« October 2024 Convention Newsletter
President's
Message
Hello to all,
Oh how lucky
we have been with all this wonderful warm weather we have had all summer.
The first few cool days have crept in on us. Soon we will be welcoming the
snowflakes and snowmen. I know the winter months can be difficult at best
for many of us, but on the bright side of things our annual convention is
coming up in November and it’s in person. You don’t want to miss it.
We will have wonderful guest speakers, delicious food, and plenty of time
to socialize. I am looking forward to catching up with all of
you.
Great news! We have had two scholarship applicants who will receive $750 each. These two individuals will be presented with their scholarship at the convention.
Thank you for those of you who have responded to the convention headcount email. It’s not too late if you want to attend the convention, please read below and contact the recommended people.
We will have several convention updates in this newsletter, so please read all the way through. Hope to see you in November at the convention!
Also, we have several vacant board member seats, if you are interested in serving on the board, please reach out to me by emailing me at
amandafrost - vpacb@gmail.com.
It's Convention Time
Date - November 2,
2024
Time - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location - Best Western
Hotel, 375 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901
Cost - $10.00
Registration Fee - Lunch included
We are finally bringing
the American Council, Of The Blind of Maine convention back in person.
Come to learn, socialize, and fill your tummies. We are planning a fun
filled day with guest speakers discussing employment, transportation, and
technology. There will be some fantastic door, prizes and baskets filled
with amazing items.
We are looking forward to having you there with us.
If you are planning on staying Friday and/or
Saturday night, you should reserve your room for $99 plus tax at the Best
Western by calling 207-873-0111. Please identify yourself as an individual
who is attending the American Council Of The Blind convention being held
on November 2, 2024. In addition, there will be a registration fee of $10
for in person as well as virtual attendees. This registration fee
can be paid at the registration desk the day of convention by cash, check
or money order paid to the order of American council Of The Blind of
Maine.
If you prefer to pay before the convention or online, please go to the ACB Maine website and click on donation and you may select to pay $10.
A delicious breakfast of
pastries and fresh fruit will be laid out on each table so you will not
need to get up from your seat to search for the goodies. Your choice of
hot tea, coffee or juice will also be available.
The meal choices for lunch include the following:
Turkey dinner
Pork loin dinner
Vegetable lasagna
The pork and turkey dinners will come with
mashed potatoes and green beans. All three dishes will come with a garden
salad, dinner roll and your choice of canned soda, lemonade or bottled
water.
If you are staying at the hotel Friday night, you can
arrive to the Best Western anytime after 3 PM. The Best Western is located
at 375 Main St., Waterville, ME.
Convention
Schedule
9:00 AM - Welcome and introductions
9:20 AM - Reading proposed by law changes
9:30 AM - Scholarship recipients
10:00 AM - Transportation panel, Ron Brooks, and Zoe Miller
10:45 AM- 15 minute bathroom break
11:00 AM - Employment panel with Alyssa Rowe, Annette Stevens, and Lori Scharff
11:45 AM - Remembrances
12:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM - business meeting
2:15 PM- Technology with Steve Sawczyn
2:45 PM - 15 minute bathroom break
3:00 PM - Community calls offered by ACB national
3:45 PM - Door, prizes, and raffle
4 PM - Closing, and appreciation
Dues -
Traditionally, dues for the year are paid at convention time. It just works out well. You can pay your dues while registerin at the converntion with a check (or cash) for $20.00. Or you can send a check to Amanda Frost.
Ms. Amanda Frost
8 Beach Ridge Road
West Gardiner, ME 04345
Cheesecake with a box mix!
Now, this one I haven't tried, but it sure looks EEZEE enough. It will be my next culinary adventure.
From https://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/31/Cheesecake_with_Cake_Mix42027.shtml
Ingredients
1 package (15-17 ounce size) yellow cake mix
4 eggs
2 tablespoons oil
2 packages (8 ounce size) cream
cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons lemon
juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
pie filling (cherry, pineapple,
blueberry, strawberry, etc.)
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Measure out 1 cup of dry cake mix; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, stir together remaining dry cake mix, 1 egg, and oil (mixture will be crumbly). Press crust mixture evenly into bottom and of the way up the sides of a greased 13"x9"x2" pan. (I just put it on the bottom.)
In the same bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar together. Add 3 eggs and reserved cake mix; beat 1 minute at medium speed. At low speed gradually add milk, lemon juice, and vanilla; mix until smooth. Pour into crumb crust. Bake at 300 degrees F for 45 to 55 minutes, or until center is firm.
Cool to room temperature. Spoon pie filling over cheesecake; cover and chill 1 hour before serving. Store in refrigerator. Baked cheesecake can be frozen with a covering of foil.
Cook's notes
You can use a springform pan if desired. Increase cooking time to 1 hour 10 minutes (or until center is almost firm)
Please share this newsletter with other interested people and organizations.
