The Prior Lake American regularly publishes a rotating selection of recurring meetings organizations hold around the southwest metro. Listings of meetings and events are free of charge but not guaranteed. Send information that includes the organization's name and meeting time and place to editor@plamerican.com.
Scott County WyldLife is part of a worldwide, nondenominational Christian organization for middle school students. The club meets every other Friday and offers a high-energy, interactive evening filled with games, fun and music. For more information on the schedule and location, call Jennifer at 952-402-9123 or visit the website at scottcountymn.wyldlife.org.
The Winner's Circle Chapter of Business Network International meets from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursdays at 1101 Adams St., Shakopee. For more information, call Darren at 952-947-0323.
Gamblers Anonymous, a support group for those struggling with addiction to gambling, meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 5634 Luther Road, Prior Lake.
Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women offers ongoing weeknight and weekday support groups for women who are currently experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. On-site childcare is provided. For location and more information, call 952-873-4214.
The Marine Corps League meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Prior Lake VFW, 16306 Main Ave. For more information, call Pete at 612-730-0999.
A support group for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome meets from 12:15 to 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at the Savage Public Library, 13090 Alabama Ave. For more information, call 952-457-7586 or 651-459-5856, visit rsdmn.org or email Bonnie at bonnie@rsdmn.org or Diane at diane@rsdmn.org.
Scott County 4-H is now holding Family Discovery Days on the first Saturday of the month for kids kindergarten through sixth grade and their parents. Staff and volunteers will lead age-appropriate projects while giving youth ideas on how to explore their interests. Projects will run from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Scott County Extension Office in Jordan. Please register your youth in advance by calling Mary at 952-492-5379 or emailing schoe049@umn.edu. There is a $5 for 4-H members or $10 for others to help cover the cost of supplies.
VFW Post 6208 of Prior Lake holds its regular meetings on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The Auxiliary meets upstairs while the Post meets in the lower level. The VFW has been the hometown Post since 1946 and has over 600 members in the Auxiliary and the Post. Call 952-226-6208 for any additional information needed.
Minnesota Valley Mothers of Multiples will meet at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Community Center, 14601 Hayes Road, Apple Valley. For more information, email info@mvmom.org.
PFLAG New Prague Area Chapter Support Group represents the parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The group celebrates diversity and envisions a society that embraces everyone. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1300 Main St. SE, New Prague. PFLAG is a nonprofit organization and is not associated with any religious or political institutions. For more information, call Kathy at 612-720-1673 or email pflagnewpraguemn@gmail.com.
Coffee and Crafts are open to adults to come together for coffee and to work on their own creative crafts at the Jordan CERC Community Room at 500 Sunset Drive. Bring small craft projects including knitting, crocheting, cards or scrapbooking projects. Spend time visiting with residents, share ideas and gain inspiration from fellow crafters. Coffee provided. Come any time between 10 a.m. and noon. No registration necessary. Call 952-492-6211 for more information.
Happy Healthy Mommy Meet-Up brings together like-hearted parents to share insights and experiences while empowering each other through the adventure in parenting. An official location for Pathways Connect. Meets the third Tuesday of the month, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Little ones welcome, and light snacks provided. 4201 Dean Lakes Blvd., No. 140 in Shakopee. Contact Kristen at 952-402-9355.
The Minnesota River Valley Toastmasters Club meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Monday at Prior Lake Fire Station No. 1, 16776 Fish Point Road, Prior Lake. Do you want to become a confident public speaker and strong leader? Join Toastmasters, which provides a supportive learn-by-doing environment that allows you to achieve your goals at your own pace. Visit minnesotarivervalley.toastmastersclubs.org or call Starlett at 651-687-5176 (leave a message). Guests are always welcome.
Waggin' Tales Drop-in Reading with a therapy dog happens every first Saturday of the month from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the Prior Lake Library, 16210 Eagle Creek Ave. SE. Therapy dog Hailey loves to have children read to her, and her acceptance can help kids of all ages feel more comfortable reading aloud. The event is free, and no registration is required. Call 952-447-3375 for more information.
Circle of Friends is a social group that allows widows and widowers to get out and do different things. There are monthly dinners on the second Saturday of every month. To learn more, contact Bobbie at 952-977-9167.
Dyslexia Advocates for Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesdays of even-numbered months at the Prior Lake Library's small meeting room. The group comes together to help people better understand dyslexia and dysgraphia, find resources and offer support to help those with the learning disorders or who simply struggle to learn to read in school. For more information, email pldyslexiagroup@gmail.com or find the Dyslexia Advocates for the Prior Lake/Savage School District page on Facebook.
Priority Networkers Business Referral Group meets every Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at McKenna Crossing, 13810 Shepherds Path, Prior Lake. The group is a way to expand your business networking. For more information, call Ed at 612-718-9859.
TOPS - Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weight control group that meets every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the basement of Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota St. SE. For more information, contact Rita at 952-461-2280.
Breastfeeding support is offered by La Leche League to mothers who wish to breastfeed their babies. Join the group for a meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. and bring your nursing baby. Pregnant women are encouraged to attend before the birth of their babies. For more information about the meeting or breastfeeding questions, contact April at 952-440-6320, Michele at 952-447-6182 or Traci at tracerdc@gmail.com.
Scott County Young Life is part of a worldwide, nondenominational Christian organization for high school students looking for fun, adventure, friendship and a sense of significance. The club meets from 7:57 to 8:57 p.m. Mondays in the Prior Lake-Savage area. For more information and directions, call Max at 803-719-0558 or visit scottcountymn.younglife.org.
A Cancer Education and Support Group is offered the first Wednesday of every other month at 3 p.m. in the St. Francis Regional Medical Center conference room area. This free group for men and women provides speaker presentations and forums to discuss cancer-related issues. Participants can get information on community services, share tips on coping skills and find new ways to deal with stress. The group is for those currently diagnosed with cancer or in treatment or post-treatment as well as family and friends. For more information, call Marti at 952-428-2700.
The Southwest Conservative Republican Women club meets on the third Saturday of each month at the Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota St. SE, in Prior Lake. Social time begins at 8:30 a.m. The meeting runs from 9 to 11 a.m. The club's mission is to educate, engage and empower conservative women. There is no cost to attend any of the meetings. For more information, email info@SWCRW.org or visit SWCRW.org.
Adult Basic Education (ABE), GED and English Language classes are offered for free from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Hidden Oaks Middle School, 15855 Fish Point Road SE, Prior Lake. Students may enroll by calling 612-644-0192. Basic help in reading, writing and math is also offered for any adult. A schedule is available online at priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us under Community Education.
Alateen meets every Saturday at the Hazeltine Center, 1107 Hazeltine Blvd., Suite 300, Chaska. Meetings will last approximately 45 to 60 minutes and are hosted by two certified AlAnon sponsors trained and background-checked to work with Alateen. Meetings are closed, meaning only Alateen members and Alateen sponsors may attend. For more information, call Jim at 320-583-9552, Sally at 612-432-7637 or Nancy at 612-240-1044.
Alanon meetings with the Island of Serenity group will take place at 7 p.m. Mondays at 16150 Arcadia Ave., Prior Lake. Meetings take place at Lakers Alano, 4646 Colorado St., Prior Lake, lakersalano.org. Monday: AA/BB-open 9:30 a.m.; women's AA grow group-closed 6 p.m.; men's CODA-closed 6:30 p.m.; AA-open 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: AA-open 6:30 p.m.; CODA-open 7:30 p.m. Wednesday: AA-closed 6:30 p.m. Thursday: AA-open 6:30 p.m. Friday: AA-closed 6:30 p.m., AA-open 8 p.m. Saturday: AA-open 9:30 a.m., NA-open 6:30 p.m.
Savage Unity AA offers a handicapped-accessible Alcoholics Anonymous meeting open to men and women, which takes place Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Bridgewood Church, 6201 W. 135th St., Savage. For more information, call 952-297-4777.
New Sociables is a nonprofit, nondenominational social group for women living south of the Minnesota River. We meet in the first Monday of the month at 9:15 a.m. at Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church, 14401 Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley. The organization welcomes women who are new to the area or newly retired, have lost a spouse or are interested in meeting new friends. New Sociables sponsors many activities such as a book club, a variety of card clubs, crafts, tours, lunch adventures, golf, biking, plays and community projects.
Better Breathers Club is a new support group offered at St. Francis Regional Medical Center. The group is for people with chronic lung disease, their families and friends. The club offers patient-centered, community-based education opportunities. Persons with COPD, asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and other chronic lung diseases will benefit. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Call 952-428-2377 for more information.
Friendship Church, which has locations in Prior Lake and Shakopee, is offering meals and family activities for all ages Wednesday evenings starting at 5:15 p.m. Meals cost $3 for kids, $4.50 for adults and $4 for seniors. Free nursery care is available for children up to age 2. For more information, visit friendshipmn.org or call the church office at 952-447-8282.
Friendship Church also hosts a free food distribution on the second Thursday each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at its Prior Lake campus, 17741 Fairlawn Ave. This event is a free surplus food distribution intended for low-income families or those going through a time of crisis. You must register in person; registration opens at 4 p.m. One distribution allowed per household. Bring a valid driver's license/photo ID with a current address (utility bill if ID address is not correct). All are welcome, as we serve residents of Scott County and beyond. For more information, visit friendshipmn.org/secondharvest or call 952-447-8282.
Co-Dependents Anonymous for men and women meets at 4646 Colorado St., Prior Lake, at 7 p.m. every Tuesday.
A suicide grief support group meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague. The meeting location is the Jameen Mape Room. Enter through the emergency room doors; use southeast elevator (2) to the lower level (B). No registration or fee is required. For more information, call Tom at 952-445-0107 or 952-913-3994.
Overeaters Anonymous meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at New Creation Lutheran Church, 1053 Jefferson St., Shakopee. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Nancy at 612-250-0075 or Steve at 612-845-2672.
Emotions Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at St. Anne's parish center, 411 N. Fourth St., LeSueur, in the south end of St. Anne's parking lot. For more information, call Kathleen at 507-665-2644.
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other. The groups meet weekly on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road, Prior Lake. For more information, call Charlie at 952-884-9417 or Michael at 952-607-8619.
Moms in Prayer International, formerly Moms in Touch, is an interdenominational, Christ-centered prayer ministry - moms, grandmas, aunts, any women desiring to pray for children and schools, whether private, public or homeschool, from preschool through college. For information about your child's individual school, visit momsinprayer.org and go to "groups" or contact Jayne at 952-201-4930 or wvfw27@aol.com.
PriorNet business networking groups have formed in the Prior Lake area. PriorNet Tuesday and PriorNet Thursday can help business people increase their revenues through effective referral marketing. Overall, PriorNet is more informal than other business networking groups in the area. PriorNet Tuesday will meet at the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce office at 7:30 a.m., and PriorNet Thursday will meet at the chamber office at 9 a.m. Must be a Prior Lake Chamber member to join. Visit priorlakechamber.com or call 952-440-1000.
Savage PowerNet, a business referral group, meets every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Davanni's, at County Road 42 and Highway 13 in Savage. For more information, call Kelly at 612-861-8300.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota provides support groups to help parents discover resources to meet the challenges of raising a child with mental illness, learn coping skills and develop problem-solving skills. Parent resource groups are facilitated by a parent who has a child with a mental illness and who has been trained to lead support groups. A parent resource group meets in Prior Lake on the first Thursday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at River Valley YMCA, 3575 Shepherds Path NW. A daytime group also meets in Savage on the third Tuesday of the month, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Caribou Coffee, 7745 Egan Drive. For more information, call 651-645-2948.
The Scott County chapter of NAMI has an adult support meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Anchor Center at the Valley Green Workforce Center, 750 Canterbury Road, Shakopee. The meeting is for family members and those living with mental illness and is facilitated by a trained mental health professional. For more information, call Janet at 952-890-1669 or Kevin at 952-496-8513.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon South of the River, an organization that supports military personnel and their families, meets the first Tuesday of every month in the lower level of the Prior Lake VFW, 16306 Main Ave. The group can be reached by calling 952-440-5011 or emailing btyrsouthoftheriver@gmail.com.
Caregiver Support Group meetings take place at 3 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month for caregivers of elderly parents and loved ones looking for resources and support conversation with other caregivers. Open to all caregivers; free. Location: Touching Lives, 4833 W. 123rd St., Savage. Contact: Mary - mwasz@touchinglivesmn.com or 952-465-0555.
Club Prior in Prior Lake offers fitness classes for adults of all ages and also for seniors age 55 up. Adult yoga for ages 18 older is open Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Yoga combines flexibility, strength, and balance practices along with breath work. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Please bring your own mat. Cost is $15 or $20 depending on the month. Free classes for seniors include tai chi on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Zumba on Tuesdays 1-1:45 p.m., yoga on Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., and line dance on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Club Prior is located at 16210 Eagle Creek Ave. SE.
The Prior Lake American Legion meets the third Monday of each month at 8 p.m. at the Prior Lake VFW, 16306 Main Ave. For more information, call Bob at 952-447-5811.