Rescheduled: WPCC revises calendar to avoid holiday conflicts

The Waite Park Community Council has amended its meeting calendar for the remainder of 2024 in order to avoid holiday conflicts.

The neighborhood group’s board of directors typically meets at 7pm on the last Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at the Waite Park Recreation Center with a Zoom option for those who cannot attend in person.

The revised schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Sept. 19: Operations & Finance Committee
Thursday, Sept. 26: Regular Board Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 30: Operation & Finance Committee
Thursday, Nov. 7: Regular Board Meeting
Thursday, Dec. 5: Operations & Finance Committee
Thursday, Dec. 12: Regular Board Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 23: Operations & Finance Committee
Thursday, Jan. 30: Regular Board Meeting

All meetings are open to the public. Please email operations@waiteparkcc.org if you require any special accommodations to attend or participate.

It’s time for the 2024 Waite Park Fall Festival! Saturday, Sept. 14

The Waite Park Community Council invites you to attend our annual neighborhood fall festival on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 3-7 p.m. at Waite Park.

The Waite Park Fall Festival will feature local arts and craft vendors, civic group and nonprofit tables, live music, kids games, face painting, food trucks, and free hot dogs and veggie burgers.

“We are excited to be able to put on this fun, neighborhood event once again,” said Nick Stroozas, chair of the community council’s fall festival committee, which partners with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation on the event.

Grilled hot dogs and veggie burgers will be available for free until they run out. Paid food options will include food trucks Chimborazo and Ben & Jerry’s. TapMPLS will provide a drinking water station. (Bring a water bottle to help us reduce waste!)

We are excited to welcome back both musical acts from last year’s festival: the family-friendly folk of Skunk Hollow and ‘90s cover band 120 Minutes, both of which feature musicians who live in the Waite Park neighborhood.

The fall festival is one of the Waite Park Community Council’s two signature events along with the annual neighborhood meeting in March.

“Creating opportunities for people to come together and develop a sense of community is one of our core priorities as an organization,” Waite Park Community Council President Dan Haugen said. “The festival is a great way to meet and reconnect with people who live and work in your neighborhood.”

The festival is planned and run entirely by volunteers, with funding for food and entertainment from our generous sponsors, including: Eastside Food Co-op, Larsen Dental, Turbo Tim’s Anything Automotive, and Cosmic Coffee.

Volunteers are still needed to help set up, serve food, oversee kids games, and clean up at the end of the event. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out this form or contact festival@waiteparkcc.org.

For more information on the festival, see page 7-10 for a pull-out program guide, including a complete listing of confirmed vendors.

Volunteer with the Vital Living program East Side Neighborhood Services

The following article was submitted by Eastside Neighborhood Services. If you would like to submit an article on behalf of a community-based organization that serves the Waite Park neighborhood, send it to website@waiteparkcc.org.

Make a difference in the lives of older adults in our community, while engaging in a volunteer opportunity that highlights your talents and utilizes your experience. You’re just the person we’ve been looking for! 

Northeast Day Spot Friend Volunteer: Provide respite care support for people experiencing dementia and other chronic conditions while their caregivers receive a break. On Fridays from 9:30AM-1:30PM, you will socialize with participants, provide support during activities like art projects and games, and help with set up and clean up. No hands-on care required. You do not have to come every week.  

Music Maker Volunteer: Share your musical talents with people experiencing dementia. On Fridays from 12:15-1PM, you will play music for our group to enjoy. Bring your own instrument or use our keyboard. We also love sing alongs! Most music makers volunteer once every few months.  

Garden Volunteer: Help us plant, water and weed our community garden. Flexible days/times.  

Phone Call Friend Volunteer: Provide a listening ear and companionship to an older adult with weekly phone calls. Days/times are flexible.  

Contact: Syneva Barrett 612-787-4035 or sbarrett@esns.org 
Eastside Neighborhood Services 1700 2nd St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 

East Side Neighborhood Services is a nonprofit human services agency providing resources and social services to individuals of all ages and families in Hennepin County since 1915. The Vital Living Program serves older adults through resources, classes, events, and caregiver support.