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.

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. This month’s selection is “From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older” by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Ronald S. Miller. When this book was first published in the 1990’s, it helped spark a conversation about aging beyond our culture’s typical “doom and gloom” narrative. In this updated edition, Reb Zalman reflects on his own “December Years” and offers insights into how elders can use their (hard-won) wisdom to positively impact those around them. Our discussion will be guided by chapters 3-8 and the appendix. Visit our website for more information about the Reframe Aging Monthly Roundtable, including upcoming book selections!

Choose your favorite not-so-perfect but beautiful treasures, and you name the price! All proceeds support Care Partners of Cook County. 

Thank you, Cook County potters!!!!

Care Partners and Cook County Higher Education are pleased to present a free monthly Lunch & Learn series designed to support aging well in Cook County! You can join us in person at CCHE or online via Zoom. Thanks to our generous donors, those who attend in person can enjoy a free, light lunch!

It's true that trying to continually navigate through a world of ever-changing technology can be pretty frustrating. Yet it turns out that some of our modern programs, gadgets and gizmos also have the capacity to dramatically improve quality of life for many, many people - including older adults. Join us in March as Kelly Looby with the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living shows us some wonderful techie-type tools that just might actually make our lives a little better! Register here.

Let’s face it - early spring in Cook County is a little challenging. Sure, we sometimes bask in warm temps and plenty of sunshine. On the other hand, we also find ourselves enduring flooded intersections, speed bumps made of solid ice, mud up to our armpits, and the occasional blizzard. Is it any wonder we can get just a wee bit cranky around here come March and April?

It’s great to remember that the Hub has lots of wonderful ways to connect with each other for indoor fun and recreation while we patiently (and not-so-patiently) wait for spring to REALLY show up. Drop in any day Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm and show the community jigsaw puzzle who’s boss by finding that dang piece in the middle. Stop by on Friday afternoons from 12:45-3:30pm and enjoy a board game (familiar or new) with a friend (familiar or new.)  Get your creativity flowing at a craft table, open Mondays and Thursdays from 10am to 3pm. Supplies are provided, or you can work on your own project in the company of other sludge-weary crafters.

Come for great conversation, a cup of coffee, and the ability to withstand Mud Season, (more or less) emotionally intact. Visit www.grandmaraishub.com to see the latest Hub newsletter with a calendar of current gatherings and events.

End-of-life planning involves making decisions about how one wishes to be remembered and celebrated. This module explores various burial options and end-of-life celebrations, providing insights into how individuals can honor their lives and create meaningful experiences for their loved ones. Burial Options include: traditional burial; cremation; green burial; alkaline hydrolysis, burial at sea, and memorial space flights. In comparison, end-of-life celebrations include funeral service, memorial service, celebration of life, and a home funeral. 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.

“Burial Options and End-of-Life Celebrations” is the final 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. Register here for the March 19 class.

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!

Care Partners and Cook County Higher Education are pleased to present a free monthly Lunch & Learn series designed to support aging well in Cook County! You can join us in person at CCHE or online via Zoom. Thanks to our generous donors, those who attend in person can enjoy a free, light lunch!

Our lives are made of stories, from childhood games to holiday traditions, to grand adventures. In April, writer and storyteller Rose Arrowsmith will use prompts, guided visualization, and paired sharing techniques to help you tap into and start crafting your memories. This short workshop is a great way to kickstart recording family history or writing memoir, all while connecting with others through thoughtful conversation. Register for the April 22 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.