Thursday, Jan. 4
Library Play Date
10:30 a.m. to noon - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Stop by Park Grove Library for the opportunity to play with your child(ren) in a literacy-focused environment. Each week will feature a variety of stations designed to strengthen fine motor skills, large motor skills and early literacy development. You may even meet a new friend or discover a new activity you enjoy!
This inclusive, welcoming program is recommended for developmental ages 0-8 years and their grown-ups (siblings always welcome). No registration required.

Contraption Club
3:30-5 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Children ages 9-12 are welcome to join us to learn how to use a variety of technologies including 3D printers, a Glowforge laser cutter, a Cricut machine, an embroidery machine, TinkerCad, AdaFruit, and much more. No prior experience is required, librarians are on hand to assist you with the project of the day or free exploration. No registration is required.

School Board Workshop Meeting
6–8 p.m. - District Service Center, 7362 E. Point Douglas Road E., Cottage Grove
The second meeting of each month will be a formal school board business meeting that is recorded and live streamed. The meetings will provide time for comments to the board, staff presentations and will include items that require the board to take action or conduct a vote. School board workshops are open to the public but do not include public participation.
Friday, Jan. 5
On Our Quilt Time
9:30 a.m. to 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 Fridays for camaraderie, inspiration, and ideas. Bring your own sewing machine and project supplies. Come and go as needed. No registration required.

Storytime – Ages 0-8
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. This storytime focuses on concepts such as life skills, emotions, community, family, and kindness. Storytime is your opportunity to meet new friends, socialize, and strengthen early literacy skills. Activities during and after storytime are designed to strengthen fine and large motor skills. Grown-ups are encouraged to actively participate alongside their children (modeling is one of the best ways to influence behavior).
Registration is not required. We will meet in the children's area. This Storytime is recommended for developmental ages 0-8 and their grown-ups.
Saturday, Jan. 6
Hamlet Park Parkrun – Weekly 5K
9-10 a.m. - Hamlet Park, 8883 Hamlet Ave. S., Cottage Grove
New this year to Cottage Grove is the parkrun program! Park runs are free weekly community events held all around the world taking place every Saturday morning in parks and open spaces. parkrun events are 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, run volunteer or spectate, you are welcome to join us every Saturday at Hamlet Park for a parkrun.
Register here: https://www.parkrun.us/hamletpark/

Bird Hike – MN Campus
9–11 a.m. - Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings
Learn to identify birds with local experts. Binoculars and field guides available or bring your own. Program Fee: $5 per person or free for “Friends of CNC,” SCVBC and students.
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359

FREE Family Ice Fishing at Lake Rebecca
9 a.m. to noon - Lake Rebecca, 415 Lock & Dam Road, Hastings
Learn to ice fish from the experts at these fun and educational catch-and-release programs. Bait, tackle, and poles provided. Programs are open to learners of all ages, and no fishing license required.
For more info, contact Paige Marschall Bigler of Hastings Parks & Recreation at 651-480-6182.
To register go to carpenternaturecenter.org/.

4th Annual Dust’em off Vintage Snowmobiles Show & Swap
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 70th Street and Highway 19, Cottage Grove
Come join us at the Fourth Annual Dust’em off Vintage Snowmobiles Show & Swap. The vintage ride is 5 miles. $10 swap entry fee. $5 per sled entry fee up to 4, then additional sleds are free. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information go to https://www.eastcottagegrovescramblers.com/.
Monday, Jan. 8
Crafty Needles
6–8 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Do you have a project you are working on that uses needles – knitting, crocheting, embroidery? Join fellow enthusiasts on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 6-8 p.m. for camaraderie, inspiration, and ideas. Bring your own project supplies. Come and go as you wish.
Tuesday, Jan. 9
Blazing Needles
9:30 a.m. to noon - 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.

Tiny Art Fair Pick Up: Wine Cork Creations
Noon to 8 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Pick up a Tiny Art Fair kit with wine corks and some fun free materials at Park Grove Library and create whatever your heart desires.
Return your creations to the library by Thursday, Feb. 1, so we can show them off in the display case at the library entrance all of February.
The only rule is to keep it tiny AND to bring your finished project back to us to display. You'll be able to pick up your artwork in early March.
Registration is required. There are two seats available.

Teen Game Night
3-4:30 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to play video games, board games, study, and hang out in the large meeting room after school. Games will be provided. Bring your friends and come have fun.
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Storytime – Ages 0-8
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. This storytime focuses on concepts such as life skills, emotions, our community, and kindness. Storytime is your opportunity to meet new friends, socialize, and strengthen early literacy skills. Plus, there will be plenty of music (both singing and dancing varieties).
We will meet in the children's area and each week will feature a new palabra de la semana (word of the week) en español.
Registration is not required. This storytime is recommended for developmental ages 0-8 and their grown-ups.

Park Grove Daytime Book Club
1–2:30 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
This month's selection is “Ordinary Wolves” by Seth Kantner. The Daytime Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. All are welcome!

Teen Makerspace
5–7 p.m. - Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove
The Park Grove Library makerspace is open to teens. Stop by and work on 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, coding, and more. Don't have an idea on what you want to create? There are tutorials and projects selected by a librarian to help you get into a creative mindset. Beginners to these machines are welcome. No experience needed. Basic materials are supplied.
No registration necessary. Ages 13-18.

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 at 7 p.m. for Bingo. Enjoy their everyday 2-4-1 special on drinks while you play. Get there early to grab a delicious bite to eat before the game begins.