We made it through Rendezvous Days, which is one of our busiest times of the year. The Elders work so hard operating three fundraising stations throughout the weekend.
Although numbers were down a bit this year the Elders raised around $5,000 selling raffle tickets, fish nuggets and running a bingo. These funds are used during the year to pay for the annual Christmas party, flowers for funerals and ill Elders, donations to the school library and veterans and of course trips.
A Chi Miigwech to all the Elders who so generously volunteered, everyone who bought raffle tickets, food, bingo boards and the community of Grand Portage for all your support and kindness.
This raffle winners were: Oscar Gonzales, the beautiful handmade quilt; Jaye Clearwater, the wonderful Hollow Rock photograph; and Amy Keane, the roaster with wild rice. The 50/50 raffle was won by Bill Meyers. Bill made a generous donation back to us from his winnings. Miigwech!
Everyone was from Grand Portage this year except Amy, who is Bob and Eddie Hertzberg’s daughter and who is one of our most generous supporters. Congratulations everyone.
The Elders enjoyed a visit to the Happy Hippie Farm. (L-R) Farmer Jeremy Keeble, Carol Hackett, Ellen Olson, Hattie Pepion, Dorothy Peterson. (Not pictured Patty Winchell-Dahl.)
Two of the prizes were made and donated by our Elders. Betty Hoffman sewed the quilt and Dido Swader photographed the picture. We are so fortunate to have such talented and generous Elders. Miigwech!
We enjoyed a month of BBQs in July. There were the annual 4th of July, Grand Marais Pharmacy and the North Shore Federal Credit Union get-togethers. The ENP partnered with two of these. The weather was great, as was the food and entertainment.
We said good-bye to our Mentor Student, Torilyn. She was ever so helpful, ready to learn and worked hard. Good Luck Torilyn with school this year. We hope she comes back and visits often.
Several Elders enjoyed berry picking in Thunder Bay with help from the Mentor Students. There will be jam galore as many baskets were picked. We also included a stop at the cheese farm. Five Elders enjoyed a visit to the Cook County Historical Society museum to view the display on local bands, shop, and enjoy a treat at the Dairy Queen. We also checked out the pigs at the Happy Hippie Farm. The Keebles use our produce scraps for pig food and the ENP receives some delicious pork. This is a win-win for all of us and a great way to recycle and not waste.
George Haralson and Arvid Dahl cooking fish nuggets at the Elders booth at Rendezvous Days.
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer. I know the Elders will with more “Rez Rides,” the volunteer appreciation picnic and BBQ as well as plans for a trip this fall.
Cook County has a vibrant and active community of elders. Each week we will offer Senior News to highlight our senior citizens. This week’s submission is about the Grand Portage Elder Nutrition Program courtesy of Patty Winchell-Dahl.
Betty Hoffman with the lovely and cozy quilt she made for the Elder’s Raffle at Rendezvous Days.
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