The ENP hopes everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year’s. We are off to a steady start this January. Elders continue to participate in weekly Water Aerobics, cribbage and card games, Wisdom Steps and the volunteer “Reading with Kids” program. Presently there are 16 Elders who share twice weekly 15 to 20 minutes of their time to listen to the children from Oshki Ogimaag K to 6th-grade practice their reading. In January we are listening to the kindergarten and first-graders read. This is such a pleasure for everyone involved. Friendships are made, and it is wonderful to see the progress the kids make. Fun for everyone!
The Elders are working with Natural Resources, Oshki Ogimaag School, the Food for Thought Program, and the 1854 Treaty Authority and Human Services to build a Sugar Bush program for the community. There have been a couple of meetings with the hopes of establishing an outdoor program for a week during the sap run. This is very exciting as historically several families collected sap and made maple sugar during the run. Maple sugar and syrup were a food staple for many households. The Elders are happy to share their knowledge of this process as well as the opportunity to get out in the woods during a time that is usually warm and nice.
Some of the Elder volunteers enjoying an outing in the fall. From left are Jason, Inger, Eddie, Ralph and Bob.
The ENP enjoyed a very interesting and informative presentation about the Silver Bay Veterans Home. Social worker Chris joined us for lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 11. He shared a power point highlighting the activities, services, costs, benefits and opportunities at the Veterans Home. Sixteen Elders participated, and Chris was able to do one home visit to talk with an Elder who is on the waiting list. This is a wonderful facility and an option for our veterans and their spouses when and if the time comes to live in a medical facility. The more information we have, the better able we are to make plans for our futures and be in control of that future. The ENP has packets of information and applications for anyone interested.
Above: Bob and Eddie Hertzberg enjoying the Christmas party. Left: Carol Hackett and Sally Gagnon taking a break from filling community Christmas goody bags.
Several Elders were able to attend the retirement party for Tim Cochrane from the Park Service that was held on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Heritage Center here in Grand Portage. Tim has been a good friend to the Elders here. He has reached out to us on numerous occasions to include us in presentations, events, and archeological digs and seek our knowledge and thoughts about park activities and growth. We wish him well in his retirement and hope he will visit as often as he is able.
We just want to remind everyone that the John Beargrease Dog Sled Race begins Jan. 29. All Elders and community members are invited to volunteer at the checkpoint in Mineral Center and the Lodge. This is always an exciting and fun time to be outdoors and experience a truly unique athletic event. Watch for posters and contact Mike Keyport for more information.
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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