Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Young leaders take center stage: Forestview Middle School in Baxter hosts the Regional Civics Bee today, inviting middle schoolers to showcase civics knowledge for prizes and a shot at state and national competitions -- get all the details.

Agencies unite on next steps: Brainerd hosts a free event tomorrow where Minnesota’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership will share economic impact findings and talk through a four-year roadmap for the state’s outdoor recreation economy -- get all the details.

Business shifts and community honors: Maverick Boutique in Crosslake Town Square will close its storefront at the end of April and move online. Brainerd Lakes Chamber accepts nominations for 2026 Celebration of Excellence awards -- get all the details.

The bill everyone over 50 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.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Solve something fun: Deep Woods Cabin, Granny's Recipe Rescue, and Conspiracy 51 are calling, so rally your favorite smart alecks for an hour at Copper Cat Escape Games, a locally owned spot that delivers clever puzzles and movie-set vibes. Perfect for weeknight brain exercise or a weekend laugh you actually remember.

Farm-to-pie cravings, solved: Knotty Pine Bakery turns out scratch-made pies, whoopie pies, cookies, and cinnamon buns, all small-batch and big on cozy flavor. Their custom cakes rescue birthdays and just-because moments... planning ahead makes future-you beam.

Vintage treasure hunt: Craving character? The Mercantile - Antiques & More makes it easy to nab vintage gems, funky clothing, local art, and giftable surprises, all close to home. Pop in “just to look,” then walk out with the piece you didn’t know your closet needed.

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 →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

🐷 Pig Races and Meat Raffle Mondays @ Poncho & Lefty's (Baxter) | Monday (4/27) at 5:30 PM – Mondays done right, with pig races on the big screen and a meat raffle at Ponchos & Lefty’s. Eat tacos, sip margaritas, back BAHA Hockey, and maybe snag $50 to $300, because the more tickets sold, the more races, the more chaos.

👶 Toddler Tuesday @ Rapid River Lodge & Water Park (Baxter) | Tuesday (4/28) at 9:00 AM – If your tiny humans prefer bobbing to cannonballs, Toddler Tuesday at Rapid River Lodge & Waterpark is your speed. Slides are off for a calm morning in the kiddie pool and lazy river, so you can sip coffee, supervise, and maybe sneak a float, too.

🤝 Volunteer Celebration & Information Meeting @ Confidence Learning Center | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats a free fish fry with good people. Confidence Learning Center is throwing a Volunteer Month celebration for the doers among us, with walleye, family games, and a sneak peek at Summer 2026 projects. Come eat, mingle, and maybe accidentally sign up.

🇻 International Local: Venezuela @ Passport Restaurant & Catering | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Passport Restaurant is flying us to Venezuela, right here in Brainerd, with a three-course tour, a welcome drink, and stories from local-global artist Fortunato, no TSA shoe shuffle. You’ll wander “regions,” stamp a passport for prizes, and savor authentic flavors, conversation, and field-trip vibes.

👩 Mother Daughter Retreat @ Camp JIM (Pillager) | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Whether you are a mom-daughter duo, mentor-mentee, or two friends who share snacks, this Camp JIM retreat is your cue to unplug, swap small talk for real talk, and exhale, with featured speaker Haddi Trebisovsky. Also, pack a white shirt for Saturday night.

This quality-built Nor-Son retreat claims 1.65 acres and 159 feet on Sylvan Lake in the Brainerd Lakes area. An open layout with southeast exposure pairs solid-core doors and granite finishes with fine craftsmanship. A hobbyist’s dream, it adds a 3-car garage, a detached shop, and a 30’x40’ post-frame building, minutes to golf, dining, shopping, and snowmobile, ski, and biking trails.