It’s that time of year when times can be harder than normal for local families, with additional costs for fuel, winter clothing/ gear, holidays etc.
It’s also a time of year that our local food shelf needs our help more than ever. They have been struggling to provide for community members in need so it’s imperative that as a community, we pull together and pitch in to help any way we can!
In an effort to do that, the Senior Center is hosting our First Annual “Thanks-for-Giving” Fall Food Drive that started October 22 and will be running until November 20. This is a great way to get involved and help a family in need. Drop off locations are at the Senior Center and 1st & 2nd Thrift Shop.
Suggested items include non-perishable food items, gifts of money (for the food shelf to buy bulk items, household products, personal hygiene items and grocery store cards to buy fresh produce). As an added incentive, each time a community member donates to the food drive, they can enter their name into a raffle to win a variety of prizes that have been donated by local businesses that include (but are not limited to): Cook County Home Center, Lake Superior Trading Post, Gunflint Tavern, Grand Marais Dairy Queen, Studio 61, Java Moose, Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op, Visit Cook County and the Grand Marais Art Colony.
The intergenerational reading program is in full swing at the Cook County Senior Center. On Friday, October 30, readers and seniors not only read together, but celebrated Halloween.
Our inter-generational reading program is in full swing. We held a Halloween party at the Senior Center on October 30 with the students arriving in full costume. The Center was full of laughter and excitement as the two generations played bingo together. There was a bucket of Halloween prizes for the students to pick from when their team got a bingo. We ended the afternoon with the adults giving treat bags full of goodies to the reading buddy they have been paired up with. A great time was had by all!
The kids come down on most Fridays from 1:45-2:30 p.m. to read with an adult that they have been paired with, which has resulted in meaningful conversations and bonds being created between the generations.
In addition to reading and talking about Halloween costume choices, seniors and students enjoyed playing bingo.
As most of you know we partner with Arrowhead Transit and fully support that service in our community. There have been difficulties with communication between the community and the new dispatch service. In an effort to resolve that, an Arrowhead Transit supervisor will be at the Senior Center on November 17 at 12:30 p.m. to gather comments and concerns about our local Transit/Bus Service. Now is your time to let Arrowhead Transit know what is working with the new dispatch/ phone number system and what is not working.
Please attend and voice your concerns! If you are unable to attend and have comments, please call Bev at 218-387-2660 to submit your comments.
We are looking for a volunteer to deliver meals on Wednesdays for our Meals on Wheels program, starting as soon as possible. Meals on Wheels is a service we provide that delivers a hot nutritious lunch to the homes of people who are unable to prepare their own meals. These meals are prepared at the Center but we depend on volunteers to get them out into the community. It is a weekly commitment that usually takes about an hour. If you are able to do this, please contact Ann at 218-387-2660.
We are busy planning our Christmas party which will be held on December 17 at the Senior Center. We will do a gift exchange, have goodies and possibly some fun entertainment. It will be open to the public, and of course all ages are welcome! Look for more details as the date gets closer!
Cook County has a vibrant and active community of elders. Each week we offer Senior News to highlight our senior citizens. This week’s submission is about the Cook County Senior Center, courtesy of Programs and Service Coordinator Jes Rodne.
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