NEWS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
Are You The Winner This Time?
The Stylus
The American Council of the Blind
of
Oregon
(ACBO)
1st Quarter Newsletter
March 2021
Presidential Ponderings
By: Carrie Muth
The ACB Presidents’ meeting & Legislative training are held via Zoom Feb 21-23. I am excited that 14 ACBO members are signed up to attend. This is a great
opportunity to observe what happens on the national level & become more involved. I am grateful that James Edwards has agreed to set up meetings with our
National Representatives & Senators to present the 3 initiatives brought forward through ACB. These initiatives focus on accessible transportation, accessible.
fitness equipment & securing Medicare funding for adaptive equipment. The Oregon members attending will have the opportunity to join in the meetings with
our legislators to discuss these important issues.
Several of our ACBO committees are hard at work. The Fun Squad has started making plans for the 2021 convention in Cottage Grove; the theme will focus
on living a healthier life. Darian Slayton-Fleming has agreed to chair the fundraising committee & will hold a meeting at the end of February; please contact.
Darian is you have any fundraising ideas or would like to get involve. We have a new committee that will be working on recording some Podcasts; look to.
the next issue for more information. The Pedestrian Safety committee is hard at work; they believe pedestrian safety is a year around concern & are working.
hard to advocate for our safety. We have other committees as well. If you would like to get involved, please reach out to see where your talents can be.
put to work.
The April 17, 2021 Board Meeting will be held at the Village Green in Cottage Grove (the location of our 2021 convention). Many of us look forward to meeting.
in person.
I have some exciting things happening in 2021. I will be training at Guide Dogs for the Blind in February; Marble was an amazing guide & I look forward.
to meeting my new friend & becoming a good working team. My youngest grandson will turn 1 on 2/22/21; he is such a joy. I greatly appreciate spending time.
with him & my adorable granddaughters (who are 8 years old); it is wonderful watching them all interact, grow, & learn. I will be blessed with grandbaby.
#4 this July; my middle son, Adrian, & his wife surprised me on Christmas with the news. Despite our crazy world of COVID-19, 2021 has many things to bring.
us all happiness.
I would love to hear what exciting things you are anticipating in 2021. The best way to reach me is by email at:
carrie.muth.acbo@gmail.com.
How to Thrive Through Hard Times
Teresa, your happy editor
The past year has been so hard at times it has been difficult to find the good in life. Intellectually we know COVID will end at some point, but viscerally at time, it has felt like it will go on forever. Now that the vaccine has arrived, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Price Pritchett has a gift for helping people see things through a different and interesting lens. I hope you find this short article as helpful as I did.
Hard Optimism: Developing Deep Strengths for Managing Uncertainty, Opportunities, Adversity, and Change, Excerpt
by Price Pritchett, Ph.D.
Do not Accept Problems at Face Value.
When adversity hits, our innate response is to focus sharply on the dangers, difficulties, and downside. Nothing wrong with that per se. The question is, how long should we let it continue?
As soon as the initial shock wears off, we need to give equal time to the upside. Shift your focus away from what’s troubling about the situation and search intensely for what’s potentially good. Reinterpret the situation from a positive slant. Look for possible benefits that equal or even outweigh whatever you see that is bad.
Now this reframing doesn’t come naturally. Most of us have to train ourselves to make such a transforming shift in perspective. It requires conscious effort—mental discipline—plus an open mindedness to the idea that good things hide in strange places.
If you look back over your lifetime, though, you’ll note that some of the blackest clouds carried the shiniest silver linings. What you thought were your biggest problems maybe turned out to be the best things that ever happened to you. Positive reappraisal gives you a chance to envision the bright side so much sooner—like right now. This helps you through the stress, suffering, and uncertainty. It also positions you to turn the minus into a plus.
How to Make a Paradigm Shift in Perspective
All of us have had the optical experience referred to as a reverse of visual field. This is a flip-flop in the way we look at something, like when the foreground and background shift places. For example, you’ve probably seen the black and white picture that shows the wrinkled face of an ugly old woman, but if you stare at it differently, your eyesight shifts to see the same image as that of a beautiful young lady. It’s all a matter of how you look at it. Positive reappraisal is this same sort of abrupt reversal in how you construe the situation at hand. It’s a conscious, deliberate switching of your attention from worst case to best-case thinking. Instead of playing a horror movie in your mind about the future, you conjure up equally vivid scenarios of potential advantages and benefits.
This dramatic swing in your thinking—the paradigm shift from negative to positive—interrupts the barrage of destructive thoughts. The 180-degree change in focus gets you thinking about your assets. About solutions. About the potential for breakthrough to something even better than before.
Eyeing adversity from a positive angle opens up our field of view. We start looking at the situation with a broader and long-term perspective. This reframing counters our tendency to overestimate problems and underestimate our ability to handle them successfully. It helps us regain emotional balance and see new possibilities we haven’t considered before.
Simply put, positive reappraisal creates space for optimism. It nurtures hope. It adds to your resilience. And it leaves you much less vulnerable to the harsh realities of the moment.
A Stumbling Block or a Steppingstone?
Research shows that positive reappraisal is a key trait of the “survivor personality.” People who practice this technique have a way of emerging from difficulties even stronger, happier, and better off than before.
Fact is, problems almost never leave us like they find us. Ordinarily we end up either richer or poorer. Stronger or weaker. Better or worse off. Just as wind meeting an airplane wing will either lift or lower the plane, adversity confronts us with a choice. We can grow bitter, act helpless, even give up. Or we can lick our wounds, lift ourselves up, and start searching for the opportunity inside the problem.
When you go through hardship or heartache, positive reappraisal increases the odds that you’ll get something good for your emotional money. Granted, the reframing exercise may feel artificial. Negative emotions may pull your attention back toward worry, anger, or fear. You might even think it’s foolish or dangerous to think in terms of positive overall outcomes.
Just remember—how you construe a situation literally helps create the reality. And the way you frame problems heavily influences how effective you are in dealing with them.
Learning to Exploit Adversity
Our appraisal of a situation, positive or negative, shapes our very future in that direction. As Greg D. Jacobs puts it in his fascinating book, The Ancestral Mind, “Things turn out the best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.”
Use positive reappraisal? Why wouldn’t we—always?
People seldom get in touch with their deepest strengths and greatest abilities until it’s forced upon them by major challenges. Only then do we really have the opportunity to discover ourselves and the world of possibilities.
Like the mythical alchemists who had the power to turn lead into gold, positive reappraisal gives you the power to convert negative into positive… adversity into advantage…setbacks into higher levels of success.
As Kurt Vonnegut wrote,
“Even the bad stuff is an opportunity. There are possibilities there. In fact, I see more possibilities in adversity than in, say, lying on satin pillows.”
ABOUT Price Pritchett, Ph.D.
Price Pritchett is one of the foremost experts on fast-growth strategies and breakthrough performance. His firm—PRITCHETT, LP—is recognized worldwide for
its thought leadership on mergers, corporate culture, change management, and accelerated achievement.
ACBO Southwestern Chapter News
By: Cassie Trosper, Secretary
Hello Fellow ACBO members! I am very excited about this year in our Southwestern Chapter. In January we installed our new officers! Also, we decided to
have a theme for our 2021. Our theme is “Visions of a Healthier 2021.” Each month my goal is to find a guest speaker that fits into this category.
For February, we had a registered dietitian from our local hospital talk to us about tips we can use every day to help keep our heart healthy. Many people
think that you have to do a overhaul on your life to get healthy. When really you can just change a few things over time to improve your quality of life.
I will be writing a separate article for the stylus with these 10 tips to a healthier heart.
In March we will have a guest speaker from our local emergency management group. She will be speaking with us on community health. This will include helping
us know what to keep on-hand just incase there is an emergency and we have to evacuate. Also, she will give information on areas that may be safe zones
during an emergency. This fits into our theme because during an emergency knowing where to go can keep you safe and healthy.
April is going to be our fun month. We will be having our 1st annual Spring Fling. Since we weren’t able to have our annual Christmas party because of
COVID-19, I thought it would be fun to get out and enjoy some nice spring air. Granted it is Oregon, and we never know what mother nature has in store
for us, we still plan to have a great time! Whether it be at our planned park location, or an indoor location because of weather.
I look forward to keeping the rest of our ACBO family up-to-date with the happenings of our chapter. I have a few great guest speakers lined up for the
rest of our year! So keep your ears out for us
Hull Foundation Learning Center for Adults with Blindness and Sight Loss
By Jeanne Marie Moore, Board President
At the last Board meeting at the Hull Foundation, I was elected President of the Board. Tony Louis was elected as Vice President. We are both blind, though
our sight levels are different. I maintainthat everyone, no matter what level of sight that we all have “vision” and that is where the Hull Foundation’s
tag line of “Keeping Hope and Dreams Alive” comes from. Inside you. From your heart’s guidance. And so, we proceed as best we can along many different
paths to get what we need and get where we are going. Other officers were elected, and they are totally wonderful and I’ll give them more space later in
another article. I was hesitant to take this on because it’s a big task to “inspire” people to action. I called one of my mentors today and she suggested
I’m an idea person and she has a lot of confidence in me. I’m glad for that. She’s been an executive director and a board President so I’ll consult with
her gratefully!
The name of the Foundation has changed because of the numbers of workshops and presentations available to anyone across the country
The new name is:
“The Hull Foundation and Learning Center
for Adults with Blindness and Sight Loss”. With “Keeping Hope and Dreams Alive” as the ever-present mission.
The Hull Foundation has made a few creative changes throughout this pandemic. “Hull Foundation Presents” virtual Zoom classes have been put in place to
help fill the gaps of “living with sight loss” seminars which used to be done in person and at our park facility in Sandy, Oregon, and other convenient
locations around the State.
If you want the Zoom class topics and links, which are sent out by e-mail on Monday afternoons, please call the office: (503) 668-6195.
Most of our virtual classes are about daily living skills, technology, safety at home and while out and about, and a Thursday chat group about sight loss
and how it’s going for you. I learned that the Foundation has lost about $250,000 in revenue based on rentals to the general public, cancelled fundraisers
and other events as a result of the pandemic. Without the dedicated volunteers and Payroll Protection Plan loans from the federal government, there would
be very little happening and our doors would have closed and our services unavailable.
Kaiser eye care professionals are referring a lot of people to us and that is so wonderful. That means the word is getting out. Maybe someone knows a Kaiser
person who could assist in contacting the Kaiser Foundation for additional support.
Another upcoming change is Sharon Elder, who has been beyond ultimate in her work, is retiring and leaving as of April 30, 2021.
She’s held on for two extra years and has been the leader throughout this pandemic. It’s been an inspiration for me to experience her leadership.
Another person will be succeeding her but not replacing her. That would be impossible.
If you have ever been to our Park or attended any virtual Zoom classes, then you know what a good person and heartful dreamer she is!
In an effort to raise funds we are having a raffle through April 30, 2021, shared with the Portland Oaks Bottom Lions. This is an exciting opportunity
to support the Foundation and also to get a shot at some pretty amazing prizes. Here is the list of prizes:
1
st Prize Value $1000 – Oregon Rockaway Beach House – 2 nights,
Sleeps 8 *some dates are excluded.
2nd Prize Value $600 – Handmade, original, one of a kind, outdoor,
metal fountain sculpture by artist, Jim Miller
3rd Prize Value $500 – 6-Hour use of the Indoor, Heated 42’x24’ Pool
and picnic area for up to 16 people at Hull Park in Sandy, OR
4th Prize Value – $200 – Minimum 12 bottles, assorted wine
5th Prize $200 Cash!
Raffle dates are February 1 through April 30, 2021
Tickets will be drawn on April 30, at 10am at The Hull Foundation office in Sandy, OR
Ticket costs: 1 for $10 3 for $25 8 for $50
You can mail checks to The Hull Foundation at PO Box 157, Sandy, OR 97055 or you can pay by credit card by calling The Hull Foundation at 503-668-6195.
You can also use Venmo. Venmo is an app you can put on your smart phone, computer or tablet to send and receive money that can be transferred directly
to the Hull Foundation bank. There are no fees attached to using Venmo.
I’m signing off for now but will be back next quarter! ! Warmly, Jeanne Marie MooreThriving Through COVID During and After
Employment Corner
Why was I asked that question?
By Carrie Muth
I am writing this on February 15, 2021; the 5th anniversary of my 1st day working as a Job Developer. Helping people with all different disabilities find employment is very rewarding. I enjoy watching the growth as people gain skills & get a job; as their confidence & self-assurance increase, we all celebrate.
A few weeks ago, a friend forwarded the following to me: “Someone that I know is working with a job developer, hoping to find work. In the process, the client is being interviewed so that the job developer can have a better sense of what this person’s abilities are. Can someone please tell me why it’s important for this job developer to know what the client’s favorite vacation spot is, or what pets she owns, or her favorite restaurant? How do her answers dictate what her job qualifications are? . . . “
My response:
1st – It depends on what service the JD (Job Developer) is providing. Sometimes a client does not have a vocational goal, so these questions can provide some discussions to help determine a goal. There are a few different career explorations services that provide different levels of information. Some of these require a great deal of information to determine not just what job the person would like to do, but what environmental factors & company culture would help with a successful job placement.
2nd – Interviewers often ask off the wall questions. A company here frequently asks applicants “If you were an insect, which one would you be & why?” These questions are often looking for some type of personality traits that the employer finds helpful and can lead to great conversation.
3rd – Creating a connection is an important part of the person being interviewed. Using these questions can help find commonalities. It can also be insights to see if the interviewee would fit into the company culture.
4th – A JD often works with a client for an extended period of time. Part of our job is to get to know the client so we can see a glimpse of how they are when they are more comfortable in an environment. Starting a new job is stressful; many people do not show their true personality until they become more comfortable at work.
After sending that response, I had a conversation with my friend. They also pointed out that asking unusual questions shows the interviewer how well the person thinks on their feet.
Whatever the reason, Interview skills are extremely important when looking for a job. There are great resources online that have good advice when answering common interview questions. I recommend the job seeker do some research & have a friend interview them. As you practice you will become more comfortable & be able to exude confidence & self-assurance during a job interview.
Love Your Heart, Love Your Food
By Cassie Trosper, Secretary
South Western Chapter
At our February meeting, the Southwestern chapter invited Linda Devereux, a registered dietitian from our local hospital, to speak with us on heart health.
This coincides with our chapter theme for this year of “Visions of a Healthier 2021.” Since February 14th was Valentines Day, I thought it would be a great opportunity to focus on our heart. Since we love with our whole heart, we need to keep our hearts. As healthy as possible. \
Linda Devereaux was nice enough to speak with us on every day things we can do to help keep our hearts healthy. Here are her 10 tips to a healthy heart:
• 1. Fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. Try to keep a rainbow of colors like broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, blueberries, etc. You should include vegetables for lunch and dinner. Fruits can be included for all meals, as well as in between meals for snacks.
• 2. Eat More Fish. Certain fish like tuna, salmon, and cod have healthy benefits. You should include fish in your diet at least 2 times a week. Try to bake or broil your fish.
• 3. Salt: eat less. Try to minimize your salt intake. Most foods can be prepared without adding salt. Many fresh herbs and spices can be added to your food to make it taste just as good.
• 4. Limit high saturated fat foods. Choose nonfat or low fat milk, and yogurt. Use less cheese. Olive oil and canola oil can be used instead of butter and margarine.
• 5. Save desserts for occasional use. You can use fruit or frozen berries as a great healthy dessert. Also, you can snack on unsalted nuts (1/4 cup) as an alternative.
• 6. Include 30+ minutes a day of moderate activity. No you don’t have to hit the gym. You can walk or any activity that you feel comfortable doing.
• 7. Think your drink! You should always be drinking plenty of water. Choosing calorie free beverages 1-2 times a day is still ok. Avoid sugary drinks.
• 8. Cook meals 3 times a week. Lots of us may cook every day. But some people have a busy schedule. So a goal would be to cook at least 3 meals a week. This could be cooking a meal one day and then being able to use any leftovers to make a meal the next day. Preparing food ahead of time is a great idea for a busy schedule.
• 9. Try to avoid fast food. Yes, it is so easy to swing through the drive thru. If you do want a night out choose something sensible. Subway has lots of great options when it comes to eating healthier. You can always skip sauces and cheese (I know, the best parts. ) if you want burger. Chicken salads, and wraps are good choices as well.
• 10. Careful of extra sweets. If you know you are a sweets person, try to limit what you keep around. Having a couple pieces of chocolate is fine. But try to get the prewrapped candy . Try to save sweets for special occasions.
******* Is your battery functioning correctly?
By Desiree Christian, Chair of the Disaster Preparedness Committee
Finding it harder and harder to wake up in the “morning”? Feeling extra groggy when trying to wake up? Weighing the pros and cons of procrastinating or not? Might even be procrastinating tasks such as laundry or preparing food for yourself or whether or not to shower now or shower later.
You may be feeling the effects of the often overused, seriously misunderstood, and still stigmatized D word. Depression. To be clear, I’m talking about feeling overwhelmed, uninterested, never quite rested on a full night’s sleep feeling, you may be experiencing. I’m talking about that insidiously little (your personal choice of a bad name here) of a mental and physiological thing called clinical depression.
Did you know you can still feel happiness, still laugh and have a decent time while being clinically depressed?
Did you know that one of the symptoms of clinical depression is being unaware you have it, or in my case how bad it currently is at the moment?
Did you know that you don’t have to be suicidal to be clinically depressed?
Did you also know for most people it isn’t chronic?
This social distancing (really, it’s isolating) may be causing a flair up for those of you, like me, who have been diagnosed or for others it could be their first time experiencing clinical depression symptoms and not know it.
In either case, (written in large friendly letters) “Don’t Panic”. Seriously, don’t. Worrying about whether or not you have it or whether or not you are having a flare up with just exacerbate your symptoms. The trouble you have falling asleep or staying asleep will increase. The junk food cravings will be nye impossible to resist, the watching just one more episode of your favorite binge watch will be all the more tempting.
Living with clinical depression is like living with a malfunctioning battery. Sometimes it works just fine as per normal expectations, sometimes it takes extra-long to charge up, sometimes it just doesn’t get a good charge. Unlike batteries that you can replace when they malfunction, you are irreplaceable.
I’m not here to lecture you or get on a pulpit about what you need to do to mitigate your symptoms, ask me about guide dogs vs. service dogs vs. companion animals and yeah pulpit time. I’m here to encourage you to have patients with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Sometimes being kind to yourself is watching one more episode or listening to an extra chapter in a book. Sometimes being kind to yourself is saying “screw it” for the rest of the day. The extra time being “Lazy” is just you taking the time needed to recharge that malfunctioning battery of yours.
If you would like more information on recommended strategies of coping with clinical depression, google it, ask one of your smart devices and if all else fails call your doctor.
Ten Ways to Cook Eggs
Taken from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook 13th Edition
Submitted by Sue Staley
There are about ten basic ways to cook an egg, and a nearly infinite number of variations.
• 1. Soft-boiled eggs are simmered in the shell for 3-4 minutes until the whites are opaque but still soft.
• 2. Medium-boiled eggs are cooked in the shell for 4-5 minutes until the white is solid, but the yolk is still liquid. They are also called coddled eggs or eggs mollet and when peeled, they may be substituted for poached eggs.
• 3. Hard-boiled eggs are simmered for 15 minutes, until both white and yolk are solid.
• 4. Poached eggs are turned out of their shells and cooked in simmering liquid until the whites become opaque.
• 5. Fried eggs are broken into hot butter or oil and cooked in a skillet to the same point.
• 6. Scrambled eggs are mixed in a bowl with a table spoonful of liquid, then dropped into a buttered pan and stirred. lightly over heat until curds form.
• 7. Shirred eggs are dropped into a flat dish and baked in the oven.
• 8. Eggs Crocotte are placed in covered porcelain cups that are then immersed in simmering water.
• 9. Finally, there are omelets and soufflés, perhaps the most elegant of ways to present eggs.
• 10. Omelets; there the bottom is cooked quickly over medium-high heat, but the surface remains slightly runny, making for asoft interior when folded.
No matter what the technique, it is essential to use low, gentle heat when cooking eggs: egg protein begins to thicken at only 144°F, and toughens rapidly.
Serve cooked eggs on warm, not sizzling hot, plates or they will continue to cook after they are removed from the pan.
Memorial for Bev Rushing
Submitted by Sue Schwab
Beverly Rushing was a child of the depression era born in 1930 just before her parents divorced. Her mother was then left without any means of support and a baby to raise, so she began waitressing in a local diner.
Soon a young Texan from a construction company that was sampling mining properties in the area took a liking to the young waitress, and they were soon married.
My mom said he was the best dad anyone could ask for. Working for a contract construction company that moved up and down the west coast for work, all the way from Arizona to California, Nevada, Oregon and as far north as Prince George, Canada meant the family was constantly moving.
During this time is when Beverly’s eyesight started diminishing. It must have been difficult to move from school to school as the family traveled with the job, but the various school’s found a way to help my mom with the necessary reading and writing that was expected in the grade schools. Many times, it was other students who were asked to help the blind girl. She said this was always challenging because the other kids would rather be playing or doing their own homework.
After the end of World War 2 the family, now with three children, returned to my grandmothers roots of Rogue River in southern Oregon and made it their home.
My mom continued in public schools until she reached high school level. That is when she moved away from home to attend the Oregon School for the Blind.
It was here that she met one of her best friends, Iva May Menning. Iva’s mom took my mom under her wing and helped her with her hair, clothes, and all the things that moms are so good at. Mom always mentioned what a blessing Mrs. Speed was to her during those years, especially with her own mom so far away.
The School for the Blind was where my mom first met my dad. He would drive his sister, Flo Dugan, to the school and drop her off. It was then that he noticed mom and decided to court her.
After graduation mom attended Lewis & Clark College. Again, she had to have the aid of volunteer readers. It was difficult to take notes while the volunteer was reading, since they didn’t want to waste too much time reading to her. After all, they had their own work to do. Mom’s major in college was music. At this point in her life she was an accomplished pianist, and in fact played a few concerts. My dad would pester her all the time while she was at Lewis & Clark. He would drive all the way to Portland to see her, until finally he convinced her to marry him. My grandfather was so glad, saying college was getting expensive.
Mom and dad finally married April 30, 1950. It was in the mid fifties that they were introduced to the Oregon Council of the Blind, when they were living in Coos Bay. The South Western Chapter was quite active in those days. It was mostly a social group as the members were all fairly young with families.
The meetings were mostly potlucks and were held in different member’s homes. As we all know, life comes with hard knocks. Between some family health issues, and then eventually my dad losing his eyesight due to a cataract in his one good remaining eye, it created some serious financial issues for the family. But after a long period of waiting for the right time to remove the cataract, he regained his eyesight and was able to resume driving and re-establish a career.
My mom was a working mother for most of my life. One of her first jobs that I remember was as a switch board operator and front desk receptionist for the Oregon Commission for the Blind. Later, she was part of the Randolph Shepard Vendors Program managing the cafeteria at Western Electric Company in Portland for over ten years. It was hard work, but she still managed to be there for dad and me.
Mom and dad eventually followed my family moving to Salem, Oregon. They moved into a great mobile home community where they made close friends. In fact, Iva May Menning and her husband Wally already lived there. Through their remaining retirement years, they became very active in the community social programs and HOA. Mom was an active bingo player, pinochle player, cookie baker, and anything else that came her way.
After dad passed in 2017, we tried to keep her social life going. I attended bingo with her most every Thursday night, and her friends picked her up for pinochle. Our family included her on many trips and outings. However, as all of us have experienced this last year with the COVID-19 virus, it pretty much shut down the normal social life of everyone.
I regret that mom had to experience the stress, loneliness and lack of social life in her last year of life. Being active was so important to her, but she did understand the need for safety and trying to protect her health. However, I would get a little chuckle out of watching her put on her mask. It somehow was always over her eyes. I would have to help her pull it down to cover her nose and mouth, telling her it wasn’t doing her much good over her eyes!
Mom passed away on January 23, 2021 and will be interned next to dad in Rogue River, Oregon. They are together again.
RIP Mom.
Susan Schwab, Daughter
Feb 15, 2021
This is a letter that Sue found after her mother passed.
BEV & BOB RUSHING
Bob and I were married April 30, 1950. We were first introduced to O.C.B in the mid-fifties, during the years we lived in Coos Bay.
The Southwestern Chapter was quite active in those days. Bob Urban was chapter president at the time. Mr. Urban was a piano tuner and Bob drove him around for his
out-of-town appointments during the winter when construction was slow.
Our meetings were, for the most part, held as potlucks and were held in different member’s homes. We were a social group as we were all fairly young with families. We had functions such as bowling at North Bend Lanes and in the summer, we took those interested swimming up Coos River. Most of the good swimming areas were off the road. Bob would tie a rope on the car bumper and walk backward down to the water. For those who felt they could not make it down, Bob would have them lean against him and they would also walk backward down the hill. We never lost anyone doing this so I guess it was successful. I was Secretary of the chapter and Mr. & Mrs. Gerhke did their best to get us interested in legislation that concerned the Blind, but we stuck with our social activities. We did line up transportation and took those members interested to the state conventions. At that time, the conventions were held at the old Washington Hotel in downtown Portland.
Bob and I, along with our nine-year-old daughter, Sue, moved to Portland in 1960. In Portland, I was elected Secretary of the Multnomah Chapter. I won the office because, as in Coos Bay, no one wanted the position.
Bob organized a blind bowling group. After about a year we held our first Northwest International Blind Bowling Tournament. We had a group from Vancouver B.C., Everett, and Seattle, Washington. My memory is getting bad, so there could have been other groups.
As the years rolled along, we picked up other teams and even hosted the American Blind Bowling Association national tournament in 1972 at the 20th Century Bowling Lanes along with the valuable assistance of the Gresham Elks. The Elks helped us raise funds to accomplish our goal. We used the Portland Hilton Hotel as the headquarters. Bob and I made Braille labels for the elevators and the room doors that were blocked out for the convention. That was the first, and I’m sure the last time we will ever get to stay in a Presidential Suite. We are proud to say the Portland Blind Bowlers are still at it. I believe Dick Kohl is the only one left of the original league.
Bob worked for a road construction company for about a year in 1960-61. Driving home one day he complained about some of the traffic lights in Portland were pretty hard to see. He decided he needed new glasses. He went to the Ophthalmologist and was informed he was just about one step from being legally blind. This ended his career in heavy construction.
In 1963 Bob entered the Business Enterprise Program with the Commission for the Blind. He was awarded the cafeteria at Western Electric in Portland. They had gone through 13 operators in a short number of years. We didn’t really want that unit, but he was promised that if we didn’t make it at Western Electric then they would not hold it against us as far as getting another unit. Bob had the cafeteria for about a year before having cataract surgery which resulted in getting his vision back. I was then offered the unit This was because no one else wanted it due to its bad reputation. I lasted another eight years as manager.
In 1970, Bob was offered a position at the Commission for the Blind, as a business representative. At that time there were approximately twenty-eight units. They built the number of units up to 32 B.E. Units. Bob retired after 18 years in that position. He says he is loving retirement. There were a few times right after retirement, that I wished he would go back to work and stay out of my kitchen.
In 1973 the Oregon Council of the Blind hosted the National American Council of the Blind convention. Bob and I had just gone through working with the Hilton Hotel for the Bowling Tournament so the convention host committee asked us to help line up the hotel. The committee consisted of Madge Nelson, Cliff and Gudy Menning, Wally and Iva Menning, Orville and Nina Nunn and others.
In 1986 we moved to Salem and joined the Willamette Chapter. Through the next few years, Bob and I both lobbied with Mildred Gibbons to save the Oregon School for the Blind. We also lobbied the legislature on behalf of Talking Book and Braille services as well as the Oregon Commission for the Blind.
After retirement we have become more active in the Council. I held office as District 1 representative in 1993. I was elected President of the Oregon Council of the Blind in 1994. Bob was also elected State Treasurer in 1994. In 1996, I was elected State President for two terms and again 2003 through 2004. During my first term as president we were having big problems maintaining a profit with our Bingo Games. The Council owned the building where we held our game.
Our profit line had been enough to cover the expense of building payments and repairs. Interest in bingo began to fall so we had to sell the building.
Fred Kennedy was a great help in finding a buyer. We closed our bingo operation shortly thereafter.
In March 1997, we received a call from the President of the California Council, informing us that the Vehicle Donation Program would be calling us to sign a contract with them. They called the next day and offered to work with the Oregon Council. We knew the Federation would sign if we didn’t, so we agreed to sign without contacting the A.C.B. board. The Oregon Council has made more than $548,000.00 since we signed that contract.
Bob and I had the pleasure, and I use the term lightly, of going through an audit with both the IRS and the Oregon Department of Justice. Both audits were for the year 1995. The IRS audit was fairly easy. Bob spent a lot of time explaining how we did business. As we had already made many changes in our bookkeeping, we passed and were allowed to maintain our 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
About this time the Oregon Council of the Blind officially changed our name to ACB of Oregon but are still doing business as Oregon Council of the Blind.
As you can tell, A.C.B. of Oregon has been a great part of our lives.
May God bless you all.
Bev & Bob Rushing
ACB of Oregon Board Meeting Summary
Jan16, 2021
Call to Order at 9:04
Oath of Office for District Reps
administered by Sue Schwab.
Sue gave the treasurer’s report. If you want a copy of the report contact Sue Schwab at 503-871-6175
Sueschwab00@hotmail.com
Correspondence:
Sue Schwab read the Pedestrian Safety committee report.
If you want a copy of that report contact Marylee Turner at 503-956-5088
The April board meeting will be at the Village Greene in Cottage Grove on April 16th.
The 2021 convention will also be at the Village Green October 22-24.
District Reports
District 1, Teresa Christian
Pioneer Chapter
They have not been meeting since COVID started, however, they have decided to give a go for doing a meeting via phone.
Willamette Chapter
They are continuing to conduct their meetings via conference call. I was not able to reach John Hamill to get details.
Metro PDX Chapter
We elected new officers in November and then in December had our Xmas party on Zoom and did a separate secret Santa for those who wished to participate.
We are working on creative ways to remain a cohesive group as COVID continues.
Pat and I are continuing to host the Sheltering in place together calls on Friday morning all are welcome.
District 2 Report Michael Babcock
The southwestern chapter voted at their most recent meeting to change meeting times to the second Tuesday of the month versus the second Monday of the month with expectations that more members will be able to attend.
Cassie, the southwestern chapters elected secretary, is working on a number of presenters to work with the workshop that the southwestern chapter has at each meeting.
Our new board was voted in at the November meeting, and was sworn in at our January meeting.
We had a Christmas meeting in December that I did not attend.
Planning is beginning for our annual summer picnic as well.
District 3 Report Mona Huntley
The Rogue Valley Chapter had Telephone Conference Call meetings every month. Carrie spoke at one meeting and Shana Jaffo from Non 24 is speaking at the
Jan. meeting.
Klamath Chapter was not able to meet in November or December. They plan to meet by phone next week.
I had technical problems and was not able to get on the OAAVL call.
Commissioner’s report
Commission for the Blind:
The meeting dates have been set for each commissioner meeting through 2021, and at this time all meetings will be held on zoom. If anyone needs a copy of those meetings, please reach out to
Michael Babcock via email or phone and he can get you those dates.
541-435-5568
Talking Books Deb Kokel
BARD, the Braille and Reading Download website, has been unstable due to maintenance. Staff continues to work toward resolution.
Mary Lee Turner is Chair of the Advisory Council. I am happy to be working with her. Talking book patrons are still getting books, now 8 to a cartridge! They are customized just for us. We love it.
James Edwards can now help get Talking Book services as that authority was conferred upon him, as well as your eye doctor or local librarian can do that for us.
The Talking Book library always needs donations. Money is channeled through two funds, the Expendable and the Endowment fund. The Expendable fund takes care of current needs, while the Endowment Fund is intended to provide long-term financial stability to Talking Books, a rainy-day fund if you will.
The Endowment funds is larger, and just the interest on the principal may be spent.
Talking Books were proud to have sent out the League of Women Voters’ cartridge this year in time to help patrons get information for voting.
Hull Park Jeannemarie Moore
The name of Hull Park is being expanded to The Hull Foundation and Learning Center for those with Blindness and Low Vision
Many more eye docs are referring people to our classes for daily living skills via Zoom and are well attended.
Zoom classes happen Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, one at ten a.m. and one at one pm.
I encourage everyone to call Hull Park: 503 668 6195 to sign up a schedule. All Zoom classes are free! (However, donations are always accepted and appreciated.)
The Walk Across the UK is going well: we are now in Ireland and it is fascinating!
On January 30 the Hull Park Annual Meeting is at ten a.m. and I have included the Zoom info here.
Topic: Annual Meeting and Regular Board Meeting
Time: Jan 30, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 813 3452 6303
One tap mobile
+13462487799, 81334526303# US (Houston)
+16699006833, 81334526303# US (San Jose)
Stylus Report
Teresa Christian
Tyanne Wilmath is handling the Braille format and her husband Allan is doing the large print format.
Steve Armbrus is continuing to read the audio format for us.
I am still doing the email and the cartridge formats.
The next deadline submission date is Feb. 15.
Podcasts
A podcast team has been created to produce and manage podcasts for us.
Legislative Committee
Mary Lee, Cassie Trosper and Pat Wallace all want to be on that Committee.
Fun Squad
Next meeting is Feb. 4.
Pedestrian Safety
Darian Slayton Fleming
This committee resumed meeting on January 11, 2021. We consider pedestrian safety to be a
year-round concern. Therefore, we plan to meet monthly, on the second Monday of each month, at 2:30 PM on the ACBO conference call line.
Since this concern affects all of us, this committee wishes to expand our membership to include representatives from each district within ACB of Oregon (ACBO).
We ask that the board, and most especially district reps, assist us in notifying members of the opportunity to serve on this committee. We ask that interested participants contact Mary Lee Turner and provide contact information to get added to the group. Do not worry that you might not know who to work with in your areas. We will mentor you through this process.
As always, this committee will plan and implement White Cane Safety Day activities. We have decided to work with Luther Greulich on finding ways to educate construction entities and engineers about the safety needs of people who have vision impairments with access to pedestrian routes. We will also participate in educational and advocacy events such as Sunday Parkways through the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Many of these events may be virtual and presented on Zoom until we can safely congregate again in public. Therefore, we hope members around the state will participate.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday February 8, 2021 at 2:30 PM. We look forward to collaborating with you. Please contact Mary Lee Turner if you have questions or wish to participate.
Mary Lee Turner:
smilingmarylee@gmail.com
or (503) 956-5088.
Mischievous Misfits
Tyanne Wilmath
Meeting time has changed and we are still working on becoming a chapter.
Membership
Pat Wallace
Did not meet over the holidays, zoom calls have been a
great way to stay in touch.
New Business
National Legislative training: Feb 20-22
The board voted to cover the $20 cost for interested members.
Fundraising: suggests using Drop Ship to be a fund raiser. This would allow a variety of merchandise to be offered to folks with no carrying charges to us. Someone would need to set up the web page and account.
Guest Comments
Pat Wallace, wants ACBO to get involved with the homeless situation; he wants ACBO to participate in donating time/effort as our project.
Adjourned at 9:57 am
Respectfully submitted by Bobi Earp, ACBO Secretary
For a complete copy of the minutes contact Bobi at 503-317-4529
The winner for the March 2021 issue is Cassie Trosper.
Cassie, be sure to contact me by March 31st.
The submission contest now has a deadline.
You will have till the end of the month of which the current issue is published, to contact me to let me know you discovered your name as the winner of this quarters contest.
As you all know by now, every Stylus issue has a contest for submitting items that will potentially go in the Stylus. Your name will be entered once for each item you submit for the upcoming issue. For example, if you submit 10 items, your name will be entered 10 times in the drawing. You can send as many items as you like and whether or not it makes it into the next issue, your name will still go into the drawing.
One name will be selected and that lucky person will receive a check for $25.
The winner must call or email me to let me know they discovered their name as being the winner for this issue. Your $25 check will be released after you contact me.
Keep those submissions coming and good luck!!
To change your address, request alternative formats for ACB publications, or request financial documents,
contact our
State Treasurer
Sue Schwab.
Email: sueschwab00@hotmail.com
Cell: 503-871-6175
Stylus Editor, Teresa Christian
Teresa.christian.acbo@gmail.com
Phone: 971-322-8462
Thanks for reading this issue of the Stylus!
May you always have enough!
In love and light
Your Happy Editor
Teresa Christian