North Country Floral in Brainerd ended the Valentine s Day weekend with 340 extra red roses. Written By: Steven L. Kohls | 4:00 am, Feb. 16, 2021 ×
North Country Floral owner Kerri Martin (left) smiles after giving 60 red roses to Brenda White at Northern Lakes Senior Living Monday, Feb. 15. The uncertain economic landscape of COVID-19 surprised Martin this year, leaving her with 340 extra red roses that did not sell over the Valentine s Day holiday. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Leftover Valentine s Day bouquets found new homes Monday, Feb. 15, at senior living complexes and skilled nursing facilities in Brainerd and Baxter.
Kerri Martin of North Country Floral said she knows how to order flowers for special days like Valentine s Day, but this year, she did not count on the COVID-19 factor. After owning North Country Floral with her husband Randy for six years, she felt confident the number of red roses was just right for the holiday, but the pand
Aging Coalition cooks up baking competition to combat senior isolation
Dessert recipe contest between residents of four assisted living facilities in Crow Wing County results in bakeoff and fun. 4:00 am, Dec. 31, 2020 ×
Betti Labs, a 73-year-old resident at Edgewood in Brainerd, smiles as she holds a gift basket as the grand prize winner of the Aging Coalition s dessert recipe contest among Crow Wing County assisted living facilities. Submitted photo
It was a sweet idea one that had the potential to make seniors at Crow Wing County assisted living facilities feel a little less lonely.
Paula Armagost, a licensed social worker at Crow Wing County Community Services, and other Aging Coalition members came up with a baking competition for county assisted living facilities.