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🍦 Things to do in Hastings Jan 6th - Jan 13th

🍦 Things to do in Hastings Jan 6th - Jan 13th

Local lowdown, events around town, and Raiders spots highlights.

Brady Greenbush
January 06, 2025

Good morning, Hastings!

Hello, 2025! 🎉 We hope 2024 treated you well, and we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our community and reading our newsletter.

Your support means the world to us, and we’re thrilled to continue sharing everything Hastings has to offer in the year ahead!

Here’s to an incredible 2025! 🥂

In today’s Scoop:

Anytime Fitness Ownership 💪
Hastings Girls Basketball 1,000 Point Record 🏀
Prescott Winterfest ❄️

Let’s get into it.

— Brady Greenbush

THE DIGEST

Hastings Anytime Fitness Under New Ownership

Exciting changes are underway at a beloved Hastings business!

Anytime Fitness, located in the Westview Mall, is now under the ownership of Cortney and Derek Janisch, who recently announced the news early New Years Day, that they are the new proud owners of the Anytime Fitness club here in Hastings!

As this gym is my personal gym I go to multiple times a week, seeing the effort Cortney puts in training her clients, I am excited for them and their team at the gym! Congratulations to Cortney & Derek!

Anytime Fitness Hastings on Facebook

Prescott Winterfest Is Coming Up

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 11, 2025, as Prescott, WI, comes alive with its annual Winterfest! Organized by the Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce, this beloved event offers fun for all ages, blending outdoor activities, community spirit, and lively entertainment. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening:

🌟 Coulee by Candlelight
Enjoy a peaceful candlelight hike at Magee Park from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Bring your own snowshoes or rent a pair for $5. Warm up by the fire with hot chocolate, wine, beer, and treats.

🎯 Bean Bag Tournament
Grab a partner for this two-person team tournament at Old Ptacek’s Event Center. Registration starts at 10:00 AM; play begins at 11:00 AM. Entry is $40 per team, with a 100% payout.

🎶 Live Music
Enjoy performances by The Babysitter & Her Boys at 7:00 PM, followed by The Dweebs at 8:00 PM, both at Old Ptacek’s Event Center.

🃏 Euchre Tournament
Join in the fun starting at 12:00 PM at Prescott Tap.

🍖 Meat Raffles
Support local causes with meat raffles at No Name Saloon and Scab’s Place, starting at 3:00 PM.

🧘 Fire + Ice Yoga
Relax and recharge at Bodhi Studio at 11:00 AM.

🎧 DJ Performances
Catch DJ Skogger at Scab’s Place at 8:00 PM or dance the night away with another DJ at Two Rivers Lodge Bar & Grill at 9:30 PM.

Prescott’s Winterfest is your perfect opportunity to embrace the season, support local businesses, and connect with the community. Don’t miss it!

New Hastings Community Ed Classes

Hastings Community Ed is starting an Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) class, we understand that parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers. That’s why ECFE offers engaging, supportive learning experiences designed to help families grow and thrive together.

ECFE classes are led by licensed early childhood teachers and parent educators, ensuring a high-quality educational experience for both parents and children.

Through hands-on activities and shared experiences, families explore ways to foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development.

The program’s curriculum is guided by the Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework and the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards, as outlined by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Dakota County Technical College & Inver Hills Community College Merger Planned

At a recent Dakota County Board of Commissioners meeting, President Michael Berndt of Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) presented an update on the proposed merger between DCTC and Inver Hills Community College (IHCC), scheduled for May 2026. The discussion highlighted the long-standing partnership between the two institutions, which has already resulted in significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

While the formal merger is still in progress, the schools have collaborated closely for years, with 64 shared employees and 107 students enrolled in both schools.

This cooperation has saved an estimated $3.7 million annually. Since 2015, the two institutions have shared a president, further streamlining administration.

While the merger offers promising benefits like financial savings and improved access to resources, Berndt acknowledged challenges such as blending school cultures and improving transportation between the campuses. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about the merger's potential to enhance the schools' brand and extend their reach.

What to Do With Your Christmas Tree? 🎄

Now that the holiday magic has come and gone, it’s time to face the next big question: What do I do with this dried-up Christmas tree? If you’re a fan of real trees and wreaths, here’s how to give them a proper send-off:

🌲 For Hastings Residents:

Call your garbage hauler like Tennis Sanitation or Dick’s Sanitation to confirm they can pick up your tree, then, place your tree out for collection with your yard waste. Be sure to remove all lights, garland, and decorations beforehand. Alternatively, the closest place to recycle your Christmas tree is The Mulch Store in Empire.

🌲 For Dakota County Residents:

Just like Hastings residents’ waste collection, you should call your local garbage hauler and confirm if they can pick up your real Christmas tree and recycle it, otherwise visit one of these four recycling locations.

💡 Recycle Your Holiday Lights

Don’t throw away your broken or unwanted holiday lights—recycle them instead! From November 15 to January 31, 2025, drop off your tangled light strings and cords at the Parks & Recreation Department, located at 920 West 10th Street. Please do not drop off cord adapters, plastic rope lights, CFL lights, or battery packs. Garlands, fake trees, statuary, and metal ﬁxtures are also not accepted.

🎄Year-Round Recycling Option: Holiday lights can also be dropped off year-round at The Recycling Zone, located at 3365 Dodd Road, Eagan.

A message from us… Hastings Scoop!

Get Your Business Seen by the Right People

For over 7 years living in Hastings, one thing has stood out: finding a reliable way to advertise locally can be a challenge.

One billboard and park benches? You can’t measure who’s really paying attention.
Print ads and magazines? Lots are distributed, but how many actually lead to new customers?
Facebook ads? You’re fighting for space against every other business in and around town.

That’s why we launched Hastings Scoop—a trusted, go-to platform for everything Hastings. We’re here to change the game for local businesses by offering a smarter, more effective way to connect with your community.

Here’s what makes us stand out:

✅ Exclusive partnerships: We work with only one business per industry to ensure your message shines.
✅ Trackable impact: Get clear data on how many locals see your ad and click through.
✅ A loyal audience: Over 500 residents trust us to showcase the best our city has to offer.

We’re selective about our partners because our readers expect quality recommendations. If you’re a local business—or know one—that’s ready to reach a passionate, local audience, contact us at [email protected]

From your favorite coffee shop to your trusted accountant, let’s work together to help Hastings businesses grow and thrive.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Tuesday

🎲 Game Night at Spiral Brewery: Spiral Brewery is hosting their monthly game night at 6:00pm, this months game is Code Names.

Thursday

📕 Book Bingo for Adults: The 2025 Winter Reads adult reading program will start out with an evening of Bingo for Adults at the Pleasant Hill Library from 6:30-7:30PM. The first 40 sign-ups at the event will also receive a take-home bingo card with fun challenges for a chance to win a special prize.

🎶 Zeitgeist Concert at Hastings Art Center: Zeitgeist, alongside the Cleveland-based No Exit New Music Ensemble, is continuing their longstanding touring collaboration.

Friday

🍬 Hastings Community Education Candy Bar Bingo: From 6-7PM, there will be 6-8 bingo games played by Hastings Community Ed, for the chance to win a full size candy bar. Pre-registration is required.

🚶 Night Showshoe Hike: From 7-9PM, Carpenter Nature Center is hosting a guided night snowshoe hike with light refreshments and snacks after. Pre-registration is required - call 651-437-4359

🎶 Nick Fox at Hastings Public House: From 6-9PM, Nick Fox will be at the Hastings Public House performing live!

Saturday

🐴 Family Fun Day at The Hayloft: For active families who love animals, this an experience for the whole family to enjoy. An hour and a half at the ranch, enjoying the company of new animal friends and one another. Get tickets.

CITY UPDATES

Coming together for the first time this year, here’s what is on the agenda for tonight’s County Council meeting at 7pm:

Swearing-in of Newly Elected Councilmembers:
- Ward 1: DawnMarie Vihrachoff
- Ward 2: Mya Beck
- Ward 3: Lisa Leifeld
- Ward 4: Tim Lawrence
Key Reports and Updates:
- A PFAS update
- Red Rock Corridor and Great River Rail agreements
- Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Community Development updates

Raider Sports

Hastings Girls Basketball Senior Haley Strain Joins the 1,000 Point Club!

A huge congratulations to Haley Strain for reaching an incredible milestone in her basketball career! Haley scored her 1,000th point in the second half of the Hill-Murray game on the 3rd, officially joining the prestigious 1,000 Point Club.