10:00 a.m. Leave Eastview Education Center, 9375 Fenning Ave. No., Monticello. Load in parking lot. Please park on the far end of the parking lot near School Blvd. 11:15 a.m. Arrive at the Crow River Winery and Bistro. It is a farm winery near Hutchinson, MN. Embracing their Minnesota roots, for over fifteen years they have nurtured their Cold Climate vines and grapes.Spanning across 36 acres of vineyards, they prioritize eco-friendly farming practices to care for these unique local vines. Nature stands as their closest ally, and they invest their effort, resources, and passion to transform their grapes into exquisite wines, all of which are processed and made at this winery. Taste the magic in every glass. 11:30 a.m. Have lunch in the dining space. Menu: Cranberry Turkey Club - Turkey, Provolone Cheese, and Fresh Arugula on a Toasted Ciabatta Bun, topped with House-Made Cranberry Wine Aioli crafted with Crow River Winery Cranberry Wine. 12:30 p.m. Take a guided tasting and tour with a Crow River Winery staff. They will provide an educational tour followed by a wine tasting. After the tour and tasting, purchase your favorite wine. 2:00 p.m. Depart from the Crow River Winery. 2:15 p.m. Arrive at the Carlson’s Orchard Bakery in Winsted.Purchase apples and delicious baked goods. 3:15 p.m. Leave Carlson’s Orchard. 4:30 p.m. Estimated return time to Monticello. DEADLINE: MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026. No refunds after this date.

9:45 a.m. Leave Eastview Education Center, 9375 Fenning Ave. NE., Monticello. Load in parking lot. 10:00 a.m. St Michael Elementary - 101 Central Ave W, St Michael 55376 - Pick up in the parking lot on the front of the building. (If low registration in St. Michael/Albertville the pick up will be in Monticello) 10:55 a.m. Arrive a Maynards Restaurant on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. 11:00 a.m. Restaurant opens and can only accommodate a group if they are able to be seated when the doors open. Menu: Half Sandwich, Cup of Soup, Beverage. 12:30 p.m. After lunch, the motor coach will transfer the group to the Port of Excelsior for a Lake Minnetonka Cruise. Board the Lady of the Lake, a historic sternwheeler. The main cabin is enclosed. It is equipped with table seating for 50 passengers. The second level is covered and requires climbing a flight of stairs (about 10 steps). It is the most popular seating area for cruising the lake with the open-air experience. The space can be enclosed with durable plastic window coverings if the weather requires it. The top deck is up an additional flight of stairs and is uncovered. 1:00 p.m. The Lady of the Lake Boat will depart. Hear a special Lady of the Lake live narration about Lake Minnetonka from the Captain and crew. They will talk about the Big Island and you will see the waterfront mansions, restaurants, marinas and gardens. In the mid-1800’s Lake Minnetonka enjoyed worldwide fame for its elegance and scenery. Large steamships on the lake accommodated thousands of passengers. There were huge waterfront hotels and constant scheduled rail service that catered to the elite families from the south that came here to avoid the heat. Relax and view a variety of recreational watercraft on the lake. 3:00 p.m. Return time to the dock. Reboard the motor coach and transfer to downtown Excelsior to shop. (Motor coach can make some shuttle runs along Water Street.) Enjoy the quaint shops along Water Street in downtown Excelsior. It is about three blocks from the dock to the Excelsior Mill shops. Walk to a variety of stores such as: Caspers - with whimsical home accessories, The Country Look in Antiques - featuring the charm of Colonial New England. Excelsior Mill is a renovated lumberyard that was built at the turn of the century. It recreates the flavor of the past with a bench lined central “garden” court and half dozen shops filled with distinctive gifts and accessories. 3:45 p.m. Estimated departure time from Excelsior. 4:45 p.m. Estimated return time to St. Michael 5:00 p.m. Estimated return time to Monticello. Deadline is Monday July 13th. NO refunds after this date.

8:45 a.m. Leave Eastview Elementary, 9375 Fenning Ave. No., Monticello.Load in parking lot. 9:30 a.m. Make a comfort stop at the Middle Spunk Lake Rest Area near Avon, MN. 11:00 a.m. Arrive for lunch at Travelers Inn Restaurant, Alexandria’s Oldest Eating Establishment since 1924.Menu: Swedish Meatballs, Lightly Spiced and served in a Creamy Gravy Sauce, Served with Baby Red Skinned Mashed, Vegetable, Dinner Roll, Beverage 12:30 p.m. Leave Travelers Inn Restaurant. Just three blocks down the street is the Runestone Museum. 12:45 p.m. Take a guided tour of The Runestone Museum Foundation. It has been inspiring curiosity about local history and heritage for more than 50 years. The World Famous and controversial Kensington Rune Stone was the Runestone Museum’s only artifact when it opened its’ doors in 1958. Since then, the museum has grown to include additional artifacts found in Minnesota that relate to Middle-Age Nordic explorers. The 40 piece collection includes the Climax fire steel. In the First Peoples exhibit, an original 1920s Tinkle Cone Dress is on display; only four such dresses exist in North America. Visitors can also explore Minnesota’s natural history. There is also a Minnesota Wildlife Exhibit, complete with animal sounds and habitat information. 1:45 p.m. After the tour, spend a few minutes in the gift shop. 2:00 p.m. Transfer to the Up North Ice Cream Company in Alexandria. 2:30 p.m. Leave Alexandria, MN. 3:30 p.m. Make a comfort stop at the Big Spunk Lake Rest Area new Avon, MN. 4:15 p.m. Estimated return time to Monticello. DEADLINE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 - No refunds after this date!

9:45 a.m. Leave Eastview Elementary, 9375 Fenning Ave. N., Monticello. Load in parking lot. 10:00 a.m. St Michael Elementary - 101 Central Ave W, St Michael 55376 - Pick up in the parking lot on the front of the building. (If low registration in St. Michael/Albertville the pick up will be in Monticello) 11:00 a.m. Arrive in Stillwater, the birthplace of Minnesota. It is former lumbering center located on the St. Croix River. This distinctive community has a wealth of 19th century Greek Revival, Queen Anne and Italianate architecture.It offers an excellent blend of history, scenery, shopping and culture. Unload at the docks of the St. Croix Boat & Packet Company to board the scheduled cruise. Note: The boat staff is available to help guests who need assistance. Group Leader will need to advise the boat staff if someone needs help. They do have wheelchairs in the office to transport passengers. [Depending on water levels, there could be considerable walking from the bus parking area to the boat landing. Gangplanks could be steep, but there are railings.] 11:30 a.m. Depart for a cruise on the St. Croix River aboard one of the modern vessels from the St. Croix Boat & Packet Company fleet.It is climate controlled and fully accessible. Table seating is available on the first floor. Relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the St. Croix River. [This cruise is not narrated. Guests can bring cards, bingo or other games to play while cruising.] 11:45 a.m. A deli luncheon is served buffet style as you cruise the St. Croix River.Menu: The Deli Luncheon has a variety of meats and cheeses, salads, and dessert bars. Coffee and water are included in the price. One drink ticket will be given out for a soft drink. Alcohol beverages are available for purchase. 1:30 p.m. The boat will return to the Stillwater Docks.Transfer passengers to Pedestrian Plaza in downtown Stillwater to shop. There are unique boutiques, specialty gift stores, art galleries, candy stores and more that reflect the variety of the community 2:45 p.m. Bus will return to Pedestrian Plaza to pick up passengers. 4:15 p.m. Estimated return time to Monticello. Registration Deadline: Monday, June 8th, No refunds after this date.

Want to know how to keep your sourdough starter alive and start making delicious discard recipes? In this class you will receive an active starter and make delicious sourdough discard recipes in our 2 hour class.You will be paired up with 1 or 2 people and each group will make a different recipe. When completed, we will then enjoy each other's treats. We will discuss the do's and don'ts of sourdough and recipes for all the goodies we make.

Are you tired of spending hours trying to create graphics for your business, only to feel frustrated with the results? Canva Learn how to design professional-looking social media posts, flyers, and marketing materials using only the free version of Canva with no design experience required. You'll learn the exact tools, shortcuts, and strategies that make creating beautiful visuals quick and stress-free. By the end of this session, you'll have the skills and confidence to create graphics that attract customers and make your business look polished and professional.

Unlock the full potential of ChatGPT in this dynamic one-hour masterclass designed for users ready to move beyond the basics. You'll discover advanced prompting techniques like system instructions, multi-shot examples, and chain-of-thought reasoning to get dramatically better results. Learn insider strategies for customizing outputs, managing context, and leveraging ChatGPT for complex tasks including analysis, creative projects, and professional workflows. Walk away with expert-level techniques to transform ChatGPT into a true powerhouse for your specific needs.

Harness the power of social media to grow your audience and boost your brand—one post at a time. This dynamic class dives deep into crafting scroll-stopping content tailored for each platform, from Instagram reels to Twitter threads. Learn how to write engaging captions, spark viral shares, and use storytelling to build authentic connections that keep followers coming back. You’ll also discover savvy strategies to turn likes and comments into real income by monetizing your social presence like a pro. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Do you live in Sherburne county and have an interest in learning more about having your own licensed Family Childcare? We would love to have you join our informational meeting where we will present information on the licensing process, helpful information, and be able to answer questions you may have. We will also have a currently licensed and experience Family Childcare Provider at the meeting to be able to provide direct information about what it entails to be a professional Childcare Provider and having your own business. The Milestones Navigator will also join us and outline supports available to new and old childcare providers. This class will meet in-person but will also have a virtual option through Microsoft Teams. Please specify when you register which option you would prefer.

Join us for a Central Division match up against the Kansas City Royals on July 30th. Your transportation will be included with your ticket for an upper level seat! We have great seats behind home plate with shade coverage. Registration deadline is July 17th! Bus Departs Big Lake High School at 11 am Game Begins 12:40 pm Bus Departs Stadium Approximately 3:30 pm Arrive Back to Big Lake High School About 4:30 pm *Children must attend with an adult!

Would you like to learn how to play pickleball? Come and learn with Gwen Radel from Nitty Gritty Pickleball! Gwen is a certified PPR Coach who is passionate about introducing others to the game of pickleball and teaching sound fundamentals. Whether you have never played, or only tried it a few times; this is the class for you! We will introduce you to the basics of pickleball; equipment, rules, court positioning, scoring, some beginning skills, coordination and where to play. Wear comfortable clothes, court shoes and bring water. Paddles and balls will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Location: Hudson Woods Park

Are you overwhelmed or running out of storage with all of the photos just sitting on your phone? In our live online workshop, learn to delete the clutter, create printed photo books and protect your precious memories forever. In just one hour, you'll transform your chaotic photo collection into an organized library you can actually navigate, plus learn maintenance habits that take only minutes each week, without any confusing tech jargon.

NEW! Ages 16+ Intro to Pickleball is a pre-requisite for this class. In this 2 hr. class, beginners will have the opportunity to continue to learn basic fundamentals of pickleball - proper grip and stroke techniques for serves, returns, volleys, dinks and footwork. Gwen Radel, of Nitty Gritty Pickleball is a certified instructor through the Professional Pickleball Registry which is the official education and certification partner for USA Pickleball. Wear comfortable clothes, court shoes (not running shoes) and bring water. Paddles and balls will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Location: Hudson Woods Park, 16400 May Circle, Big Lake, Mn. 55309

You don’t need a journalism degree or previously published articles to write for anyone’s online blog, magazine, or website. Some opportunities offer exposure, while many pay well -- $1 a word and more. In this fast-paced session, you will learn how to: find ideas, sources, and more than 1,000 opportunities that pay, conduct interviews and create interesting content, protect your copyright, write query letters, and then use this credibility to sell other articles or even your self published novel. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.