March is Minnesota Food Share Month with a goal of 60,000 pounds/dollars from this event.  To participate in this drive, food and monetary donation can be brought to the Salvation Army, located at 208 S. 5th Street between the hours of 8 – 12pm and 1- 4pm.  Monetary donations can also be sent to The Salvation Army…PO Box 385…Brainerd, MN  56401.  All donations stay local. Food shelves can stretch donations of cash further than donations of food because of their access to discount products and programs.  For more information call Bonnie at 829-1120.

Crow Wing County Community Services Health Division will be holding Walk In Flu Clinics (H1N1 and Seasonal) at the Crow Wing County Public Health office located at 204 Laurel Street, Suite 12, Brainerd MN from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on the following Wednesdays in March: March 17th  & 31st. For more information please call the Crow Wing County 24 Hour Flu Hotline at (218) 822-7022 or (218) 824-1080

If your child is 3 or 4 years old, ISD #181 needs to hear from you.  MN Law states that early childhood screening be offered in every school district.  You are encourage to make this free appointment that includes checking your child’s immunization, growth, hearing and vision as well as skills in thinking, communication and language, large and small muscles, and social/emotional development.  Registration with the district for your child’s kindergarten year is part of the appointment.  Call the Early Childhood Center at 454-5430 to make an appointment. (thru March)

The Pequot Lakes Festival of the Arts has been a community wide celebration of artistic talent for 27-years and will be held on Thursday, April 8 at 5:30pm to 8:00pm.  Local artists are encouraged to set up a display and show their artistry.  Visual artists who would like a table, should call Dave Guenther at 218-568-9252.  Performing artists or groups should call Chris Nick at 218-562-6170. Reserve your place in the festival by Mid-March. 

The 9th annual Hallet Center & Kinship Partners Chili-Cook-Off will be held on Tues., March 23 at the Hallet Center from 11 – 1pm. The cost to sample some great chili will be $4 for adults; $2 for youth and kids under 6 are free.  The cost to enter your chili is only $10 and is limited to the first 30 teams. Proceeds to benefit the Hallet Center & Kinship Partners.  For more information call Maurice at the Hallett Center -  218.546.2616.

Through  March 28, Grand Casino, Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley will be running the “Add a Quarter to Your Order” promotion.  It works like this, guests and associations will have an option to add a quarter their order each time they dine at one of the food venues, and all proceeds will go to benefit Second Harvest North Central Food Bank near Grand Casino Mille Lacs and the Family Pathways Food Shelf in Hinckley.  Grand Casino will be matching your donations.

Riverwood Healthcare Center is hosting a 6-week Grief support group, which will be held on Thursday evenings, April 8 through May 13. The group will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Riverwood's hospital conference rooms A & B at 200 Bunker Hill Drive in Aitkin. To register, call Riverwood Social Services  at (218) 927-5524.


The Third Annual Purses for Partners, a luncheon and purse auction to benefit Kinship Partners, will be held on Saturday, April 24th, in the new Gull Lake Center at Grand View Lodge.  Silent auction and purse viewing starts at 11:00, with lunch at noon.  Ticket cost is $25.   Come and enjoy lunch on April 24th and get a new fashion accessory at the same time.  Contact Kinship Partners at 218 454-8012 or email marketing@kinshippartners.org to reserve your tickets today.

Pre-registrations are now being accepted for the 46th Annual Staples Rotary Arts Show April 30 - May 2 in the lobby of Centennial Auditorium in Staples. For pre-registration or to have a brochure mailed to you, call Jim Hofer at 218-894-1152 or email jmhofer@charter.net. Exhibits will be accepted from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, April 29.  Artists may exhibit their work or enter it for juried competition. Exhibited art may also be for sale. There is no limit to the number of items artists may exhibit in the non-juried portion of the art show and there is no fee for non-juried items.  The show will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m., Friday, April 30; from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, May 1; and from noon.-4 p.m., Sunday, May 2. Artists may pick up their exhibits from 4-5 p.m. Sunday.

Pine River Market Square: a local growers’ and crafters’ market is busy preparing for the 2010 season. The market will run Fridays, May 28-Septembert 24 and potentially October Fridays, weather pending. The times have changed to 2:30-6:30pm and will be on the same site downtown Pine River, Barclay Ave and Third Street. Farmers and crafters who qualify and are within 50 miles of Pine River are welcome for the up-coming season. A Market Vendor Information Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, 6:30pm at the Hunt Utilities Group campus located on Co Rd 2 in Pine River off Hwy   The kick off on Friday, May 28 will feature the 3rd Annual Plant Sale hosted by the Pine River Garden Club and Community Education.. Proceeds will go for a horticulture student scholarship and a portion to scholarships for Pine River-Backus Community Education summer youth programs. For further information on the market go to www.prmarketsquare.wordpress.com, or call 218-587-3199.

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WEDNESDAY 3.17

The Brainerd History Group will meet for its third Wednesday gathering, March 16 at 5:30pm  at the former Carnegie library building on North Seventh and Washington Streets. Anyone interested in Brainerd history is welcome. Call 820-2424 for more information.

St. Patrick's Day corn beef and cabbage will be served from 11 – 7pm or until gone Wednesday, March 17 at the Brainerd VFW. Cost is $8.

 

THURSDAY 3.18

The Good Samaritan Society – Woodland Annual Brat Sale will be held on Thur., March 18 from 10:30 – 2pm.  Cost is $2.50 for a brat & pop.  Eat in or have your order of 10 or more delivered to your door.  Call 829-1429.  Proceeds to benefit Resident Library Equipment.

“A Taste of Italy” Dinner, presented by Chef Jon Pulsifer will be on Thurs., March 18 starting at 5:30pm at the Brainerd American Legion.  Cost $8.00.

The Pequot Lakes Student Council Benefit will be held on Thurs., March 18 at the Pequot Lakes Baptist Church/Trailside Center.  Benefit is for John Kloster, who is facing a shortened life and several brain tumors; Robbie Newton who is suffering from the effects of seizures, the cause unknown & Jared Brockway suffered a brain aneurism & stroke.  Jared & Robbie are students of Pequot Lakes High School; John Kloster is an eye doctor at Pequot Lakes Eye Care and has kids at Pequot High School.  Cost for the spaghetti dinner and silent auction will be $5 for students; $8 for adults; $3 for kids 3 & up and kids on parents lap-free.  If you would like more information call Renee at 218-251-6340.

 

FRIDAY 3.19

Pine River-Backus Renaissance Festival will be held on Fri., March 19 from 5 – 8:30pm in the PRB Commons & gym.  Royal Procession at 6pm with the Madrigal Choral Performance at 7:30pm.  There will be games, vendors and activities.  There is a $2 donation at the door (max. $10/family).  Co-sponsored by the PRB Language & Music programs, and Community Education.

The Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce Trade & Sport Show will be Friday & Saturday, March 19 & 20.  Hours Friday: 1 – 7pm; Saturday 9 – 4pm. 

The Malmo Evangelical Free Church in Isle will feature the combined groups of Playin’ Truth & Hawkinson and friends on Fri., March 19 at 7pm.  A free will offering will be taken.  The church is located near the junction of highways 47 and 18 on hwy 18 near the north east corner of Lake Mille Lacs.  Questions, call 218-927-3055.

 

 

SATURDAY 3.20

There will be a benefit for Diane (Pettit) Bjerkness on Sat., March 20 start at 2pm at the Walter Scott Erickson Legion Post #557 in Deerwood.  Diane was diagnosed in August of 2009 with esophageal cancer.  Since that time she has had surgeries with extensive radiation and chemo, and is facing a long recovery.  Silent auction will be from 2 – 4pm with a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 – 6pm.  Cost is $6 per place.  All welcome.

Minneapolis Guitar Quartet will perform on Sat., March 20, starting at 7:30pm in the Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium. The Minneapolis Guitar Quartet, presented by GLAPA, will perform March 20, 2010. The quartet presents a range of musical genres the will leave you inspired--from Renaissance to Latin to contemporary.  For more information call 218.568.9200.

If you enjoy making messes, mixing different chemicals together and having fun, check out the Eewy Gooey science class held at the Staples-Motley High School on Sat., March 20 at either 9 -12pm or 1 -4pm.  Cost for the class is $17 and is open to students in 1st – 4th grade. For more information or to register, contact Julie at the Staples-Motley Community Education at 894-2497

 

SUNDAY 3.21

You are invited to a Favorite Game Quilt Party, sponsored by the St. Michael’s Christian Mothers/Women at 1pm on Sun., March 21 at the new parish center in Buckman.  Door prizes and free lunch provided.  For more information call Janice Janson at 320-468-6011.

The Relay for Life team is having a bingo fundraiser at 2pm on Sun., March 21 at the Pillager Community Center in Pillager. All proceeds are going to the American Cancer Society.

Lord of Life Church in Baxter will be holding auditions for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on Sun., March 21st at 1:00 pm, Mon. & Tues., March 22nd and 23rd at 6:00pm in the Sonshine Room at Lord of Life Church. Auditions are open to the public. Needed are folks ages 12 through the "golden years." Please prepare a 1-2 minute song from any musical. You may bring someone to play the piano for your audition, or bring a cd with your background music (please eliminate any vocal tracks from a cd you are using.) Performance dates for "Joseph" will be June 10,11,12, 13. If you need more information, please contact the director, Beth Selinger at: (320) 749-3017.

Robert Robinson, Minnesota's master male vocalist, will be featured in concert on Sunday, March 21 at 2:00pm at the Centennial Auditorium in Staples.  Tickets are $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door.  $6.00 & $7.00 for students.  For more information, call 1-800-213-6877.


MONDAY 3.22
The Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota Presents its Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, Pasta, Pipes, and Pedals and Organ Recital on Monday, March 22, from  5- 7 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brainerd. $7 Adults, $3 Children under 12.  For more information, go to: www.legacychorale.org 

 

 

TUESDAY 3.23
The 9th annual Hallet Center & Kinship Partners Chili-Cook-Off will be held on Tues., March 23 at the Hallet Center from 11 – 1pm. The cost to sample some great chili will be $4 for adults; $2 for youth and kids under 6 are free.  Proceeds to benefit the Hallet Center & Kinship Partners.  For more information call Maurice at the Hallett Center -  218.546.2616.

 

 

WEDNESDAY 3.24

The Brainerd American Legion will host its 1st Annual "Fishing Frenzy" on Wednesday, March 24.  For tickets, call 218-829-2249.

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber will host the Lakes Area Job Fair, sponsored by BL Broadcasting, on Wed., March 24 from 9 – noon at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.  This event allows you to connect with area employers who will have booths promoting current and future job opportunities.  Come prepared to submit resumes and interview for a job on-site with local employers looking for summer, part-time and full time employees.  Businesses connect with area employees and promote your employment opportunities by reserving your booth space by contacting Mary Gottsch at mGottsch@ExploreBrainerdLakes.com or call 218-822-7117

 

THURSDAY 3.25

Miss Brainerd Lakes Scholarship Pageant will have an informational meeting on Thurs., March 25th starting at 4pm at the Brainerd High School South Campus Media Center. 

 

FRIDAY 3.26

The 29th annual MMBA Home Show will be held at the Brainerd Civic Center through Sunday, March 28.

The Melissa Wooden Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser Spaghetti Dinner & silent auction will be held on Fri., March 26 from 4 – 7pm at the Brainerd Eagles Club.  Cost:  ages 8 & up $7.00 pre-sale or $8 at the door; ages 4-7 $5.00 and kids 3 & under free.  Donations may be sent to the CLC Foundation…501 W. College Drive…Brainerd, MN  56401.  All proceeds go to the CLC Melissa Wooden Scholarship Fund. For more information call Carol at 330-9239 or Megan at 839-1417.

Music from Dan Navarro will be the featured at the  Grassroots Concerts in Nisswa on Friday, March 26  at the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar at 7:30pm.  Doors open at 6:30pm. All concerts start at 7:30pm.  Admission is $10.00 at the door.  For more information, visit www.grassrootsconcerts.org. 

 

 

SATURDAY 3.27

The 5th Annual Family Education Program, "Raptors of Minnesota," will be held at the Northland Arboretum Visitor Center in Brainerd/Baxter on Saturday, March 27 at 10:30am.  Learn about the role Minnesota Raptors play in our environment.  There will be a majestic Bald Eagle and three other beautiful raptors from the Minnesota Raptor Center on display.  Fee is $10.00 per family for "Arb" members and $20.00 per family for non-members.  No registration is required and doors open at 9:45am. 

The Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post will hold a Maple Syrup Harvest Demonstration on  Saturday, March 27.  Participants will observe the process of gathering maple sap, then boiling it into syrup and sugar.  Cost is $10.00 for the general public & band members.  For more information and reservations, call 320-532-3632.


There will be a Kids Easter Party at the Backus American Legion on Saturday, March 27 from 11:30am - 1:00pm at the Legion for children 12 and under.  There will be Easter Picture coloring, Easter Egg Hunt, Fish pond, Dart throw and Bean bag throw.  Lunch will be provided. 

SUNDAY 3.28

There will be Quilt & Ham Bingo at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Bulldog Lake in Hillman on Sun., March 28th.  Games begin at 1:30pm.  Winners choose your own quilt.  There will be door prizes and free lunch.  All welcome.  Sponsored by St. Elizabeth Council.

 

SATURDAY 4.3
The Lum Park Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sat., April 3 starting at 10am.  This is for kids ages 2 – 7.  Bring a basket to collect your eggs in.

Brainerd Lakes Area Women of Today and ECFE Invite you to an Easter Party at the District #181 Learning Center in the big gym on Sat., April 3 from 10 – noon.  Come and make some crafts, frost an Easter cookie, enjoy some Easter games and have your picture taken with real LIVE bunnies! Please bring your own camera. Cost: $2.50 per child - Adults are free with a non-perishable food item to donate to the food shelf or an additional $2.50.  Money raised will be donated to the ECFE scholarship fund.