Happy weekend, Brainerd! In today’s happening-today edition: A scavenger hunt with cash prizes, baby animal weekend, and summer solstice celebration + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Brainerd protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Clues, cash, and competition: Brainerd’s ‘Fourth of Independence’ scavenger hunt started Friday, June 19, and runs through 5 p.m. July 3, inspired by National Treasure, with clues, cash prizes, and 250 teams advancing -- see the scavenger hunt clues.
Soil skills on display: Free soil health events will be held in Brainerd and Pequot Lakes on June 23 and August 26, featuring demonstrations and local farmer-led tours to help producers and land managers -- see what the events offer.
Downtown redevelopment plan advances: Brainerd’s EDA recommended a letter of intent with Lumber One to build a 43-unit apartment beside City Hall, proposing a $1 sale and requesting tax abatement, and parking remains unresolved -- follow the apartment proposal.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Group getaway, sorted: Got a crew that needs fresh air and fewer screens? Eagle Lake Group Camp & Retreat has bunks, RV and tent spots, plus a lake begging for canoes, swims, volleyball, and fishing, a simple way to reset close to home.
Not your usual round: Gravel Pit Golf Course and Event Center turns an old gravel pit into a local-friendly playground with a 13-hole par-3, a quirky 10.5-hole loop, and an extreme lighted putting course. This week, bring your short game, then finish on the patio with bocce and a cold one.
Make dinner special: The Classic Grill at Madden's is that reliable, quietly-fancy spot locals keep in their back pocket when seafood sounds right and conversation deserves real ambiance. Skip the fuss, settle in, and let a well-made plate and a good pour do the heavy lifting this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐐 Mid-MN Classic Dairy Goat Show @ Crow Wing County Fairgrounds | Saturday (6/20) at 8:00 AM – If you’ve been itching for time with dairy goats, this quad ring show is your no-petting, all-pedigree fix. Mid-MN Classic brings judges Aaron Carter, Jennifer Lohman-Peterson, Emily Thompson, and Will Pearson; entries close midnight June 12, 2026, exhibitors arrive after 5 pm June 19.
🐾 Baby Animal Weekend @ Safari North Wildlife Park | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Baby Animal Weekend is bringing out tiny crowd-pleasers at Safari North, an award-winning wildlife park with 150 species from six continents. Feed a giraffe, cruise past African safari favorites, and pretend it is for the kids. Expect unapologetic awws from fully grown adults.
🧘 Yoga in the Park with Monroe Yoga @ Gregory Park | Saturday (6/20) at 9:30 AM – Roll out your mat at Gregory Park for Monroe Yoga's outdoor class, a one-hour reset with breathing, balance, and zero judgment. All levels welcome, prenatal friendly, kids can join with you, and it is BYO mat. Fifteen bucks, fresh air, and fewer excuses.
☀ Summer Solstice Celebration @ Brainerd Museum of Pop Culture | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Ready to toast the longest day without tequila? This solstice wellness hang brings a centering meditation, an accessible, breath-led vinyasa flow, and a restorative close, plus fresh flowers, Sun Berry tea, and cold lavender rice pillows. Your nervous system will finally unclench.
🍕 Family Pizza and Games Cruise @ Cragun's Resort | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Take the crew for a spin on Gull Lake for a short, family-friendly cruise with Above Deck pizzas, garlic cheese bread, fruit salad, and breezy shoreline views. Kids and grown-ups can dive into onboard games while you claim captain of relaxation, drinks extra, crumbs welcome.
👨 Father's Night @ Notch 8 Restaurant & Catering | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 PM – Give Dad the night he actually wants, meat, potatoes, and minimal small talk. Notch 8 is rolling out local Angie’s Acres tenderloin on a table-side hot stone, king-cut prime rib, and fisherman’s platters, plus ultra-loaded baked potatoes, grilled asparagus, and bragging rights.
🥞 Brunch on the Lake Cruise @ Craguns Resort | Sunday (6/21) at 11:30 AM – Think brunch tastes better on land? Cragun’s Brunch Cruise drifts you across Gull Lake for a laid-back morning with classic favorites, fresh air, and postcard views, the kind you pretend are your backyard. Zero waitlists, gentle waves, maximum smug contentment. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Brainerd report Weather forecastToday — High: 73°F — Low: 48°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 74°F — Low: 49°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildThis stunning retreat sits just 6 miles west of Highway 371, pairing easy access with quiet seclusion. In-floor heating warms both the main living space and attached garage, a cozy bonus for Minnesota winters. Open interiors, inviting kitchen spaces, and tranquil bedrooms frame sweeping views of downtown Brainerd, sparkling brilliantly after sunset.
Take a peek inside → |
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