Summer is here and events and programs are in full swing. The playgrounds, skate park, ball field, and horse park are busy with visitors. Thanks to hard working volunteers, the Early Childhood Playground has a lovely new pollinator garden. The Grand Marais Farmers Market is every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, offering locally grown produce, cottage foods, and baked goods. On the courts, the nets are up and pickleball and tennis rackets are swinging. Daily activities, events, and tournaments are posted on the Cook County Tennis and Pickleball Associations’ site: cookcountytennisassociation.com.

Our mission is to provide social, recreational, and educational programming that promotes well-being, social connection, and a culture of belonging for all ages. We are your community gathering place, for both the public and those wanting to host private events. Reserve your spot for your next function: cookcountymn.gov/communitycenter. Check out July programs and events below. 

Youth Volunteer Program: The Youth Volunteer Program has returned and continues to grow. Kids ages 11 to 14 signed up in April to volunteer with community non-profit organizations in exchange for credits towards cultural or recreational activities. This year’s volunteer sites include the Art Colony, Cook County Public Health Youth Programs, Great Expectations School, Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center, Good Harbor Hill Players, Cook County Soil and Water, the YMCA, The Hub, the Grand Marais Farmers Market, WTIP Radio, and Explorers Club. We are grateful for these non-profit organizations and governmental agencies who pair with the youth and mentor them at their sites! You’ll see the volunteers out and about over the summer- helping prepare puppets for the Summer Solstice show, taking water temperature readings, or helping with the Power of Produce club. The program helps youth learn scheduling, teamwork, and community service, preparing them for future careers.

Kitchen Incubator Program: This program supports new food entrepreneurs by providing access to a commercial kitchen at a low hourly rate for up to two years. For more information about this program, visit cookcountymn.gov/KitchenIncubator.

Food Distribution: On the fourth Wednesday of every month from 1:30 pm-2:00 pm, we host the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Mobile Food Pantry in a drive-through format. Please be ready to provide basic information like household size and income. No one is turned away. Contact: [email protected] for details.

Community events scheduled for July, visit our website for event details: cookcountymn.gov/communitycenter:

Weekly Events:

• Magic the Gathering card game nights: Mondays 4:30-9:00 pm. All skill levels welcome.
• Yoga class with Soteria Yoga: Tuesdays 4:15-5:15 pm.
• Community Song Circle: Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 pm. All voices welcome, no experience necessary.
• LGBTQIA+ youth group for middle and high school students: Wednesdays 2:00-4:00 pm. Facilitated by Cook County Pride 
• Open dance nights with Angel Kelly: Wednesdays 5:15-7:00 pm. Freestyle, oula, and flow dancing. BYO water bottle.
• Grand Marais Farmers Market: Thursdays 4:30-6:00 pm. Power of Produce Club begins mid-July.  

Other July events:

• Life Drawing and Painting workshops, Mondays: July 6, July 13, and July 20, 5:30-8:00 pm, in the log cabin. Hosted by local artists Tim Vahle and Neil Sherman. 
• Appalachian Jam music night: Thursdays July 2, July 16, and July 30.  7:00-9:00 pm in the Log Cabin. Bring your own instrument.
• Cook County GOP monthly meeting: Tuesday July 7th, 6:00-8:00 pm, Conference room.
• Shoreline Buffer Educational Workshop with Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District: Friday July 10th, 11 am-4 pm. Free, register at cookswcd.org.
• Cook County DFL monthly meeting: Wednesday, July 15, 6:00-7:30 pm. Community Room.
• Northwoods Neighbors: A Newcomer’s Guide to Land Stewardship. Tuesdays for six weeks beginning July 14th. Offered through Cook County UMN Extension. Register: z.umn.edu/neighbor, or call 612-626-5174.  $60 course fee. 
• Grand Marais Garden Club 92nd Annual Flower Show.  Saturday, July 25th, noon-4 PM. Community Room.
• Mobile Food Pantry: Wednesday July 22, 1:30-2:00 pm. Hosted by Second Harvest Northland. 
• Full Moon Soundbath.  Sunday, July 26, 7:00-9:00 pm. All welcome, bring a yoga mat, blanket and pillow.
• Ecstatic Dance: Monday July 27. 6:30-9:00 pm. Freeform dance movement night, BYO water bottle.

If you like to keep up to date on all that is happening at the Community Center, sign up for our monthly newsletter on our website.

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