Posts Tagged ‘spring’
April 2009
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
It was great to see so many new faces at our April Weekender retreat. It was well attended and featured plenty of opportunities for people to get involved in activities from Kevin Sippel’s musical entertainment, relaxing in the hot tub to our spring Showdown Tournament.
The View – Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind
Volume VII, No 2 Spring 2009
Weekender policies, transportation schedule changes and new Saturday lunch option.
It was great to see so many new faces at our April Weekender retreat. It was well attended and featured plenty of opportunities for people to get involved in activities from Kevin Sippel’s musical entertainment, relaxing in the hot tub to our spring Showdown Tournament. The Tigard and Tualatin Lions Clubs were also on hand for a work party on Saturday that added to the festive atmosphere of the day.
One administrative challenge was to make sure that we were able to accommodate everyone’s transportation needs. We added a second vehicle to achieve this purpose. The Oral Hull Foundation provides free round trip transportation to our monthly Weekenders from the Portland area. Our bus, however, has limited space and wheelchair availability. To ensure a ride on our bus, please call in and reserve your seat a minimum of 24 hours prior to the weekend. The Foundation passed a policy at the April 4, 2009 meeting that requires 72 hour advanced notice for wheelchair accommodations. For comfort and safety, each passenger is permitted to bring one medium sized suitcase (not exceeding 20 pounds) and two small pieces of hand/carry on luggage on the Oral Hull bus (to be carried on your seat). Necessary medical devices are excluded.
Beginning in June, our Weekender guests will enjoy an additional half hour at the park. Please note our earlier pickup times: Commission for the Blind 9:00a.m.; Jack in the Box on 82nd and Holgate 9:30a.m and the Gresham Transit Station at 10:00a.m. The schedule for the return trip to Portland on Sunday afternoon will remain the same.
All persons attending Weekenders must pay for their weekend at check-in time unless previously arranged with Jeff Lann, executive director. In addition to our Saturday night dinner and Sunday morning brunch, Chef Becky Stewart will be preparing a box lunch for only $6. (Minimum of 20 lunches needed) Please call 503-668-6195 to place your order.
From the Desk of Executive Director – Jeff Lann
It’s that time of the year again. Despite below average temperatures it’s time to emerge from our winter hibernation. Spring and warmer weather is on the horizon and before you know it, summer will be here! We are entering one of our busiest times of the year and we are getting excited about our spring events and our rapidly approaching summer camp season. No matter what your activity level is, we have something that will spark your interest. Please take a few minutes to read this newsletter about our upcoming programs.
I am very pleased to introduce Jackie L. Macy as our new assistant director of Oral Hull’s summer camps. Jackie has been in the blindness rehabilitation field for 15 plus years. She has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling for the blind and is certified as a vision rehabilitation therapist and orientation and mobility specialist. Jackie has worked with the Oregon Commission for the Blind and the Idaho Commission for the Blind/Visually Impaired. She is the current president of the Oregon Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Jackie enjoys the outdoors, traveling and gardening and in case you were wondering, yes……….she has taken the plunge and gone sky diving. Jackie is married, has two children and “Scrappy” her dog.
Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour April 18-19
Fine cuisine, a night in the country, great entertainment, and a Columbia River Gorge waterfalls tour all rolled up into one! You will not want to miss this special event. Visit many of Oregon’s most famous scenic attractions and stay the night with us for hot-tubbing and more! $60 advanced registration required by April 15. Includes overnight lodging, 4 meals and round trip transportation
3rd Annual NW Regional Retreat – Memorial Day Weekend – May 24 – 26
One of the highlights of spring is our NW Regional Retreat. Meet new friends and reconnect with old friends. Reserve your spot now for this 3rd annual event. Sign up by May 10th. Swim in our heated pool, enjoy special games, hike the Wildwood Trail and compete in Show Down, and more. Members $60, non-members $80 advanced registration required.
Spring Weekenders, Two-fers – May 2 and June 6
Bring a friend (new to Oral Hull Park to any of our Spring Weekenders and you and your friend will receive a 50% discount off our regular Saturday night stay.
2009 Summer Camp Registration Now Open
We are still accepting registrations for our 27th annual summer camps for blind and low vision persons. We are returning with three great weeks of adult programming this summer and a new camp for families. If you enjoy friendship, fun, field trips, new experiences, great food and wonderful weather you will want to join us for 2009 – A Summer of Celebration.
Session 1: Our Adventure Camp aimed at participants seeking a variety of challenging adventures including white water rafting, hiking, and an optional sky diving or gliding trip (additional cost). This camp is open to adults 18+ years only. Camp dates are August 1-August 7. Camp fees are $375 per person. A limited amount of financial assistance is available for Oregon residents based on need.
Session 2: We had a waiting list last year so plan to register now for our Friends and Alumni Adult Camp. Special entertainment, field trips, swimming in our heated pool, archery course, and more is scheduled for this session. Camp dates are August 9-15. Fees are $350 per person. A limited amount of financial assistance is available for Oregon residents based on need.
Session 3: Our New Explore Oregon Camp for adults provides a blend of traditional camp activities and outdoor experiences including white water rafting on the Deschutes River. Fees are $350 per person. A limited amount of financial assistance is available for Oregon residents based on financial need.
Session 4: Introducing our new Family Camp. Family Camp is offered to families who have visually impaired children aged 17 and under. The entire family is welcome to join in the fun. Camp activities include competitions, swimming, games, camp fires and much more. The cost is $125 per adult age 18 + over and $75 per child. Camp dates are August 27-30. Financial assistance is available for Oregon residents based on need.
Dennis Crow – Old Time Radio at Oral Hull Park
Dennis Crow, former Sandy High principal passed away this past year. Dennis was an educator, historian and old time radio fan. As a devotee of old time radio, Dennis often took his radio collection of 1,000 tapes and cd’s on the road to entertain community organizations. For many years, he was a regular presenter at Oral Hull where he transported listeners back to the days of “The Shadow” and “Fibber McGee and Molly“. We were recently contacted by Shirley Crow, Dennis’s wife, and learned that he donated his old time radio collection to Oral Hull’s Nelson/Green Braille Library. We send our heartfelt thanks to the Crow Family for this generous gift.
National Volunteer Week – April 19-25
We Could Not Do It Without You! Each year people give their time, talents and personal resources without compensation to enrich our services and the lives of those attending programs at Oral Hull Park. The gifts we receive from these generous individuals and organizations are immensely important and very much appreciated. We could never achieve the high level of service that we provide without our wonderful volunteers. On behalf of everyone at the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind, we offer our sincere appreciation and gratitude.
A Road of Thanks
Each year we at Oral Hull send a request for financial assistance to all of the Lions Clubs in Oregon for the purpose of creating a scholarship fund to support low income Oregonians in attending one of our summer camps. These “camperships” are often the only way many people can attend. The following is a list of all Lions Clubs who have contributed to date this year and we again add a roar of thanks for your generosity.
Beavercreek Lions Pilot Rock Lions
Crescent City, CA Portland Columbia Lions
Crooked River Ranch Portland Oaks Bottom Lions
The Dalles Sutherlin Lions
Gresham Breakfast Lions Talent Lions
Hood River Eye Openers
Thank You Donors!!
It is no secret that we are in a time of financial crisis across this nation and we have felt the pinch at Oral Hull in a major way. Because of this, we are very grateful to all of you who contributed in our recent Holiday direct mail appeal. The following is a list of individuals who contributed and we again thank you for your generosity. Please forgive us if your name does not appear. If there is an oversight we will honor you in the next newsletter.
DJ Anderson/Suburban Chevrolet Gloria Ehrheart
Anne Bay and Family Gladys Green
Patty Bessant Kathleen Hudson
Fred Boyer Elisa Gutierriez
Enid Briggs Tim Johnson
Joanne Cairns Terry Lenchitsky
Tom & Ima Carter George Morgan
Mary Chambers Ione & James Parrish
Tom & Sue Ciesielski Dottie Petree
Davie Family Leslie Radke
Mary & Blaine Dickson Albert Rouse
Dorothy Dinneen J. Frank Schmidt Family Foundation
Kenneth & Althea Dorgan Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation
Marvin & Yvonne Dorgan Karen Zivic
Wish List
Oral Hull Park often needs items you may have access to. Below is our large item wish list. If you or someone you know has any of these items to pass along, we would be most grateful.
Golf Cart (used) LCD projector
Minivan (used) Gas barbecue
Commercial patio furniture Popcorn machine
Copy machine (used) Desk top computers (2005 and newer)
Wireless microphones (2) Paper shredder
Lounge furniture
Contact information
Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind, PO Box 157, Sandy, Oregon 97055
503-668-6195, Email to oralhull@teleport.com, Website Oralhull.org
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