September 2024
The Hull Foundation
Monthly Sight Loss News
Serving the Sight loss and Blind
Community since 1962
Website: hullflc.org
PH: 503.668.6195
“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.”
Edited by Hull Foundation Staff
Contents
Mission Statement …p. 3
“ABAPITA” article…p. 4
Reading in the Dark Book Club…p. 6
Food Beyond the Recipe…p. 09
Poem by Tina …p. 14
Hull Foundation Events and Seminars…p. 15
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings…p.18
New in our Zoom Meetings…p.19
Did you Know…p. 20
White Cane Awareness flier…p. 21
Jokes to Keep you Laughing …p. 23
Contact Us…p. 24
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.
*If you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email, or to unsubscribe, please call the Hull Foundation at 503.668.6195 or send an email to: oralhull@gmail.com
**ABAPITA! **
By Marja Byers, SLI-with a little help from my friends
ABAPITA, an acronym for “ain’t blindness a pain in the…anatomy!” Stories of things that happen because we cannot see, and when shared together we find the humor in the situations.
This month’s contribution is from Connie in Montana.
“I used to love going to work out at our local YMCA with my guide dog, Walker, by my side. One afternoon I was walking through the shower room, and someone had left their metal water bottle on a half wall, as I walked by, I accidentally knocked the bottle to the floor. As I attempted to locate the bottle, I managed to kick the bottle…well, punted the bottle would be more accurate, down to the far end of the
shower room. I heard it ricochet around and I knew there was no way I was going to find it. The best I could do was to loudly say, “Whoever left their water bottle on the shelf, I’m sorry but I kicked it to the other end of the shower!” Walker and I proceeded to the locker room so I could change, then after a couple of minutes I heard some women laughing. One of them spoke up and said, “Your dog has stolen someone’s muffin!” I asked, “Is it in his mouth?” “Well, kind of. It’s hanging on one of his jowls.” I reached down and felt, it was not just a muffin, it was a gigantic Costco muffin, hanging on the side of his face. I took it away and threw it out and loudly said, “Whoever’s water bottle I punted in the shower, my dog stole your muffin and I’m really sorry!” I did not go back to the Y for a couple of weeks after that, I was embarrassed. “ABAPITA!”
Do you have an ABAPITA! that you are willing to share in a future newsletter? Send them to oralhull@gmail.com with ABAPITA in the subject line.
Reading in the Dark Book Club-our fall choices!
By Marja Byers, SLI (and lifelong reader)
Over the last month or so RITD members have been sharing possible book choices to take us through the rest of the year, at our last meeting we made most of our choices. I am including the titles of the books that we will be reading, the
details for each book will be listed in our monthly newsletters.
In August we read “The Cleaner” a debut novel by Brandi Wells, DB119818 and “The Light Between the Oceans” by M. L. Stedman, DB75192. These were very different books; “The Cleaner” left us all with mixed feelings about the characters, “The Light…” is historical fiction that pulls on your heartstrings.
Our September books are:
9/10 “How to Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley, DB122051, 8:14.
“When the city council threatens to sell the doomed community center building, the members of the Senior Social Club join forces with their tiny friends in the daycare next-door–as well as the teenage father of one of the toddlers and a geriatric dog, to save the building.
Together, this group’s unorthodox methods may work if the police do not catch up with him first.”
9/24 “The Good Lord Bird” by James McBride, DB77431, 12:39.
“A young slave in the Kansas territory, Henry Shackelford must flee with abolitionist John Brown, after Brown clashes with Henry’s master. Complicating matters: Brown thinks Henry is a girl, a disguise Henry maintains up to the bold raid on Harpers Ferry.”
Our October and November picks are:
“The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein
“The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawton
“Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen” by Susan Gregg Gilmore
“A Street Cat Named Bob” by James Bowen (this is a personal favorite!)
December is still open for discussion; we would love some more suggestions.
Reading in the Dark is open to anyone interested, whether you have read the book, we always have interesting discussions!
Happy reading!
Late Summer Pasta
Serve as a main or a side, hot or cold.
Options for one to more servings
Ingredients:
Fresh or frozen Tomatoes – cherry or plum work best but whatever you have on hand. You’ll need about ¼ cup per person.
Olive Oil – one that you like the taste of about 2 to 3 tbsp per person.
Herbs fresh are best but dry will work too. Basil, Thyme, Oregano, or Italian Blend. If fresh, a small handful. If dried, about 1 to 2 tsp.
Garlic, 1 to 5 cloves if fresh or ½ tsp to 4 tsp if jarred.
Cheese – Feta, Mozzarella, Parmesan or Pecorino about 1 to 3 tbsp per person
Pasta, if 1 to 2 people I recommend Barilla’s ready to serve pasta it takes 60 seconds in the microwave. For more people I would get your favorite bite size pasta and cook to your liking or ask your smart device how to cook pasta.
Salt and Pepper
Instructions:
1) Pasta – Boil pasta according to directions, you can cook it before you start the tomatoes, after or while working on the tomatoes and olive oil.
2) Tomatoes – wash and dry, then halve, quarter, or cut large bite sized chunks. Pick a size and stick to it. Does not have to be pretty we are going for tasty.
3) In a saucepan or skillet heat olive oil on medium low for about 1 to 2 min. If it’s too high, it will smoke. I hate it when my fire alarms go off. Reminder to check your pasta if you are boiling it.
4) Add your tomatoes. Listen for quiet sizzling sound. Too much sizzling may indicate oil is too hot and will get everywhere. Stir every couple of min. If you want a fresher taste, then cook for about 5 to 10 min. If you want a more roasted flavor that is 20 min. Reminder to check your pasta if you are boiling it.
5) While your tomatoes are cooking slice or chop your fresh garlic, tear, or chop your fresh herbs or measure out your dry herbs.
6) The last 5 min of cooking add in herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
7) Stir and turn off heat.
8) If you have the “ready eat pasta” then pop it in the microwave.
9) In a bowl toss your cooked pasta, cooked tomatoes, and choice of cheese.
10) Top with more cheese if you would like. This recipe can be made in advance and reheated or served cold or at room temperature.
Picture Description:
Artwork on Canvas by Tina of the Northern Lights, mountains, and water.
Fall is Coming
-Tina Christian
Orchards dress in red –
Iris and sun blaze color
Moon smiles his cool air
Autumn
-Tina Christian
Books smell woody now
Perhaps it’s the rain or fire
No, it’s ol’ September
Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and Seminars:
September 18th – 20th Intro to Sight Loss Seminar
September 21st Lions Workday at the Park
October 11th – Annual Feast for Funds Dinner Fundraiser. -Cancelled-
October 15th-18th Monster Mash retreat.
October 25th – 26th Haunted house and Trunk or Treat Fundraiser – looking for volunteers now!
November 20th-22 Cooking Sight loss Seminar.
November 28th-29th – Office Closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day
December 4th-6th Advanced Sight Loss Seminar
December 17th – 21st Winter Getaway
December 23rd-Jan 4th – Office closed.
If you are interested in any of our social getaways, one day fun days, seminars, and recreational retreats, please contact our office and get signed up! Spots fill up very quickly, so jump in with both feet, save your spot and come out to Hull Park!
If you would like to volunteer as staff or sponsor an event, please contact the office at 503.668.6195.
Picture Descriptions:
Summer Retreat guest at Music in the park. Group rafting on Estacada Lake.
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings:
Current zoom meetings will include topics on tech, cooking, crafting, book club, supporting loved ones of people with low vision or blindness 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.
NEW IN OUR ZOOM MEETING
Tina’s Trivia Night –
September 12th 7pm
Off the Cuff – Film with Tina
Hi all, I am looking forward to our next film zoom chat. A friendly reminder- be aware that there may be sensitive subject matter within the films we discuss and to please show respect to others the following is on tap for September – The heart of the story, what are they really getting at?
1. Happiness for Beginners (2023)- Netflix
2. Baby Driver (2017)- Netflix
3. Room (2015) – Netflix
4. Shirley (2024) – Netflix
Did you know?…
Cleanlogic Bath and Body care products are assembled here in the United States by individuals with disabilities. They have products with braille on the packaging.
www.cleanlogic.com.
Did you know Couch to Active specializes in providing exercise and nutrition support that is fully accessible? Learn more at www.couchtoactive.com
Introductory Ballet for Blind and Low-Vision Adults – starting Saturday September 14th, 8 classes on Zoom. 4 pm to 6 pm (New York Time) No prior knowledge required. visit www.darkroomballet.com
Portland Sunday Parkways
September 22, 2024, 11am – 3pm
White Cane Awareness Booth
The White Cane Awareness Booth will be across the street from 3921 SW Vermont. It will be next
to the PBOT Information Booth. Use this address when scheduling rides.
The White Cane booth is inside the closed route for Sunday Parkways, but LIFT drivers will be allowed in to drop off and pick up from our booth. If questioned by security, tell them that you have permission to be dropped off at the booth.
TriMet Route 1 bus does not run on Sundays so isn’t available to drop off people on Vermont.
The booth will be staffed by white cane users and guide dog users. They will share information on navigating with a white cane and the services guide dogs provide to users. We will have guided walks of the area at 11:30 and at 1:30. Please meet at our booth.
All are welcome. We hope you will join us.
For more information, please contact Lisa Strader, PBOT ADA Coordinator.
Lisa.Strader@portlandoregon.gov
Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!
Q. Why did the scarecrow win an award?
A. Because he was outstanding in his field!
Q. What did the tree say to Autumn?
A. Leaf me alone
Q. Why did the seagull fly over the sea?
A. Because if it flew over the bay, it would be a bagel.
Stay well, stay safe, and stay happy!
Contact Us:
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/