What’s Happening 5-8-24

COMMUNITY

A Veterans town hall meeting is scheduled Tuesday, May 14, at 2 p.m., at the VA Clinic, 722 Northwest 7th St., in Brainerd. Veterans can attend in-person, or virtually by joining the meeting on a computer or mobile device at https://tinyurl.com/53j48yxk. Veterans may also call in (audio only) to listen to the meeting at 1-872-701-0185 and use access code 24981157#.

The annual Toolin’ Tour Ride for Habitat, Aitkin County Habitat for Humanity’s major fundraiser for affordable housing is set for Sunday, May 19, starting at the Ripple Center in Aitkin. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Ride leaves at 12:30 p.m. Registration forms are available at habitatforhumanityaitkincounty.org

The Garrison Bay Lake Lions Club is sponsoring a blood Drive Wednesday, May 22, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Deerwood Auditorium, 23770 E Forest Rd, Deerwood. Make appointments at redcrossblood.org.

The Garrison Bay Lake Area Lions Club is planning their 20th annual Community Clean Up Day for Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Garrison VFW parking lot, 27234 Monroe St. Event will be held rain or shine. Questions: Lion Mike at 612-282-2537. Area high schools will be hosting their graduation ceremonies in May: Isle High School – Friday, May 24; Nay Ah Shing on Thursday, May 24; and Onamia High School on Friday, May 31.

Mille Lacs Lake Senior Activities will meet the fourth Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Rolf Olsen Center in Onamia. Come in and enjoy a meal and share activities. For more information call Alice 612-760-1333 or Kelly 320-532-6829.

EXTRACURRICULAR

Weekly pickleball is being scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Onamia Lions Center, with play going for up to two hours. All skill levels are welcome. A Tuesday evening session will be added at 6 p.m. there is enough interest.

Isle Area Pickleball is now playing indoors at the IREC Community Center, every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-11:30 a.m.; Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Typically we play on weekends but times vary. We use the Playtime Scheduler app to sign up for court time which will also note any changes to schedule. However, it’s not mandatory to use the app. Pickle On!

The Mille Lacs Health System Auxiliary welcomes all who wish to join us. Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Mille Lacs Health System hospital complex in Onamia. 320-277-6101.

Mille Lacs Area Patch Workers Quilt Club. Meetings are the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., Wahkon Fire Hall. All quilters welcome. Any questions call Kathy 320-676-3359.

VFW Auxiliary 955 meeting will be held the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Vets Club in Onamia.

Cribbage:At the Onamia VFW, on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. Call 320-532-4171. At MSA Flagship in Isle on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Call 320-676-3556 if interested.

Wednesday “500” cards, every Wednesday at Wahkon Inn, 1-4:30 p.m.

Barnacle’s Meat raffle Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m.

MSA Flagship - Cribbage Thursday 1:30 p.m. Meat raffle Friday 5:30 p.m.

Mahjong (following National Mahjong League rules) – If you know how to play or would like to learn join us at Tulibee Tavern Mondays 1-4.

RECYCLE

Recycling: Isle: One block west of Isle City Hall, 465 W. Isle Street, Isle. Onamia: Near Onamia Township Hall, 35617 125th Ave., Onamia. Milaca: 565 8th St. NE, Milaca. - All open 24 hours per day.

FOOD PANTRY

Isle Food Shelf:Open on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 3:30-5:30 at the Isle City Garage.

In Onamia, Ruby’s Pantry is held the first Monday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. or until gone at the Onamia Community Center, 806 West Kathio Street. It is $25 for a bundle donation to receive a cart full of groceries.

Fare for All low-cost food sales are held monthly at Onamia Vet’s Club, 38692 Hwy. 169. Upcoming dates are June 1, July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept. 4. Open to all, no registration required. Affordable frozen meals and fresh produce included. Cash, credit, debit and SNAP accepted. Information: fareforall.org

In Aitkin, Ruby’s Pantry is held the first Saturday of the month from 9-10:30 a.m. at Journey North Community Church. It is $25 for a bundle donation to receive a cart full of groceries.

Ruby’s Pantry is held the second Tuesday of the month at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd from 4:30-6 p.m. It is $25 for a bundle donation to receive a cart full of groceries.

Onamia Food Pantry, located at 502 Main Street (Family Pathways). Call 320-532-7665 to schedule a shop or a senior doorstep delivery.

Garrison Area Caregivers Food Shelf is open every Tuesday 1-5 p.m., 9541 Madison Street (across from the Walleye!).

SUPPORT GROUPS

* The Brainerd Lakes Area Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meeting will be Thursday, May 2, 1 p.m. at Lord of Life Church, 6190 Fairview Drive, Baxter. There will be a physical therapist explaining the importance of exercise and discussing her program for people with Parkinson’s. Questions: 218-829-4017. Care partners are also welcome to attend.

•A diabetes support group meets the fourth Thursday of every month (except July and November) from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Mille Lacs Health System – Onamia Campus. The meeting is in the Key Contributor Conference Room – Main Entrance. Information: 320-532-2337.

• Isle AA: Every Weds (7:30-8:30 p.m.) and Sat., (9-10 a.m.)., Faith Lutheran Church, 220 E. Lake St. Call (763) 732-3290 for more information.

• Garrison AA: Every Mon & Weds., 7:30 p.m., Community Alliance Church, 9468 Jefferson St.

• Malmo AA: Every Mon., 7-8 p.m., Bethesda Lutheran, 21590 Hwy. 47, Malmo. Call (425) 533-4620 for information.

• Isle: TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Isle Baptist Church. Call Theresa Oelrich at 763-438-3610 for more information.

• Onamia AA: Support group meeting at Holy Cross Center at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

• Life Recovery for Addiction Group: Life Recovery Group will be meeting at Onamia Alliance Church on Mondays at 7 p.m. Call Archie at (320) 420-5012 for more information.

• Aitkin County Caregiver Memory Loss Support Group: Meetings are 1st Wednesday of the month at 12:45 p.m. at the Aitkin County CARE Birch Street Center, 20 3rd St NE. 218-927-1383. Visit alz.org/mnnd.

• Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders; Awareness, Networking and Mentoring: meets the third Thursday of each month at 10:15 a.m. at the Jesse F. Hallett Memorial Library located in Crosby. For more information see “Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders; Awareness, Networking and Mentoring in BLA” on Facebook

GOVERNMENT

• Isle zoning meeting: 1st Mon., 5 p.m., Isle City Council Chambers.

• Onamia Planning Commission: 1st Mon., 6 p.m., Onamia City Hall.

• Onamia City Council meeting: 2nd Wed., 6 p.m., Onamia City Hall.

• Mille Lacs County Board meeting: 1st and 3rd Tues., 9 a.m., Mille Lacs County Courthouse.

• Wahkon City Council meeting: 2nd Mon., 6 p.m., Wahkon City Hall.

• Garrison City Council meeting: 2nd Tues., 5:30 p.m., Garrison City Hall.

• Isle City Council meeting: 2nd Tues., 6 p.m., Isle City Hall.

• Soil and Water Conservation District board meetings: 2nd Wed., 6 p.m., Mille Lacs County Historic Courthouse.

• Eastside Township Board meeting: 2nd Tues, 7 p.m. at the Township Hall.

LIBRARIES

Join us for book club at the Mille Lacs Lake Community Library. We meet the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. in the library. A variety of genres are included. Visit the library for the current book.

Tuesdays at Aitkin Public Library, 10:30 a.m., read stories, sing songs, and more at preschool storytime. Afterward, stay a while and make a craft.

On Fridays, 10:30 a.m., join the McGregor Public Library for preschool storytime. We will read stories, sing songs, and more. Afterward, stay and make a craft.

Storytime is a 30-minute program designed for children ages three to five and their caregivers. Siblings are always welcome, No registration necessary.

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Deadline is 4:30 THURSDAYS.