What a beautiful September we all enjoyed! The weather was so nice, really a great last hurrah for our short summer.
The Elders enjoyed the annual grandparent’s day B-B-Q and picnic. This year we tried something new and partnered with Grand Marais Pharmacy for the event. We held it at the Community Center which enabled more people to attend. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and celebration. We even honored Father Walsh with a surprise birthday cake.
Once again several Elders are volunteering with the “Reading with Kids” program with Oshki Ogimaag Charter School. Children come twice a week to practice their reading with the volunteers. This is a great program for everyone involved. Reading improves, friendships are made and everyone seems to have a good time.
We celebrated Active Aging Week with handouts about how to prevent falls, bone health, the importance of exercise and the benefits of walking. Tess Bailey, Grand Portage’s State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) coordinator gave a presentation about SHIP and the benefits of good nutrition. She shared with us useful reminders about portion control, carbs, meat substitutes and healthy desserts.
Elders enjoyed a Tai Chi demonstration. (L-R) Doris Blank, Delma Grandlouise, Judy Ranta, Vera Amyotte, Ellen Olsen. (L-R, back) Dottie Griffith, Hattie Pepion, Orlando Swader and Yafa Napadensky.
We continue to have lunch visits from the Commissioner District 1 candidates and are enjoying the interesting political discussions.
Elders enjoyed three trips this month. A small group visited the Thunder Bay Art Gallery to view the Walking With Our Sisters exhibit. This was very moving and an important piece commemorating over 1,000 missing indigenous woman and children in Canada. The exhibit was all “tops or lids” of moccasins. These “tops” represent the many unfinished lives of these loved ones. This exhibit runs until October 12, 2014.
Another group went on a Rez Ride to Grand Marais to take in the By Way of Water exhibit at the Cook County Historical Society Museum. This was enjoyed with pie and coffee after. Always a fun time!
Grand Portage Elders have traveled quite a bit recently. Elders were moved by the Walk with Our Sisters exhibit in Thunder Bay. (L-R) Ellen Olsen, Eddie and Bob Hertzberg. (Not pictured Patty Winchell-Dahl.)
The last trip this month was our annual fall leaf tour. A little late but we still enjoyed the colors with a delicious lunch at Lutsen Resort and a visit to the Cross River Heritage Center to see the Eastman exhibit. We had a wonderful time and would recommend this to everyone.
October will hold a Tai Chi demonstration, visits from the Wisdom Steps board of directors, cake decorating, the Halloween carnival, fundraising planning and fire extinguisher checks to mark October as fire safety month.
If you would like more information about the Grand Portage ENP meals and programs, please call 475-2655.
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.
Grandparents Day—and Father Seamus Walsh’s birthday—were celebrated with a barbecue at the Community Center. Joy Carlson dishes up a nice piece of chocolate cake for Father Walsh.
Leave a Reply