Which familiar lake hideaway near Brainerd quietly sits atop a prehistoric cemetery more than 2,000 years old?

Jennifer Lowe leads Smiles for Jake, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting suicide through vibrant community involvement and mental health awareness.

Founded to honor 16-year-old Jake Haapajoki, whose life was lost to suicide in 2018, the group champions positivity and support for those who are struggling.

Recently, Smiles for Jake welcomed families to Crosby Memorial Park for the free “Snow Many Smiles” event, full of festive activities — including food, a petting zoo, carriage rides, and fireworks over Serpent Lake.

The goal: to foster connection and provide hope, especially for people facing mental health challenges.

The S.M.I.L.E. Advocate Program empowers locals with education and tools for suicide prevention, especially targeting schools and businesses.

Active community participation plays a key role in spreading hope and saving lives.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988, or dial 911 in emergencies.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Dec 23
High: 40 °F ⛅ | Low: 13 °F 🌙 | 💨 S 15 mph then W
Partly sunny and breezy.

Wednesday, Dec 24
High: 36 °F ⛅ | Low: 17 °F 🌙 | 💨 S 10–15 mph
Increasing clouds, mild.

Thursday, Dec 25
High: 28 °F ⛅ | Low: -11 °F 🌙 | 💨 NW 15–25 mph
Chance of snow before noon; windy then colder.

Friday, Dec 26
High: 20 °F ⛅ | Low: 7 °F 🌙 | 💨 SE 5–15 mph
Snow chance mainly in afternoon; mostly cloudy.

Saturday, Dec 27
High: 19 °F ⛅ | Low: -4 °F 🌙 | 💨 NW ~10 mph
Partly sunny, cold.

Sunday, Dec 28
High: 15 °F ⛅ | Low: 2 °F 🌙 | 💨 W ~5 mph
Partly sunny, cold.

Monday, Dec 29
High: 21 °F ⛅ | Low: 0–2 °F 🌙 | 💨 S ~5–10 mph
Mostly cloudy, mild for the season.

Trevino’s Texas Bar & Grill has opened in Pequot Lakes, inviting locals to savor authentic Texas cuisine at 31107 Old Hwy 371, the former site of Barajas Mexican Bar & Grill.

Owner Joe Trevino brings family recipes to life, focusing on fresh ingredients and bold, memorable flavors.

Favorites like tamales and brisket headline the menu, quickly earning rave reviews.

At its December 5 grand opening, The Tangled Chords energized the crowd, while follow-up performances—like Thieves of Harmony on December 6—cemented Trevino’s as a lively local destination.

The restaurant is committed to fostering community with ongoing live music nights and meat raffles, aiming to become a cornerstone for gatherings and entertainment.

As Pequot Lakes grows, Trevino’s Texas Bar & Grill offers warmth, hospitality, and distinct Southern flavors that welcome both residents and visitors alike.

Most mornings in the Brainerd Lakes Area begin with lackluster coffee — either too weak, too bitter, or costly, leaving locals struggling to kick off their busy days.

Picture a Baxter January morning: snowplow just blocked your driveway, school’s delayed, and your Zoom call looms — only to find your coffee tastes burnt and thin.

Bizzy Cold Brew, born in Minneapolis, offers a solution with smooth, ultra-strong, locally brewed coffee made from 100% Arabica beans, micro-brewed cold for 18 hours.

Bizzy started as an experiment by two friends, Alex French and Andrew Healy, who wanted powerful, low-acid coffee without the big city price.

Now available across the Lakes Area, Bizzy is praised for its convenience, consistent quality, and fridge-ready options.

Whether you’re a teacher on Highway 210 or launching boats on Gull Lake, Bizzy delivers practical, Minnesota-made energy—with easy shipping direct to your door.

LAKES AREA KIDS BUZZ

Share with a child you know :)

In snowy Crosslake, Minnesota, Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe, face a challenge when Paul mistakenly fells the wrong tree while clearing a path. Instead of rushing, Paul learns to approach his task with patience and care, discovering the unique characteristics of each tree. Through gentle swings of his axe, he successfully clears the right tree, realizing that sometimes slowing down leads to better outcomes. That night, he shares this valuable lesson with Babe under the stars.

Kids learn When You Mess Up, Try Again

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 23

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM — ★  Kringle Market (Penultimate Day) — The Crossing Arts Alliance, Brainerd

5:30–8:00 PM — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

10:00 AM — Holiday Art & Gift Market (final days) — Jaques Art Center, Aitkin

12:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Pre-Holiday Taproom Vibes — Jack Pine Brewery, Baxter

Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)

5:30–8:00 PM — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

4:00 PM — Christmas Eve Dinner Specials — Local Restaurants, Brainerd/Baxter

7:00 PM — Christmas Eve Worship Service — Local Churches, Brainerd Lakes Area

Evening — Holiday Lights Drive — Brainerd–Baxter Area

Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

3:00–6:00 PM — ★ Christmas Dinner Buffet — Cragun’s Resort, Gull Lake

4:00–7:00 PM — Christmas Buffet — Grand View Lodge, Nisswa

5:30–8:00 PM — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

All Day — Christmas Day Skating — Brainerd Community Rinks, Brainerd

Evening — Christmas Movie Showings — Local Theaters, Baxter

Friday, December 26

10:00 AM — Post-Christmas Sales & Shopping — Downtown Nisswa, Nisswa

5:30–8:00 PM — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

6:00–8:30 PM — ★ Legacy Trivia — Cragun’s Resort, Gull Lake

7:00 PM — Live Music — Local Bars & Breweries, Brainerd/Baxter

All Day — Ice Skating & Winter Recreation — Area Parks & Trails

Saturday, December 27

2:00 PM — Community Bingo — American Legion, Crosslake

5:30–8:00 PM — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

1:00–9:00 PM — ★Live Music Night — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa

6:00–9:00 PM — ★ Cragun’s Holiday Week Activities — Cragun’s Resort, Gull Lake

Sunday, December 28

8:00 - 12:00 PM — ★ Commanders Breakfast Buffet — American Legion, Brainerd

12:00–6:00 PM — ★ Acoustic Fest — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa

5:30–8:00 PM — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

6:00 PM — Music Bingo Night — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa

Monday, December 29

5:30–8:00 PM — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

10:00 AM — Winter Trail Walks & Snowshoeing — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

6:00 PM — ★ Bar Bingo — Brainerd VFW Post 1647, Brainerd

6:00 PM — Trivia Night — Local Breweries, Brainerd/Baxter

Evening — Cozy Movie Night — Local Theaters, Baxter

VIDEO CREDIT: Lakeland PBS

Beneath and around today’s Gull Lake Dam are at least 12 complete and several partial Native American burial mounds from the Woodland period, dating roughly from 800 B.C. to A.D. 900. Archaeologists have found artifacts such as pottery, moose remains, and even a domesticated dog, revealing this was a significant ceremonial landscape long before cabins and resorts arrived.

Thanks a bunch for reading Lakes Area Buzz today! If you spotted something handy, go ahead and pass it along to a neighbor or a friend—ya never know, it might make their day too.