The ENP has been reaping the benefits of all the gardens and hoop houses in Grand Portage. We are enjoying an abundance of tomatoes, sweet carrots, peppers, cucumbers and soon squash. While Polly James has been out on leave our new cook’s helper, Emma Carlson, has been cooking very tasty, nutritious soups, salads, and fresh veggie trays. Got to love this time of year! Next will be homemade bread and sauerkraut salad.
The ENP is excited to partner with SHIP and the Grand Portage Trust Lands to tear down our old hoop house and build a new, larger improved one. We have enjoyed having a hoop house for fresh veggies as well as the opportunity for Elders to work in the raised beds for several years.
Living where we do the ability to have fresh, seasonal produce is wonderful. We get to enjoy the health benefits as well as the cost savings to our program. We plan to construct the frame leaving the hoop house open to let the soil rest throughout the winter. Next spring, the rest of the building will be completed in time for the planting season.
This is the group of Elders who enjoyed a fall color tour over the back roads before having lunch at Trail Center.
The ENP is hosting two Medicare events this month. One will be a representative from Navigator Financial October 19 and 20. He will be sharing information about Medicare supplement plans and specifically U-Care.
On Monday, October 23, Marjori Bottila from the Senior Linkage Line will be here to do a presentation on Medicare enrollment for A, B & D. She will also be presenting that night information about supplement plans and any changes to Medicare for 2018. A light meal will be served, and those people needing transportation are encouraged to call the ENP at 475-2655 or 2002. This event starts at 5 p.m. at the ENP.
Remember this is the time of year to enroll in Medicare Part D. Enrollment begins October 15 and runs through December 22. It is suggested that once a year those people 65 years of age and older re-evaluate their health and drug needs. Plans vary and are based on the types of medication one takes. We all know our health can change from year to year so this is an excellent time to see if our plans still work for us. Information can also be gotten by calling the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433.
Above: Joe Porter enjoying the fall color tour with friend Ellen Olson and his sister Vivian Porter. Left: Here is Doris Blank enjoying her first visit to Florida for a church gathering.
The ENP is excited to partner with the Minnesota Indian Area on Aging to host an Elders & Caregivers Conference “Sharing the Care for Elders & Caregivers,” Thursday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grand Portage Lodge.
There will be presentations about what is a caregiver, parenting the second time around, meth, Alzheimer’s 10 warning signs, prizes, and lunch. If you need more information or to register please contact Patty at 475-2002.
Once again, the Elders with the ENP will be baking and decorating cakes for the annual Halloween Carnival cakewalk. Any Elders interested, please contact Carol at 475-2655 or Patty 2002. We will be painting Friday morning, October 27. The ENP cooks will have cakes baked and ready to decorate. The carnival is that night, the 27th at the Grand Portage Community Center and starts at 5 p.m. All volunteers are welcome so get your artistic juices flowing. We also accept any cakes or cupcakes anyone wants to donate.
On two other fun notes, the Elders took the new 14-passenger bus for a color tour through the back roads to Trail Center for lunch. Also, our 93-years-young Doris Blank flew to Florida for 10 days for a church gathering.
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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