Which drive-through lights show returns Thu–Sat at the Northland Arboretum?

Every once in a while, a story comes along that reminds us what true community looks like. In Central Minnesota, neighbors are stepping up—not just with kind words, but with open hearts and real action—to make sure every person has a place to call home.

It’s happening quietly, through a group called the My Neighbor to Love Coalition, and their work is changing lives in ways that are nothing short of remarkable.

What began as one small effort to help struggling families has grown into a movement of compassion and hope. Volunteers, churches, and local businesses have come together, proving that ending homelessness in Central Minnesota isn’t a distant dream—it’s already unfolding.

Discover how ordinary residents are doing extraordinary things, creating partnerships that bring lasting change.

Hear the stories of resilience and kindness that reveal what’s possible when people refuse to look away. And see why this growing effort is quickly becoming one of Minnesota’s most inspiring local movements.

This is a story about love in action—and it just might change the way you see your own community.

My Neighbor to Love Coalition is working passionately in central Minnesota to end homelessness and address extreme poverty.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Dec 2
21 °F 🌡️ 14 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy with a chance of a flurry in the afternoon | 💨 Light wind

Mostly cloudy through the morning, with possible flurries later.

Wednesday, Dec 3
17 °F 🌡️ –10 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, cold and clear chances later | 💨 Light wind
A chilly, mostly cloudy day with sunshine peeking through later.

Thursday, Dec 4
10 °F 🌡️ 7 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy with a bit of afternoon snow | 💨 Light wind
Cold with some light snow possible late in the day.

Friday, Dec 5
24 °F 🌡️ 7 °F | 🌥️ Cloudy but milder | 💨 Light wind
Cloudy and a bit warmer — still cold, but milder than earlier in the week.

Saturday, Dec 6
20 °F 🌡️ –7 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy with light snow possible | 💨 Light wind
Overcast skies with a chance of light snow.

Sunday, Dec 7
6 °F 🌡️ –7 °F | ☀️ Mostly sunny, very cold | 💨 Light wind
Bright sunshine — but frigid temperatures dominate the day.

Monday, Dec 8
10 °F 🌡️ 3 °F | 🌥️ Cloudy with a few morning flurries possible | 💨 Light wind
Generally cloudy and cold — with possible flurries in the morning.

Panera Bread is set to open a new 3,128-square-foot restaurant in Baxter, just off Elder Drive near Costco, following city council approval.

Developers expect construction to begin soon, aiming for a grand opening by next fall, weather permitting.

The new location will offer indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a convenient drive-thru.

Customers can access the site from Elder Drive and Forthun Road using the private drive around Costco’s parking lot.

Operating hours span 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, with slightly shorter hours on Sundays.

The restaurant aims to hire 10-15 local staff, offering an appealing mix of jobs.

This highly anticipated opening fills a longtime gap in the community, bringing freshly baked goods, soups, salads, and more to Baxter families.

LAKES AREA KIDS BUZZ

Share with a child you know :)

In the snowy Brainerd Lakes Area, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox prepare for a special gathering with friends.

As they build a campfire to warm their chilly visitors, Paul shares a heartfelt lesson about kindness, likening it to the warmth of a fire.

Amidst laughter, stories, and shared marshmallows, the group learns that kindness can transform even the coldest moments into something special.

As they leave, they carry Paul's message of warmth and friendship into the winter night.

Kids learn to Be Kind First

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

6:00 AM — Awakened Fusion Yoga — Notice Wellness, Nisswa

1:00 PM — Hope for the Holidays (grief support gathering) — Essentia Health–St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Brainerd

4:00 PM — Sushi Tuesdays — Notch 8 Bar & Grill, Brainerd

5:30 PM — Women’s Basketball: M State vs. Central Lakes College — CLC Gym, Brainerd 

6:00 PM — Girls Varsity Hockey: Willmar vs. Brainerd Warriors — Essentia Health Sports Center, Brainerd 

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

4:00 PM — Old Fashioned Wednesday (featured cocktails & food) — Sunshine’s Summerhouse, Nisswa

5:30 PM — Wednesday Night Horse Races (tabletop horse race fundraiser) — b*merri at The Woods, Brainerd

★ 6:00 PM — Forestview Planetarium “Season of Light” Show — Forestview Planetarium, Baxter

6:00 PM — Xtreme Music Bingo: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Edition — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa 

7:00 PM — Extreme Dwarfanator Wrestling (all-ages show) — Jack’s House, Brainerd

Thursday, December 4, 2025

8:30 AM — Winter Sales Event (40% off select frames) — Midwest Family Eye Center, Baxter

★ 5:30 PM — Sertoma Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Lights — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

5:00 PM — Girls Varsity Hockey: Sartell/Sauk Rapids-Rice vs. Brainerd — Essentia Health Sports Center, Brainerd

6:00 PM — Meat Raffle & Horse Racing Night — b*merri at The Woods, Brainerd

7:00 PM — *Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer* (stage musical) — CLC Chalberg Theatre, Brainerd 

Friday, December 5, 2025

★ 5:00 PM — Downtown Brainerd Window Walk (festive storefront displays & holiday stroll) — City Hall Tree Lighting, Downtown Brainerd

5:30 PM — American Legion Meat Raffle — Brainerd American Legion Post 255, Brainerd

5:45 PM — Jingle and Mingle w/ Central Lakes Jazz Orchestra — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa

6:00 PM — Live Music (Rock) at the Brewery — Jack Pine Brewery, Baxter

6:30 PM — *The Night Before Christmas* Holiday Show — Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, Brainerd 

Saturday, December 6, 2025

9:00 AM — Breakfast at Sunshine’s (family-friendly brunch) — Sunshine’s Summerhouse, Nisswa

1:00 PM — Cookie Decorating Workshop — Knotty Pine Bakery / Main Street, Nisswa

★ 2:00 PM — *Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer* Matinee — CLC Chalberg Theatre, Brainerd

5:30 PM — Sertoma Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Lights — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd

6:00 PM — Live Music: Maddie & Danny — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa

Sunday, December 7, 2025

9:00 AM — Breakfast at Sunshine’s (weekend brunch) — Sunshine’s Summerhouse, Nisswa

10:00 AM — Breakfast with Santa and Puppies & Kitties! (Babinski Foundation fundraiser) — Country Inn & Suites, Baxter

10:00 AM — Brunch with Santa — MN Traders Co., Pequot Lakes

★ Evening — Christmas Acres 2025 (holiday lights at the garden center) — Copper Creek, Nisswa 

6:00 PM — *Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer* Evening Performance — CLC Chalberg Theatre, Brainerd 

Monday, December 8, 2025

9:00 AM — Awakened Fusion Yoga — Notice Wellness, Nisswa

3:20 PM — Tumbling Tots Gymnastics (Birth–Age 6) — Brainerd High School, Brainerd

4:00 PM — BPSF Bingo Night (Brainerd Public Schools Foundation fundraiser) — Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd

5:00 PM — Nisswa Lions Meat Raffle — Ye Old Pickle Factory, Nisswa

7:15 PM — Forestview Planetarium “Season of Light” Show — Forestview Planetarium, Baxter

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.

Sertoma Winter Wonderland at the Northland Arboretum (Dec 4–6 this week).

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.