Anna Klobuchar, photo provided 

From Cook County, MN - January 2, 2026

By: Anna Klobuchar, Community Center Assistant

In the deep cold of winter, we need a place to gather, to socialize, to connect. The Cook County Community Center is a dedicated gathering place for all in which both individual and community well-being is promoted. Don’t hibernate this season in solitude! We have activities to keep your mind and body active throughout our long northern Minnesota winters.

We have two outdoor ice rinks available, and a cozy warming house to change into your gear and warm up with hot chocolate. The warming house is open daily, from 11 am to 7 pm.  And, there’s no need to buy a new pair of skates for the season. We rent skates for $2.00/pair, and also sharpen skate blades for $5.00. We have both hockey and figure skates available in youth and adult sizes. You can view the ice rink schedules on the Community Center website at cookcountymn.gov/skating. Cook County Community Education and the Cook County Hockey Association offer youth hockey skills classes on Monday and Wednesday afternoons in January and early February. On weekdays the rinks are often busy with youth skaters during physical education classes from local schools. We always keep one rink available for open skating, so come on out and enjoy.

And of course, what is a winter without featuring the sport of curling? The Cook County Curling Club is busy in the main building and arena Sundays through Wednesdays from November through March with their practices and games. Along with the various league nights and open curling, the Club hosts several bonspiels throughout the season that draw other curlers from all over the state and even our Canadian neighbors. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, you are invited to come watch, or even join, the club’s Cabin Fever Fun Spiel - all skill levels are welcome!  Their popular Champagne Bonspiel will be offered January 31 - February 1, 2026.  And, to round out the season, the club hosts its large Charles J Futterer Memorial Bonspiel from February 27 - March 1, 2026. Open curling takes place on Tuesday nights from 6-8:30 pm and on Wednesday afternoons from 1-3 pm, and there is always a Club member at these events to show a newcomer how to play. To learn more about the Curling Club, visit their website at www.cookcountycurlingclub.com.  

As the days start to lengthen in February, we begin to realize that tax season is upon us. Beginning on February 3rd, and continuing every Tuesday from 9 am-3 pm through April 14th, the Community Center will again be the host site of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Income-qualified households and all seniors are eligible to get help preparing their income taxes from trained local volunteers. The program is drop-in style with no appointments needed.

 Photo provided 

Throughout the Winter, there are weekly movement, mindfulness, musical, and gaming activities to warm the body and mind. Want to move and groove away the winter blahs during our cold and dark season? Come dance with the group who enjoys Ecstatic Dance. It is free and open to all, and takes place the last Monday of every month.  Or, for a quieter endeavor, attend weekly Winter Dharma, a practice that promotes mindfulness and harmony. Then again, you may stretch and enjoy gentle movement with Soteria Yoga on Tuesday afternoons. You can join a friendly weekly community singing circle, or grab your instrument and make music with the Appalachian Jam music group. On Monday nights you’ll find a great group of gamers who are open to anyone joining them to learn and play the game Magic the Gathering. The scheduled times and locations for all these activities may be viewed on our web page at cookcountymn.gov/communitycenter, or feel free to call us at 218-387-3015, and we’ll tell you all about them. 

Lastly, the Community Center continues to be a popular place for meetings, birthday parties, celebrations of life, business conferences, workshops, and so many other gatherings. We look forward to seeing you here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to find out what is happening. In it we share public events, facility information, and all the many opportunities to engage in the social, recreational, and educational programming offered at the Cook County Community Center. Sign up to receive the newsletter here: cookcountymn.gov/CCnews.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.