What Hastings Is Talking About Today (Nonprofit Edition ▲ July 23 2025)
Good morning, neighbor! Grab your coffee and settle in as we stroll through what Hastings’ nonprofits are buzzing about today. There’s tea and compassion cards, grandma tributes, nature hunts, community picnics, history gems and more. Sit back for local smiles. AI image by Local Pigeon.
Senior Spirit & Care
☕ Tea With the Chaplain
Residents at Benedictine Living Community‑Regina swapped sugar cookies and steaming tea while rolling the “Compassion Cards” dice to spark conversations. The simple game encouraged residents to share stories and laughter, reminding us that connection thrives over warm drinks and sweet treats. Hats off to the chaplain for finding creative ways to build community in the hallways of Regina — nothing beats a good chat and a homemade cookie.
👉 Link: Benedictine Living Community‑Regina
National Gorgeous Grandma Day
TLC of Hastings reminded everyone to call (or hug) their favorite grandmother on National Gorgeous Grandma Day. Their post urged us to tell our grandmas how gorgeous and loved they are today, and if they’re no longer with us, to send them a prayer or a warm “hello” to the sky. Quoting Janice Elliott‑Howard—“There are grandmothers out there who would move Heaven and earth for their grandchildren”—the nonprofit celebrated the loving women who shape our families. Have you told your grandma she’s gorgeous lately?
👉 Link: TLC of Hastings
Nature & Environment
Hudson St. Croix RiverFest: Animal Ambassadors & Scavenger Hunt
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center invited families to its Wisconsin campus for Hudson St. Croix RiverFest — a morning of meeting animal ambassadors, completing a nature scavenger hunt and making crafts. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon and encourages kids (and adults) to learn about local wildlife while enjoying a summer morning by the river. If you’re looking for a reason to get outside and let the kids burn off some energy, this nonprofit has you covered.
👉 Link: Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center
Out on the Water with the Rotary Club
A simple photo from Benedictine Living Community‑Regina captured the pure joy of being on the water. Partnering with the Hastings Area Rotary Club and Hastings Rivertown Fishing and Boating, residents boarded boats and enjoyed the sunshine. There isn’t much more information than a smiling caption — “Always a joy to be out on the water!” — but the image reminds us how transformative outdoor experiences can be, especially for seniors.
👉 Link: Benedictine Living Community‑Regina
Community Events & Announcements
Community Picnic Postponed: Safety First
Hastings Family Service admitted that “Minnesota weather isn’t on our side.” Extreme heat and humidity forced the nonprofit to postpone its Community Picnic and 55th Anniversary celebration. Your safety comes first, they wrote, with a new date set for Tuesday August 5. It’s a tough call, but heat indexes above 100 °F aren’t a time for dancing in the park. Keep your picnic blankets handy — the celebration will happen when conditions are cooler.
👉 Link: Hastings Family Service
Countdown to the 55th Anniversary Celebration & Picnic
On a brighter note, another Hastings Family Service post invited everyone to Levee Park for the 55th Anniversary Celebration and Community Picnic. The team promises food (while supplies last), fun, and a night of celebrating an incredible milestone with neighbors. Their enthusiasm is infectious: “TOMORROW NIGHT – Don’t miss it!” Bring sunscreen and your appetite when the date arrives — whether that’s the rescheduled August 5 or another calm evening.
👉 Link: Hastings Family Service
History & Heritage
Carver’s Historic Railway Bridge
The Hastings Area Historical Society shared a history geek’s find: a bridge built by the Hastings and Dakota Railway in 1871 near Carver. The deck was destroyed in a 1967 derailment, so you can’t walk across it today, but the skeletal structure remains one of Minnesota’s oldest bridges. Posts like this remind us how much industrial heritage lies tucked along back roads — and how important it is to record those stories before they fade.
👉 Link: Hastings Area Historical Society
Repairing a Historic Building
Another update from the Historical Society celebrated “some nice repair work happening today on this historic building” . They didn’t name the structure, but the cheerful tone suggests ongoing preservation efforts. Kudos to the volunteers and craftspeople who keep our brick‑and‑mortar landmarks from becoming sad piles of rubble — history lives in these walls.
👉 Link: Hastings Area Historical Society
Community Support & Well‑Being
Rise Up Recovery: Events for Support & Connection
Rise Up Recovery MN knows that healing happens in community. Their latest post invites anyone looking for support, connection or just a friendly face to check out events happening this week From HART to Smart, there’s something to help you on your journey. The hashtags #Support #Connection and #EventsThisWeek say it all — if you need a hand, your neighbors have one waiting.
👉 Link: Rise Up Recovery MN
Youth & Sports
Youth Sports Sign‑ups: Get Moving!
Hastings Community Education packed a single post with a whole season of sports registrations. Families can sign up for flag football, floor/street hockey, volleyball, soccer tykes and Jr. NBA basketball. Each program links to registration forms (tce.me) so parents can choose the best fit for their kids. It’s a reminder that youth sports aren’t just about scores; they’re about building confidence, friendships and skills that last well beyond the court.
👉 Link: Hastings Community Education
Closing Thoughts
That’s a wrap on today’s nonprofit roundup. From tea and compassion cards to grandma love, river festivals, history lessons and sports sign‑ups, Hastings’ nonprofits are busy making our town stronger and kinder. Be sure to visit HastingsNow.com for the full LOCAL 10 story. If you spot a misstatement or have a hot tip, drop us a line at HastingsNow.com/contact — our newsroom loves neighborly notes!
