From the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce www.cottagegrovechamber. org plus various community- oriented sites and local Facebook events.

If you have an event you would like included in the Community Calendar section, please email [email protected] hastingsjournal.news. Events need to be submitted Friday before the first paper it would be in.

We do our best to include at least two weeks of events.

PLEASE VERIFY THE EVENT HAS NOT BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

EVENTS ARE PRINTED DAYS OR WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

Wednesday, December 16 at 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Virtual Chamber 101 Orientation To Register – http://www. cottagegrovechamber.org You’re invited to join us for a Virtual Chamber 101 Orientation. Chamber 101 is open to all Members and non-Members who would like to learn more about how the Chamber can support your business needs. Whether you are new, existing, or a prospective Cottage Grove Area Chamber Member, you can gain from learning how to make the benefits of a Chamber membership work for you. This informative and interactive session will show you how you can turn your membership into your greatest sales and marketing tool. You will learn about networking opportunities, visibility through marketing/advertising/partnerships, member-to-member discounts and ways to connect to community.

Thursday, December 17 at 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Cottage Grove Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Public · Hosted by Cottage Grove Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Let us know at least one week prior if you will need childcare to attend. Park around back of building by the playground and enter the doors by the picnic tables.

Saturday, December 19 at 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Bird Hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve – Free with Wash Co Park Pass, Register

– www.co.washington.

mn.us Take part in a guided bird hike at Washington County Parks and join the ranks of the 47 million birders in the United States. Whether you are a beginner or experienced birder, these hikes are a great way to get outdoors, listen to the sounds of nature, and learn to identify the birds that call the St. Croix Valley home. Remember to dress for the weather. We recommend bringing your binoculars and a water bottle. Other recommended items include sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, hiking or tennis shoes, bug spray and snacks. For all ages, children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All bird hikes occur 9 – 10:30 a.m. Space is limited, and reservations are required.

Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Hastings Marcus Theaters Drive up popcorn pick up! Marcus Theaters in Hastings is opening on Saturday, December 19th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to deliver movie theater popcorn right to your car. It looks as if it is going to be nice and easy to order too. Simply use your Marcus Theaters app to order or order online from your computer. You will prepay for the order, pull up and a Marcus Theater employee will bring it out to you! Here is the menu.

Party Popcorn, equal to four large popcorns – $20 Family Popcorn, equal to two large popcorns – $10 32-ounce ICEE – $6.50 With this being their first time doing this type of event, each popcorn purchase will include a free candy!

You can find links to both the mobile app and the ordering page at: https://www. marcustheatres.com/marcus- specials/food-beverage/ curbside-popcorn-at-hastings- cinemma or do a quick google search for “Marcus Theater Hastings” and the page should pop right up.

Wednesday, December 23 at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Join us for Christmas at Crossroads!

Register for service here: https://ccstpmn.infellowship. com/UserLogin/ Index?ReturnUrl=%2f-Forms%2f449309 Thursday, December 24 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

Various Organizations Various churches in and around Cottage Grove are celebrating Christmas Eve virtually.

Join us for Christmas at Christ the Lord at one of 3 services offered. www. ChristtheLord.net/christmas- events Christmas Eve at 4:00pm (Inside) Christmas Eve at 6:00pm (Drive-In) Christmas Day at 10:00am (Inside) New this year is our drivein service offered as a safe option for people to worship together. Worshippers can tune into the radio to hear the music and Pastor Barkow without having to leave their car. Battery operated candles will be delivered to your vehicle for the final hymn and we will have volunteers ready to safely deliver Hot Apple Cider or Hot Chocolate to those that would like. We would love to have you join us for one of the services this year!

Friday, December 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thursday, December 31 HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEWYEARS EVE!

Friday, January 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Friday, January 1 beginning at 12:00 a.m.

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center Price: Free Get outdoors this winter to refresh your soul by joining Carpenter Nature Center’s Frosty 40 winter challenge. Research shows that even moderate exercise outdoors can improve your physical, mental and emotional health. Since CNC is turning 40 years old in 2021 we challenge you to walk, run, cross-country ski or snowshoe 40 miles in 40 days between January 1 and March 20, the first day of spring. Choose your own 40-day schedule, starting anytime between January 1 and February 8 to finish by March 20. Registration opens December 5th and Closes February 8th.

Share your pictures and comments how you are meeting the winter challenge on CNC’s Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #Frosty40. See where other participants are going and the fun activities people are finding to do to enjoy the winter weather.

For more information and registration forms head to https://carpenternaturecenter. org/…/annua…/frosty-forty/ Thursday, December 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS!