.March 2024
The Hull Foundation
Monthly Sight Loss News
hullflc.org
503–668–6195
#
Picture description:
Guests at the 2024 Winter Retreat snow tubing at Mt. Hood snow Park
“The publishing of this newsletter is a service of The Hull Foundation and Learning Center Inc. It is not an endorsement of any of its contents. All products, items and other information may be used at the sole discretion of the reader.”
Serving the low vision and blind community since 1962
Edited by Hull Foundation Staff
Contents
Mission Statement …p. 3
Spring Renewal – The Art of Tidying up…p. 4–7
Using Humor as a Positive – p. 7–9
Calling all Artists!…p. 9–10
Reading in the Dark Book Club…p. 11–12
“Happy Birthday Dr Seuss”…p.13–16
Hearing Loss Tip of the Month…p. 17 -18
Protein for Breakfast…p. 18–19
Recipe of the Month: Curried Cottage Pie…p. 19–26
USH Connections Conference …p. 26–27
Hull Foundation Events and Seminars…p. 28–31
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings…p. 32
Spring Poem…p. 33
Jokes to Keep you Laughing or Groaning…p. 34
Contact Us…p. 35
Our Mission Statement:
The mission of the Hull Foundation and Learning Center is to provide
programs, facilities and services including social, educational, and
recreational activities for people with blindness and sight loss.
low confidence
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newsletter by email, or to unsubscribe, please call the Hull Foundation
at 503.668.6195 or send an email to: oralhull@gmail.com
Spring into Renewal:
The Art of Tidying Up Your Life
As winter’s chill makes its graceful exit, the arrival of spring
beckons us to shake off the cobwebs and embrace a season of renewal. One
of the most invigorating ways to welcome spring into your life is
through a thorough tidying up, a transformative exercise that extends
beyond mere physical spaces to encompass mental clarity and emotional
well-being.
The age-old tradition of spring cleaning takes on a modern twist as we
embark on the journey of decluttering and organizing our living spaces.
The process involves more than just dusting off surfaces; it is an
intentional and mindful approach to clearing out the old and making room
for the new. Start by tackling one room at a time, assessing each
item’s usefulness, and sparking joy, as Marie Kondo advocates in her
renowned KonMari method.
Clearing out clutter not only creates a visually appealing space but
also contributes to a sense of mental order and tranquility. Organize
closets, donate items that no longer serve a purpose, and discard things
that have outworn their welcome. As you witness the physical space
transform, so too does your mental space, invoking a renewed sense of
clarity and focus.
Extend the tidying process to digital spaces as well. Unsubscribe from
unnecessary emails, organize digital files, and declutter your virtual
desktop. A streamlined digital environment can enhance productivity and
reduce digital overwhelm.
Spring cleaning is not limited to material possessions; it is a chance
to cleanse the mind and nurture emotional well-being. Reflect on the
past season, acknowledge any emotional baggage, and let go of what no
longer serves you. Embrace gratitude and optimism, setting positive
intentions for the warmer months to come.
Spring cleaning is a holistic approach to tidying up your life:
physically, mentally, and emotionally. As you wash away the dregs of
winter, you create space for the blooming possibilities of spring,
fostering a refreshed and renewed sense of wellbeing.
By Teresa Christian, Sight Loss Instructor
Using Humor as a Positive
Recently, I was in a room full of people, a joke was told, and everyone
laughed. This moment made me reflect. We all know the saying, humor is
good for the soul, but did you know that through humor we find
connection? Humor helps people process life like nothing else can. Why,
because in that moment of telling the joke we are witnessing the scene
being described. We sit through feeling the uncomfortable nature of
whatever the initial situation is in the joke. This is also known as the
set-up. Then we are released from that uneasiness by being given the
gift of the punchline. After the laughter ceases, this causes the
listener a moment of pause to think more deeply about the subject of the
joke as a whole.
Now, obviously you’re thinking what does this have to do with me? Well,
my friend, isn’t life but a stage that we all put ourselves out there
for everyday? Of course! So, why not make humor a self-proclaimed moment
of empowerment? When you are faced with an uncomfortable situation in
life, pause and pivot your perspective toward being a positive versus a
negative. The negative impact of the situation shouldn’t rule you.
Humor is there to give you that much more determination to turn a
situation on its head and create relatability thus making life a little
bit lighter.
-Tina
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Calling All Artists!
-Danielle Miller
Are you an artist interested in supporting WTBBL’s mission “That All May
Read?” We are inviting patrons, volunteers, donors, and other friends of
the library to create art works for our upcoming silent auction, Opening
Windows to the World: A Silent Art Auction and Reception to Benefit the
Washington Talking Book & Braille Library. All proceeds from the sale of
the art will benefit WTBBL by supporting library programming, books and
materials, and equipment and technology for training, local book
production, and podcasting.
If you would like to participate, please contact the Hull Foundation and
Learning Center office to get more information. The deadline to submit
artwork to the benefit is March 15th, 2024. Our phone number is
503.668.6195
[Reading in the Dark Book Club]{.underline}
By Marja Byers, SLI
February was our Dr. Seuss month, for more information on our
discussions you can check out my article in this month’s newsletter,
“Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss!”
In March we will be reading and talking about:
3/12 “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge, DB102687, 10:00.
“Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for
wonder. They find it in two giraffes, who miraculously survive a
hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a 12-day road
trip and a custom truck to deliver southern California’s first giraffes
to the San Diego Zoo.”
3/26 “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth Von Arnim, DB46007, 8:50.
“This slow paced, lyrical novel is about friendships between women and
the joy of literally having a room of one’s own, if only for a month.
‘The enchanted April’, written in 1922, is about four women who rent a
castle in Italy together for one month (April, duh).”
We hope you join us for our book club, even if it’s just to listen in
and join the chat. We welcome anyone regardless of whether you have read
the book and whether or not you have sight loss. Loving books is the
important part!
[“Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss!”]{.underline}
By Marja Byers, SLI
On March 2, 2024, Theodor “Ted” Seuss Geisel aka, Dr. Seuss turned 120
years old. He was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, his
father was a successful brewmaster until prohibition hit. Ted had two
sisters, his younger sister died when he was only three and he remained
close with his older sister.
Ted was editor at Dartmouth College’s humor magazine until he and
friends were caught drinking in his dorm room during prohibition. That
was when Dr. Seuss appeared since Ted Geisel had gotten into trouble.
Between 1937 and 1990 Dr. Seuss wrote over 60 books always claiming, “I
don’t write books for children, I write books for people.” He was
married twice and never had children of his own. Though a quiet man who
kept to himself, he had a very mischievous side and was known for
pulling pranks with close friends. At an evening event sneaking off and
“signing” autographs in other famous authors books in a library
alongside of a friend!
During one of our book club discussions the fact that there are six of
his books that have been banned came up. Frankly I was shocked, I had no
idea, and one of the banned books was a favorite of mine growing up. We
had a copy of “McElligot’s Pool” at home and I would spend so much time
gazing at the pictures and letting my imagination run wild! Thinking
back, I could not imagine why it had been banned so Reading in the Dark
as a group decided to look into Ted Geisel and his banned books this
last month.
We started by reading one of the numerous biographies available, “Dr.
Seuss and Mr. Geisel” by Judith and Neil Morgan (DB41116). The Morgan’s
were neighbors and friends of the Geisel’s and seem to have had the most
personal take on his life. After reading his biography I have to admit
that I have a little bit of a crush on Mr. Geisel. It also helped me
understand the “banned” books and why it was really a family decision to
stop publishing 6 of his books. He was such a kind and gentle soul; they
don’t want his image to be seen in any other way, at least that’s my
perception. Here is the official statement:
“Dr. Seuss Enterprises issued a statement on March 2, 2021, announcing
they would cease publication of six of Dr. Seuss’s children’s books due
to racist stereotypes that “portray people in ways that are hurtful and
wrong.” The six titles withdrawn from publication were And to Think That
I Saw It on Mulberry St., If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot’s Pool, Beyond
Zebra! Scrambled Eggs Super! and The Cat’s Quizzer. The titles contain
offensive descriptions of African and Asian people…”
I was able to listen to the books on YouTube, if you’re blind you will
miss most of what was deemed as possibly offensive as it’s in the
illustrations. Ted Geisel also edited some of his illustrations that he
felt depicted Asian stereotypes later in his career.
It was an interesting discussion; I have personally always loved Dr.
Seuss books and now I have an even greater appreciation of Ted Geisel.
If you have never listened to “You’re Only Old Once: a book for obsolete
children” DB34062, I highly recommend it!
“You can find magic, wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you
need is a book.”~ Dr. Seuss
Hearing Loss Tip of the Month
By Meagan Moore SLI
Did you know you can adjust your captions on your mobile devices,
tablets and computers? Even some TV’s will allow you to customize the
font and size of your captions. With my narrowing visual fields, I
prefer watching shows on my iPad or iPhone. To check out the adjustable
accessibility features on your apple products, first go into
Settings, then find Accessibility, you will notice Vision,
Physical and Motor, Hearing, Speech, and General. Go to Hearing, and
you will see 7 different categories and I encourage you to look into all
of them and explore! You can turn on live captioning for FaceTime, you
can have your phone listening for certain noises (examples include fire,
siren. cat, dogs, household items, people and so many more) and you will
be altered through vibrations. You can customize your subtitles and
captioning, and so much more! Happy exploring!
Protein for Breakfast
A protein-rich breakfast is an important way to start your day. Protein
is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in maintaining good
health. Eating protein-rich foods for breakfast can help you feel fuller
for longer, boost your metabolism, and keep your energy levels stable
throughout the day. For people over the age of 40, getting enough
protein in their diets is especially important because muscle mass
naturally declines with age. This can lead to decreased strength,
mobility, and overall health.
Aim for a minimum of 25–30 grams of protein for breakfast each day. You
can ask Siri or Alexa how many grams of protein are in your breakfast
choices.
Courtesy Sorted Food
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 tbsp curry powder
300 ml beef stock
1 splash Worcestershire sauce
2 large baking potatoes
3 parsnips
1 glug milk
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 onion
1 clove garlic
1 carrot
2 sticks celery
2 bay leaves
1 shot oil
1 bunch fresh thyme
400 g beef mince
1 tbsp plain flour
1 squeeze tomato puree
#
#
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Instructions
- PREP AND FRY THE VEG
Peel and finely chop the onion, garlic, carrot and celery before frying
in a deep pan with a shot of oil with the bay leaves.
- ADD THE BEEF
Strip the leaves from the thyme and add to the pan with the raw beef
mince. Cook until the mince is browned. Stir in the flour, tomato puree
and curry powder.
- ADD THE LIQUID
Add the stock and Worcestershire sauce, bring to a simmer and allow to
bubble gently for an hour.
- PREHEAT THE OVEN
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- BOIL THE POTS AND PARSNIPS
Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks and do the same with the parsnips,
remembering to core them if the centers are very woody. Submerge both in
a pan of cold salted water and bring to the boil.
- SMASH THE ROOTS
Simmer for 20 minutes until cooked, then drain and return to the dry
pan. Splash in the milk and spoon in the cumin before mashing until
smooth.
- SPOON MASH ONTO THE BEEF
Tip the beef mix into a deep roasting tray so it half fills the dish
then pour the spiced parsnip potato mix over the top… no need to be
neat!
- BAKE AND SERVE!
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes to gain a crisp golden top and serve
with some steamed veg.
Ingredients
2 tbsp curry powder
300 ml beef stock
1 splash Worcestershire sauce
2 large baking potatoes
3 parsnips
1 glug milk
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 onion
1 clove garlic
1 carrot
2 sticks celery
2 bay leaves
1 shot oil
1 bunch fresh thyme
400 g beef mince
1 tbsp plain flour
1 squeeze tomato puree
Instructions
- PREP AND FRY THE VEG
Peel and finely chop the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery before frying
in a deep pan with a shot of oil with the bay leaves.
- ADD THE BEEF
Strip the leaves from the thyme and add to the pan with the raw beef
mince. Cook until the mince is browned. Stir in the flour, tomato puree
and curry powder.
- ADD THE LIQUID
Add the stock and Worcestershire sauce, bring to a simmer, and allow to
bubble gently for an hour.
- PREHEAT THE OVEN
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- BOIL THE POTS AND PARSNIPS
Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks and do the same with the parsnips,
remembering to core them if the centers are very woody. Submerge both in
a pan of cold salted water and bring to the boil.
- SMASH THE ROOTS
Simmer for 20 minutes until cooked, then drain and return to the dry
pan. Splash in the milk and spoon in the cumin before mashing until
smooth.
- SPOON MASH ONTO THE BEEF
Tip the beef mix into a deep roasting tray so it half fills the dish
then splodge the spiced parsnip potato mix over the top… no need to be
neat!
- BAKE AND SERVE!
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes to gain a crisp golden top and serve
with some steamed veg.
[USH Connections Conference: Usher Syndrome Coalition
USH2024]{.underline}
WHO: [All]{.underline} individuals of all types of Usher syndrome,
including adults, parents, children, partners, siblings, etc., and
professionals serving those with USH and/or the deaf blind.
WHAT: At the USH Connections Conference, you will connect with
hundreds of people who "get it" while discovering valuable resources
and learning the latest from leading Usher syndrome researchers on
developing treatments.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, July 19–20, 2024
WHERE: IN-PERSON + ONLINE
DoubleTree by
Hilton Hotel
Rochester
1111 Jefferson Road
Rochester, NY 14623
HOW: Register by April 1st for reduced in-person early bird
pricing
In-person tickets are all-inclusive. Limited scholarships are
available.
Call the office for the registration link to be sent to you!
[Hull Foundation Events and Seminars:]{.underline}
Check out all the upcoming events!
-March 1st– April 1st Recyclable Can Fundraiser
– March 13th – 15th Intro to Sight Loss Seminar
– March 19th – 23rd Spring Fling, see details on flyer, room for 5
more guests at this time.
– March 20th One Day Fun Day, Trip to Portland Zoo
– March 20th Partners One Day Fun Day Portland Zoo
-April 23rd – One Day Fun Day TBD
April 23rd– Partner One Day Fun Day TBD
May 7th -9th Arts and Hobbies Seminar
May 21st One Day Fun Day
May 21st Partners One Day Fun Day
May 27th Office closed in observance of Memorial Day
June 1st -August 31st Summer Raffle Fundraiser
June 3rd – 9th Friends and alumni Retreat: This Retreat is open for
more guests at this time.
Please call office for details
If you are interested in any of our social getaways, one day fun day
events, seminars, and recreational retreats, please contact our office
and get signed up! Spots fill up [very]{.underline} quickly, so jump in
with both feet, save your spot and come out to Hull Park!
automatically
generated
Photo Description: A spring Fling Getaway to the Oregon Coast in
Seaside, OR.
generated
Flyer Description: March 1st– April 1st Recyclable Can Fundraiser,
call office for Blue Recycling bags, drop off and pick up local only.
{width=“7.075694444444444in”
height=“7.520833333333333in”}
Flyer Description: Spring Fling March 19–22, 2024
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings:
2024 we are introducing a NEW zoom class for spouses, caregivers and any
loved ones who have someone in their life that has sight impairment or
blindness. This class will occur once a month!
Current zoom meetings will include topics on tech, cooking, crafting,
book club and a class on forgetfulness that has been a favorite. Bring a
friend or spouse, sighted or not!! If you would like to sign up to
receive a weekly email with the weekly zoom schedule and links to the
meetings, please email the office at oralhull@gmail.com or call us at
503–668–6195. If you are not an email user, then you can call us on
Mondays to receive that week’s classes and the call-in number and
meeting ID number for meetings you are interested in attending via
phone.
#
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Spring
It’s an early Spring day
The rain has gone
Before dawn
Let’s go outside and play
In the garden we can grow
With the plants we sow
Spring has sprung
O’ how I love the outdoor fun
And the bunnies coming our way
By Tina
{width=“1.9979166666666666in”
height=“1.3319444444444444in”}
Photo description:
Bunny in Grass
Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!
Q. Why is March the most popular month to use a trampoline?
A. It is springtime!
Q. What March flowers grow on faces?
A. Tulips
Q. What do you call a fake noodle?
A. An imPASTA
Stay well, stay safe, and stay happy!
[Contact Us:]{.underline}
The Hull Foundation and Learning Center
Phone: 503–668–6195
Email: oralhull@gmail.com
Website: hullflc.org
Visit us on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/OralHullPark/?notif_id=1631758417290618¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif
On Instagram:
www.instagram.com/hull_foundation/