August, 2017

As I am writing this, it has started to rain which is a perfect backdrop for the news which I have just received.  Carolyn Steele called to tell me that Nancy Carson died this morning.  It is so hard to believe that Nancy, who was always so vital and healthy, has been ill for a while, and today left us.  I don't know much about what happened, but, according to Carolyn, she was undergoing chemotherapy.  Perhaps we will know more later although she did not have relatives here.  For those of you who did not know Nancy, she was the first woman in Manatee County to become a secondary school principal at King Middle School.  She did the job with great enthusiasm, doing her best to make her school a success.

    On a much brighter note, I received this letter from one of our scholarship recipients.  I will share it with you in its entirety since he addressed it to all of us.

Manatee County REA,
Thank you for your financial assistance toward my college expenses back in 2012.  I recently graduated with my Master's Degree from Florida State University, majoring in mathematics education.  This was directly after completing the FSU-Tech undergraduate program, graduating Magna Cum Laude.  I am now set to start teaching at Palm Bay Magnet High School in August.  Being able to accomplish these goals would have been impossible without your support.
Thank you.
Jacob Kargauer

                                            Jacob when he was a freshman at FSU

    I am looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, Sept 21, 11:15, at Renaissance on 9th.  The cost of lunch this year will be $18 which includes tax, so there will be no tax tubs on the tables.  It is important to know that we are getting a better price than is usually offered to groups.

   Dr. Greene has had to postpone her talk until April due to her responsibilities as Superintendent.  We will be hearing a presentation from Take Stock in Children.  Most of you are aware of the remarkable success they have with sending Manatee County kids to college.  Now we will hear some details.

    If you have not heard from your caller before Sept. 16, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 or me at 794-1646, and we will make a reservation for you.

    Dues must be paid in Sept. is you want your name to appear in the yearbook.

See you soon,
Ellen