Hope everyone had a terrific 4th of July. We all enjoyed the fireworks and several Elders participated in our local fish derby. Some even won trophies for their efforts. Way to go!
The ENP would like to welcome our summer Mentorship worker, Torilyn Hover. Tory is assisting the cooks with the daily meal preparations including cooking, setting the tables, serving and cleaning up. She works with the Wisdom Steps Aide during the weekly walk with Wisdom Step participants, with the Chore Worker doing cleaning and with the director with paper work. She is a joy and very hard working. We will hate to see her go at the end of the program in another few weeks. This is a great program to introduce our youth to careers on the reservation and to give them a real understanding of the work opportunities here in Grand Portage. The Elders enjoy the young people and everyone has the chance to make new friends.
Several Elders learned about new changes to Medicare and were able to enroll when Marjori Bottila was here for the day. We always look forward to these day long sessions and evening meal presentations. They are informative and help to keep us up to date with current information
The Grand Portage Elders have been busy in July. Ellen Olson and Dottie Griffith check their poker hands to see if they won the pot during Wisdom Steps walking.
The ENP hosted another MIPPA session in conjunction with their Elder Advisory board meeting on July 7. This session cover information about Medicare and Diabetics as well as fraud.
The Elder Advisory board made decisions about Rendezvous Days and finalized their big fundraising efforts. This year’s prizes will be: first place, a handmade quilt sewn by Betty Hoffman; second place will be a photograph donated by Didio Swader, our board chair; and third place will be an electric roaster with wild rice. They will also have a 50/50 raffle, run bingo and the fish nugget stand throughout the weekend. Many volunteers are needed so we encourage Elders to volunteer. Please see Carol Hackett, Patty Winchell- Dahl or Marie Spry to do so. There are many jobs and opportunities.
Above: The oldest community members, Doris Blank and Vera Amyotte take a break during the weekly Wisdom Steps walk. Left: Agatha and Vivian enjoying a moment at the Wisdom Steps conference.
The Elders are looking forward to picking strawberries with help from the Mentorship students and a “Rez Ride” to the history museum to view the exhibit on musicians. We will combine that with a stop at the “Happy Hippie Farm” to check out the pigs we are supplying with leftover produce. Enjoy the summer!
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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