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 Partners volunteers Kathy Reeves and Kay Costello, this group gathers 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!

Drop in any time to discuss our book of the month, or simply for lively, thoughtful conversation about aging! Our meetings are facilitated by Care Partners staff members Julie Wilson and Christie John. December book selection is "Elderhood” by Louise Aronson…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 Lane Books and receive a 15% discount – contact Care Partners for details!  See upcoming meeting dates and book selections. 

SEE “Save the Date” below for an exciting announcement about the Roundtable!

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. Gatherings are facilitated by Care Partners Care Coordinator Maggie Anderson. No pre-registration is required, drop in whenever you’d like. Learn more here.

Care Partner’s annual Light Up a Life ceremony offers community members the opportunity to remember the life of a loved one during the holiday season. Each donation helps light up our memory tree, which will be located downtown in front of the Johnson Heritage Post. Donation forms will be available at area businesses and in the November and December issues of Northern Wilds. Or, or use the links below to download a mail-in form, or make an online donation.

The Tree Lighting will be held at the Johnson Heritage Post on Thursday, December 11th at 5:30 pm.  The evening will begin indoors with a brief ceremony of remembrance and connection, followed by the lighting of the Memory Tree. A short reflection will be shared by Pastor Tom Murray, and special music will be provided by Fred Anderson. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

Donations to Light Up a Life help Care Partners support older adults in Cook County on the journey of aging and end-of-life. For more information, contact Care Partners at 387-3788 or email [email protected].  Make a donation on-line here.   Download mail-in donation form here. 

Thursday, December 25

Friday, December 26

Thursday, January 1

We hope you enjoy a safe and meaningful holiday season!

A free, fun series featuring films in the public domain! Come and get reacquainted with - or discover - a cinematic classic. The December 5th screening is The Kennel Murder Case (black & white from 1933) starring William Powell as detective Philo Vance, and the final show of the 2025 season will be the science fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (black & white from 1951) on December 12. Feel free to bring snacks to enjoy or share. Do you have ideas for public domain movies to view in future seasons? Email Dave at [email protected].

Although this series ends soon, keep an eye open for Grand Marais Public Library’s free Friday Night Reels to begin in January as well as offerings from the Grand Marais Film Society which screens movies monthly (October - April) at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts for $5 plus a small ticketing fee.

Delve into the various cultural philosophies and practices of palliative care, focused on relieving suffering and enhancing quality of life. The module explains eligibility, services, and the multidisciplinary approach that puts patients and families at the center of care. You’re welcome to bring your own brown bag lunch – water and tea will be provided. Free will donations are accepted at the event.  Presenters are Pat Campanaro and Suzanne Sherman, Cook County Death Doulas from A Better Death. More information or register for the December 18 session here.

“Palliative Care” is the second session in a 5-part educational series offered monthly from November 2025 through March 2026. The series is organized into interconnected modules, each addressing a vital aspect of the end-of-life journey. Classes are designed for both individual exploration and group discussion, blending expert insights with personal narratives. Feel free to attend one or all sessions.

We’re excited to announce that beginning January 19, 2026 the Reframe Aging Monthly Roundtable will meet the third Monday of the month from 12:15pm - 1:45pm at The Hub! You are welcome to treat yourself to lunch while we converse – (call The Hub before 9:30am on the Roundtable day to order the best meal deal in town, OR feel free to brown-bag it) – OR simply grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us.

A specially-selected book of the month will continue to serve as a springboard for our discussion, but you’re always welcome to participate in the always-lively discussion about ageism and aging whether you’ve read the book or not. Our friends at Drury Lane offer the book at a 15% discount and the wonderful Grand Marais Public Library does it’s best to make it available for borrowing. Visit our website for updates to our 2026 book selection list!

In January we welcome Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Executive Director Jeff Brand. Jeff will give us an update on what's been happening to help address housing needs in Cook County, including recent new builds and the status of potential upcoming projects. He'll also give us the scoop on continuing efforts to create more elder housing and assisted living options and provide an opportunity to ask (brief) questions. January 2026 Lunch & Learn registration here!

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.