Community Focus

Debby Erickson joins to talk all things happening around Crow Wing County, including excitement surrounding Minnesota’s fishing opener, what residents can expect heading into the 2026 election season, and the transition of the county landfill into summer operating hours. Debbie also shares reminders for residents using the landfill and recycling facilities as the busy spring and summer season ramps up. Crow Wing County landfill summer hours run May through October, including Saturday hours

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Faith Hamson, Marketing Coordinator for Lakes Area United Way joins to recap the Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby fundraiser Hamson shares details on the United Way’s plans to bring back the popular Llama Llama Read-O-Rama, continuing to encourage reading and family engagement across the Lakes Area as well as the next Pop-Up Pantry at CLC- Brainerd campus

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Ed Opatz, President, Cuyuna Rock Club, talking about the Annual Rock Show at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds.

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Alex Dominguez, Program Manager, and Stephanie Charles, Lead Visitation Supervisor, Relationship Safety Alliance, talking about May being Supervised Visitation Awareness Month, their garage sale fundraiser and the upcoming Family Fun Night in August. As well as the services offered to battered women and their children through RSA.

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Amynda Hadfield, Camp Director at Camp Confidence, and Ron Plinske, Public Relations for Let's Go Fishing, join the show to highlight meaningful ways the community can get involved. Amynda shares how Camp Confidence continues to provide life-changing outdoor experiences for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities, and the wide range of volunteer opportunities available—from helping with camp sessions to supporting special events throughout the season. Ron discusses how Let’s Go Fishing connects seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to the joy of time on the water, and the ongoing need for volunteers to assist with fishing outings, boat operations, and dockside support. Both guests also preview upcoming events on their calendars and encourage community members to step up, get involved, and make a difference while enjoying everything the Brainerd Lakes Area has to offer.

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Bobbie Gorron, founder of the Cory Borg-Massaneri Foundation, joins to talk about Corey’s Backyard BBQ happening this weekend at Green Lantern, along with a Bean Bag Tournament benefiting the foundation. She shares how the family-friendly event helps keep Corey’s memory alive while bringing the community together, and how proceeds support giving back to the outdoor community he loved so much.

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Brainerd Lakes Chamber Office Manager Colleen Dols joins to preview the next Blue Ox Success Series, focused on helping local businesses prepare for severe weather. She shares what attendees can expect from the session, why weather preparedness is critical for operations in the region, and practical steps businesses can take now to protect employees, customers, and property when severe conditions hit.

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Brittany Goerges, Program Coordinator for the Crow Wing Master Gardener Program with the University of MN Extension came together to discuss the Gardening 101 classes that were being offered through the U of MN coming up at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd, however it was learned earlier in the day that the classes were filled. So the two talked about the upcoming Arbor Day event at the Arb instead. The Master Gardeners will have a booth at the event where guests can ask questions about gardening and planting and kids can do an activity that will allow them to plant and take an item home with them. The two also had a discussion about early spring planting, "no mow May," and upcoming opportunities to become a Master Gardener with the U of MN.

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Katie Waugh, Wildlife Program Coordinator with Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation, joins us to talk about one of their busiest times of year-baby season. She also shares important guidance on what to do if you encounter a baby animal in the wild. We also get an inside look at the wide variety of animals currently being cared for at Wild and Free, the resources it takes to support them, and how the community plays a critical role in their success. Finally, Katie highlights their upcoming Annual Garage Sale, a key fundraiser that helps keep their operations running through the busy season. She shares how people can donate items, shop the sale, or get involved to support the care of local wildlife.

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Jana Shogren, Executive Director of Bridges of Hope, and Tedi Russell, Marketing & Community Engagement Manager, shared an exciting update on the recent approval for the Bridge on 7th to operate year-round, marking a significant step forward in providing consistent support to those in need. They expressed sincere gratitude to the community for its continued backing, emphasizing that ongoing operations will rely heavily on sustained financial support, volunteers, and local partnerships. They also highlighted Operation Sandwich, which is gearing up for a busy summer season. The program provides free lunches to children and families during the months when school is not in session, helping fill a critical gap for many in the Brainerd Lakes Area. With demand expected to rise, they noted a strong need for volunteers and donations to keep the program running smoothly.

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