Cazenovia — The end of the Project Café after-school program at Common Grounds has opened an opportunity to make the space more useful for community-minded, inter-generational activities, and a group of civic-minded individuals are currently working to make that a reality — and looking for ideas and participants in the process.

“We’re looking to facilitate interactions between different groups, organizations and people,” said Kelli Johnson, who is acting as the facilitator/coordinator for the new Common Grounds plans. “My goal is to get a conversation going so people can share some ideas and step up if they want to help.”

The Common Grounds community space — the front half the building in which also resides Dave’s Diner, although the two are separate spaces — has been around for nearly two decades. The intent of the space has always had “community caring” as its purpose, offering a comfortable and convenient place for people to gather, said Bob Hood, building owner and creator of Common Grounds. There is provide free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and a gathering place for walking groups; book clubs, bible study groups and fellowship groups meet there; and friends have a place to meet and to share.

“After 16 years, Project Cafe’s after school program had ‘run its course,’ and we decided to step back and see how else the space known as Common Grounds can (better) serve the community,” Hood said.

One of the main ideas currently being considered is to cater more towards retired/senior groups and offering several activities, programs, services and events that could be held at Common Grounds, Hood said. Members of CASA and CRIS already meet regularly over coffee or lunch at Dave’s Diner, and part of the plan would be to also provide more interactive opportunities for the youth in the community to share experiences with the senior/retired population, he said.

continued — “Focusing more on serving our older population is a natural transition for what Project Cafe and Common Grounds began together 16 years ago. CAFE stands for Community Activities For Everyone, and that remains as our goal and purpose,” Hood said.

In addition to the potential senior/youth interaction uses, Johnson is working on other community ideas and activities for Common Grounds. On Black Friday last week (Nov. 27), a few local non-profit organizations set up informational tables, and this Friday, Dec. 4, during the Cazenovia First Night celebrations, Johnson said she is looking to host an open house in Common Grounds with hot cocoa and cookies, looking to offer people a place to gather and share ideas on how they would like to see the space used moving forward.

Other ideas currently under consideration for the space include an interactive display where people can share their holiday traditions; using the television screen above the fireplace for a regular documentary viewing series or to show holiday movies; and hosting a regular trivia night or poetry night, Johnson said.

But in the end, these are all simply ideas and possibilities; nothing has been decided, and Johnson and Hood are eager to receive community feedback. “We’re looking for participants of all ages and from all groups,” Johnson said.

For more information, or to share ideas or get involved in Common Grounds, contact Johnson at [email protected] or 655-4468.