanlan, Past President

Today is November 1, All Saints Day, the day after Halloween, and one day before Minnesotans go off to our 2007 state convention in Bloomington.  After more than 34 years, this will be my last convention as president.  My greatest hope is that I’ll have as many more years as a member of this forward-looking people’s movement.  In any event, this will be my last contribution to the Minnesota Bulletin as state president, and the column entitled Les Affaires will be retired.

Volume 73, Number 3, Fall 2007

Quarterly Publication of the

National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, Inc.

100 East 22nd Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404

Voice:  (612) 872-9363

Website:  www.nfbmn.org

Tom Scanlan, Editor

E-mail tom.scanlan@earthlink.net

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WHAT IT MEANS