🥄 Who Makes the Best Soup in Ely?
It’s time to find out! The Ely Community Center, in partnership with the Ely Folk School, is hosting our first-ever Golden Ladle Contest. Local restaurants will compete — and YOU get to taste, vote, and decide the winner!
🎟 Tickets: $10 Adults | $5 Kids (6–12) | Free under 5 | $20 max per family
A ticket includes soup samples from every restaurant, bread, dessert, drinks, and 1 vote token. Extra votes just $1 each.
✨ BONUS 1: Local potters will be selling handmade bowls in the lobby. Buy a bowl → your entry fee is waived!
✨ BONUS 2: Each ticket includes a coupon for $20 off one free hour of studio time at the Ely Folk School’s Ceramics Studio Open Evening on Tues, Oct 28 (6–8 PM).
Thursday, Oct 23 | 5–7 PM
Ely Community Center
Come hungry. Leave souper happy. 🥄
If you care about keeping this beautiful, newly remodeled building open and active for the community, we’d love to have you on the team.
A little honesty about the work:
Most of what we do now revolves around managing space reservations — making sure groups can use the building smoothly and that the calendar runs without overlap. We also host a few annual events (like the Blueberry Bazaar, the Golden Ladle Soup Contest, and the Holiday Lights Celebration), but weekly bingo and other ongoing programs are already handled by current volunteers.
The good news:
Nearly all the heavy lifting from the remodel and rebranding phase is done. Only two facility projects remain, and the systems for rentals, bookkeeping, and communication are already in place. The next board’s job will be far easier — more about maintaining a great space than rebuilding it.
If you’re organized, community-minded, or simply want to see the Ely Community Center thrive, please reach out. I can share copies of the Board Member Expectations and SOPs so you know exactly what’s involved before deciding.
This is a chance to be part of something that’s finally reached a stable, exciting point — a community center that truly serves the community.
There’s always something happening at the Ely Community Center! Watch this space for upcoming events, celebrations, and community gatherings.
The Ely Community Center hosts a wide variety of activities, events, and rentals throughout the year. This calendar shows everything happening in the building so members and the community can plan ahead.
Here’s how to read the calendar:
👉 Public events (no prefix) are open to all — just come and enjoy!
👉 Members: activities are for members and their guests.
👉 Hosted Group: activities are hosted by groups meeting at the Community Center. These are open to new members — contact the organizer to learn more.
👉 By Reservation: events that require an appointment or sign-up (please do not drop in).
👉 Rental: private events or by invitation only.
Room colors:
🟩 Main Hall | 🟥 Meeting Room | 🟦 Commercial Kitchen | 🟧 Whole Building
Here’s a look at some of our regular weekly activities — everyone is welcome to join us!
Monday
Smear Card Game
Wednesday
Wellness Wednesdays
Monthly Potluck – (sign up in the lobby)
Bridge
Bingo
Member & Board Meeting
Ping PongÂ
Thursday
TOPS – open to new members
Mah Jongg
Pinochle
Friday
Online & Homeschool Study Group
Pinochle
Sunday
Ping Pong
Other Happenings at the Center:
Happy Toes – by appointment
Cancer Support Group
Braver Angels Discussions
Church Service
DMV Visits - by appointment
Kaleva Women’s Group
Heart of the Woods Quilters
See our full Programs & Activities for details and contacts.
The Ely Community Center is a welcoming, one-level gathering place in the heart of Ely. We host a variety of member-led activities, public events, and private rentals.
Whether you’d like to join a card game, take part in a wellness class, host a meeting, or volunteer at one of our annual events — there’s a place for you here.
Membership is open to adults 18+, and many public events are open to all.
We want every guest to feel welcome and comfortable from the moment they arrive:
A dedicated parking lot is located next to the building for visitor use.
Two accessible parking spaces are available in front of the entrance.
A drop-off zone at the front door provides easy unloading or guest assistance.
The building is all on one level with two wheelchair-accessible entrances. The front entrance offers the smoothest access.
The Ely Community Center features a rotating Artist Wall exhibit in our lobby, showcasing the work of local and regional artists. Stop by during open hours to enjoy the latest display — or learn how to apply to exhibit your own work!
👉 Visit our Artist Wall page for details.
We love seeing members and neighbors pitch in! Whether you can bake, plan an event, help with setup, or run a snack station, there are fun ways to get involved.
Talk to a board member or email us at elycommunitycenter@gmail.com — we’d love to have you on the team!