halcyon house

a worker owned holistic wellness cooperative

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Author: Josh Jones

  • Serenity Lounge – October 2026

    Serenity Lounge – October 2026

    Deep Downtempo & Blissful Bass with Tsunami at Halcyon House

    Experience a unique evening of community, movement, and mindfulness at Halcyon House, a worker-owned holistic wellness cooperative in downtown Duluth, MN. Join us for Deep Downtempo and Blissful Bass with Tsunami, an intentional gathering centered around attention, unique atmosphere, and genuine human connection.

    Whether you are seeking a meditative retreat or an energetic release, this event blends the therapeutic power of sound with community wellness. We believe that good music, great company, and high-quality tea are natural complements.

    Choose Your Own Journey

    At this gathering, there is no right or wrong way to show up. We invite you to find your own peace and presence through:

    • Connection: Sit down for an intimate, meaningful conversation with a friend.
    • Movement: Express yourself on the floor, move your body, and dance.
    • Introspection: Take a quiet, meditative journey inward within our sensory-friendly wellness center.

    Event Highlights & Holistic Wellness

    • Mini Thai Massage Sessions: Sample the restorative benefits of our bodywork! Enjoy short, traditional Thai massage sessions to open tight joints and release muscle tension.
    • Complimentary Tea: Sip on nourishing blends crafted to ground your nervous system and support your evening.
    • Inclusive Environment: This is a non-alcoholic, all-ages event. Everyone in the Twin Ports community is welcome.

    Join Us in Downtown Duluth

    Discover a local oasis designed for absolute relaxation. Unwind in a space free from harsh environmental triggers, complete with soothing lighting and a welcoming atmosphere.

    Come exactly as you are to experience deep bass, blissful community connection, and total well-being.

    Though October’s Serenity Lounge has passed, we would like to make this a regular event. What do you think? If you follow us on the socials, send us a comment!

  • Guided Meditation with Neil Rasmussen

    Guided Meditation with Neil Rasmussen

    with Mental Health Therapist, Neil Rasmussen, MS

    Immerse yourself in calm, embodied presence, tea, communal circle, and an immersive guided meditation, centering yourself with love, ease, and connection.

  • Getting the most out of these long days with extra time outside

    Getting the most out of these long days with extra time outside

    As the days get longer, it’s easier and easier to squeeze in extra time outside – more dog walks, biking to the store to pick up the missing ingredient for dinner, visiting friends for back yard hang-outs, skipping rocks, more dog walks, etc. I have been noticing a shift in people’s mood with the uptake in greenery and vitamin D.

    • +10 cheeriness
    • +5 stopping to admire gardens
    • +15 smelling blossoming trees
    • +10 walking all over the place

    Another thing I have noticed, not only in others but with myself as well, is a tendency to use the overload of activity during summer to distract from the goings-on of the rest of the world. And while we DO need to take mental health breaks, rest, and recharge, we are now seeing our neighbors who we didn’t see all winter, more people stopping to chat in the front yard, and people visiting from around the country. Use this extra time outside to connect with your community.

    Seeing more people? Take advantage and build community

    Now is a great time to grow our network of real community connections. For some people, it comes naturally; for others, it takes some practice. And there are various levels of effort depending on your comfort level. Here are a few ideas, from small to large:

    • Equipment sharing – yard tools, power tools
    • Offer to be help neighbors in a pinch (i.e. their car has a flat tire and they need a ride to work)
    • Find a local mutual aid organization to donate time or needed items
    • Get involved with a cause you care about (from local, national, and international)
  • Article about Halcyon House from MCCD

    Article about Halcyon House from MCCD

    Halcyon House Featured by MCCD & Important Duluth Parking Updates

    Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) recently published a wonderful feature article about Halcyon House. We are incredibly honored by their spotlight. MCCD continues to be an invaluable resource for the local cooperative community. They provide expert guidance and advice to cooperatives in both urban and rural areas across the state.

    Here is a fun cooperative fact for you. Minnesota actually leads the entire United States in cooperative formation! We are incredibly proud to be part of this thriving, community-focused movement. If you want to learn more about our specific history, business formation, and cooperative development, please take a moment to read the full piece.

    Read the Article

    Advocating for Better Parking in Downtown Duluth

    We also want to provide a quick follow-up to our recent discussion regarding the new downtown Duluth parking changes. Our team directly contacted the Duluth Parking Commissioner, Mark Bauer, at 218-730-5177 or emailing him. We shared how these new parking adjustments directly impact our community. Right now, we are actively advocating for better downtown accessibility. We are also pushing for longer maximum limits on all on-street parking spots. If you want to help, please consider calling the commission to voice your opinion too! 218-730-5177 or email them.

    In the meantime, we want to help you avoid parking tickets. If you usually need 90-minute or 120-minute parking sessions, we recommend skipping the meters. Instead, try using the Muffler Clinic lot on Michigan Street. Another great option is the Tech Village parking ramp located right behind Pizza Lucé.

    To pay, simply scan the QR code displayed on their lot signs to set up your parking session. We completely agree that the online payment system can be frustrating. If you ever need a hand figuring it out, just let us know. We are always happy to help you navigate it!

    Muffler Clinic Lot

  • Opening Reception – Artist Paul LaJeunesse

    Opening Reception – Artist Paul LaJeunesse

    May 9th at 5:30PM

    Paul LaJeunesse creates large-scale, site-specific murals that reflect the historic, identities, communities and locations. His work is rooted in research, collaboration and storytelling. Through his process he transforms public spaces into a shared narrative.

    “My research revolves around the concept of place and how places are assimilated with personal values to create meaning for our lives.”

    Join us to welcome this talented artist into the Halcyon House gallery. Meet Paul, drink some tea, have fun, look at inspiring art.

    Framed prints available for purchase for a limited time at Halcyon House.

    • Framed: $150
    • Print Only: $75

    Paul LaJeunesse: Contemporary Landscape Painter and Public Mural Artist

    First and foremost, Duluth-based artist Paul LaJeunesse has established a distinguished career spanning fine art education, international fellowships, and massive public art installations. His academic journey culminated when he received his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in painting from Bowling Green State University in 2006. Shortly after earning his degree, his technical mastery earned him the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant. Consequently, this initial success paved the way for a 2007 Fulbright fellowship in Iceland, where he fully immersed himself in creating a celebrated body of Nordic landscape paintings.

    International Exhibitions and Academic Leadership

    In addition to his early-career milestones, LaJeunesse has developed a prolific exhibition record both nationally and internationally. For instance, he has held solo fine art exhibitions in states like Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Missouri, Indiana, and Minnesota, as well as solo showcases abroad in Iceland. Furthermore, his work has been featured in high-profile international group exhibitions, specifically within major cultural hubs like Saitama and Tokyo, Japan.

    Alongside his studio practice, LaJeunesse is a highly regarded fine art educator. Over the years, he has shared his expertise across multiple institutions, having taught at:

    • Western Oregon University
    • Georgia State University
    • The College of St. Scholastica
    • Leading creative spaces like the Anderson Ranch Arts Center and The Grand Marais Art Colony

    Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Painting at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where he continues to mentor the next generation of contemporary painters.

    Community Impact Through Public Art and Murals

    Meanwhile, LaJeunesse has significantly expanded his creative footprint into the realm of community-driven public art. To date, he has designed and executed seven major site-specific public murals, along with numerous collaborative community paint projects. By utilizing research, public collaboration, and historical storytelling, his large-scale murals actively transform ordinary public venues into deeply meaningful, shared spaces.

    Ultimately, whether working on a canvas or a city wall, his artwork investigates the intricate relationships among individual memories of time, space, and place. In this way, he uses visual storytelling as a medium through which we assign meaning to our human experiences and actively construct our sense of identity.

    More about Paul
    Events
  • Downtown Parking Update

    Downtown Parking Update

    It has happened – the city of Duluth has removed the parking meters on Michigan Street. I had made a social media post with the same information as follows, and what do you know? It was our most viewed post to date. Parking is a hot-button topic in Duluth! We do love to talk about urban planning, but this is more for informational purposes only.

    This update has a few ramifications for our clients.

    1. There were a few “free spaces” where parking meters were missing that will no longer be free. It is now using zones only instead of space numbers. Sorry! We’re sad to see those go, but they often were filled with Minnesota Power employees who started their day early in the morning.
    2. Luckily, it looks like the maximum time limit is still 2 hours as it was before. However, for those who schedule 120 minute massages, we don’t have the ability to add time past the 2 hour limit. If you do schedule 120 minute massages, we suggest parking in either the Muffler Clinic lot which is along Michigan Street or the Tech Village lot with the entrance on 1st Street.

    We plan to get in touch with parking services to advocate for clearer signage, posting the enforcement hours, clearly mark parking spaces, and find out if they intend to install a kiosk on Michigan Street.

  • The dreaded doom-scroll

    The dreaded doom-scroll

    Why do I doom scroll?!

    I’ve got to admit… sometimes I can’t stop doom scrolling. The other day I was like ‘Why is my wrist feeling so sore?’

    Yeah, holding my phone too long flipping through a sea of yuck had tension building through my hand, wrist, forearm, shoulder, neck, etc.

    I had to take a breather and get some movement!

    Thankfully, COGGS volunteers have been doing their best to keep our trails in as good of condition as could be hoped for. Getting bounced along over the icy terrain may have also been rough on my wrists, arms, shoulders, and neck, but I feel a lot better afterwards!

    I may need to get on the schedule this week to loosen up some of these tight muscles though!

    If you are having trouble with your mental health and emotional processing, Sara Sheppard is amazing at helping us through it.

  • Welcome Sara Sheppard

    Welcome Sara Sheppard

    Welcoming Sara Sheppard: Holistic Occupational Therapy at Halcyon House

    We are thrilled to welcome a fantastic new addition to our team! After collaborating with Robin for their popular Tea Talk – Nervous System Regulation for the Holidays and the Art of Wintering Well classes, Sara Sheppard is officially bringing her deep experience and clinical knowledge in-house.

    Sara has been serving clients as a dedicated Occupational Therapist since 2008. In 2010, she expanded her practice to become a certified Craniosacral Therapist. She brings a wealth of specialized knowledge to our community, focusing heavily on somatic healing and long-term wellness.

    Holistic Therapy Services Offered

    Sara provides targeted care for both children and adults. You can book the following specialized sessions with her:

    • Pediatric Therapy: A 45-minute focused session tailored for children.
    • Individual Therapy: A 60-minute comprehensive session for adults.
    • Nervous System Education: An intensive 8-session series built for deep healing.

    An Individualized and Compassionate Therapy Style

    Sara utilizes a deeply individualized, holistic occupational therapy approach. Her treatment philosophy seamlessly blends nervous system regulation, sensory processing, and gentle manual therapies. By incorporating craniosacral and fascial techniques, she helps clients foster true balance and ease in everyday life. Her gentle methods are perfect for anyone looking to reduce chronic stress or recover from physical tension.

    What is Holistic Occupational Therapy?

    The primary goal of occupational therapy is to support meaningful daily living. Sara provides the essential education you need to understand your own nervous system and unique sensory processing traits.

    Every single session is rooted in a client-centered approach. Sara combines somatic awareness, nervous system education, and practical home programming to fully support both body and mind. Her gentle, somatic-based manual therapy includes myofascial techniques and craniosacral therapy. These practical strategies help you move toward your personal health goals with clarity and confidence. Partner with Sara today to build lasting resilience, sustainable well-being, and physical balance.

    Update

    For Pediatric Occupational Therapy sessions, reach Sara at the Masonic Children’s Clinic.

  • Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year!

    Leaving 2025 Behind: Fresh Intentions for a Better New Year

    Who is glad to be officially done with 2025?

    A new year always offers a powerful fresh start. It is the perfect time to reset your mindset. It gives us a moment to refocus on our true intentions. I completely understand the sentiment of leaving last year in the past. Many of us are looking forward to a brighter, much better 12 months ahead.

    However, we should not erase the past completely. The last year brought a heavy mix of both positive and negative moments. There are many deep experiences that I simply do not want to forget. Both the highs and the lows shaped who we are today.

    Growth happens when we look back with honesty. I hope to cherish the good memories we created. At the same time, I want to lock in the tough lessons. Ideally, we only need to learn those hard lessons once! We will see how that goes, as life always likes to surprise us.

    Setting new goals requires reflecting on old challenges. Think about what worked for you. Acknowledge what dragged you down. By carrying the wisdom forward, we make room for real progress. A fresh calendar is a blank page, but your history is the guide.

    Let us step forward with hope and resilience. We can build a stronger foundation for the months ahead. What are your main intentions for the days coming up? What are you choosing to leave behind? Let us embrace the future together, learn from the past, and make this journey truly count.

  • Welcome our newest board members

    Halcyon House Welcomes Three New Cooperative Board Directors

    Here at Halcyon House, our community thrives because of dedicated leadership. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome three new Directors to our Board: Robin Davidson, Kimberlee Grogan, and Kelley Minor. Each of these incredible individuals brings a wealth of unique knowledge, professional skills, and diverse life experiences to our Cooperative’s Board of Directors.

    We want to extend our deepest appreciation for our board members, both new and returning. As a cooperative, our leadership team plays a vital role in shaping our future. They guide our mission, support our staff, and ensure we remain a trusted resource for wellness and connection. The commitment of our board ensures that Halcyon House stays deeply rooted in community values.

    Meet Our New Board Directors

    Our new directors join us at an exciting time of growth. They bring fresh perspectives that will help us expand our community impact:

    • Robin Davidson adds unique experiential knowledge that enhances our holistic approach to local care.
    • Kimberlee Grogan offers strategic skills that strengthen our cooperative development and long-term vision.
    • Kelley Minor brings valuable insights that align perfectly with our community education and outreach efforts.

    Grateful for Cooperative Leadership

    Stepping into a board position requires a generous investment of time, energy, and heart. We truly cannot thank our board members enough for stepping up to serve. Their guidance helps us navigate challenges, celebrate milestones, and create a welcoming space for everyone.

    Please join us in giving Robin, Kimberlee, and Kelley a incredibly warm welcome! We look forward to achieving great things together in the coming months. Thank you to our entire board for your unwavering dedication, passion, and support. You are the backbone of our cooperative family.

    Halcyon House board member portrait of Robin Davidson

    Robin Davidson

    Halcyon House board member portrait of Kelley Minor

    Kelley Minor

    Halcyon House board member portrait of Kimberlee Grogan

    Kimberlee Grogan

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