Our Year Together: Celebrating the Heart and Soul of the Brainerd Lakes Area in 2025

What a year it's been, friends. As I sit here reflecting on everything we've shared together through Lakes Area Buzz in 2025, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude—not just for the stories we've told, but for you, the readers who've made this community newsletter more than just words on a screen.

This past year, we published 72 stories celebrating the people, places, and moments that make our corner of Minnesota truly special. From August through December, we've laughed together, shed a few tears, discovered hidden gems, and watched our neighbors achieve extraordinary things. Let me take you on a journey through the year that was—a year that proved our Lakes Area community is stronger, kinder, and more resilient than ever.

The Heart of Our Community

The stories that moved us most this year were about everyday heroes doing extraordinary things. In September, we met 84-year-old Lolita Myers from Wadena, who became a Taekwondo Grandmaster, reminding us that age is truly just a number. Her determination inspired thousands of you to share your own stories of late-life achievements and dream-chasing.
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December brought us Jennifer Lowe and her work with Smiles for Jake, leading suicide prevention initiatives that are literally saving lives in our community. We also shared the powerful "Homeless to Hero" story—a journey from adversity to making a real difference that had many of you reaching out to volunteer and give back.
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The My Neighbor to Love Coalition's efforts to end homelessness in Central Minnesota showed us what's possible when we come together with compassion and purpose. When The Bridge on 7th Overnight Shelter reopened seasonally, it wasn't just a building opening its doors—it was our community opening its heart.

Flavors That Brought Us Together

Food has always been the language of love in the Lakes Area, and 2025 delivered delicious new chapters to our culinary story. Trevino's Texas Bar & Grill opened in Pequot Lakes just before Christmas, bringing authentic Texas flavors and that warm hospitality we Minnesotans recognize and appreciate.
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We explored the global menu at Passport Restaurant in downtown Brainerd, where rotating international cuisines turned dinner into an adventure. Lakes Tavern in Pequot Lakes reminded us that sometimes the best meals are served with a side of genuine small-town charm. And for those mornings when only the strongest brew will do, we introduced you to Bizzy Cold Brew—Minnesota-made coffee that's been fueling Lakes Area mornings all winter long.
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Loco Espress showed us that coffee shops are about more than caffeine—they're about brewing community and innovation in the heart of Brainerd. And who could forget Nisswa's Wildflower Chocolate? Their sweet local story became one of our most beloved features, with many of you making special trips to taste their handcrafted confections.

Business Growth and Innovation

One of my favorite aspects of 2025 was witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit thriving right here in our backyard. Divine North's journey from Pequot Lakes to Nisswa's heart captured what it means to grow a business with integrity and community connection. Minnesota Cleaning Solutions teaming up with The Back Porch demonstrated that synergistic partnerships can revolutionize how local businesses grow.
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Tony's transition from bakery owner to Angry Minnow proprietor in Nisswa showed us that it's never too late to chase a new dream. Custom Sheds CTR proved that even something as simple as a storage shed can be elevated into an art form when built with care and craftsmanship.
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Gull Lake Glass celebrated community innovation and success, reminding us that Minnesota makers are creating world-class products right here at home. These aren't just business stories—they're stories of neighbors betting on themselves and our community believing in them.

Wellness and Self-Care

If 2025 taught us anything, it's that taking care of ourselves and each other isn't selfish—it's essential. Glo Med Studio brought holistic wellness to Pequot Lakes, offering a sanctuary for body and mind. Seeds of Sommer showed us that cultivating community wellness is as important as any crop we grow.
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Our "10 Quick Self-Care Strategies to Manage Holiday Stress" article resonated deeply, with hundreds of you sharing your own coping mechanisms in the comments. The conversations we had about mental health, stress management, and finding balance reminded me why this newsletter exists—to support each other through every season of life.

Celebrations, Festivals, and Goodbye to Old Friends

The Lakes Area knows how to celebrate, and 2025 didn't disappoint. Loonfest 2025 returned with music, fishing, jerky, and that unmistakable Brainerd energy that brings thousands together. Brainerd's 18th Annual Great Pumpkin Festival in October painted the town in autumn colors and family smiles.
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The Cider & Donut Festival at Fleet Farm brought the taste of fall to Baxter, while Balsam Moon Preserve's Second Annual Harvest Festival in Pine River connected us to the land and each other. Paul Bunyan's Haunted Hidden Hollows gave us thrills throughout October, creating memories for kids and adults alike.
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But 2025 also brought bittersweet farewells. Sunset Cinema in Jenkins closed after 17 years of bringing movies and memories to our community—an end of an era that had many of us reminiscing about first dates, family nights, and the magic of small-town theaters. Red Stool Comedy's Cheap Seats bid farewell to Roundhouse Brewery, though the laughter and friendships forged there will echo for years.

The Places That Define Us

Throughout 2025, we explored the landmarks and hidden corners that make this region home. Our deep dive into Nisswa—"The Little Town 'In the Middle' That Became a Minnesota Star"—revealed how a community's character shapes its destiny. The Paul Bunyan State Trail gave us 10 intriguing insights into a recreational treasure many of us use without fully appreciating its history.
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We covered the controversial MnDOT Buttonhook Design for the Hwy 371/210 Interchange in Baxter, giving you the information needed to understand changes coming to our commutes. Even construction headaches like Audubon Way closures became opportunities to share how we adapt and support affected businesses.
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Gravel Pit Golf Course's free fall festival reminded us that the best things in life—live music, scenic views, and community gathering—don't require expensive tickets.

Acts of Kindness That Changed Everything

Some of the smallest gestures created the biggest ripples in 2025. Our "Pay It Forward" feature highlighted acts of kindness enriching the Brainerd Lakes community daily—from paid-forward coffee tabs to anonymous snow shoveling. The envelope that sparked community transformation showed how one person's generosity can inspire a movement.
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These stories weren't just feel-good content—they were blueprints for how we want to live, evidence that Midwestern kindness isn't a stereotype but a living, breathing reality in our neighborhoods.

Looking Forward Together

As we published our final stories of December, including "Lakes Area Buzz: Building Community Together Over the Next 90 Days," I realized something profound. This newsletter isn't mine—it's ours. Every story we've shared, every local business we've spotlighted, every community challenge we've discussed has been strengthened by your engagement, your comments, your shares, and your belief that local news matters.
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We introduced you to Ruby's Pantry, simplifying access to affordable groceries for families who need it. We explored Radio Garden, connecting you to live radio stations worldwide. We shared practical wisdom like pumpkin storage tips, pre-winter homeowner checklists, and how to never drive with a foggy windshield again. Because community journalism isn't just about the big moments—it's about making everyday life a little easier, a little warmer, a little more connected.

Thank You

Seventy-two stories. Five months. Countless conversations, connections, and moments of recognition when you saw your neighbor, your favorite restaurant, or your own story reflected in these pages.
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You've welcomed new businesses with open arms, supported neighbors in need, celebrated victories big and small, and proven that even in challenging times, the Brainerd Lakes Area remains a place where community still means something real.

As we close out 2025, I'm not saying goodbye—I'm saying thank you. Thank you for reading, for caring, for showing up, and for making this corner of Minnesota a place worth writing about every single day. Here's to the stories we'll share in 2026, and to the incredible community we'll continue building together.

With gratitude and excitement for what's ahead,

Your Lakes Area Buzz Family