Above left: There are lots of fun summer events. Holly Dahl enjoys watching her grandpa Arvid Dahl play at a birthday party. Above: Grand Portage Elders were busy during Rendezvous Days. Among those selling raffle tickets were Council Member Rob Hall, Ellen Olson, and Carol Hackett’s granddaughter Kiala who was joined by her fiancé. Left: Elders presented beautiful pink shawls to two women facing the challenge of breast cancer at the Rendezvous Days Powwow, along with wishes for strength and healing. Lillian Fisher (left) and Jennifer Schulz are pictured with their new pink shawls.
The summer has just zipped by. The Elders have been busy picking strawberries, having picnics, enjoying “Rez Rides” with pie and coffee and hikes.
The Elders worked very hard during Rendezvous Days operating their three fundraisers. They ran the fish nugget booth, sold raffle tickets and operated bingo games throughout the weekend. All funds raised cover the expenses for the annual Christmas Party, flowers for hospitalized Elders, funeral flowers, “Rez Rides,” Christmas shopping and other trips as well as donations to community organizations and the school.
This year’s lucky winners were: 50/50 raffle – Mike Lemire of Otsego, Minnesota. He won $425.40. The red quilt sewn by Betty Hoffman was won by Cathy V.D. Schans, who is Bob and Eddie Hertzberg’s daughter. Bob and Eddie sold the most raffle tickets. Rick Alvar of Duluth won the blue quilt and our own Steve Stevens won the Kindle package. Congratulations to all our winners!
The ENP honored two women breast cancer survivors this year with two beautiful pink shawls sewn by Carol Conrad. Carol started these shawls at the Wisdom Steps conference in the spring. We give these shawls as a way to honor the courage and spirit of these women. They are our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. They teach every day how to survive adversity with courage, honor and grace. We are so fortunate to have them here with us. Congratulations!
The ENP hosted a B-B-Q and pot luck for everyone who volunteered during Rendezvous Days. We enjoyed beautiful weather, great food and each other’s company. A Chi Miigwech to all our volunteers, the RTC and community of Grand Portage for all your support for our fundraising efforts.
We are back in the swing of our fall, winter and spring activities. The “Reading with Kids” program starts the second week of school. Any interested Elders who can donate 20 minutes twice a week to listen to grade school children practice their reading, please contact Patty at 475- 2655 or 2002. We do this Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.
We will be celebrating Grandparent’s Day on Sunday, September 7 with a B-B-Q, picnic, walk, bike ride, games and information at the Community Center from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All kids and grandparents are invited. This year Bob and Elaine Sample from the Grand Marais Pharmacy will be providing the food and grilling it too. This is always a fun day and a great way to celebrate grandparents. Hope to see everyone there!
If you need any more information on any of these activities, call Patty at the ENP at (218) 475-2655 or 2002.
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