SCAVI NEWS {#scavi-news .Style1}
A monthly newsletter of the South Central Association of the Visually Impaired
SCAVI, P.O. Box 2216, Bedford, IN 47421
Newsletter written and produced by President Rita Kersh.
Rita can be reached at 812-278-3038 or e-mail at hoosierrita60\@gmail.com
March 2023
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SCAVI
Our next meeting will be on Monday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m. at the Bedford Free Methodist Church, 630 R Street, in the basement Fellowship Hall.
Our speaker will be Dr. Andrea Rope and she'll talk about various eye research and treatments.
SCAVI BIRTHDAYS
Kathy Reising March 10
Dolly Sowder March 10
SCAVI LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
Please remember to bring your list of names and addresses for our fund-raising letter that will go out in April. The addresses will be collected through March and at our April 3 meeting. The addresses can be given to either Denise or Rita.
SCAVI PICNIC PLANNED
We will be having our annual picnic on Saturday, June 17 at the Thornton Park shelter house. Take note of this date and make plans to come. There is always good food and great fun!
ACB NEWS
2023 Legislative Imperatives
Below are the 2023 Legislative Imperatives for the American Council of the Blind. Of note, these were also our legislative priorities in 2022, and all four of these priorities were introduced as legislation in the 117th Congress (2021-2022). 2023 marks the beginning of the first term for the 118th Congress, and as a result, we must work to have these pieces of legislation reintroduced and the bills passed into law. Learn how to schedule a meeting with your representatives and senators to discuss the 2023 imperatives.
Exercise and Fitness for All Act
Medical Device Non-Visual Accessibility Act
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act
RECIPE CORNER
Stuffed French Toast
Cube 8 to 10 slices of dry Texas toast.
Layer half of the bread in a 9 x 13 pan.
Cube 1 8oz. pkg. of cream cheese, layer on top of bread.
Layer rest of bread on top.
Beat 8 to 10 eggs, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 2 cups milk. (Add a touch of cinnamon if desired).
Pour on top of bread.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
Should be firm, not runny.
Serve with maple syrup and powder sugar.
Neiman Marcus Bars
Ingredients:
1 18.25-ounce package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter melted
4 large eggs divided
8 ounces cream cheese softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F if using a dark pan). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
Using an electric mixer, combine the cake mix, 2 eggs, and melted butter. The batter will be thick. Spread into the bottom of the greased pan with a rubber spatula.
Reuse the bowl (no need to clean) to combine the cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the top of the cake batter.
Bake for 35 minutes. Allow to cool completely and then slice and serve.
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
You can cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight, and sprinkle with cheese before baking. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes until bubbly.
6 servings (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)
Ingredients
9 ounces uncooked spaghetti
Cooking spray
1 cup frozen chopped onion
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
2 (14.5-ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 tablespoon low-sodium Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, divided
3 cups frozen chopped cooked chicken, thawed
Preparation
Prep: 5 Minutes
Cook: 31 Minutes
Preheat oven to 350º.
Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain.
Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese, cooked spaghetti, and chicken. Spoon into a 3-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake at 350º for 15 minutes.
SCAVI MINUTES
South Central Association of The Visually Impaired
SCAVI met on February 6 at the Bedford Free Methodist Church. Those in attendance included: Our Speaker Abigail Kuborn, Cindy Brooking, Doug and Brenda Eads, Loney and Ida Galey, Rita Kersh, Denise Mullis, Mike and Dolly Sowder, and James Veen.
The meeting was called to order by President Rita Kersh who introduced our speaker. Abigail Kuborn who is a OD/MS student at IU School of Optometry. She is recruiting people to participate in a study regarding autonomous (self-driving) vehicles. The study is to learn about acceptance, perceptions, and desired features of the vehicles. The goal of the study is to have 50 persons with full vision, 50 with impaired vision, and 50 who are blind. It is hoped to have information about what features would be important, such as touch screens, verbal commands, and safety features.
This is important. Studies show that losing the ability to drive results in twice the risk of depression. Socialization and overall mental health suffers too. Some with visual impairments can learn to drive with bioptic telescopes. Autonomous vehicles have become commonplace in Las Vegas where they have been used for 5 years.
Following our speaker, we had our business meeting. The minutes from November and January were approved. Brenda moved for the approval and Dolly seconded it. All agreed.
The treasurer's report was approved by the group following the motion to approve by Doug and the second by James. The treasury currently has a balance of $4303.58.
There had been some concern that the state picnic would be held in June when we usually have ours. However, it will be held in the fall. Our picnic will take place on June 2 or June 9. Cindy will check to see when the shelter house is available and SCAVI will cover the rental cost.
We discussed our letter writing campaign for April. It is modeled after a letter Don Koors had sent to solicit contributions. We are to contribute names and addresses of 2 to 4 persons to receive the letter. Dolly suggested that we get permission from our friends before adding their names.
Dolly made a motion that we adjourn. Brenda seconded it. All were in favor and we adjourned.
Our next meeting will be March 6 at 9:30 at the Bedford Free Methodist Church.
Respectfully Submitted, Denise Mullis