AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
                       WITH THE MERCHANTS



                   Message From the President

     Though somewhat few in number, a
group of enthusiastic, dedicated
merchants and their supporters gathered
Saturday, September 26, at the Holiday
Inn Crossroads in Richmond for the
ninth annual convention of the Virginia
Blind Merchants Association.  A
delicious light luncheon kicked off the
events of the day at 12:30 p. m.
followed at 1:30 by the calling to
order of the meeting by Bert Shankle,
chairperson for the convention.

     Bert reported on the happenings of
the Merchants Association during the
past year.  Following her report, Joe
Shankle spoke on state and federal
legislative concerns of the Merchants'
Association.  These included the
following concerns:  continuation of
the highway vending program in Virginia
as it is today,  desire to remove
utility assessments placed on certain
vendors in Richmond, and state of North
Carolina's desire to limit earnings of
vendors.  Seville Allen, representing
the National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia, delivered a report on
Federation affairs during the past
year.  After a short break, Marshall
Jordan spoke on computer technology for
business people.

     The events of the afternoon
culminated with the election of
officers for the coming year.  These
officers are Marshall Jordan,
president; Charlene Rogers, vice
president; Bert Shankle, secretary; and
Don Jamison, treasurer.  At 6:30 a
sumptuous banquet was served followed
by a most fitting presentation of a
beautiful plaque to Cleo Peay in memory
of Eddie Peay.

     We are most grateful to all who 
attended this ninth annual Merchants
convention and participated so
enthusiastically in the various events
of the day. We sincerely wish many more
of you could have been with us; you
were in our thoughts and were truly
missed.  Elsewhere in this newsletter
you will find information about certain
issues discussed at this meeting.  We
desire your reaction to and input on
these and any other issues and any
other concerns you may have.  Only
through concerted effort on the part of
all of us can we hope to improve
conditions for merchants and all blind
people.



                    Consumers Seek Vegetarian
                       Offerings on Menus


     One-fifth of American adults are
likely to look for a restaurant that
serves vegetarian items when they
decide to eat out, according to a
recent Gallup survey.  The same study
also shows that one-third or more are
likely to order specific vegetarian
items.  Interest in vegetarian items is
higher among women, and respondents 35
and older, the survey concludes.

     One interesting point is that only
39 percent of respondents said they
chose vegetarian items for ethical
reasons; 22 percent cited religious
reasons for their vegetarianism.

     Asked how likely they would be to
order certain specified vegetarian
items in a restaurant, 20 percent of
those surveyed said they would be
likely to order a meatless casserole or
ratatoutlle, and a similar number
showed interest in a vegetable pizza. 
Another 32 percent said they would
order pasta with a meatless sauce,
while 41 percent said they would order
a vegetable stir fry.

     Of course, vegetable salads with
grains and fruit salad entrees were
also a popular choice.

               Copied from
               INDUSTRY NEWS
                         Member Profile

     Marshall Jordan, whose vision
problems are a result of congenital
cataracts, graduated from V.S.D.B.  He
attended Emory and Henry College,
majoring in math and minoring in
English.  After that, he taught seventh
and eighth-grade math in Wytheville
County.  He then received a fellowship
to attend U. Va.,  which led to his
Master's in special education.  After
earning his master's, Marshall taught
at the School attended by another
member of our organization, Seville
Allen, in Pittsburg, Pa.  He has also
taught school in W. Va. and back to
V.S.D.B.  For several years after
teaching at V.S.D.B., Marshall taught
Adult Basic Education at the Rehab
Center in Richmond,  Marshall's current
job is 
private tutoring in Computer
Technology.  

     Happy birthday to John Whiteside,
Sept. 4.

                      Special Announcement

     Announcing a Richmond Seminar,
sponsored by the Blind Merchants
Association, to be held in mid-January. 
Details will be forthcoming in future
newsletters.  Don't miss this
opportunity to get acquainted with your
legislators.  


     On a national level, please remember
that when Congress reconvenes, to write
your congressman and have him define
the blind as a minority under Section
8-A of the Small Business Act.


     You will notice that if you have not
paid your dues for the year, that you
have been provided a stamped
preaddressed envelope so that you may
do so.  Dues are ten dollars.  This
will be your last newsletter unless
your dues are received by Oct 31.


     Did you know that it takes 500,000
trees to produce the Sunday Newspapers
that are read in the United States each
week?

     Did you know that the average
American generates four pounds of trash
daily?


     The excuse for slow sales in 
September is, too tired from running
all summer.