At 86, Bernie Anderson has delivered his local newspaper for decades

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Courtesy has been a lifelong virtue for Bernie Anderson, one he says his mother instilled in him and his brothers growing up on a farm near Audubon. Now 86, he gets plenty of chances to practice it on his Friday newspaper route. On Oct. 16, Anderson drove his 1999 Lexus down Roosevelt Avenue and turned into the Casey s parking lot just after 11 a.m. Stacks of that week s Detroit Lakes Tribune filled the back seat. He grabbed a bundle for the store s newsstand. Detroit Lakes papers, he announced, dropping them off before heading back out the door. When I leave, I always say, Have a nice day. Even if they re having the worst day, it always makes them feel a little better, Anderson said. A little brightness goes about 10 miles, whereas rudeness goes 200 miles. Bernie Anderson drives down West Lake Drive during his paper route in Detroit Lakes on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Abby Fostveit / Detroit Lakes Tribune Anderson has delivered new