Sight Loss Monthly Newsletter May 2026

May 1

12 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, please send an email to: oralhull@gmail.com

Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and Seminars:

April 29- May 13 - Membership Drive
May 5- 8 - Technology Seminar
May 25 - Office closed Memorial Day
May 30 - Annual Tea Party
June 7- 12 - Friends and Alumni
June 19 - Office Closed Juneteenth
July 3 - Office closed - Independence Day
July 21 - One Day Fun Day - Oaks park
August 1 – Golf Tournament with the Lions
August 16-22 Summer Adventure Retreat
September 7 - Office closed Labor Day
September 9- One Day Fun Day Fruit Loop
September 11-12 – Community yard sale at Oral Hull
September 24 – Lions Work Day
September 30- October 2- Daily Living Seminar
October 12 – Office Closed – Indigenous people’s Day
October 24 - Haunted Hull-O-Ween Fundraiser
October 26-28 - Cooking Seminar
October 29 - One Day Fun Day - Crow Hunt
November 11 – office closed – Veterans Day
November 17-20 - Arts and Hobbies Seminar
November 26-27 – Office closed – Thanksgiving
December 7 – 11 – Holiday Getaway
December 19 -Jan 3 -Office closed

2027
February 18 – 22 – Winter Retreat
March 23 – 26 – Daily Living Seminar

If you are interested in any of our social getaways, one day fun days, seminars and recreational retreats, please contact our office and sign 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 503.668.6195.

Hot Off the Desk of Executive Director

by Creanna Gallegos

The Hull Foundation & Learning Center is gearing up for an exciting season of seminars, beginning with our Technology Seminar taking place this week, May 5 - 8. This seminar offers participants the chance to explore accessible devices, apps, and tools that support independence and confidence in daily life. We are thrilled to begin our seminar season with such an energizing and practical learning opportunity.

Following closely behind is our Daily Living Sight Loss Seminar, scheduled for July 7–10. This year’s program will feature a wide range of workshops focused on strengthening everyday skills, including a session on Orientation and Mobility, a presentation from a mental health organization, and several hands‑on discussions about navigating wardrobe malfunctions, social situations, and other daily living challenges and tricks to overcome them. Thanks to a generous grant from St. James Lutheran Church, the cost of this seminar has been reduced from the typical $300 to just $150 per person, making it more accessible to participants throughout our community.

Later in the year, we will host two additional seminars made possible with the support of 100+ Who Care. Our Cooking Sight Loss Seminar, taking place October 26–28, will offer adaptive techniques, kitchen confidence, and plenty of delicious learning moments. In November, from the 17th to the 20th, our Arts and Hobbies Seminar will return with creative, tactile, and skill‑building activities designed to help participants explore new interests and rediscover old favorites. Both seminars are offered at the reduced rate of $150 thanks to the awarded grant, and all sponsored seminars this year will include a special goodie bag for participants to take home, filled with items connected to the workshops they attend. Registration for all Seminars are open, call the office to reserve your spot, space is limited.

We are also delighted to share that the 100+ Who Care grant supports another major initiative: the return of our Large Print Newsletter. This sponsorship will allow us to reach more than 250 additional readers each month, expanding access to news, resources, and community updates for individuals who rely on large print materials. The Large Print Newsletter will officially restart in June 2026, and we look forward to reconnecting with readers who have been eagerly awaiting its return.

We close this season with deep gratitude for the sponsors, grantors, donors and volunteers whose generosity makes our work possible. Their support allows us to maintain our facilities, strengthen our programs, and continue offering meaningful experiences that empower individuals living with sight loss. Because of their partnership, we are able to grow and welcome more participants into our community each year. I look forward to the future and all that we will continue to build together.

One Day Fun Day - Hopscotch

On April 23rd. our One Day Fun Day was at, Hopscotch in Portland! Hopscotch is an immersive instillation that turns light into an indoor playground of sensory art. In total, the experience is located in, 14,000sq feet of movement. We walked through the space where there were several rooms filled with modern pop art, physical installations, murals, and projections. The unique thing about Hopscotch was that we all became part of the art in each room and space. Our senses were engaged through touch, sound, and visual patterns of light. Music and tactile interaction added to the way the art ebbed and flowed from one area to the next. As we participated in the creative kinesthetic adventure of being part of the art, everyone came away with a different art experience having completed it.

Annie standing in front art that resembles a ice monolith in a igloo room made out of plastic bags

Krysta smiling surrounded by glowing ball pit at Hopscotch

Events

May 5-8 - Technology Sight Loss Seminar, $300, 3 nights 4 day stay. Final day to register is April 28.

May 20 - One Day Fun Day at the park. Spend the day with games and lunch at the park.

June 7-12 - Friends and Alumni Retreat. $600, 5 nights, 6 day stay. Final Day to register is May 25.

July 7-10 - Daily Living Seminar, $150, 3 night, 4 day stay. Final Day to register is June 29.

August 16-22 - Summer Adventure Retreat. Reached full capacity, waiting list is now open. Please call office to be placed on waiting list. Registration closes on July 16

October 26-28 - Cooking Seminar, 2 night, 3 day stay. $150, Final Day to register is October 19, 2026.

November 17-20 - Arts and Hobbies, 3 night, 4 day stay. $150, Final Day to register is November 10, 2026.

December 7-11 - Winter Getaway, 4 night, 5 day stay, $400. Final Day to register is November 30, 2026.

FUNDRAISERS

April 29 to May 13 - Membership Drive, become a member within these dates and receive a special thank you gift. Limited quantities available.

May 30 - Annual Tea Party in the Rainbow Lodge

Presale tickets OPEN NOW

https://luma.com/w0ipmb8w

August 1 - Golf Tournament at Mt View Golf Course in Boring. Call office to sign up a team or be a sponsor.

Travel apps concluded…for now.

by Kat Rogers, Sight Loss Instructor

Hello, Fellow Travelers with Sight Loss. I heard from one reader about other apps for me to review. I will check them out and continue my reviews.

I have already mentioned some of my favorites, but here are some of the top travel apps that are listed for the blind:

Now, here is one said to be great for international travel. I have never used it but would love to hear from anyone who has. The article reads; “NaviLens”: This app scans colorful markers and provides real-time directions, making it ideal for busy places like train stations and museums. It supports multiple languages, making it perfect for international travel.

“Moovit,” I have tried this out a while ago, and it really works. the Moovit app is great when traveling by bus. It uses a bus’s internal beacon to send real-time information to the Moovit app. It’ll let you know when the bus you want is approaching your bus stop. You can also track your journey as it’ll announce the stop at your destination. A similar one is “Trainline” One feature I also find really useful is being able to track the train I’m on, particularly when there are no audio announcements on board. It allows me to know where I am and keep track of the expected arrival or departure time should any delays occur.

Here is another one that I have not tried and would like some input from our readers. “BlindSquare”: Designed for blind and vision-impaired people, this app provides information on points of interest and intersections throughout your route. It works with third-party apps like Apple or Google Maps to enhance its functionality.

And finally, for this article, “Lazarillo GPS.” Lazarillo is a specialized GPS app offering audio guidance to help visually impaired individuals navigate city streets and public transportation. It is said to be among the most accessible GPS apps for the blind, offering unparalleled assistance during travel. It is said to provide real-time voice guidance for city navigation. Alerts users to nearby points of interest, such as bus stops and restaurants. Offers offline functionality for uninterrupted use. Designed specifically for the blind and sight loss community. I will try this one out on my next out-of-town excursion.

I have already written about my firsthand experience with these 3 apps. Ray-Ban Meta Glasses & App, Be My Eyes, and Seeing AI.

These apps are just a few examples of the many tools available to assist those of us with sight loss in our travels. They can help with navigation, reading text, describing surroundings, and even connecting you with live human assistance.

I will be back with more of this category for in the future, but please, if there is any app you would like me to check out and review. Please email me at klr97266@gmail.com or call the office at 503-668-6195

Support the Spaces That Support Our Mission

Our campus is the foundation of every program, every connection, and every moment of independence we create. Your gift today helps maintain safe, accessible facilities and grounds so adults with sight loss can continue to learn, explore, and thrive.

We are now raising funds for maintenance on our lawn mower. We have 23 acres with a vast amount of grass area.

Please consider donating to support essential maintenance and upkeep. Your generosity keeps our mission strong.

Please visit hullflc.org or send a check to

Hull Foundation and Learning Center

PO Box 157

Sandy, OR 97055.

Thank you to all of our donors for keeping hopes and dreams alive here at the Hull Foundation and Learning Center.

Thank You to our Volunteers

April was Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer who help keep the Hull Foundation thriving. From maintaining our grounds and supporting project‑oriented work, to serving as sighted guides, assisting with facility upkeep, and helping run our program‑based activities — your dedication makes an extraordinary difference. We are deeply grateful for the time, care, and heart you pour into our community.

If you would like to know more about volunteering, please contact office and sign up today!

Gresham Lions club members volunteering at the Lions Work day. Weeding a flower bed area.

Recipe

Krispy Candy

By Tina Christian, Sight Loss Instructor

Tools:

3 small bowls

Measuring cup

1 large bowl

Spoon for stirring

12 Silicone muffin cups

Muffin pan

Ice cream scoop

Ingredients

3c. Rice Krispies

1 Bag of No Sugar

Added White Chocolate Chips

1/2 c. Creamy Peanut Butter

1/4 c. Chopped Cashews

Sugar Caramel Dip

Cooking spray

Method

Line the muffin pan with the liners and lightly spray them. Put cereal and nuts in a large bowl and mix. Heat chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave at 15-30 second intervals stirring in between until it melts and is smooth. Use the other small bowl for the peanut butter and do the same. When both are melted pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until evenly coated. Then do the same thing with the peanut butter. Scoop out the mixture into the liners around halfway. Then chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Heat some caramel dip in the microwave for 15 - 30 intervals until melted and stir. Use your spoon to drizzle caramel over the top of the candy and put in the refrigerator to set for at least an hour or more. Enjoy

7 Must-Have Container Flowers for Nonstop Color, according to the BHG

by Kat Rogers, Independent Sight Loss Instructor

The average gardener may plant a handful of containers each spring and summer to add seasonal color. Containers make for decorative purposes—creating focal points around structures, for example—but also for trying new plant varieties. Here are some top picks for the most beautiful, reliable flowers for filling your own pots and planters.

How much do gardeners love petunias? Let us count the ways: "Petunias come in all colors from pastels to bold, bright hues, have a mounding or trailing habit, and can stand alone or mix well with other annua. Even better, these container favorites keep going all summer. Just deadhead them once in a while, water consistently, and consider fertilizing for even more blooms.

Some top petunia picks are those from the Wave series. 'Easy Wave' has larger flowers, great for cascading over a hanging basket or filling up a large pot. For smaller containers, they recommend the more compact 'Shock Wave,' whose flowers are slightly smaller (the petals of varieties like 'Rose Vein and 'Pink Vein' even have striking veining.)

Impatiens. Plant this classic flower in a pot or basket, and it will put on a nonstop show until frost. A perennial that's grown as an annual in most climates, impatiens have a classic beauty and are known for their quick growth. Even better, they're one of the few plants that bloom reliably in the shade.

Flower colors can range from soft pink to bright orange, as well as white. The 'Beacon' series is said to be an especially strong performer in container Gardens, blooming all summer long and resistant to disease. Another great one is 'New Guinea' impatiens, which take full sun or full shade and come in a wide variety of flower colors and leaf shapes.

In the wide world of begonias, trailing varieties are liked for the way their flowers and foliage spill abundantly from containers. They're ideal for hanging baskets or window boxes. Whatever your garden scheme, there's a trailing begonia that will fit right in: Blooms can be single or double, foliage ranges from green to bronze, and plants can take part shade to full sun.

One favorite is Begonia boliviensis, particularly the 'Groovy' series for its graceful, trailing blooms with slender, pointed leaves. They come in several colors such as red, orange, yellow, and salmon. Another popular one, 'Canary Wings' an angel wing begonia is for its clusters of bright red flowers against chartreuse leaves.

Dianthus (aka "pinks") thrives in bright, dry conditions, producing loads of sweet, carnation-like blooms atop low-growing bluish or gray-green foliage. As a bonus, they attract pollinators and often have a pleasant fragrance. Just be sure to give plants good drainage and don't overwater, and deadhead to keep flowers coming.

Dianthus varieties planted up in terra cotta pots are great too. The 'Oscar' series stands out for its heat and frost tolerance, and charming double blooms in solid and bicolor shades.

Celosia. Mixed containers often work best with a thriller, filler, and spiller plant. Plumed and wheat types of celosia clearly fall into the thriller category, producing showstopping, feathery spikes of flowers. They add texture and vertical interest to mixed containers, plus they're a fun cut for bouquets.

Celosia grows easily from seed, and does best in full sun with well-drained soil. It is recommend pinching plants back once in a while to increase branching. Seed companies and nurseries sell a huge variety of celosia but you can't go wrong with the 'Flamma' series, an All-America Selections winner that comes both in pink and orange.

Salvia. This sun-loving plant has a rich range of flower colors, but also brings your container garden to life with all the hummingbirds and pollinators it attracts. Plus, in sizes both large and more compact, it's great solo or as a mixer in large pots. Deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming all summer.

Pentas's flower clusters look cheerful in a container—and their abundant nectar makes them irresistible to pollinators. Mix several colors in one pot and watch the butterflies come. The star-shaped flowers come in pink, purple, red, and white. An annual in most climates, it thrives in full sun with regular watering.

While many pentas varieties have upright habits, there is a new cascading hybrid called 'Graffiti Falls'. It's perfect for hanging baskets, creating a lush spill of falling stars.

Hope your container gardens flourish. Enjoy yourself with experimenting

Did you know?...

Month of May

Healthy Vision Month

May is Healthy Vision Month, a national awareness initiative run by the National Eye Institute. Its purpose is to remind Americans to prioritize their vision through routine exams and preventive eye care habits.

Check out this article to learn more tips and recommendations:

Spring Eye Health Checklist: 7 Things to Do During Healthy Vision Month

Hull Foundation and Learning Center offers personalized low vision assessments where guests can explore adaptive tools tailored to their needs. Just call our office to get started—our team will guide you through the process and help you access the aids that best support your level of sight loss, including items you may be able to take home.