Thursday, January 1

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

New Year’s Day.

Library Closed. The Newport Library and all Washington County administered libraries are closed for New Year's Day.

Friday, January 2

On Our Quilt Time
9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Do you have a quilting project you are working on? Join fellow quilters for camaraderie, inspiration, and ideas. Bring your own sewing machine and project supplies. Come and go as needed. No registration required.

Family Playtime at The Grove
10 – 11 a.m. – The Grove Church, 8600 90th St. S., Cottage Grove
Every Friday at 10 a.m. for a sensory-based playtime for children of all ages in your life. You can expect stories, crafts, messy play, and activities — and free coffee for parents.

Sewing Machine Lab! 1:1 Help
10 – 2 p.m - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Join us at Park Grove Library for one-on-one beginner help with using a sewing machine. Create a simple beginner project with the guidance of experienced volunteers. Sewing machines and supplies, including limited fabric, will be provided. If you already have a project and fabric but need help getting started, you are welcome to bring it in.
Please arrive at 10 a.m. and leave when you need to. For adults and high schoolers. Registration is required.
The Sewing Machine Lab is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Saturday, January 3

Cottage Grove Park-runs – Weekly 5k
9 – 10 a.m. – Cottage Grove Parks
Parkrun 5ks and are meant to be a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience for all. There is no time limit, and no one finishes last. Whether you walk, jog, volunteer or spectate, all are welcome! Free to the public. Parkruns found at participating local parks:
9 – 10 a.m. – Hamlet Park, 8883 Hamlet Ave. S., Cottage Grove

Storytime
3 – 4 p.m. - Newport Library and Community Center, 405 Seventh Avenue, Newport
Join us for Storytime!

Monday, January 5

Baby Storytime
10:30 – 11 a.m. - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Join us at R.H. Stafford Library for an interactive storytime for babies and their grownups! We'll share books, songs, rhymes, and more to practice early literacy skills. After storytime, stay for play and social time designed just for babies.
Baby storytime is recommended for developmental ages 0-24 months. Everyone is always welcome.
Registration is not required.

1:1 Tech Help
2 – 3 p.m. - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Do you need help with a tech issue? Bring your questions and tech issues with you when you meet 1:1 with library staff at R.H. Stafford Library. We can help you with topics such as:
• Searching the Internet
• Setting up an email account
• Using Libby and eReaders
• iPhone and Android phone basics
• Basic instruction on laptops and tablets
If we can’t answer the question, we’ll help you find resources that can. If more time is needed, you will need to schedule another appointment.
Appointments may be cancelled if the registrant does not arrive within 15 minutes of the start time.

Peer Tutoring
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Newport Library and Community Center, 405 Seventh Avenue, Newport
Middle School and High School students will be on hand to help with homework or to facilitate practice in math and reading skills. Drop-ins are welcome.

Silent Book Club
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Newport Library and Community Center, 405 Seventh Avenue, Newport
Silent Book Club (AKA: Introvert's Book Club) starts with 10 minutes of optional socialization followed by everyone taking out their book of choice and reading for about an hour. Participants find that reading alone together keeps them focused on their book. come on in with a book, e-reader, or an open mind to what you might find in our stacks. This will be an hour well spent.

St. Paul Park City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m. - St. Paul Park Council Chambers, 600 Portland Avenue, St. Paul Park
Council meetings are held the first and third Monday of each month. During regular City Council meetings an open forum is included on the agenda for those who wish to directly address the City Council on subjects that are not already part of the regular meeting agenda. The meetings are streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel.

Tuesday, January 7

Blazing Needles
9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Do you have a needlework project you are working on? Join fellow enthusiasts for camaraderie, inspiration, and ideas. Bring your own project supplies. Come and go as you wish. Join the fun!

Storytime
10:30 – 11 a.m. - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Sing, talk, read, write, and play with us at storytime in the R.H. Stafford Library Children's Area. Storytime is a great opportunity to meet new friends, socialize, and strengthen early literacy skills. Registration is not required. This storytime is recommended for children ages 2-6 and their grown-ups!

Storytime & Art Cart
10:30 – 11 a.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Join us in singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing at this inclusive, welcoming storytime for families at Park Grove Library starting at 10:30 a.m.
This storytime focuses on concepts such as life skills, emotions, community, family, and kindness. Storytime is your opportunity to meet new friends and strengthen early literacy skills. Activities during and after storytime are designed to strengthen fine and large motor skills. Grown-ups are expected to actively participate alongside the children they bring (modeling is one of the best ways to influence behavior). Please limit discussion between grown-ups until storytime has finished.
Art Cart immediately follows storytime (around 11 a.m.). Children will make art with help from their grown-up. Crafts are focused on fine motor development for children developmental ages 2-5 .
Registration is not required.
We will meet in the children's area. This storytime is recommended for developmental ages birth to 8 and their grown-ups!

Read With Me
4 – 5 p.m. - Newport Library and Community Center, 405 Seventh Avenue, Newport
Join in this interactive Story Time! We will read together and participate in games and activities around the literature we are experiencing.

Dog Gone Reading - 6:00 p.m
6 p.m. - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Children grades K-7 can practice reading skills by reading with a certified therapy dog and its trainer at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury. Registration is required. Please sign up for one 15-minute appointment.

Dog Gone Reading - 6:15 p.m
6:15 p.m. - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Children grades K-7 can practice reading skills by reading with a certified therapy dog and its trainer at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury. Registration is required. Please sign up for one 15-minute appointment.

Dog Gone Reading - 6:30 p.m
6:30 p.m. - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Children grades K-7 can practice reading skills by reading with a certified therapy dog and its trainer at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury. Registration is required. Please sign up for one 15-minute appointment.

RHS Book Club
6:30 – 8 p.m - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
This month's selection is The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey.
All are welcome to join the R.H.S. Book Club! Read the monthly selection and join in for the discussion about the title with the group. Open to all. The book club usually meets the first Tuesday of the month unless it lands on a holiday.

Dog Gone Reading - 6:45 p.m
6:45 p.m. - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Children grades K-7 can practice reading skills by reading with a certified therapy dog and its trainer at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury. Registration is required. Please sign up for one 15-minute appointment.

Wednesday, January 7

Ambassador Committee Meeting
9 – 10 a.m - Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, 8617 W Point Douglas Road, Suite 150, Cottage Grove
Curious About Becoming a Chamber Ambassador?
The role of a Chamber Ambassador is truly something special — you’re the warm smile that greets new members, the connector who helps build lasting relationships, and the spark that brings energy to every Chamber event.
As an Ambassador, you play a key role in creating a welcoming, engaged, and connected Chamber community.
Your presence ensures that every member feels seen, valued, and supported. Whether it’s greeting guests at events, attending ribbon cuttings, or reaching out to members, your enthusiasm makes a lasting impact.
During our committee meetings, we’ll:
• Share upcoming opportunities for Ambassador involvement
• Brainstorm creative ways to strengthen the member experience
• Celebrate wins and highlight the difference you’re making
Join us to experience the fun, connection, and purpose that come with being part of our Ambassador Committee.
We’d love to welcome you to the team!

Storytime
10:30 – 11 a.m - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Join us in the children's area at R.H. Stafford Library for storytime! Together we'll read stories, sing fun songs, and participate in other learning activities to practice our language and social skills.
Storytime is designed for developmental ages 2-6. Everyone is always welcome!
Registration is not required.

Music and Movement Storytime
10:30 – 11 a.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Join us in the large meeting room at Park Grove Library for a special storytime focused on music and movement! This storytime is great for practicing gross motor, listening, and social skills. We will sing, dance, play, read a story, and learn mindful movements and breathing exercises.
Grown-ups are expected to actively participate alongside the children they bring (modeling is one of the best ways to influence behavior). Please limit discussion between grown-ups until storytime has finished.
Music and Movement Storytime is designed for children developmental ages 2-6. Everyone is welcome!
Registration is not required.

1:1 Tech Help
10:30 – 11 a.m - R. H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Do you need help with a tech issue? Bring your questions and tech issues with you when you meet 1:1 with library staff at R.H. Stafford Library. We can help you with topics such as:
• Searching the Internet
• Setting up an email account
• Using Libby and eReaders
• iPhone and Android phone basics
• Basic instruction on laptops and tablets
If we can’t answer the question, we’ll help you find resources that can. If more time is needed, you will need to schedule another appointment.
Appointments may be cancelled if the registrant does not arrive within 15 minutes of the start time.

Sewing Machine Lab! Beginner Fleece Hat
1 – 3 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
If you are interested in learning to sew, join us at Park Grove Library for a chance to learn the basics, even if you don't own a sewing machine. In this class, we will cover how to use a sewing machine to make a fleece hat. Participants will learn the parts of the machine, how to thread it properly, practice stitching straight, and then sew a fleece hat. All supplies, including sewing machines and fabric, will be provided.
For adults and high schoolers. Registration is required.
Taught by local volunteers from the American Sewing Guild – Minneapolis | St. Paul Chapter.
This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Adult Crafters
1 – 3 p.m. - Newport Library and Community Center, 405 Seventh Avenue, Newport
Grab your favorite craft and join these adults in fellowship over a shared hobby.

Cursive Club for Youth
4 – 5 p.m. - Newport Library and Community Center, 405 Seventh Avenue, Newport
Youth join us Wednesdays to learn the art of cursive writing. We will start with learning to sign your name, followed by crafts using cursive, and letter writing opportunities.

Cottage Grove City Council Meeting
7 p.m. - City Hall Council Chamber, 12800 Ravine Parkway S, Cottage Grove
Council meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month. During regular City Council meetings an open forum is included on the agenda for those who wish to directly address the City Council on subjects that are not already part of the regular meeting agenda.

Bingo! At the Muddy Cow
7 p.m. - Muddy Cow, 7350 Hardwood Ct. S., Cottage Grove
Join the Muddy Cow in Cottage Grove every Wednesday for Bingo! $1,000 coverall game starts at 7 p.m.