Care Partners Program Coordinator Minda Andrus has been especially busy for the past few months with two special projects that have helped build bridges of caring across generations. In September, Care Partners launched a pilot Pen Pal Program connecting older adults and 4th grade students at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary School. Each month the pen pals exchange hand-written letters, using prompts provided by teachers to share about things like favorite school subjects and holiday traditions.  Participants are giving the program an enthusiastic thumbs-up! Many older adults have told us how much they enjoy getting to know their young pen pals through this “delightful project,” while one of the teachers recently shared how much the students look forward to receiving their letters and discovering what their pen pals will say next. The program has even sparked conversation between students and parents about their own childhood experiences.  In December, Care Partners teamed up with Empty Bowls and the Wolf Class at Great Expectations School to provide Winter Cheer bags for Cook County older adults. The students created hand-drawn greeting cards, added beautiful decorations to shopping bags, and helped fill the bags with healthy, comforting food. Care Partners staff and volunteers delivered them to clients who gratefully received these sunshine-filled gifts of encouragement during the year’s darkest days. See more winter cheer bag photos here!  A huge thank you to Minda and to the volunteers, teachers, and students who made these projects possible!

Care Partners offices will be closed on Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2. We hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!

This year we continued to travel on our shared journeys of aging and end of life – and together we moved to a new facility, began new support groups and programs, assisted with chores, made friendly visits for companionship and respite, offered food support, and provided rides for accessing medical care and making vital community connections. We have walked together in times of transition, including end of life, memory loss, caregiving, and more. None of it is possible without YOUR support either through volunteerism (directly through Care Partners or indirectly through our wonderful repurpose partners, Oddz & Endz and 1st & 2nd Thrift) or by your creative financial giving. Thank you! If, like me, you find yourself still considering year-end financial gifts – it’s not too late! Join us in this incredibly important, vibrant, and engaging work! You can give online here or by mail (post marked by 12/31 to be considered for 2025 giving) to PO Box 282, Grand Marais, MN 55604.

Peace and every good to you and yours in 2026!

~ Julie Wilson, Executive Director

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!

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 staff. No pre-registration is required, drop in whenever you’d like. Learn more here.

Care Partners is pleased to present this six-week series. Led by trained facilitators, this class gives you skills to take care of yourself while caring for a friend or family member, near or far. You are welcome to join us if you are currently caregiving or if you anticipate being a caregiver and want to prepare for self care. There is no charge for the class; a suggested $30 donation helps cover cost of the materials. Learn more or register here.

You are cordially invited to a lively monthly conversation about aging and ageism facilitated by Care Partners staff on the third Monday of each month from 12:15-1:45pm at The Hub!  Drop in any time and enjoy your lunch while we converse (you are welcome to brown-bag it or call The Hub before 9:30am on Monday to order the best meal deal in town.) OR simply grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us.  A specially-selected book of the month serves as a springboard for our discussion – although you are always welcome to join in the conversation 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 its best to make sure it’s available to borrow.  January’s selection is “Essays After Eighty” by Donald Hall. In this selection, a former US Poet Laureate reflects with beauty, humor and candor on his past, as well as his present life as an older adult. Visit our website for more information about the Reframe Aging Monthly Roundtable, including upcoming book selections!

Care Partners is proud to partner with CCHE to present a free Lunch & Learn series designed to support aging well in Cook County. Classed are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from noon to 1pm at CCHE. Feel free to join us in person or online via Zoom. As always, a light lunch is provided for those who can join us in person. 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.  Register for the January 26 session here!  

Bone Builders Exercise Program

Free exercise program designed to help individuals maintain bone mass and build on existing bone mass. Other benefits include increased energy and well-being, and improved balance. Join the fun on Mondays and/or Fridays at 10am at the Hub. (There’s also a Bone Builders program that meets at Lutsen Town Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-11am!)

Tai Chi

Join board-certified Tai Chi instructor Bruce Tyler at the Hub on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30am for this traditional mind-body practice featuring slow, gentle movement. People have practiced Tai Chi for hundreds of years to help improve balance, elevate mood, and reduce pain. Comfortable clothing and shoes are suggested and walk-ins are always welcome!

Chair Yoga

Sitting in a chair or standing using the chair for support, participants explore the mind-body connection through yoga postures and other forms of movement. Instructor Nancy Giguere emphasizes the development of mindful awareness through the exploration of alignment, range of motion, strengthening, breathing, and relaxation. Comfortable clothing is recommended. Classes are held on Wednesdays at The Hub from 10:30-11:30am and are open to all!

NOTE: This class was originally scheduled for December 18 but was cancelled due to inclement weather.

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.“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. More information or register for the January 8 session here.

As death nears, decisions about treatment, resuscitation, and life support become urgent. This module reviews advance directives, living wills, power of attorney, and the importance of clear, documented preferences. It also discusses ethical questions such as autonomy, consent, and the right to refuse or withdraw treatment. You’re welcome to bring your own brown bag lunch – water and tea will be provided. Free will donations are accepted at the event.  This event is hosted by Pat Campanaro and Suzanne Sherman, Cook County Death Doulas from A Better Death. “Legal & Ethical Considerations” is the third 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. More information or register for the January 15 session here.

Our special guest in February is Julie Wilson, Executive Director of Care Partners and a Project Manager for the Age Friendly Cook County initiative. She’ll give us the scoop on what’s been happening over the last year to make our area more welcoming for older adults and share highlights from an Age Friendly Cook County Action Plan recently approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. There will be time to brainstorm together about what’s working for older adults in our corner of the world (and where there’s room for improvement) with the goal of leaving this session inspired and empowered to advocate for a community that’s accessible to people of all ages. Care Partners is proud to partner with CCHE to present a free Lunch & Learn series designed to support aging well in Cook County. Classes are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from noon to 1pm at CCHE. Feel free to join us in person or online via Zoom. As always, a light lunch is provided for those who can join us in person. Register for the February 26 session 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.