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The Weekly Grind - September 29th 2025 Newsletter

  • Writer: Critical Grind Gaming
    Critical Grind Gaming
  • Sep 29
  • 4 min read

Happy National Coffee Day!

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UPDATES

We're still looking for volunteers to work with us at Lodge Con! Hang out at our vendor table, the game library, our cafe concessions, or even run some board games and role-playing games. Fill out this form if your interested and available.

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This is the last week to vote for the Best of Will County: Readers' Choice Awards.

Please Vote for Critical Grind for Best in Family Recreation. We won last year and would love to keep the streak going. That said, we were also nominated in the Birthday Party Venue category as well. You can vote once a day per email address.

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SPECIAL EVENTS!

Reserve Tickets Here:


3rd Annual Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner!

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Tickets are now on sale for our 3rd Annual Murder Mystery Dinner! Sign up now to reserve your seat.

RPG Event Updates!

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--> KIDS RPG NIGHT

I will be emailing the parents directly every week a few days before Kid's RPG Night with the link for sign-ups and session descriptions. So if you are a Kid's RPG Night parent, please fill out this form .(if you haven't already)


Please remember Kid's RPG Night is only the 2nd and 4th Fridays.



--> Discord Looking For Party Highlights

These are some RPGs being mentioned in our Discord that people are looking to get together and play.

Dungeons & Dragons, Starfinder, Daggerheart, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, and probably some others. Join the discord and don't miss the tables.


Tip: When you join, go to Rules to get verified. Then, VERY IMPORTANTLY: go to Roles-and-Info to select your interests. This is what will unlock the channels.



TCG Event Updates!

Our Magic the Gathering League is going. This is round 2 but you can join any time! Played in timed pods with points awarded for place at the end of the game, and various play goals which will rotate every 4 weeks. Promos and Packs will be given as prizes each week.
Our Magic the Gathering League is going. This is round 2 but you can join any time! Played in timed pods with points awarded for place at the end of the game, and various play goals which will rotate every 4 weeks. Promos and Packs will be given as prizes each week.
Commander Party is a fun Casual Tournament with some silly new rules thrown in. Click Here to save your seat!
Commander Party is a fun Casual Tournament with some silly new rules thrown in. Click Here to save your seat!

Lorcana League is back for Set 9. Lots of ways to earn points, packs, and prizes. Join our discord to see the different play goals for each round.
Lorcana League is back for Set 9. Lots of ways to earn points, packs, and prizes. Join our discord to see the different play goals for each round.
Sign up for our next Pack Rush Tournament
Sign up for our next Pack Rush Tournament
Register for the Fabled Set Championships.
Register for the Fabled Set Championships.
All of our upcoming Magic Events all the way through October!
All of our upcoming Magic Events all the way through October!

Board Game Event Updates!



Wednesday Open Play <--

We are currently offering Free Play on Wednesdays. Stop by anytime on a Wednesday and play any of the games in our library. (*this doesn't include any special events or tournaments*)







--> Splendor & 7 Wonders Tournaments

In partnership with By The Board Games, we're hosting Splendor and 7 Wonders Elimination Qualifiers. The finals will be held at Lodge Con, November 1st & 2nd. Top 8 from each store will be invited to the finals at Lodge Con and will be rewarded with FREE weekend entry to the convention.

September's Mini Painting Contest WINNER - David K.

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Congratulations David K. With 17 votes, you're our September mini-contest winner!


Everyone stay tuned for the October Mini!

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Whether you're participating in our contests or just looking for a space to hang out and paint, stop by any Tuesday or Wednesday for our Mini-Painting drop-in between 3pm & 8pm. $5 for all you can paint, access to our brushes, and paints, and a free figure to practice on. Or pick up additional figures for only $5 each.


Critical Podcast

Click the image or HERE to find us on Podbean! Or search for us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Click the image or HERE to find us on Podbean! Or search for us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Let's just say the podcast is on a bit of a hiatus. I haven't given up on this but I need to pace myself.


Thank you all for understanding.


Catch up now on Spotify, Podbean, and Apple Podcasts.


Are you interested in being a guest on the podcast? Fill out this form.


On a related note, I was recently a guest on "From Scratch" and I'm excited for the release of that episode. Looks like it's going to come out in a couple months.


Pop-Up Events!

Did You Know!?

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Almost every one of the games inn our library are available to rent. For only $4 a day, you can borrow a game. Bring it home and play in the comfort of your own home.


Patreon subscribers can borrow games for up to 30-days at a time.

This Month's Calendar & Specials

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SEPTEMBER SPECIALS --

Banana Lunar Chai: Banana & Toasted Marshmallow Chai Latte. (Take flavor inspiration and use Banana and Toasted Marshmallow in a latte or Italian soda)

Jolly Rancher Refresher: Watermelon Kiwi Refresher with Cherry Syrup.

Orange Smoothius: Pineapple Smoothie with Orange Juice, topped with Vanilla Cold Foam.

Banana Pudding Toast: Cream Cheese, Bananas, Nilla Cookies, and Butterscotch Syrup.

Campfire Toast: Ricotta, Walnuts, Espresso Grounds, Cinnamon, and Maple Syrup.



Still in development but here is the October Calendar as of 9/22/25
Still in development but here is the October Calendar as of 9/22/25

OCTOBER SPECIALS --

Apple & Butter Rum Latte: Enjoy Hot or Iced. Or try it as a Chai or Matcha.

Olde Fashioned Cream Soda: Tastes like a classic cream soda. Butter Rum Italian Soda & Vanilla Cold Foam

Cinna-Berry Smoothie: Mixed Berry Smoothie with Cinnamon

Cookie Butter Cheesecake Toast: Cream Cheese, Cookie Butter, Graham Crackers, and Cinnamon

Happy Harvest Toast: Hummus, Sliced Apple, Strawberry Balsamic, and Cinnamon



This Week's Event Highlights

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This is a quick look at this week's events. And of course any day is Game Day at Critical Grind. Just stop in anytime and find your next favorite game.


Follow our newsletter and socials to never miss an event!


Every link you need to follow us is right here:


SPECIAL EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK:

  • FABULOUS BINGO - MONDAY - 7PM

  • MINI PAINTING - TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY - 3PM

  • PUZZLE NIGHT - WEDNESDAY - 6PM

  • PUMPKIN SUCCULENT WORKSHOP - WEDNESDAY - 7PM

  • CRITICAL ROLE WATCH PARTY - THURSDAY - 9PM




This Week's Events Flyers/Details




Signing Off


Thanks so much for taking the time to read this week's Weekly Grind. If there's anything specific you want to hear about at the cafe, let me know!


"Life is more fun if you play games" - Roald Dahl

 
 
 

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