Sight Loss Monthly Newsletter April 2025

oralhull
Apr 9
7 min read

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

Hello from the Desk of the Executive Director

By Monica Butler

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I need to let everyone know that Tom Ciesielski passed away last Wednesday March 26th. Tom was a long time Board Member, Past Board President, Grant Writer, Past Executive Director and regular guest at many of our Events and Retreats. Tom was a mentor to many including myself. He had a dry sense of humor and many times I found myself wondering if I was being teased or not. His favorite line to me was “Just do it and ask for forgiveness later” He helped me become a better Executive Director and human. He made me look at things from the perspective of someone with Sight Loss and Blindness so I would understand how to make things easier and more accessible for our guests. He was a member of the Hollywood Lions Club and helping others was a huge part of his life. He was kind and generous, always asking what he could do to help. We had many heartfelt conversations as he sat across from me in my office. At our events, I could find Tom sitting outside at the tables visiting with other guests and having lively conversations. Tom will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Tom

Below is a memory from long time guest and now Board Member.

I will really miss Tom’s gentle sense of humor.

The first time I met Tom was at my first adventure retreat when we were partners in a tandem defective kayak. No matter how we paddled (and we got a lot of advice) the kayak went in circles until they gave us a different kayak.

Every time I have run into Tom at an adventure retreat during the last ten years or so, he has asked me with a sly grin, “Darlene, are you going to paddle in circles this summer?” To which I would reply, with my own smile, “No, Tom, I always make sure they give me a single kayak!”

So, Tom, I will make sure to paddle at least one circle this summer to remember how you made me smile.

Four people and a black dog sit at a picnic table outdoors, surrounded by greenery, with purple bags on the table. — Our good friend Tom is sitting with friends at a picnic table. We will miss you, Tom.

Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and Seminars:

April 13 – 17 - Spring Fling Retreat
April 15 - One day Fun day – Tulip Festival
April 29 - Teach and Treat at Oral Hull Park – guest speaker Daryl Walker
May 6 – 9 - Arts & Hobbies Seminar
May 7 - One day Fun day – Bowling
May 27 - Teach and Treat at Oral Hull
May 31 - Annual Tea Fundraiser at Oral Hull Park
June 1 – August 31 - Summer Raffle Fundraiser
June 2 – 7 - Friends and Alumni Retreat
June 4 – One day Fun day – Oaks Park fun day
June 19 – Office Closed
June 24 – Teach and Treat at Oral Hull Park
June 28 - Membership Pool Party & BBQ
July 14-17 – Advanced Sight loss Seminar
July 19-24 – Moderate Adventure Retreat

NEW TEACH AND TREAT in Morgan Hall at Oral Hull Park. April 29th at 1pm. Pick up at noon, Carl’s Jr and Cleveland MAX station in Gresham, Or. The guest speaker is Daryl Walker: Importance of physical activity. Drop off at Carl’s Jr and Cleveland MAX station at 2:45pm.

It’s Allergy Season!

By Marja Byers, CPSS, SLI

Here in western Oregon, we are now into our spring allergy season. I’ve become more aware of it when I’m talking with a group of friends and I’m now struggling to hear them. Though I have year-round allergies, for some reason spring brings fluid into my ears. If you have seasonal challenges like me, here are ways of reducing allergy symptoms.

Of course, there are several over-the-counter medications available to alleviate symptoms; pills, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Here are other non-medication tips.

-Keep windows and doors closed during times of high pollen counts. Consider an air filter with a Hepa filter.

-Avoid drying your clothes on a line, use a dryer.

-Wash your face with cool water after being outside. I’ve been amazed how much this has helped me and is quick and easy to do even in a public bathroom.

-If you have severe allergies, consider a quick shower and clean clothes when you come home after being outdoors.

-Use saline spray to help rinse your allergens. This has helped me get my ears to open. It helps get my sinuses to open, helping my eustachian tubes clear.

-Try to vacuum and dust more often and consider leaving your shoes outside (there are times when the soles of my shoes have been green with pollen).

There are apps that will give your local pollen counts, we are the best ones to monitor what’s bothering us. We don’t all have the same allergies and react differently. Enjoy the spring flowers with these new tools to manage allergies.

Reading in the Dark Book Club

By Marja Byers, CPSS, SLI

In March we discussed “The Wild Silence” by Raynor Winn, and “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. We enjoyed both books and are looking forward to reading Winn’s third book (and apparent favorite of those who’ve read the 3-book series), “Landlines” later this spring.

Our April books-

4/8 “My Antonia” by Willa Cather DB13491, 7:59. I was completely unfamiliar with this book and Willa Cather. This book is reading for people about ten years ahead of me.

“A lawyer recalls his Nebraska boyhood and the girl who was a strong influence on his life in this novel about pioneering conditions, and the assimilation of the immigrant.”

4/22 “A Fall of Marigolds” by Susan Meissner DB88683, 10:15.

“In 2011, Taryn is still mourning the loss of her husband in the 9/11 attacks. Newly released photos from that day send her searching for the scarf she briefly held. It leads to Clara, who works on Ellis Island and lost someone she loved in the 1911 Triangle Shirt Waist Factory fire.”

All our book choices are available on Talking Books, we meet on Zoom the second and fourth Tuesday’s from 1:00-2:30 PT. We welcome anyone who would like to join us, feel free to drop in, listen, and chat with us!

Poem

By Tina Christian, Sight loss Instructor

Spring

Flower blossoms wink

April showers smile with light

Flirts in the bouquet

Morning

Birds soar to their nest

Life awakening, new babes

Life flutters all over

Night

Owls hoot their night song

Spring bouquets rest for now, hope

Jasmine draws life in

Tina’s Tacos

By Tina Christian, Sight loss Instructor

1 Costco chicken half shredded (wrap the rest for another dinner)

2 zucchinis cut into 1/2 inch slices

2 yellow peppers roughly chopped

Salt

2 tbsp of Avocado oil

2 shallots sliced thinly

1 c. of red wine vinegar

2 tbsp of sugar

Mix a healthy pinch of: salt, thyme, oregano, marjoram, cumin, coriander in a small bowl

1 tsp of paprika

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 c. Tahini

3 tbsp of chopped cilantro

5 tbsp of water

the juice of 3 limes and zest in separate bowls

corn tortillas

Favorite hummus

Preheat oven 450

Toss zucchini, yellow pepper, salt and oil on a baking sheet. Roast for 30 mins. Stirring halfway through. Put shallots in a small bowl. In a saucepan on medium heat mix vinegar, sugar, spices from the bowl until hot not bubbling.

Pour on shallots, let it sit for 15 mins. In a medium bowl whisk paprika, garlic, tahini, water, and lime juice together until a sauce forms.

In a medium bowl mix zest and chicken together. During the last 5 mins of roasting wrap tortillas in foil and warm with the veggies.

Put a spoon full of hummus on a tortilla top with veggies and chicken. Top with a drizzle of sauce and cilantro.

Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings:

NEW CLASS ON ZOOM!

Join Marja and Tina on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 10am (PST)

This is about traveling around your neighborhood, your city and beyond. We'll discover what's beyond your front door and learn to wander with joy. Feel free to get out and join us, even if it's for the company to ride along wherever we end up.

Current zoom meetings will include topics on tech, cooking, crafting, book club, supporting loved ones of people with sight loss 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.

Poem

By Tina Christian, Sight loss Instructor

Spring

Flower blossoms wink

April showers smile with light

Flirts in the bouquet

Morning

Birds soar to their nest

Life awakening, new babes

Life flutters all over

Night

Owls hoot their night song

Spring bouquets rest for now, hope

Jasmine draws life in

Picture Description: The Scouts helped with a flag raising ceremony at Oral Hull Park

Did you know?...

If you have not tried Speakaboo yet, find it on the Apple App Store by searching “Speakaboo.” As always, feel free to reach out to me with questions or suggestions at patrick@ben.vision.

Check out our new and updated website hullflc.org, and email us to let us know what you think, oralhull@gmail.com