Is This Cool?: 6 Activities for the (Nearly) Geriatric Millennial in Greater Grand Forks

A twenty-something office colleague recently told me she had once been referred to jokingly as a “geriatric millennial.” I, being the nearly geriatric millennial that I am, had no idea what she was talking about – a millennial is a millennial, right? I did some research, and here’s what I found: Millennials are those born within the timeframe of 1981-1996. Geriatric millennials are a microgeneration of elder millennials born 1981-1985.

I’m cutting it close, folks. And that makes me want to do young people stuff.

Thankfully I live in a community where young people stuff is INCREDIBLY easy to find. Grand Forks is a hot spot for college students and early-career families, and boredom is not an affliction our business owners and city leaders take lightly. So, I pulled out my whiteboard and made an itinerary to roll back the clock (no DeLorean necessary).

Use Muscles You Haven’t in a While at Northern Air

Northern Air boasts virtual reality, axe throwing, and a soon-to-come two-level indoor go-kart track (Side note: I just chatted with owner Bryan Lee, and they’re putting the pedal to the metal on new attractions to make this a BONKERS fun place for millennial crowd – you just wait until August, my friends). The original draw of this recreation center was the massive indoor trampoline park. With wall-to-wall bounce pads and a foam pit for your hella-fly flips, it’s impossible not to feel 10 years younger within seconds. I’ve attended a handful of birthday parties for nieces at Northern Air (where I dominate in trampoline dodgeball), but this place is also a blast for reconnecting with other geriatric millennial friends. Who will pull a hamstring first? That’s all a part of the thrill!

Rock Out at Half Brothers Underground

Back in 2017, Half Brothers Brewing Company opened in downtown Grand Forks and started slinging some of the best craft beer, pizza, and community cheerleading to hit the scene. In 2022, they added an entire basement venue to feature local musicians in a concert environment – Half Brothers Underground. For a nearly geriatric millennial, the intimate auditory space brings you back to the days of shoulder-to-shoulder punk shows in local VFWs. Even if the artist belts cheery folk instead of head-thrashing screamo, you’ll get a shot of amped-up adrenaline.

(Finally) Figure Out your Face at Chapter Aesthetic Studio

I’ve had the same skincare regimen since high school, back in the early aughts (think “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne – that era). As it turns out, skin doesn’t react as kindly to cheap, abrasive cleansers and creams when you push past the 30-year-old mark. On the recommendation of a friend, I called Grand Forks’ new Chapter Aesthetic Studio to book a complimentary consultation. Using her space-age dermal imaging technology, my aesthetic advisor showed me the underworld hidden in the deep layers of my face. I was horrified, but not surprised. She recommended a couple of products that would tone down my natural fiery redness and protect me from further damage from the sun. Take that, natural aging process. I will be young forever.

Pretend to Have a Metabolism

People who know me best know that I love food. Especially food that is not nutritionally beneficial. But sometimes you just want to say, “Not today, baby carrots!” and Grand Forks is an excellent place to let your fried-food flag fly. Everyone already knows about the famous Toasted Frog cheesy pickles (our local Food Network girl Molly Yeh really shot those into the celebrity stratosphere, bless her), but there are a few other necessities around town that always have me yelling, “WORTH THE CALORIES!”

• Reuben rolls at Ely’s Ivy – This phenomenal German variation on an egg roll includes corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. With mustard sour cream on the side, they are chef’s-kiss delicious.
• Samosas at Steers – Everything at this Somali restaurant is fabulous, but my soul sighs for the fried, meat-stuffed triangles called samosas. Not to be confused with Samoas, the queen of Girl Scout cookies.
• Waffle fries and peppercorn gravy at The Hub – For a few months during the pandemic, my husband and I didn’t have access to The Hub. Our hearts started pumping blood instead of peppercorn gravy, which just didn’t feel natural to us.
• Shark wings at Parrot’s Cay – You choose the heat level on the unique “shark” chicken wing sauce, which starts at three and ends at 40. I love spicy food, and 14 makes me sweat. A lot.

Be a Pseudo Summer Student and Spend the Morning on UND’s Campus

I now live within walking distance of my alma mater, the University of North Dakota (class of ’10, represent!). Some days, nostalgia hits just right and I find myself drawn back to the gorgeous campus. A lot of new buildings and landmarks have emerged since I was a backpack-toting student, but I still love to hit my favorite spots. A perfect morning involves a stroll through the art-smattered quad, draining a latte at Archives coffee shop, and book browsing at the Chester Fritz Library (the largest in North Dakota). Ooooh, that smell of old literature – let’s bottle that.

Network with Younger Millennials and Zennials

The most effective way to stay youthful is to surround yourself with youthful people, which Grand Forks makes easy to do. I’m active in several organizations that allow me to grow with movers-and-shakers of all ages, many of whom are just starting their professional careers. Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals was the largest impetus of the personal connections I’ve made with other millennials (and now Gen-Z). I’ve also become incredibly involved in Greater Grand Forks Women’s Leadership Cooperative, Friends of the Grand Forks Public Library, and Powerhouse Toastmasters (and the list goes on). Through community service events, committees, professional development sessions, socials, and more, all of these organizations help me keep my spirit young and my heart grateful to be part of such a vibrant, giving region.