Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace (BACP) held our first online meeting, via the Zoom website, on Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m.   BACP members Elaine Kain, Richard and Judi Schiller, Pat Scott, Isaiah Oleson, Gary Hirsch, and Doug Olson joined the meeting.

    Meeting attendees decided to hold our Spring Adopt a Highway cleanup.  BACP's Spring Adopt a Highway cleanup will be held on Saturday, May 16.  Cleanup volunteers will meet at Morrison County Park (Belle Prairie Park) at 1 p.m.  Morrison County Park is located off Highway 371 north of Little Falls.  (A map of Morrison County Park is available at brainerdpeace.org/Camp%20Ripley%20&%20Belle%20Prairie%20Park%20map.gif)
    A short assembly will be held to plan the cleanup.  Snacks and beverages will be available for cleanup volunteers.  (Due to concerns about the coronavirus epidemic, there will not be a potluck dinner at Morrison County Park after the cleanup).

    BACP meeting attendees believed BACP could safely participate in the Little Falls Dam Festival parade, the Brainerd Fourth of July parade, and the Crow Wing County Fair, if these events are held.  The Little Falls Dam Festival parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, the Brainerd Fourth of July parade for Saturday, July 4, and the Crow Wing County Fair is scheduled from Tuesday, August 4 through Saturday, August 8.
    BACP can apply for all of these events when applications are available.  (Richard received the Crow Wing County Fair booth application.  He is waiting for the Brainerd Fourth of July parade application.  Doug will check if the Little Falls Dam Festival parade is being held and ask for an application if it is).  If the Little Falls Dam Festival parade and/or Crow Wing County Fair are cancelled, BACP (and other participating groups) would be refunded.  (There is no fee for a group to march in the Brainerd Fourth of July parade).

    Meeting attendees discussed the possibility of holding a peace vigil during the week of the Crow Wing County Fair if the fair is cancelled.  BACP members would select a date, time, and location which worked best for the vigil.   BACP member Steve Long has many pro-peace banners which could be used for the vigil.  Signs and flags would be available.

    Meeting attendees discussed Dr. Kenny Blumenfeld speaking for the Great Decisions group in Brainerd.  Dr. Blumenfeld is the senior Department of Natural Resources (DNR) climatologist.  He gave an excellent presentation at Central Lakes College (CLC) in April 2018.  Dr. Blumenfeld was scheduled to speak at CLC again on Monday, April 20, but his presentation was cancelled after CLC shut down all on-campus activities due to the coronavirus epidemic.  His presentation scheduled for the Great Decisions group on Monday, May 18 was also cancelled.  Dr. Blumenfeld may speak at CLC and give a presentation for the Great Decisions group in the future.

    The BACP online meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.   Zoom allots 40 minutes for free meetings.

    BACP meeting notes submitted by Doug Olson