The Elder Nutrition Program is enjoying a bumper crop of fresh veggies from our greenhouse and the community garden up in Mineral Center. Andy Schmidt, Trust Lands Wetland Specialist has been bringing us delicious zucchini, all types of tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and peppers just to name a few. Any surplus is shared with Elders to take home and enjoy. We sure love this time of year as all the fresh produce helps our diets and food costs. The Elders can’t wait for the many squash that our garden will produce. Miigwech for everyone for sharing!
Many Elder volunteers enjoyed the annual appreciation BBQ. This year we honored and thanked Bob and Eddie Hertzberg and Bill Hackett for all they do. These three Elders always go the extra mile. They give of their time over and over and are always willing to pitch in to make our trips and events successful. Truly these Elders epitomize the word volunteer and make our community a better place to live. Chi Miigwech!
Bob and Eddie Hertzberg with their gifts for volunteering for the ENP. They received fresh flowers, a picture of “Pete’s Island” taken by our own Dido Swader and a plaque of appreciation.
The ENP provided transportation to Ruby’s Pantry this month. We will continue to offer this service monthly on the second Tuesday of the month. Anyone living in Grand Portage interested in going please call the ENP at 475- 2655 or 2002 the Monday before. We leave the ENP at 4:00 p.m. the day of the pantry. This past month we were able to share some of the food with our local food shelf, the Community Center for the kids Friday evening meal and anyone who stopped by the ENP. This is a wonderful opportunity to stretch our food dollars and cut down on waste.
Tuesday, September 22 at noon, Marjori Bottila will be at the Community Center and the ENP providing one-on-one Medicare enrollment as well as an evening presentation with a meal. Please watch for the flyer. Anyone wanting to meet with her please call the ENP at 475- 2002 to set an appointment time.
Falls prevention will be celebrated this month with an informational packet on Wednesday, September 23 and on October 1 with a luncheon presentation by Treg Axtell, the physical therapist.
Bill Hackett resting after grilling all the meat at the Grand Portage ENP Volunteer Appreciation BBQ. He was recognized at the event with a plaque of appreciation.
Upcoming activities in October will be our annual Fall color tour, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Medical Mobile Bus for nutrition education, eye exams and dental checks, the Wisdom Steps Board quarterly meeting, AARP Driver Refresher class, Oct. 13, Medicare with Marjori Bottila and our U Care Rep. Brian and of course Halloween carnival cake baking for the cake walk.
Anyone wanting more information on any of these activities please call the ENP at 475-2655 or 2002.
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.
Above: During Rendezvous Days, Grand Portage Elder Corky Stevens’ daughter Michelle (left) sold T-shirts with a lovely design made by her mother of the Witch Tree. Michelle donated a portion of the sales to the ENP. She presented the check to ENP Director Patty Winchell-Dahl who said the money will be used to replace the ENP commercial can opener. Left: ENP Head Cook Polly James, Wisdom Steps Aide Carol Hackett and Chore Worker Shirley Stevens shelling fresh beans and peas from the gardens for meals at the ENP.
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