What's doing

The Brainerd Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at the Northland Arboretum, located behind the Westgate Mall in Brainerd/Baxter.

Final plans are being made for the flower show that will be at the Crow Wing County Fair scheduled Aug. 3-7.

Duplicate bridge scores

North-South: Lois Volkmuth and Phyllis DeRosier, 42; Sandy Chase and Jim Huble, 39.5; and Ann Richardson and Clif Johnson, 39.5.

East-West: Bud and Jean Forsberg, 34.5; and Bob McClellan and Steve Schaitberger, 33.5.

Brainerd Shriners to meet

Brainerd Shriners will meet 7 p.m. Monday at the American Legion, Brainerd. Board of directors will meet at 5 p.m. Monday.

Brainerd Legion upcoming events

The Brainerd American Legion will be closed Sunday and will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday for the post executive board meeting.

Other events include: The Brainerd Lakes Veterans Center will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the VFW; the Legion fundraiser brat sale at the Baxter Wal-Mart will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday; and dinner of Chicken and Shrimp Kebobs by Terry and Janet Metzger will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and run until gone. Cost is $9.

Ovarian cancer support group to meet July 8

NISSWA - The Ovarian Cancer Support Group will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Nisswa American Legion, in the lower level meeting room, located at 25807 Main St., Nisswa.

The meeting, sponsored by the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, is free and open to ovarian cancer survivors, family members and the public.

Participants are asked to RSVP by calling Teresa Faust, local area volunteer and ovarian cancer survivor, at 963-9566.

Gastric bypass support group to meet

STAPLES- Lakewood Health System will be offering a free Gastric Bypass Support Group meeting from 6-7 p.m. July 13 in the family room at Lakewood Health System's Care Center entrance in Staples.

Anyone who has had gastric bypass surgery or anyone considering a gastric bypass or weight-loss surgery is welcome to attend.

The gastric bypass support group offers a safe support system where members can share their successes, questions and experiences. Jena Doemel, registered and licensed dietitian will be moderating the group.

For more information, please contact Doemel at (218) 894-8509.

BHS Class of 2000 to meet

The Brainerd High School Class of 2000 10-year reunion will be held at 7 p.m. July 24 at Villella's Bada Bing Bar in Brainerd. Any questions send an e-mail at BraininerdHSClassof2000@gmail.com.

Backus Legion wins award

BACKUS - For the second year in a row the Backus American Legion won the Outstanding Small Post Award for the Sixth Legion District which includes a large area of Minnesota stretching from Elk River near the Twin Cities to the Canadian border.

Sixth District Commander Don Smith of Pine River presented the award at the organization's June 28 meeting, citing the post and its auxiliary for its support of community, state and national initiatives supporting veterans' medical assistance, active duty troops, youth recreation and education, local festivals, food shelves, public safety programs and other assistance to the needy, ill and disabled.

The post was also recognized for providing its facilities free of charge to organizations and individuals for meetings, fundraisers and social events and for its sound financial condition which enables it to continue to serve its constituents. Smith also noted the post met its current membership goal by last Pearl Harbor Day, earning a state and district award and that the auxiliary, which has met its membership goal for several years, has an all-time high membership.

At the time the post was nominated for the award in March, the Backus Legion had 123 members and the Auxiliary 89.

VFW happenings

The Brainerd VFW will host a brat stand from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Super One in Baxter.

Its Friday night dinner will be the regular monthly fish fry serving from 5:30 p.m. until gone. Cost is $8 and open to all.

Upcoming Moose Lodge events

The Brainerd Moose Lodge will host a Salisbury steak dinner from 5-6:30 p.m. Monday and have $1 burgers and $1 French fries starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Wednesday mega bingo breakfast buffet will be served from 5 p.m. until gone.

WHS class of 1946

The Washington High School class of 1946 will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the American Legion Club, just north of Nisswa. For more information call Dick at 838-0738.

Senior dance

The senior dance will be Wednesday at the Brainerd Eagles with music by Jerry B.

No Mission potluck in July

There will be no Mission Township potluck in July due to the Fire Fair July 17 at Mission Park.

Questions call Glen at 765-3265 or Dolores at 765-3713.

WHS class of 1955

The Washington High School class of 1955 will meet for lunch at 11 a.m. Monday at the Northwind Grille.

Lake Hubert picnic

Lake Hubert Community Grange Picnic will begin at 3 p.m. July 10 with furnishings of hot dogs and buns.

Directions are Highway 371 north to Sportland corner, County Road 13 east two miles to Sunset Valley Road, a fourth-mile on left side of Old Lake Hubert School House.

Special Olympics garage sale

PINE RIVER - Special Olympics garage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 30-31 at Cool Beans Coffee Shop, Lakes Area Photography and Mother Earth's Bounty Market in Pine River next to Houston Ford.

Several items will be for sale. People also will have a chance to meet the area's finest medal winning athletes, who will be on hand to answer questions about the Special Olympics. Those interested in joining the "Special Angels" team as an athlete or coach can call Sally Leek at (218) 568-5553.

There also will be drawings at the sale for prizes.

Widowed Friends

The Widowed Friends will meet at 11 a.m. Monday at Bonanza. For more information, call 829-2682 or 829-1920.

Brainerd Christian Women's Connection

The Brainerd Christian Women's Connection welcomes women of all ages to a "Family Fun for Summer" luncheon from 12:15-2 p.m. Thursday at Red Roof Inn in Brainerd.

J. C. Penneys will present a Family Fashion Show; music will be provided by Sandy Lander; and Dodie Davis, from the Twin Cities, will share how she survived and even thrived, when her dreams of a 'perfect world' shattered in "Fairy Tales Can Come True - It Can Happen To You - or NOT!"

Participants are encouraged to help the group with its Summer Bake Sale by bringing breads, pies, bars or cookies.

Free child care is available at a church near the location. To make reservations or request child care, call Sharon at (218) 692-2282 by Monday. Cost is $13.

Brainerd Auxiliary to meet

The Brainerd Auxiliary of the Shrine Hospital for Children will meet at noon July 12 at the Eagles Club for their Christmas in July luncheon. Cost is $9.

Social hour is at noon with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring a nonperishable item for the food shelf and a toy for a child. A challenge by another auxiliary is being held to see which auxiliary can collect the most toys for the hospital. A representative from the hospital will be present to explain how their role supports the hospital.

GSS-Bethany anniversary celebration

Good Samaritan Society Bethany will be hosting a 40th Anniversary Celebration at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Bethany Chapel. Enjoy an old-fashioned gospel concert led by the Trinity Gospel Singers. Fellowship to follow in the Community Room.

Prepared Childbirth classes offered at Lakewood

STAPLES - A two-day prepared childbirth class at Lakewood Health System's Main Campus will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 23 and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 24. This class is free to those planning to deliver at Lakewood Health System.

The birthing class is designed to help expecting moms and coaches learn about what to expect during pregnancy, labor, delivery and the special time following the birth of the baby. Key topics include: Relaxation and breathing techniques, how to care for a newborn, a game plan for coaches; and infant CPR.

Expecting mothers in their fifth and eighth months of pregnancy are welcome to participate in the prepared childbirth class. Moms are encouraged to bring a coach to assist with their preparation.

For more information or to register for the two-day prepared childbirth class at Lakewood call Gayle Christenson at (218) 894-8623.

Free feeding options class at Lakewood Health System

STAPLES - Expecting mothers and coaches are welcome to attend a free feeding options class from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 26 at Lakewood Health System's Main Campus.

Topics discussed at the feeding options class include the basics about breastfeeding and bottle feeding, and helping parents make an informed decision on how to decide what's right for their family.

Register by calling Gayle Christenson at (218) 894-8623.

Baby Spa class held at Lakewood Health System

STAPLES - Lakewood Health System will be offering a class called Baby Spa" from 6-8:30 p.m. July 20 on the Main Campus.

This interactive class is for parents, grandparents and caregivers interested in learning about infant signing, infant massage and aromatherapy. Infant signing is an innovative communication tool parents can use before their child is able to speak and even walk. After learning how to use infant signing, parents will receive a baby signing reference to take home.

Andrea Broughten, Lakewood's certified infant massage therapist will lead the infant massage session. Parents will learn how to use infant massage to help alleviate pain from common infant problems like colic and constipation.

The aromatherapy session will give parents information about the benefits of using the sense of smell during labor and in the stages after the baby is born.

Cost for the class is $25 and each participant will receive a free gift. Participants are asked to bring a doll to practice massage techniques on. To register call Gayle Christenson at (218) 894-8623 or call Nola at (218) 894-8586.

Sibling class held at Lakewood Health System

STAPLES - Lakewood Health System in Staples will host a free sibling class from 6-7:30 p.m. July 13 at Lakewood Health System's Main Campus.

Parents and children of all ages are welcome to attend. Children will have the opportunity to prepare for the new baby by practicing in sibling related activities. Each child will learn how to handle and play with the newborn and how to assist mom and dad with the baby's cares. Parents and children will also tour the labor and delivery room and nursery at Lakewood.

For more information or to register, contact Gayle Christenson at (218) 894-8623.