Nisswa Garden Club speakers 

The Simple Life Burger A simple burger that will suit the tastes of those who don’t want a lot of extras in their burger 8 ounces chuck, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes (or ground chuck if available) 8...

Smoked Gouda Burgers 2 pounds lean ground sirloin, or other lean ground beef if you can’t find lean ground sirloin 1/3 pound smoked Gouda cheese, diced into 1/4- to 1/2-inch cubes 1 medium onion 2 teaspoons...

The Nisswa Garden Club's annual Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1, in the Schaefer's Foods parking area in Nisswa. The event will be held rain or shine. The plants are grown and donated by club members.

The Backus Lions will hold their annual Get a Bargain Yard and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 25 at the Backus Corner Store parking lot located at Hwy 371 and 4th St NW.

Backus Legion Sunday dance, dinner It's dancing and dining Sunday, May 19, at the Backus American Legion. Frankie Lamb's Frankly Country Band returns from 2-6 p.m., playing classic country and pop, old time and swing.

Brian Carlson, attorney-at-law, was the featured speaker for the Breezy Point Area Women's Club on Wednesday, May 1. He spoke on the importance of wills, trusts and legal matters in regard to estate planning.

State Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, will be the keynote speaker at a Memorial Day remembrance event at noon Monday, May 27, at the Nisswa American Legion. State Rep. John Ward, DFL-Baxter, and state Sen. Paul Gazelka, R-Cass County,...

A clothing giveaway will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the Franklin Arts Center gym in Brainerd. Sponsored by Journey North Community Church, the sale will include gently used clothing, shoes and backpacks.

Good Samaritan Society-Home Care and Hospice is introducing a touchpad system to monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, weight, pulse and temperature.

The 42nd annual Old Timers Class Reunion will be held at the Backus Fire Hall on Saturday, May 25, starting at 11 a.m. Lunch will be available with a program, music and class pictures to follow.

The 12th annual Northern Lights Rug Hooking School will be held July 23-26 at Crosslake Lutheran Church.

This is the 100th Renegade Chef column. I am as surprised as anyone that I have been allowed to ramble on in this space for so long. Over the past four years I have received one positive reader comment and zero negative comments.