Above: Memorial Day preparation at Bay Point Park
Community heroes welcomed, appreciated
Participants at ProAct in Red Wing have many people around who help them throughout the year. “Heroes in our Community” were identified- doctors and nurses, fire and rescue workers, police officers, bus drivers, and community education staff. People at ProAct decided to make sure they know they are appreciated. “We created large thank you cards and then either delivered them or had them come visit us,” said Case Coordinator Gloria Solsaa.
To Apple Valley for Minnesota Zoo
People are so happy to be able to get back into a variety of outings, said Solsaa. “We had the opportunity to go to the Minnesota Zoo and enjoyed walking around the building.” The group didn’t venture to the outside exhibits yet. Trip highlights included the sharks, penguins, monkeys, and birds.
Bakery in Cannon worth trip for fried favorites
Ask anyone at ProAct in Red Wing about their favorite place to go is, and just about everyone will say the bakery for coffee and doughnuts. “Who doesn’t love a doughnut?”asked Case Coordinator Gloria Solsaa. The staff at Hi Quality Bakery in Cannon Falls always greet the groups with a smile and serve up some favorite treats. “Good thing we have some exercises classes back at ProAct to wear off the goodies!”
Pins fall in Pine Island
Trailhead Grill and Lanes in Pine Island was a May 
destination for a Red Wing group. The owners have been very good to ProAct through the last few years and are very accommodating to its schedule. “We have quite a few seasoned bowlers at ProAct who have working on their skills through community education and Special Olympics bowling.”
Vikings Museum popular destination
Purple and gold were the colors of the day – ProAct in Red Wing is located on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River, across from Wisconsin. That makes for some good-natured rivalries when it comes to football. “Many of us ‘bleed purple’ when it comes to football and enjoyed a trip to Eagan to the Minnesota Vikings Museum,” said Solsaa. Participants from Eagan and Shakopee also joined in.
Solsaa said ProAct’s contingent arrived as the museum opened on a quiet day, and were fortunate to be the only visitors there. “The museum staff were very accommodating and let us experience the interactive exhibits as well as check out a real player helmet and a souvenir football.”
