September news and happenings from Care Partners
Sep 06, 2025 05:32AM ● By Editor
From Care Partners of Cook County - September 6, 2025
SEPTEMBER NEWS
Here's the scoop on what's happening at Care Partners!
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Annual Ice Cream Social Fundraiser on Sunday, August 24th a smashing success! The rain held off (generally), the wind died down (mostly), and we enjoyed beautiful live music, great community connections and DELICIOUS frozen custard. Special shout-outs to:
- Our generous friend Bruce Block and all the wonderful folks at Sydney's Frozen Custard
- The always-amazing North Shore Swing Band
- The terrific Care Partners volunteers who welcomed our guests and visited with them about the good work our volunteers do
- The incredibly talented Carol Morgen and Nancy Backlund for creating our beautiful auction quilt; Johnson Heritage Post, Drury Lane Books (who also displayed the quilt), Lockport Marketplace, and Chicago Bay Marketplace for selling raffle tickets; and everyone who took a chance and bought a ticket or three!
- All who made a donation and enjoyed frozen custard or who just stopped by to say "Hi!"
It is a privilege to serve and be supported by such a warm,big-hearted, caring community. You all rock!!
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
NEW from Care Partners | Grief Group
Second & Fourth Mondays | 6:30-8pm | Johnson Heritage Post
Grief is not a disease or a sign of weakness. It is a normal reaction to the loss of someone you had a relationship with, whether complicated or easy. Join others who are on the journey of grief for conversation and mutual support on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at Johnson Heritage Post from 6:30-8:00pm. The gatherings will be facilitated by Care Partners’ Maggie Anderson. No pre-registration is required, drop in whenever you’d like. Learn more here.
Free Caregiver Appreciation Retreat
Tuesday, September 16 | noon-3pm | Cook County Community Center
- “The Gift of Play”
- Open to anyone providing care for a friend or family member near or far who is aging or has a chronic illness or disability
- Free catered lunch, relaxation and renewal
- Limited to 20 participants – must register by September 9
- This event is made possible in part through a generous grant from the Grand Marais Lions Club. Thank you, Lions!
- Register or more information here!
Monthly Memory Café
Thursday, September 18 | 1:00-2:30pm | The Hub
The Memory Café meets on the third Thursdays of each month through October, from 1-2:30pm at The Hub. A Memory Café is a free, casual gathering where people with memory loss and the family or friends who care for them can come together in a safe, supportive, relaxed environment. Each month we also welcome a guest from the community who stops by and visits about their hobby, art, or area of interest or expertise. No pre-registration is required for the Memory Café - feel free to just drop in!
September Lunch & Learn: It’s Time to (Fire)Wise Up!
Wednesday, September 24 | noon-1pm | CCHE or Zoom
In September we welcome Cook County Firewise CoordinatorSteve VanKekerix as our guest presenter. Steve will give us the latest on theCook County Firewise program - part of a national effort to encourage local solutions and fuel reduction for wildfire safety. What is our county doing to mitigate the dangers of wildfire? What can individuals do? How can we be alerted about wildfires that may threaten our area? Please join us (and invite your friends and neighbors) to this important and informative session! Register online here.
AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Happy Hikers September Walk
Wednesday, September 10 | 9:00am
The Happy Hikers will be hiking Lookout Mountain, CascadeRiver State Park on Wednesday, September 10. The group meets at 9 am at theCook County YMCA Parking Lot near the tennis courts. More information is available on the Happy Hikers – Cook Co. Facebook page or by email at [email protected].
North Shore Health Presents
Fall Prevention Day
Tuesday, September 23 | 12:30-3:00pm | Cook County Community Center
- Fall risk screenings
- Community Resources
- Free & open to the public
- Stop by our Care Partners table and say “hello!”
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
Connecting Caregivers | October 1 | 1:00pm | The Hub
Meet with others who share the caregiving journey for a cup of coffee, a moment of rest, and the gift of connection. Led by Care Partnersvolunteers Kathy Reeves and Kay Costello, this group will gather at 1pm on the first Wednesday of each month at The Hub. Come when you can and be encouraged by those who understand the joys and challenges of caring for older friends or family members near or far. No preregistration is needed - just stop by!
Reframe Aging Monthly Roundtable
First Thursday of the month | Next discussion: October 2, 2025
4:30-6pm | Cook County Higher Education (CCHE)
Drop in any time to discuss our book of the month, or simply for lively, thoughtful conversation about aging! Discussion will be led by CarePartners staff members Julie Wilson and Christie John. Our October book selection is "The Last List of Mabel Beaumont” by Laura Pearson…but you are welcome to participate whether you’ve had a chance to read the book or not.Order or purchase our monthly book selection from our friends at Drury LaneBooks and receive a 15% discount – contact Care Partners for details! See upcoming meeting dates and book selections!
Fall Chore Days
Friday & Saturday, October 24th & 25th
Connecting volunteers with Cook County older adult neighbors to help with fall chores such as raking leaves, cleaning/moving patio furniture, and general yard cleanup! Contact Care Partners by October 10th to:
- Find out how you, your family, or group can volunteer
- Ask about getting help with fall chores if you are 60+
- Call Care Partners, email [email protected] or sign up or learn more here.
October Lunch & Learn: Charitable Giving & Your Financial Strategy
Wednesday, October 22 | noon-1pm | CCHE or Zoom
Many of us want to financially support faith-based, political, or social causes that are important to us, but it's not always easy to know the best way to go about it. Guest presenter Claire Smith from Edward Jones will help us sort out donation options (some more familiar than others) so we can find the appropriate charitable-giving path for our unique financial situations and life stages. As always, a light lunch will be provided for those who attend in person. Register online here.
=====
Volunteers are the heart of Care Partners!
Get involved and make a difference! Our volunteers assist Cook County older adults with light housekeeping and outdoor chores, transportation,companionship and more! Choose the activities, time, level of commitment and circumstances that meet your needs. For more information, call us 218-387-3788 or use this link.
