Left: The Grand Portage Elder Advisory Board recently made a donation of $200 to Oshki Ogimaag for new books and reading materials for the library. The “Reading with Kids” program has been fun for all, with new friendships forming along with reading skills. Above: The Elders held their annual St. Patrick’s Day Stew Cook Off, Meat Bingo, and 50/50 raffle fundraiser on March 17th at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino bingo hall. Thirteen stews were entered. After a lot of taste testing and deliberation, it was deemed that all were delicious, however, Missy Ranta won first prize. She received a package of stew meat, $20 and bragging rights for a year!
The Grand Portage Elders continue to stay involved and active. Director Patty Winchell- Dahl said they have restarted their “Reading with Kids” volunteer program. There are about 12 adults who volunteer two times a week to listen to Oshki Ogimaag school children in kindergarten through sixth grade practice their reading. This has been a wonderful and rewarding time for both children and adults. Winchell- Dahl said, “New friendships have been made and the children are becoming great readers.”
The Elder Advisory Board made a donation of $200 to the school for new books and reading materials for their library. This is one way the Elders give back to the community as a means of saying Miigwech for their support and kindness.
Grand Portage Elders are getting in shape for this year’s Wisdom Steps Conference June 14 – 16 by sponsoring a walking contest. There are three teams participating: A Rooster & his 4 Chicks, Willing Walkers and Woopie Do. They are “walking” to Mahnomen and back, counting steps weekly. The three teams are already on their way back, running neck and neck! Presently A Rooster & his 4 Chicks are in the lead by a measly 1,000 steps. This could be anyone’s race. Stop in at the Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) to see which team is in the lead.
The Elders have been compiling recipes for a recipe book. Carol Hackett has spearheaded this project for the last couple of years. Winchell-Dahl is pleased to announce that the book is ready to be sent to the printers. The plan is to have the recipe book for sale at this year’s Elder Pow-Wow, May 7. Please contact Carol Hackett at 475-2655 for more information or sales.
Upcoming events at the ENP will be: the first “Rez Ride” of the season; a Medicare presentation by Marjori Bottila from the Senior Linkage Line; Easter; Elder’s Pow-Wow; Mother’s Day and May’s celebration of Older Americans month. This year’s theme is “Connecting the Community.” Special activities will be announced. Watch for posters.
The ENP provides a luncheon meal to community members 50 years and older, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The suggested donation for the meal is $1.50 for 65 years of age and older; $2.50 for 50 to 64 years of age and $3.50 for guests and anyone 50 years of age and younger. Please remember to sign up by 9:00 a.m. for that day’s meal. You are always welcome to sign up in advance by the week or month. All meals are cooked fresh each day and signing up helps the cooks prepare enough food for everyone. This also helps with waste and keeps our food costs down. Should you not sign up in advance and there is not enough entrée you will be offered a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to go with all the side dishes. Miigwech for honoring this request.
The ENP has many opportunities available for volunteering. Anyone interested please contact Patty at: 475-2655 or 2002.
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