Celebrate the holidays with a day trip! Arrive in Duluth for lunch at The Blackwood Grill. Locally owned and family-operated since the early 90’s. Everything is fresh and made from scratch into slow-cooked classic meals. After lunch we will tour the Glensheen Mansion, exquisitely decorated for Christmas. The tour will allow guests to view the family living and work spaces showcasing original interiors in styles ranging from Renaissance Revival and Colonial Revival to Arts & Crafts. It reveals the Congdon family and others who lived and worked at Glensheen and brings this magnificent mansion to life. Guests can view the basement, first floor, and second floor. The mansion’s central hallway is paneled from floor to ceiling with fumed oak, a process whereby the oak is treated with ammonia fumes to bring out the grain and imbue the wood with an unusual color. Later, at Bentleyville, local volunteers work for weeks to put together a magic place to celebrate the Christmas Holiday Season with the Duluth community. The area usually has fluffy snowflakes and crisp cool temperatures. Walk through the remarkable display with millions of lights, Christmas trees, music and where Santa’s helpers are strolling about. There is a gift store inside a warm building, plus an open-air merchandise area with about 15 Fire Pits. Throughout the 20-acre area, there is complimentary hot cocoa, coffee, popcorn, cookies and marshmallows that you can roast over the fire. Watch the little children anticipate an audience with Santa himself. On the way home from Duluth we will stop at Tobie's in Hinkley for a snack. Trip Mobility Level: Level 2: Expectations: This requires moderate physical activity. Participants should expect a moderate amount of walking with some stairs. To enjoy this outing, you should be prepared to walk and be able to climb stairs. Appropriate for: Most participants beginning with those who are moderately fit, lead semi-active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities and expect some moderate physical activity

Come along as we tour the city of St. Paul during Christmastime. A local guide will lead us through the colorful city streets and past the beautiful decorative lights of local merchants and residents all while aboard a warm coach bus. Before the tour we will stop at Abdallah's Chocolate store in Apple Valley and have dinner at Casper's Cherokee Restaurant in Eagan. Dinner will a small sirloin with a tossed salad, baked potato, rolls and a beverage. Trip Mobility Level: Level 2: Expectations: This requires moderate physical activity. Participants should expect a moderate amount of walking with some stairs. To enjoy this outing, you should be prepared to walk and be able to climb stairs. Appropriate for: Most participants beginning with those who are moderately fit, lead semi-active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities and expect some moderate physical activity

Woody plants like trees and shrubs need regular pruning to encourage healthy growth and avoid potential problems. Learn the basics of trimming and pruning these plants. This class is offered by the U of M Extension Master Gardener volunteers of Ramsey County, who are eager to share research-based gardening best practices with the people in their community. The Ramey County Master Gardeners recommend visiting their website to find reference tools, including handouts, websites, and book suggestions that can help you take the information from the class to the next level. The link for the website is: https://www.ramseymastergardeners.org/sb-pruning

Learn the “Joy of Painting” with certified Bob Ross instructor, Jay Rupp. Artists of all experience levels will paint along with Jay to create a beautiful masterpiece! Your painting will be ready for you to frame and put on your wall at home. September - Waterfall December - Winter Wonder January - Next Vacation