Which Brainerd fundraiser just topped $110,000 for child abuse prevention this past week?

What makes Lakes Area Buzz more than just another newsletter? How is it connecting over 1,100 readers to the heart of the Brainerd Lakes Area every week? What new changes are coming in the next 90 days to deepen this community connection? And how are local businesses partnering in a way that’s different from traditional advertising?

Find the answers and much more in the full story about Lakes Area Buzz’s exciting plans. Discover how real stories, thoughtful interviews, and carefully chosen events are making this newsletter a must-read every Tuesday.

Ready to see how you can be part of something special? Don’t miss the complete article on Lakes Area Buzz: Building Community Together. Your connection to the Lakes Area starts here.

Our goal remains: keeping you connected and informed—at the heart of community life.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Dec 9
24 °F 🌡️ 15 °F | 🌨️ Snow in the afternoon | 💨 —
Periods of snow expected, with 3–6 cm accumulating. Travel may become slow and slippery.

Wednesday, Dec 10
20 °F 🌡️ –1 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy with a bit of morning snow | 💨 —
Light or no additional snow expected; skies will stay mostly cloudy.

Thursday, Dec 11
15 °F 🌡️ 7 °F | ⛅ Mostly cloudy with occasional snow/flurries | 💨 —
Cold and overcast, with intermittent snow flurries likely.

Friday, Dec 12
7 °F 🌡️ –20 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy with possible flurries | 💨 —
Very cold, with some light snow or flurries possible.

Saturday, Dec 13
–2 °F 🌡️ –20 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, snow/flurries possible in afternoon | 💨 —
Frigid temps dominate; occasional flurries possible later in the day.

Sunday, Dec 14
0 °F 🌡️ –5 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy | 💨 —
Cold and mostly cloudy, with no major snow expected.

Monday, Dec 15
10 °F 🌡️ –2 °F | ☀️ Mostly sunny | 💨 —
A little milder with sunshine — one of the better days for outdoor activity.

A 74-year-old man sat trapped inside his burning Porsche when a stranger on a motorcycle made a split-second decision that changed everything. He didn't think. He didn't hesitate. He just ran straight into the fire.

That same week in Texas, school administrators opened an anonymous envelope and found enough money to erase every single student's lunch debt—hundreds of families, one donor, zero recognition requested.

Something is happening across America in the closing months of 2025. It's quiet. It's intentional. And it's spreading.

From strangers pulling drivers from burning wrecks to anonymous donors wiping out medical debt and mortgage payments, ordinary people are doing extraordinary things without asking for applause.

But here's what matters most: This isn't just happening "out there." It's happening right here in the Brainerd Lakes Area too. You just don't hear about it—because the people doing it don't want you to.

Inside this story, you'll meet the heroes, hear the moments that changed lives, and discover 25 simple ways you can join the movement this week.

Because in a season when so many are struggling silently, one small act might be exactly what someone needs to keep going.

What will you do?

LAKES AREA KIDS BUZZ

Share with a child you know :)

In the serene Brainerd Lakes Area, Paul Bunyan, the gentle giant of the north woods, discovers a family of little birds trapped beneath heavy snow-laden branches. With care and warmth, he clears the snow, allowing the birds to build a cozy nest. As evening falls, their cheerful song fills the air, bringing joy to the forest. Paul walks on, content in knowing his kindness has created a safe haven, leaving a lingering sense of peace in the snowy woods.

Kids learn to Be Kind First

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

10:00 am–5:00 pm — ★ Kringle Market 2025 — The Crossing Arts Alliance, Brainerd 

4:30–6:30 pm — Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution — Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd 

5:00–7:30 pm — Confident Kids: Science Is Cool — Confidence Learning Center, East Gull Lake 

5:30–8:00 pm — Meat Raffle — Pequot Lakes American Legion, Pequot Lakes 

6:00–10:00 pm — Music Bingo — 14 Lakes Pub & Brewery, Crosslake 

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

1:00–2:00 pm — ECFE at the Library — Brainerd Public Library, Brainerd 

4:00–9:00 pm — Premium Series: Old Fashioned Wednesdays — Sunshine’s Summerhouse, Lake Shore 

5:30–7:30 pm — Wednesday Night Horse Races — b*merri at The Woods, Brainerd 

6:30–8:30 pm — Open Pickleball for Adults — Brainerd High School, Brainerd 

6:30–8:00 pm — Initials Game Live — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa 

Thursday, December 11, 2025

3:00–5:00 pm — Cookie Decorating Workshop — Knotty Pine Bakery, Nisswa 

5:00–7:30 pm — Confident Learning Center Rendezvous: Holiday Party — Confidence Learning Center, East Gull Lake 

6:00–8:00 pm — Meat Raffle & Horse Racing — b*merri at The Woods, Brainerd 

7:00 pm — ★ World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker — Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, Brainerd 

7:00 pm — Brainerd High School Madrigal Dinner — Cragun’s Legacy Pavilion, Brainerd 

Friday, December 12, 2025

4:00–5:30 pm — Student Music Recital — Central Lakes College, Brainerd 

5:30–8:00 pm — ★ Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Baxter 

6:00–9:00 pm — ★ Off The Rails Holiday Market VIP Night — Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd 

7:00 pm — ★ World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker — Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, Brainerd 

8:00–11:00 pm — Karaoke with Kevin — Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake, Brainerd 

Saturday, December 13, 2025

9:00 am–12:00 pm — Breakfast with Santa Family Event — Gather on 3 Event Center, Brainerd 

9:00 am–3:00 pm — ★ December Off The Rails Market — Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd 

5:30–8:00 pm — Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Northland Arboretum, Baxter 

6:30–8:00 pm — ★ Red Stool Comedy's Cheap Seats — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa

8:00–10:00 pm — ★ Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular — Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, Brainerd 

Sunday, December 14, 2025

10:00 am–4:00 pm — ★ Kringle Market 2025 — The Crossing Arts Alliance, Brainerd 

2:00–5:00 pm — Santa and the Grinch — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd 

1:00–2:30 pm — Elf Bingo — The Center, Brainerd 

5:30 pm — Holiday Chakra Practice — Carnegie Wellness, Brainerd 

7:00 pm — ★ A Different Kind of Christmas (Mark Schultz, Aaron Shust, Presence Music & Todd Tilghman) — Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, Brainerd 

Monday, December 15, 2025

5:00 am–7:30 pm — Confident Kids Holiday Party — Confidence Learning Center, East Gull Lake 

All day (sunrise–10:00 pm) — Northland Arboretum Trails & Gate Access — Northland Arboretum, Baxter 

6:00 pm — Forestview Planetarium: Season of Light Show — Forestview Planetarium, Baxter 

6:00–8:00 pm — Monday Night Trivia — b*merri at The Woods, Brainerd 

7:00–9:00 pm — ★ Brainerd High School Holiday Concert — Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, Brainerd

Get ready for an uproarious night as Red Stool Comedy presents "Cheap Seats Comedy" at Roundhouse Brewery in Nisswa on Saturday, December 13.

This event marks the final chance to experience stand-up at this beloved venue ahead of its January 2026 closure.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the show kicking off at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $10 cash at the door, and you must be 21 or older to attend.

Audiences can expect edgy, uncensored sets from Minnesota's own Craig Vee, Andrew Himmer, and Matt Rizzo, plus performances from two guest comics.

The focus is on bold, prepared material—no crowd work or politics, just sharp, adult humor about relationships and everyday life.

Arrive early to enjoy food and drinks, and help send off Roundhouse Brewery with laughter and local spirit.

The 32nd Annual Brainerd Radiothon to End Child Abuse raised over $110,000. (Lakeland PBS)

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.