Bethlehem Lutheran celebrates E.L.C.A. anniversary with service day

The Cook County North Shore Care Center garden and gazebo area were spruced up September 8 by a group of volunteers celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (E.L.C.A.) with an afternoon of community service. Pictured here are (L-R, front) JoAnn Smith, Emery Oberg, Hannah Toftey, Sarah Toftey, Grant Oberg; (L-R, back) Theresa Oberg, Janet Ditmanson, Angelique Edgerton, Kathleen Johnson, Kyle Oberg, Pastor Mark Ditmanson, Rebecca Wiinanen, and Robin Johnson.

A group including friends and members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais, gathered for a service day project on Sunday, September 8, 2013 to spruce up the outdoor garden/gazebo area at the Cook County North Shore Care Center in Grand Marais.

Participants were Sharon Bloomquist, Penny Daehlin, Pastor Mark Ditmanson, Janet Ditmanson, Angelique Edgerton (invasive species specialist), Kathleen Johnson, Mark Johnson, Robin Johnson, Kyle Oberg, Theresa Oberg, Grant Oberg, Emery Oberg, Care Center Activities Director Kay Rosenthal, Brian Smith, JoAnn Smith, Laurie Spry, Hannah Toftey, Sarah Toftey, Jim Wiinanen, Rebecca Wiinanen, and Kaj Erickson.

The work included pruning of overgrown shrubs, weeding, a check to determine if any invasive species plants were present (Cook County specialist on-hand), clean up of plants around a re-circulating pond and replacement of a ground cover under a rock-covered area. Sidewalks partially covered by shrubbery were restored to their wheelchair-accessible width.

The afternoon project was abuzz with rakes, pruners and weeding tools, all with the expertise of some very knowledgeable gardeners within the group, and all enjoying a beautiful sunny day. This very enthusiastic, hardworking crew ranged from school-aged children to senior citizens and was supervised by one very friendly dog named Jack.

The day was in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (E.L.C.A.). All congregations were asked to celebrate by going out into the community in service.