Doesn’t it feel like spring? The Elders at the ENP are talking about gardening and making plans for yard and house clean up. We can now see our way out to the greenhouse and raised beds. We will be discussing what to plant in the next few weeks. Know there will be tomatoes, spinach and zucchini.
We welcome all suggestions. All produce grown is incorporated into our daily meals with surplus given out to Elders to use at home. The ENP will be partnering with the Grand Portage Health Clinic and State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) to make repairs to the greenhouse. We will be getting new plastic and a frame that will provide us with a sturdy, long-lasting greenhouse. The elements take a toll on the structure and it has been several years since the last repair.
Nine Elders traveled to St. Paul the last part of March to visit the Minnesota History Center to view the George Morrison Modern Spirit exhibit. This show truly is a wonderful, comprehensive show celebrating his journey to becoming the founder of Native Modernism. His work will be on exhibit until April 26 and is well worth the trip. We would like to extend a Chi Miigwech to the Elder Advisory Committee for sponsoring this trip using proceeds from the stew cook off and meat bingo held in March.
The Grand Portage Elders had a fabulous trip to St. Paul to see the George Morrison exhibit. (L-R, front) Marcie McIntire, Dottie Griffith, Jan Bernel, Ellen Olson, Carol Hackett. (L-R, back) Ernest Boyes, Jason Burnett, Pat Winchell-Dahl.
This month we had a visit from Erik Carlson, the Trust Lands wildlife firefighter. Erik shared with us this season’s burning program and suggested where the best blueberries might be found; weather cooperating. There was talk about the possibility of getting Elders out to the blueberry fields when the time is right. The ENP will follow up on this.
We continue with our monthly “Nutrition with Tess,” cribbage games, water aerobics, Wisdom Steps and Reading with Kids program. All Elders are welcome to participate. Volunteers are needed.
At the end of this month several Elders will be traveling to Mystic Lake to participate in the 4th Annual Indigenous Elder Abuse Awareness Conference. This is always well attended with 450 Elders, caregivers, PCA’s, law enforcement and elder services program staff in attendance. This is a great opportunity to become more aware of elder abuse, what it is, who does it, how to report it and how to prevent it.
Cedar Denny, the cook’s helper, with some of the delicious Irish soda bread loaves he baked for the ENP’s St. Patrick’s Day traditional meal.
The participating Elders upon returning home will make a presentation about the conference to our local EMS personnel.
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.
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