Brainerd area native Rory Papenfuss recently accepted a position as LPL financial adviser at Mid-Minnesota Investment and Retirement Services.

Papenfuss grew up in the Brainerd lakes area and brings more than six years of experience.

Papenfuss replaces adviser Christian Barnett who relocated to Georgia.

He is a graduate of Crosby-Ironton High School and St. Cloud State University, as well as a guardsman with the Minnesota Air National Guard for 21 years. He has been a financial adviser for six years, most recently with Edward Jones Investments.

Local Allstate agency owner Charles Brenny received the Allstate Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to helping others and community service.

Because of Brenny’s outstanding volunteerism, The Allstate Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to Crisis Line and Referral Service, where Brenny volunteers.

Crisis Line and Referral Service is a 24-hour crisis line that serves people in Crow Wing, Cass, Aitkin, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties.

Nearly 30 healthcare providers including surgeons, emergency department physicians, registered nurses, pharmacists, laboratory staff, radiology staff, respiratory therapy staff, and paramedics participated in the Rural Trauma Team Development Course (RTTDC) at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center. This course was provided by the American College of Surgeons and instructed by Level 1 Trauma Center North Memorial trauma staff.

After becoming fit, a group of women decided to help others do the same and opened The Quest Nutrition Club in Pequot Lakes.

Briana Visser of Pequot Lakes and Brenda Steidler of Longville became friends while participating in a community weight loss program through Snap Fitness. The experience raised their awareness of health and wellness as a lifestyle commitment, Visser said.

The two women started as home-based distributors of protein shakes before opening The Quest Nutrition Club together in mid-February.