>> PRODUCTION FUNDING FOR LAKELAND NEWS IS PROVIDED BY: FIRST NATIONAL BANK BEMIDJI; CONTINUING THEIR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBER FDIC.

>> SOURCEWELL; COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND EDUCATION.

MN.SOURCEWELL.ORG.

>> LAKELAND PBS IS PROUD TO PRESENT LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS FROM BEMIDJI, BRAINERD, AND ALL OF THE LAKES COUNTRY.

DENNIS WEIMANN WITH THE NEWS, STACY CHRISTENSON WITH THE WEATHER AND CHARLIE YAEGER WITH YOUR SPORTS.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Josh: GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, I'M JOSH PETERSON IN FOR DENNIS WEIMANN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>>> A TRAGIC FARM ACCIDENT HAS TAKEN THE LIFE OF A FRAZEE MAN.

SHORTLY AFTER 6:00 THURSDAY EVENING, THE WADENA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECEIVED A 9-1-1 CALL OF A FARM EQUIPMENT ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WITH THE OPERATOR PINNED UNDERNEATH.

THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ALONG WADENA COUNTY ROAD 30, SECTION 13 OF BULLARD TOWNSHIP, EAST OF WAHOO VALLEY, NORTH OF STAPLES.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL ALL RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND LOCATED THE FRONT-END LOADER LYING UPSIDE DOWN IN THE DITCH.

EMERGENCY PERSONNEL FOUND 79-YEAR-OLD JOHN BERGER PINNED UNDER THE MACHINE.

BERGER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, INCOMING 8TH AND 9TH GRADE STUDENTS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA ATTENDED A HEALTHCARE CAREER EXPLORATION DAY CAMP.

REPORTER SAMMY HOLLADAY ATTENDED DAY 2 OF THE CAMP WHICH WAS SPENT AT THE ESSENTIA HEALTH ST. JOSEPH'S MEDICAL CENTER IN BRAINERD.

>> Reporter: FOR TWO DAYS, INCOMING 8th AND NINTH GRADERS GOT A CHANCE TO EXPLORE CAREERS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.

THEY SPENT THE DAY AT THE COLLEGE, ROTATING THROUGH VARIOUS LABS.

ON THURSDAY, THE STUDENTS SPENT THE MORNING AT ESSENTIA HEALTH ST. JOSEPH'S MEDICAL CENTER.

EACH STUDENT HAD THEIR OWN REASONS FOR ATTEMPTING THE CAMP.

>> MY PARENTS ARE IN HEALTHCARE AND IT'S COOL TO SEE WHAT THEY DO AND DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF IT.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO IN HEALTHCARE.

IT'S JUST REALLY COOL AND NEAT.

>> I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WITH STUFF, LIKE PEOPLE WITH INJURIES OR SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEIR BODIES.

>> Reporter: OVER THE TWO DAYS, THE STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO SOAK UP VAST AMOUNTS OF KNOWLEDGE ON THE MEDICAL FIELD.

>> SEEING ALL THE DIFFERENT WINGS, ROOMS, FLOORS, AND EVERYTHING.

>> IT TAUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHAT PEOPLE DO HERE AND OTHER THINGS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING THINGS ON DAY TWO WAS THE SIMULATION OF CHILDBIRTH WITH SOME STUDENTS EVEN GETTING A CHANCE TO DELIVER A BABY.

>> IT WAS REALLY SCARY.

LIKE I WAS NERVOUS, BUT THEY HELPED ME THROUGH IT.

THEY WERE NICE AND KIND.

IT WAS A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THEY STILL HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO BUT MOST STUDENTS WERE INTERESTED IN FOLLOWING A CAREER PAST IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND ALREADY HAD IDEAS WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.

>> A PARAMEDIC OR A BRAIN SURGEON.

>> I ALWAYS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN SURGERY, BUT I ALSO EXPRESSED INTEREST IN DENTAL STUFF.

I JUST LIKE THE MEDICAL FIELD IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A SAYING, IF YOU WORK DOING SOMETHING YOU LOVE, YOU NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

THESE STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO PICK THE BRAINS OF PEOPLE WHO DO JUST THAT, HAVING A FULFILLING CAREER IN MEDICINE.

>> I WANT TO FIND SOMETHING I REALLY LOVE.

ALL THE PEOPLE I TALKED TO, THEY REALLY LOVE WHAT THEY DO.

I WANTED TO FIND SOMETHING I LOVE BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE GET A JOB BECAUSE OF THE MONEY.

I WANT TO FIND A JOB I LOVE DOING.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN BRAINERD, SAMMY HOLLADAY, LAKELAND NEWS.

>> Josh: IN TOTAL, 21 STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CAMP FOR FREE THROUGH SOURCE WELL.

>>> WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER TOURISM SEASON AND ITS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE ORANGE CONSTRUCTION CONES AND EXPERIENCE DELAYS WHILE TRAVELING.

HOWEVER FOR THOSE TRAVELING HIGHWAY 169 WEST OF MILLE LACS LAKE, YOUR DRIVING EXPERIENCE JUST GOT BETTER.

MNDOT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ALL LANES ARE NOW OPEN ON THE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY SOUTH OF GARRISON.

WORK BEGAN BACK IN MAY TO RESURFACE AND IMPROVE 7 MILES OF THE HIGHWAY FROM CROW WING COUNTY ROAD 25 TO SWING-A-WAY SOUTH PORT.

DUE TO MATERIAL DELAYS, CREWS WILL RETURN IN MID-AUGUST TO INSTALL STREET LIGHTS.

MOTORISTS MAY ENCOUNTER MINIMAL LANE OR SHOULDER CLOSURES AS CREWS WRAP UP WORK ON THE PROJECT.

MNDONT WANTS TO REMIND MOTORISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR WORKERS AND EQUIPMENT, AND BE PREPARED TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN.

>>> THE 4TH ANNUAL BEMIDJI CORVETTES SHOW AND SHINE SHOWCASES THE MANY DIFFERENT GENERATIONS OF CORVETTES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND WILL BE TAKING PLACE TOMORROW.

THE EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND, AND FEATURES A SPECIAL SHOWCASE ON THE 2ND GENERATION OF CORVETTES, THOSE THAT WERE BUILT BETWEEN 1963 AND 1967.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST CLASSIC SPORTS CARS OR WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM, YOU CAN ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE TO THE ONE OF THE MANY CAR ENTHUSIASTS IN ATTENDANCE.

>> WE EXPECT TO HAVE 60, 70, 80 CORVETTES THERE.

SO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, FIBERGLASS CARS.

OVER THE YEARS, TECHNOLOGY CHANGED AND THE CORVETTES CHANGED WITH THEM BUT THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SPORTS CAR, ALWAYS BEEN A TWO SEATER, ALWAYS MADE OF FIBERGLASS.

SO IT'S A SPECIAL CAR AND PEOPLE THAT LIKE CORVETTES WILL REALLY FIND A LOT TO ENJOY ABOUT THE CORVETTE SHOW.

>> Josh: SOME PRETTY FANCY CARS.

THE CORVETTES SHOW AND SHINE TAKES PLACE FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. SATURDAY AT DONDELINGER CHEVROLET.

>>> A GLOBAL TECH OUTAGE CAUSED WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS EARLIER TODAY.

AN APPARENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE GONE WRONG LED TO CANCELED FLIGHTS, BANKING WOES AND DISRUPTIONS TO CRITICAL SERVICES LIKE 9-1-1.

CNN'S JASON CARROLL REPORTS ON THE IMPACT AND WHEN IT ALL MIGHT GET BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT CASCADED AROUND THE GLOBE, STOPPING EVERYTHING FROM BANKS TO AIRPLANES.

>> I'M SO UPSET RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE EIGHT PEOPLE IN MY PARTY, EIGHT PEOPLE.

$456 A TICKET AND THEY'RE GIVING ME $100 BACK.

THAT IS IT.

THIS MAN IS GETTING MARRIED.

>> ANXIETY.

WHEN I WALKED IN, I GOT STRAIGHT ANXIETY.

ALL THESE PEOPLE, I WAS IN LINE AND I COULDN'T FIND MY FLIGHT.

I WAS LIKE, DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG?

>> Reporter: ANGER AT THE AIRPORTS AS MAJOR CARRIERS STRUGGLED TO DEAL WITH THE FALLOUT OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

>> IT'S BEEN REALLY WILD.

IT'S CRAZY, IT'S CROWDED.

PEOPLE ARE CURSING, YELLING.

>> Reporter: CONFUSION AT BANKS AS SOME FINANCIAL SYSTEMS WERE IMPACTED OVERSEAS.

DISRUPTIONS AT UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD, AS WELL AS BROADCAST NETWORKS.

>> A MAJOR GLOBAL I.T.

OUTAGE IS IMPACTING MANY OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPANIES, INCLUDING US HERE AT SKY NEWS.

>> Reporter: ALL DUE TO THE MASSIVE GLOBAL TECHNICAL OUTAGE LINKED TO CLOUD STRIKE, A CYBERSECURITY PROVIDER.

THE COMPANY'S C.E.O.

APOLOGIZED SAYING IT WAS NOT A CYBER ATTACK.

HE SAID A DEFECT IN A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT CROWD STRIKE WAS DOING CRASHED MICROSOFT WINDOWS, CAUSING THE OUTAGE.

HE SAYS A FIX HAS BEEN DEPLOYED.

>> WE'VE BEEN WITH OUR CUSTOMERS ALL NIGHT AND WORKING WITH THEM.

MANY OF THE CUSTOMERS ARE REBOOTING THE SYSTEM AND IT'S COMING UP.

IT WILL BE OPERATIONAL BECAUSE WE FIXED IT ON OUR END.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS WORKING WITH CROWD STRIKE AND MICROSOFT TO FULLY ASSESS AND ADDRESS SYSTEM OUTAGES.

MEANWHILE, 9-1-1 SERVICES TAKING A HIT IN JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IMPACTING STATES SUCH AS ALASKA AND ARIZONA.

>> Josh: NOW AS OF NOON HERE IN MINNESOTA, MORE THAN 160 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED AND MORE THAN 230 FLIGHTS HAD BEEN DELAYED.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> STILL TO COME ON LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

>> Stacy: IT'S GOING TO BE SUNNY AND WARM AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND BUT WE HAVE SOME CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON YOUR FORECAST IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, SECOND STREET IS PUTTING ON THEIR 12th ANNUAL THURSDAY NIGHT MUSIC CONCERT SERIES.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> THIS PORTION OF LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED BY C.T.C.

; INTERNET, PHONE, AND T.V.

C.T.C; CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY ONLINE AT GOCTC.COM.

>> AND NOW LAKELAND NEWS AT 10:00.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> THE 56TH ANNUAL WATER MARK ART FESTIVAL, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ART IN THE PARK, IS COMING TO DOWNTOWN BEMIDJI THIS WEEKEND.

THE TWO-DAY FESTIVAL DRAWS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO THE HISTORIC TREE-LINED LIBRARY PARK.

SINCE 1967, THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN A SUMMER HIGHLIGHT FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.

THIS YEAR, OVER 100 ARTISTS WILL BE FEATURED IN ADDITION TO A FOOD-COURT, TWO STAGES FOR LIVE MUSIC, AND A NEWLY EXPANDED OUTDOOR FAMILY ART ACTIVITY AREA WHERE EVERYONE CAN GET CREATIVE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF RETURNING PEOPLE BUT WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF NEW ARTISTS EVERY YEAR.

I THINK WE HAVE ALMOST A DOZEN NEW ARTISTS COMING IN OF THE 90 VENDORS OUT IN THE PARK AND ABOUT A DOZEN ON THE WATERMARK SIDE OF THE STREET WITH THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.

OF COURSE WE HAVE TWO STAGES FULL OF MUSIC.

SO WE HAVE SOME RETURNING BANDS AND SOME NEW ONES.

I THINK THERE ARE EIGHT DIFFERENT MUSICAL GROUPS PLAYING THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT JUST ART IN THE PARK, IT'S MORE OF A FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE.

>> THE FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10:00 A.M. ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AND WILL END AT 5:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY, AND 4:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY.

>>> THE LAKELAND PBS VACATION GIVEAWAY IS BACK THIS SUMMER.

THIS YEAR ONCE AGAIN WE ARE GIVING AWAY A THREE-NIGHT STAY AT CRAGUN'S RESORT NEAR BRAINERD.

TO ENTER THE DRAWING YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR MAIL US A POSTCARD WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER.

THEN YOU JUST NEED TO WATCH LAKELAND NEWS AND CALL US BY 5:00 P.M.

THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY TO QUALIFY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S FIVE POTENTIAL QUALIFIERS.

IF YOU SEE YOUR NAME, CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE A SHOT AT BEING OUR 2024 CRAGUN'S VACATION GRAND PRIZE WINNER.

>>> STACY, LOTS OF EVENTS AND FESTIVITIES HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND, ART IN THE PARK, THE BIRCHMONT CLASSICS, UNICON, AND THERE IS A THREAT FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

>> Stacy: OVERALL, WE WILL SEE SUNNY SKIES, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS A >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ACCESS MINNESOTA.

>> AND BY SANFORD HEALTH; HERE FOR ALL, HERE FOR GOOD.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN THE BEMIDJI AREA IS AVAILABLE AT SANFORDHEALTH.ORG.

>> THE WEATHER IS SPONSORED BY WIDSETH; ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS SERVING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1975.

>> AND NOW THE WEATHER WITH STACY CHRISTENSON.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Stacy: IT HAS BEEN A SUNNY AND WARM DAY, BUT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ROAMING THE AREA THIS EVENING.

WE SHOULD STILL HAVE SOME SHOWERS AND SPRINKLES OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD, MORE SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BUT WE HAVE VERY GOOD CHANCES OF SEEING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS TOMORROW AND NUMEROUS CHANCES AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS, IT IS 68 DEGREES AT THE AIRPORT IN BEMIDJI TONIGHT.

AT THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A DEW POINT OF 65, THE HUMIDITY IS CREEPING UP ONCE AGAIN AND HUMIDITY IS AT 90%.

IN BRAINERD, WE HAVE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND 70 DEGREES, WITH A DEW POINT OF 60.

PRESSURE IS FALLING AND WINDS ARE SOUTH AT 6 MILES PER HOUR.

NOW AS WE LOOK AT THE RADAR, WE CAN SEE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, SOME IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, A FEW IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AS WELL.

THOSE ARE STARTING TO TAPER OFF A LITTLE BIT AS WE HAVE BEEN MOVING INTO THE EVENING AND SHOULD MAINLY TAPER OFF OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF A FEW SHOWERS OR SPRINKLES REMAINING IN EASTERN MINNESOTA LATER ON TONIGHT.

NOW AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, WE ARE GOING TO BE EXPERIENCING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE WARM, HIGHS IN THE 80s.

ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, NOT EXCLUSIVELY, BUT THAT IS THE BEST CHANCE, WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING THAT SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY DEVELOPING ACROSS THE VIEWING AREA, PROBABLY NOT ANYTHING IN THE WAY OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, BUT THERE COULD BE A FEW OF THOSE OUT THERE ROAMING THE AREA TOMORROW.

SOME WEATHER SHOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT, NICE MORNING SKIES FROM ARLENE IN MENAHGA AND SAMROSE OVER LOWER RED LAKE.

JOAN SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS IN LAPORTE.

WE HAVE PHOTOS OF THE STORM CLOUDS FROM BILL AND CHARLENE SENDING US THIS PHOTO OF THE SUNSHINE THROUGH THAT CLOUDY, THAT HAZY SMOKE IN THE AIR, REALLY CREATING SOME SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE SUN AS THE EVENING WEARS ON.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING THOSE WITH US TONIGHT.

FOR OUR EAGLE EYE REPORTS, ARLENE IN MENAHGA, HAZY THROUGHOUT THE DAY, A TEMPERATURE OF 78 THIS EVENING.

JOAN IN LAPORTE, MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 86.

BOB IN BLUFFTON, 83 FOR OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE.

STEPHANIE IN BRAINERD REPORTING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT AND A HIGH OF 82.

ON OUR ALMANAC, BRAINERD WITH A HIGH OF 83 TODAY, SO VERY SEASONAL, 1 DEGREE ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE WITH A LOW OF 53.

IN BEMIDJI, WE TOPPED OUT AT 83, SO AGAIN VERY SEASONAL, A FEW DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE, 55 WAS OUR LOW.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, WE WILL BE SEEING PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA, BUT THERE IS A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SOME SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE BEST CHANCES WILL BE IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENINGS.

HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO LOW 80s ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WE ARE LOOKING AT PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES WITH A GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MID-80s.

SO HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND SPRINKLES.

TOMORROW, A GOOD CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR 83 WITH NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS UP TO 10.

LOOKING AT OUR WEEKEND FORECAST, WE WILL SEE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ON SUNDAY, A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SOME AFTERNOON SHOWERS MAINLY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, MAYBE A FEW THUNDERSTORMS, 82 FOR THE HIGH AND SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY.

WE WILL SEE SOME SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK BUT A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LINGERING ON TUESDAY.

BACK TO YOU JOSH.

>> Josh: THANK YOU STACY.

NOT A COMPLETE WASHOUT AND LOT OF ACTIVITIES GEARING UP.

ONE MAJOR TRADITION RETURNING TO BEMIDJI.

>> Charlie: THE CENTURY MARK FOR THE BIRCHMONT GOLF TOURNAMENT.

WE GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT HOW EVERYTHING HAS GONE OVER THE LAST 100 YEARS AND WHAT THE TOURNAMENT REALLY MEANS TO THE FOLKS THAT PLAN IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

WE HAVE THAT COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> SPORTS ON LAKELAND NEWS IS SPONSORED IN PART BY PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS; NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE CENTER, OFFERING REPAIR SERVICES ON APPLE PRODUCTS AND P.C.S.

PAUL BUNYAN COMMUNICATIONS IN BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS, IT'S RIGHT HERE.

>>ENED NOW YOUR LOCAL SPORTS WITH CHARLIE YAEGER.

>> Charlie: THE 100th EDITION OF THE BIRCHMONT GOLF TOURNAMENT, ONE OF THE AMATEUR GOLF TOURNAMENTS BEGINS THIS MONDAY AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB.

WITH THAT IN MIND, WE LOOK AT WHERE THE TOURNAMENT BEGAN AND WHAT IT HAS EVOLVED INTO TODAY.

>> Reporter: ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE BEMIDJI, NESTLED ALONG THE PINE AND BIRCH TREES IS A GOLF HAVEN.

>> IT'S SACRED GROUND.

IT'S WHERE I LEARNED SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS IN LIFE.

IF GOD CAME DOWN TONIGHT AND SAID KIRK, YOU CAN ONLY PLAY IN ONE PLACE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, IT WOULD BE HERE.

>> Reporter: BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB IS HOME TO THE PRESTIGIOUS BIRCHMONT GOLF TOURNAMENT.

IT'S A SIX DAY MATCH EXTRAVAGANZA THAT DRAWS IN PEOPLE FROM BEYOND, A TOURNAMENT ENTERING THEIR 100th YEAR.

>> I THINK FOR ANY EVENT, REGARDLESS OF SPORT OR ACTIVITY, TO LAST 100 YEARS, IT'S PRETTY SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST TOURNAMENT WAS HELD IN 1925, DUBBED THE BIRCHMONT INTERNATIONAL, CANADIAN AND AMERICAN GOLFERS PLAYED AGAINST EACH OTHER.

A.G. WAS NAMED CHAMPION THAT YEAR BUT THE WIDELY RECOGNIZED MEMBER OF THE BIRCHMONT WAS HARRY WHEN IT WAS STROKE PLAY AND THEN IT TURNED INTO MATCH PLAY AND HAS REMAINED THAT WAY SINCE.

>> THE PEOPLE IN BEMIDJI AND AT BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB CONTINUE THE TRADITION AND KEEP IT GOING FOR THAT LONG SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE FOLKS.

>> Reporter: OVER THE PAST CENTURY, THE BIRCHMONT HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH FIERCE COMPETITION, SOMETHING THAT THE TOURNAMENT OWES NOT JUST TO THE GOLFERS BUT THE COURSE ITSELF.

>> TO COMPETE IN THE BIRCHMONT IS EXHAUSTING.

IT REALLY IS.

EVERY SHOT IS IMPORTANT, EVERY SHOT HAS TO BE THOUGHT THROUGH COMPLETELY.

THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT GOLF COURSE, IT IS A VERY SHORT GOLF COURSE BUT PEOPLE DON'T TEAR IT APART BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE LAYOUT.

>> Reporter: THE GOLFERS CONTINUE TO COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THEY WOULD GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS AND SLOWLY MORPHING THE BIRCHMONT INTO SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST A SUMMER GOLF TOURNAMENT.

>> Reporter: AT THE END OF JULY EVERY YEAR, YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING.

WHEN PEOPLE WALK UP FROM THE PARKING LOT, IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE.

>> WE'RE THE LARGEST FAMILY REUNION YOU WILL EVER STUMBLE ACROSS.

THE TOURNAMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT WHILE YOU'RE PLAYING BUT AFTER THAT, IT'S THE LAST THING ON YOUR MIND.

IT'S WHAT ARE WE DOING LATER ON TONIGHT?

WHERE ARE WE MEETING UP?

THINGS LIKE THAT, VERY SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: AND ANYTHING THAT SPECIAL IS BOUND TO LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMETHING LIKE KIRK HOWARD, WHO GREW UP PLAYING IN THE BIRCHMONT WITH HIS GRANDFATHER.

>> MY FAVORITE MEMORY WAS OF HIM NODDING HIS HEAD AT ME AFTER A SHOT.

THE JOY I SAW IN HIS FACE AND AS GOOD AS HE WAS TO ME, JUST KNOWING THAT I BROUGHT HIM SOME JOY.

>> Reporter: THE HEAD GOLF PRO AT THE BEMIDJI TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB ALSO HAS A STRONG CONNECTION TO THE BIRCHMONT.

>> TO BE A PART OF THIS TOURNAMENT.

I GREW UP PLAYING GOLF HERE.

I THINK BACK, I ONLY PLAY IN THIS GOLF TOURNAMENT SEVEN TIMES, RIGHT?

I HAVE BEEN A PART OF IT FOR 37 YEARS NOW.

I HAVE HAD A LOT OF GOOD GOLF EXPERIENCES IN MY CAREER BUT BIRCHMONT IS ONE OF MY BEST MEMORIES.

ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T PLAY THAT MANY YEARS, I STILL FEEL PRIDE IN THE TOURNAMENT EVERY YEAR THAT I CAN PROVIDE A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: NOW IN ITS CENTENNIAL, THE BIRCHMONT CONTINUES TO STAND AS A BEACON FOR COMPETITION, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS, ALL OF WHOM HOPE ITS TRADITION AND LEGACY WILL CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS AND BEYOND.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AFTER I'M GONE, THE NEXT GENERATIONS THAT ARE COMING UP ARE HAVING JUST AS MUCH FUN AND LAUGHING JUST AS MUCH AS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LAUGH THE LAST 62 YEARS OUT HERE.

>> IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S THE GOLF COURSE OR THE EVENT ITSELF, THE PEOPLE, ALL THOSE THINGS TO SUSTAIN ITSELF AND TO BE IN SOME WAYS AT ITS PEAK AT THE HUNDRED YEAR MARK IS PRETTY EXCEPTIONAL.

>> Charlie: IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS, YOU DON'T FIX WHAT AIN'T BROKEN.

IF IT'S GOING GOOD FOR 100 YEARS, THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING NEW THIS YEAR BUT THEY ARE ADDING A CHAMPIONS DINNER THIS YEAR SO ALL OF THE CHAMPIONS IN THE LAST -- AS LONG AS YOU HAVE BEEN ALIVE, THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE DINNER ON SUNDAY NIGHT.

>> Josh: GROWING UP IN BEMIDJI, I REMEMBER SEEING THE BIRCHMONT GOING ON.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> Charlie: IT WAS A LOT OF FUN COVERING IT LAST YEAR.

>> Josh: THANKS CHARLIE.

>>> DOWNTOWN PARK RAPIDS IS HOME TO MANY SMALL BUSINESSES.

DURING THE SUMMERTIME, THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TEAMS UP WITH SECOND STREET STAGE FOR A WEEKLY CONCERT SERIES.

OUR REPORTER SYDNEY DICK HAS MORE INFORMATION ON THE STAGE FOR THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: NESTLED AMONGST THE BUILDING OF PARK RAPIDS, THERE WERE MUSICIANS, DANCERS, AND HUNGRY MUSIC FANS.

>> BASICALLY THIS EVENT WAS PUT ON AS A WAY TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OF ALL PEOPLE, ANOTHER REASON TO COME DOWNTOWN AND EXPLORE.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT IS FREE TO GET INTO AND IT'S SPONSORED BY THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

>> OVER THE YEARS, THIS IS OUR 12th YEAR.

WE WERE INTERRUPTED BY COVID ONE YEAR.

WE USED TO GET CROWDS OF 100 PEOPLE.

AS TIME HAS GONE BY, WE MORPHED INTO WHAT WE ARE.

TONIGHT WE HAD 800 PEOPLE.

LAST WEEK WE HAD 1,500 PEOPLE HERE.

IT'S DOING A LOT TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF THE COMMUNITY AND ALLOW US TO EMBRACE THE BEAUTIFUL AREA WE LIVE IN.

>> Reporter: THE CONCERT HAPPENS EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH JUNE IN AUGUST.

THE BAND WAS A REGIONALLY KNOWN BAND.

THE MODERN STRING BAND ORIGINATED IN THE TWIN CITIES 20 YEARS AGO AND HAS PLAYED ON MUCH BIGGER STAGES, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE THIS ONE ANY LESS SPECIAL.

>> WE LOVE PLAYING SHOWS LIKE THIS WHERE THE WHOLE TOWN TURNS UP NO MATTER WHAT.

PEOPLE CAN JUST COME DOWN, HANG OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME LISTENING TO TUNES.

SO IT'S OUR GIG FOR SURE, BUT IT'S A GREAT SCENE AND VIBE.

>> Reporter: THE CROWD WAS FEELING THE VIBE, AS WELL AS A BUNCH OF PEOPLE GOT UP AND DANCED TO THE FOLK MUSIC.

THIS ASPECT OF CONCERTS MEANS JUST AS MUCH TO THE MUSICIANS AS IT DOES TO THE FANS.

>> WHEN WE COAX DANCERS TO THE FRONT, THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS, PLAYING MUSIC IN GENERAL, OUR GENRE AND OUR STYLE.

WELL, WILL THERE BE OR WON'T THERE BE?

FOR US, IT'S A SUCCESS WHEN WE HAVE DANCERS OUT IN FRONT OF US.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE BAND IS PLAYING, SPECTATORS CAN STAY COOL AT THE BEER GARDEN.

>> OUR METHOD OF FUNDING IS THE BEER GARDEN.

THE REVENUE STREAM THAT THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION GETS IS THROUGH THIS.

THE BANDS ARE SPONSORED, SO IT'S TRULY A MELDING OF OUR COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY BUSINESSES, SUPPORTING THIS EVENT, ALLOWING IT TO BECOME WHAT IT HAS BECOME.

>> Reporter: REPORTING FROM PARK RAPIDS, I'M SYDNEY DICK, LAKELAND NEWS.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> PARK RAPIDS AND SECOND STREET STAGE WILL BE CONTINUING THIS CONCERT SERIES ON THURSDAYS THROUGH AUGUST 15TH.

THERE IS A SOCIAL HOUR WITH ALL OF THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES AT 5:00 AND THEN A DIFFERENT STAGE PERFORMER EVERY WEEK FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M. >>> THAT YAP -- WRAPS IT UP FOR US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND AND WE'LL SEE YOU MONDAY NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

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