Churchyard will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, for the second 2020 summer series concert in the bandstand at Gregory Park in Brainerd.

Performers will set up in the bandstand or in front of it. Churchyard is a gospel music group that adds a bluegrass flavor to their music, a news release stated. Formed in the late fall of 2003 to expand the music ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby, their inaugural performance was Jan. 4, 2004. While the makeup of the band has gone through changes over the 15 years since its beginning, their primary focus remains to sing about God’s love and amazing grace through Jesus with traditional, contemporary and original Christian songs, the release stated.

People are asked to bring their lawn chairs or blankets to Gregory Park to enjoy the music. Organizers stated social distancing will be practiced and wearing masks is encouraged.

In inclement weather, due to COVID-19, concerts will be canceled.

Concerts in the Park are free and open to the public. Concerts are a collaboration between Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department and The Center.

Sponsorship of this summer’s concert series is in honor and memory of Helen K. Mills, Stewart C. Mills Jr.’s mother, who used to skate around Gregory Park.

Author Jennifer Schultz

Author Jennifer Schultz will be selling and signing copies of her new novel “Hearts of Prey” noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at CatTales bookstore in downtown Brainerd.

“Hearts of Prey” is a paranormal novel that follows Shaka Reed, a young woman living in northeastern Minnesota, as she tries to juggle two separate identities: one as a woman forging her own path in the world, and another as a supernatural who is able to shape-shift into a wolf. Not even her closest friend Rena knows about her secret ability, but when she receives an unexpected warning from a mysterious stranger that people like her are being kidnapped, Shaka quickly understands that she must learn to trust someone or she may be next.

The e-book cover of “Hearts of Prey” written by Jennifer Schultz.

Set in the northwoods of Minnesota, “Hearts of Prey” is a suspenseful story layered with mystery, romance, a poetic appreciation for the natural world and a lineup of original characters. This debut of what will be the first in a series keeps the reader engaged from cover to cover, a news release stated.

After graduating from Pequot Lakes High School, Schultz moved to Bemidji. She attended both Northwest Technical College and Bemidji State University, where she was the recipient of the William T. Elliot scholarship for creative writing while earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She currently lives in northwestern Minnesota and works as a registered nurse. When not working she is either writing, spending time with her animals or exploring the forests of northern Minnesota. This is her first full length novel.

Author Peter Geye

Minnesota Author Peter Geye will discuss his novel “Northernmost” noon to 1 p.m. Monday, July 27, as part of the Brown Bag Lunch author visits presented as live virtual events on the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library Facebook page.

The Brown Bag Lunch events are occurring virtually while the Brainerd Public Library building is closed.

According to a news release, the book is set in 1897, when Odd Einar Eide returns home from a near-death experience in the Arctic only to discover his own funeral underway. His wife Inger, stunned to see him alive, is slow to warm back up to him, having spent many sleepless nights convinced she lost both him and their daughter Thea. Thea traveled to America two years earlier but has yet to send even a single letter back to them in Hammerfest, their small Norwegian town at the top of the earth.

More than a century later, Greta Nansen has finally begun to admit to herself that her marriage is over. Desperately unhappy and unfulfilled, she makes the decision to follow her husband from their home in Minnesota to Oslo, where he has traveled for work, to end it once and for all. But on impulse, for reasons unknown even to her, she diverts her travels to Hammerfest: the town of her ancestors, the town where her great-great-grandmother Thea was born — and for some reason never returned to.

The book cover of “Northernmost,” written by Peter Geye of Minneapolis.

Geye received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of New Orleans and his doctorate degree from Western Michigan University, where he was editor of “Third Coast.” Geye is the author of the award-winning novels “Safe from the Sea,” “The Lighthouse Road” and “Wintering,” winner of the Minnesota Book Award. He currently teaches the year-long Novel Writing Project at the Loft Literary Center.

This presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library through their volunteer and fundraising efforts. The Friends of the Brainerd Public Library are celebrating the 21st season of the Brown Bag Lunch Author Series with a lineup of award-winning and acclaimed Minnesota writers.

For more information, contact the library at 218-829-5574 or visit the library’s Facebook page at

facebook.com/brainerdpubliclibrary.

Youth on Stage Open Mic event will be live from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, July 27, at the Brainerd Eagles Club.

Brainerd Elks Lodge 615 sponsors the event through an Elks National Foundation grant and by the Brainerd Eagles Club No. 215. This monthly youth-oriented event is geared for those age 25 and younger who have a family-friendly talent to share on a year-round basis.

Talent may include singing, playing an instrument, storytelling, essay reading, poetry, tap dancing, comedy, magic, a band or ensemble to perform to live audiences. Each performer will be able to sign up for a 15-minute time slots — open on a first come basis. Those wishing to sign up should go to www.YouthOnStageMn.org or may do so at the venue, the Eagles Club, on the night of a performance.

The event typically is hosted every fourth Monday of the month.

Organizers in a news release stated: “We understand that we all want to be safe during these unusual times and we expect the Eagles Club and all in attendance to exercise our safe distancing guidelines. Masks are not required but are welcomed. As we’ve seen in the past, most families sit together and we will have tables setup for distancing guidelines.”