Come Get "Close Knit" With Us! As the autumn chill sets in, come find warmth in community creativity! Close Knit is a free, intergenerational workshop series and art exhibition designed to bring the Byron community together through the power of collaborative art. In these workshops, participants from Grades 3 through Adult will explore cozy, texture-rich mediums—like watercolor, clay, paint, and textiles—to create unique individual pieces. These pieces will then be stitched, woven, and assembled together into stunning community installations. No artistic experience is required—just a desire to create, connect, and celebrate the things that keep us warm. Exhibition Details Artwork created in the workshops will be part of the "Close Knit" community art exhibition at the Community Education Building from November 7 – December 12, 2026. Come see your own creativity hanging side-by-side with your neighbors' work in a beautiful celebration of togetherness. Join Us for the Opening Celebration! Mark your calendar for the Opening Reception at Discovery Day on November 7 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM! Bring the family, enjoy the cozy vibes, and see how close-knit our Byron community truly is. All workshops are 100% free, but registration is required to save your spot at the crafting table. Let’s make something beautiful together! Ages: Grades 3-12; Adults Instructor: Katie Schmitt ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS The Community Barn Quilt Mural Workshop - Mondays, September 21 & 28 at 6-7:30 pm Welcome to the Table Clay Dinnerware - Saturdays, October 3 & 10 at 9-10:30 am Cozy Sweater Painting - Friday, October 16 at 9-10:30 am Piecing Together the Prairie* - Monday, October 19 & Monday, October 26, and Tuesday October 27 at 6:30–7:30 pm Suspended Fiber Sculptures - Wednesday, October 22 at 6-7:30 pm *This workshop is for youth ages 12+ and Adults. All other workshop are open to students in Grades 3-12 and Adults. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

Looking for the perfect way to kick off your Saturday morning? Whether you are fueled by fresh donuts, curious about high-tech robotics, ready to smash a pickleball, or excited to explore stunning local art, there is a spot saved just for you at Discovery Day! This FREE community event is designed to bring all generations together—from toddlers to grandparents—for a vibrant morning of hands-on activities, sweet treats, and neighborhood connection. 🌟 What’s Waiting for You: Feast & Create: Stop by the Commons to fuel up with free donuts and coffee, then head over to the Culinary Arts Classroom to decorate delicious cookies and take home a tasty treat (while supplies last!). Move & Play: Grab a paddle for some friendly Pickleball in the Big Gym, or watch incredible student-built machines in action at the Byron Robotics Headquarters.Refresh your family game shelf in Room 126 at our Puzzle and Game Exchange, where every participant receives three tokens to take home "new-to-you" board games and jigsaws! Art & Impact: Walk through the beautiful "Close Knit" Art Exhibition in the Commons and learn about Byron Community Education's exciting Age-Friendly Minnesota grant project. You can also tour our local Food Pantry to see how this vital resource supports our community. Check out Wheel Throwing Demo in the Makerspace! Little Learner Fun: Enjoy cozy, playful moments with your kiddos during ECFE's Storytime from 10-10:30 am. Cost: Free!Who: All generations welcome—from toddlers to grandparents!Registration: Pre-registration is appreciated. Don't forget to grab a Discovery Day Passport when you arrive! Collect stamps as you explore the different rooms, try the activities, and view the Close Knit art gallery. Turn in your completed passport to be entered to win exciting local prizes, including: A Free Community Ed Class Voucher A Paint-Your-Own Pottery Kit And more! We can’t wait to see you there to explore, create, move, and connect!

Tired of playing the same board games? Have a stack of jigsaw puzzles you’ve already solved? Clean out your closets and refresh your family game shelf at the Byron Puzzle and Game Exchange, hosted during Discovery Day at the Community Education Center (CEC)! It’s the perfect, eco-friendly way to gear up for cozy winter game nights. How the Swap Works To keep things simple and fun, we are using a flat-rate token system this year: Donate Early: Drop off your gently used games or puzzles at any Byron school building between October 26 and November 5. Get Your Tokens: Every participant will receive 3 tokens at the door on the day of the event. Shop the Exchange: Use your 3 tokens to select 3 "new-to-you" games or puzzles to take home! Quality Control Guidelines (Help Us Keep it Fun!) To ensure everyone goes home with a game or puzzle they can actually enjoy, please review these quality guidelines before dropping off your donations: Board Games: Must be gently used and include all essential rules, boards, cards, and playing pieces. Jigsaw Puzzles: Must have all pieces intact. If you know a puzzle is missing a piece or two, please place a sticky note on the box that explicitly states: "Missing [X] pieces." Secure Packaging: Please secure all boxes! Use a rubber band or painter's tape to hold box lids shut, or place loose pieces/cards inside Ziploc bags inside the box so nothing gets lost in transit. What to Skip: Please do not donate games that are heavily damaged, moldy, dirty, or missing core components that make them unplayable. Event & Donation Details Donation Window: October 26-November 5 | During regular school building hours Donation Locations: Drop-off bins are located at all Byron school sites The Exchange Event: Saturday, November 7 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (During Discovery Day!) Event Location: Byron Community Education Center (CEC) - Room 126