Community Corner
🌱 See what Brainerd’s new Pinecrest senior and childcare campus offers
Make time for Bruce Archer at Brainerd City Hall Parking Lot on the Brainerd Patch calendar
Hey hey Brainerd! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- See what Brainerd's new Pinecrest senior and childcare campus offers
- How Brainerd students can enter this year's patriotic art contest
- Where Spirit Halloween is popping up in Brainerd this year
Also on today's calendar: Friday Prime Rib Dinner and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Partly sunny and cooler, with a high of 64 and low of 38 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 62, low: 46.
- Saturday: A passing shower or two, with a high of 64 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Country Manor celebrates grand opening in Brainerd (brainerddispatch.com) — Brainerd residents now have a major new option for senior living and childcare with the opening of Pinecrest of Country Manor off Beaver Dam Road. The five-building complex offers luxury and traditional apartments, memory care, assisted living, on-site health services, and the Kids Crest childcare center, which city leaders say helps address local housing and childcare needs. 
• VFW Auxiliary announces Illustrating America Patriotic Art Contest (brainerddispatch.com) — Young artists in Brainerd can now enter the VFW Auxiliary's Illustrating America Patriotic Art Contest, with entries due at Brainerd VFW Post 1647 by Dec. 15. Students in grades K-8 compete in three divisions for gift card prizes and a chance to advance from local to national judging, all while sharing what America means to them through original artwork.
• Here are the 18 locations Spirit Halloween is operating in Minnesota this fall (bringmethenews.com) — Brainerd shoppers will again get a seasonal Spirit Halloween store, this year taking over the former JoAnn Fabrics at 14136 Baxter Drive. The pop-up is one of 18 locations statewide, giving local residents a nearby spot for costumes and decorations as October gets underway.
📸 Around Brainerd
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Brainerd
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Bruce Archer at Brainerd City Hall Parking Lot →
Brainerd City Hall Parking Lot, Brainerd
10:00 am
Friday October 2
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Friday Prime Rib Dinner →
Notch 8, 1511 Northern Pacific Road, Brainerd
4:00 pm - Wisdom, Play, Fun & Memories Autumn Colors Weekend at Cragun's Resort →
Cragun's Resort, 11000 Craguns Drive, Brainerd
5:00 pm - Bruce Archer at St Francis of the Lakes Catholic School →
St Francis of the Lakes Catholic School, Brainerd - St Francis Oktoberfest! →
Brainerd MN - Bruce Archer at St Francis Oktoberfest! →
St Francis of the Lakes Catholic School, Brainerd - Meat Raffles →
B Merri, 19624 Co Rd 3, Brainerd
5:00 pm - Meat Raffles Thursdays & Saturdays! →
B Merri, 19624 Co Rd 3, Brainerd
5:00 pm - Children's Miracle Network Designer Purse Bingo →
Fraternal Order of Eagles, 124 Front Street, Brainerd
1:00 pm - 500 Piece Pairs Jigsaw Puzzle Competition →
B*Merri Gastropub Restaurant and Bar, 19624 County Road 3, Brainerd - 500 Piece Pairs Jigsaw Puzzle Competition (Oct 2026) →
B*Merri Gastropub Restaurant and Bar, 19624 County Road 3, Brainerd - Personnel Committee →
Crow Wing County, MN Calendar, 326 Laurel St, Brainerd
9:00 am
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
Sunday October 4
Monday October 5
📣 Brainerd Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Brainerd PatchAM possible:
- AnnapurnaBlue Health and Wellness — (195) 405-0342
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Madden's on Gull Lake posted a job opening for Banquet Server in Brainerd. Apply here.
- Maurices posted a job opening for Temporary Retail Sales Support in Brainerd. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Brainerd here.
🗞 Nearby News
Baxter
- 7 Brew coffee expands to 50 new cities, including 10th in Minnesota (sctimes.com)
Nisswa
- Looking Back: Sept. 30, 2026 - Model ships, new libraries and a hometown sports fan (pineandlakes.com)
- Pequot Lakes' first Okbobberfest is soggy, but fun (pineandlakes.com)
- Douglas County Circuit Court for Sept. 21-25, 2026 (superiortelegram.com)
Pillager
- Pillager School District 2026 Election Guide (kaxe.org)
- Sauk Rapids-Rice Volleyball Tops Bemidji In Four Sets (minnesotasnewcountry.com)
Ok Brainerd! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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