Dassel Organizations
Boy Scouts of America Troop 253
It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetimes in achieving their full potential. The values the organization strives to instill are based on those founded in the Scout Oath and Law.
Dassel-Cokato Troop 253 welcomes boys ages 12-18. There are currently about 20 members, and they meet the second and fourth Mondays of the month at St. John’s Education Center, beginning at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in joining, may contact Troop Scoutmaster Keith Dahlsing at (320) 275-9912.
Cokato-Dassel Rotary
The Rotary meets Thursdays at noon at Daniel’s Restaurant in Cokato. There are approximately 30 members, who participate in special projects that include an annual fall rose sale, golf scramble, root beer stand, Rural Urban Day, and wine tasting.
Rotary is a worldwide organization of business representatives providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in business, and building goodwill and peace in the world.
To become a member, or if you have additional questions, contact Philip Geoffrion, president, at (763) 300-0342.
Dassel Area Friends of the Library
Dassel Area Friends of the Library is a newly-formed group of individuals whose goal is to support, enhance, and promote the many benefits of the library system.
Efforts already directed by Friends of the Library include expanded hours of operation, updates in carpeting, bulletin boards, children’s furnishings, and community arts activities.
The Friends of the Library meets the last Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the library. New members are being sought. For questions, contact Mechele Pitchford at (320) 275-4035.
Dassel Area Chamber of Commerce
The Dassel Area Chamber of Commerce meets the second Tuesday of the month at various venues. It promotes and serves a growing community of service, manufacturing, and professional businesses in the Dassel area. Questions may be directed to (320) 275-2454, or check out the web site at www.dassel.com.
Dassel Area Historical Society
The Dassel Area Historical Society preserves the past, enriches the present, and secures the future in its mission to the community of Dassel.
Dassel is home to a very active historical society, which manages the Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum, located at 901 First Street N, in Dassel. The Ergot Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and was named one of the 25 top preservation projects in the state of Minnesota in 2006, by the Minnesota Preservation Alliance.
An annex has been added to the Universal Laboratories building which includes a new office, library, an archives room, bathrooms, a catering kitchen and a meeting room. The City of Dassel also added a community room to the annex.
Not only does the building house a museum, but the DAHS also schedules cultural events and programs. The Dassel Township board of supervisors also calls it home. The facility is available for use by organizations, businesses, and private parties.
The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Officers of the society are David Broesder, president; David Floren, vice president; Dianne Johnson, secretary, and Rory Smith, treasurer. Mary Jane Arens is financial officer. Carolyn Holje is the museum director, and Kristi Rorah is assistant director.
Mail may be sent to DAHS, PO Box D, Dassel, MN 55325. Questions may be directed to (320) 275-3077 or dahs@dassel.com. Visit the web site at www.dassel.com/DAHS/dahs.htm.
Dassel-Cokato Arts Association
The arts association nurtures the arts by supporting arts events in the Dassel-Cokato communities. Board members are: Chris Hansen, chair; Colleen Compton, executive director; and Marc Keith, Lee Peterson, Jody Danielson, Penny Newsom, Carolyn Holje, Becky Nelson, Sheryl Faust, and Sue Moore, directors.
The association was originally organized in 2004, to help support and present non school-sponsored arts activities in the community. Past events included art shows, musical acts including Tonic Sol-fa, Mark Schultz, Monroe Crossing, and the Minnesota Orchestra, along with plays and musicals such as “Church Basement Ladies,” the Children’s Theatre Company touring performances, and community theatre productions.
The Dassel-Cokato Arts Association welcomes new members. With tax-deductible membership donations, members have the opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public, as well as help to bring high-quality, low-cost entertainment right to their own backyard. To become a member, or for more information, call Colleen Compton at (320) 286-4120 or visit www.dc.k12.mn.us/pac.
Dassel-Cokato Girl Scouts
The purpose of the Dassel-Cokato Girl Scouts is to provide an environment for girls to learn and explore. There are about 50 members. The girls sell products twice a year, once in September and again in January. They also attend day camp in the summer. There are various troop, service unit, area, and council events throughout the year open to girls.
Dassel-Cokato community coordinators are Becci Babb and Laura Erickson. Anyone interested in joining or having more questions, can contact Becci Babb at (320) 286-0170.
Dassel-Cokato Kinship Caregivers Support Group
The support group brings together grandparents and other relatives who are raising their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other relatives so their concerns and feelings can be discussed in a safe, confidential, and non-threatening manner. Issues discussed in the group are based on the current concerns of participants, but might include dealing with children’s behaviors, addressing issues with adult children, feelings of being cheated out of their role as grandparent, frustration with having to alter life plans, guilt about their own parenting, plus unexpected joys discovered through the journey.
The group meets monthly at the DC Early Childhood Center, located in the northwest corner of the district high school/middle school complex. If anyone is interested or has questions, please call (320) 286-4120.
Dassel Fire Department
The Dassel Fire Department officers meet the first Monday of the month; regular membership meets the second Monday, and the fourth and fifth Mondays are training meetings. All start at 7 p.m.
The fire-rescue department responds to various types of calls throughout the year.
The 2010 Dassel Fire Department officers are: Dale Grochow, chief; Dave Johnson, assistant chief; Jon Trotter, captain; Kurt Mortenson, assistant captain; Kevin Carlen, lieutenant; Dennis Johnson, training officer; Brian Gillman, safety officer/treasurer; and Chad Ardoff, secretary.
Typically, the department hires in January and July. Anyone interested in joining the Dassel Volunteer Fire Department, can apply at the Dassel City Hall. For questions, call (320) 275-3260.
Dassel Lamplighters 4-H Club
The Dassel Lamplighters 4-H Club holds its regular monthly meetings on the first Sunday of each month at the Dassel Covenant Church (lower level) at 6:30 p.m. Special meetings take place at Lakeview Ranch in June, to assist with planting of flowers, and in December for holiday decorating. In addition, the club helps the Lakeview Ranch staff with adopt-a-highway two times a year.
The highlight of the 4-Her’s year is the Meeker County Fair. Those who win high honors with their projects at the county level then go on to the Minnesota State Fair. They also participate with other Meeker County clubs in Share The Fun each spring.
The Dassel Lamplighters 4-H Club currently has 26 members ranging from age 6-18. New members are welcome to join at any time. Officers are: Elizabeth Cron, president; Lucas Salfer, vice president; Taylor Baumann, secretary; Brooke Woetzel, treasurer, and Anthony Cron, reporter. For more information, contact Marcia Dischinger at (320) 275-2017, Catherine Baumann at (320) 286-2199, or the Meeker County Extension Office at (320) 693-5275.
Dassel-Cokato MEADA
Dassel-Cokato MEADA (Methamphetamine Education and Drug Awareness) is part of the Wright County MEADA Coalition. It was formed and sponsored by the Cokato Police Commission. The purpose of the organization is to educate and provide information to the public about the dangers of drug use.
Drug literature and videos are available in the local libraries. DC MEADA sponsors events and classes at schools, gives presentations to groups upon request, and puts up and hosts displays during community events.
Monthly meetings are held with the Wright County MEADA. General meetings for the local group are held several times a year.
For more information or to request a newsletter, contact Dennis Hendrickson at (320) 286-5164.
Dassel-Cokato PTA
The Dassel-Cokato Parent Teacher Association was founded in 2006. Its mission is to foster communication between schools and families, as well as supporting children in their work of learning. The DC PTA hopes to create a collaborative effort with the schools, community, and parents/guardians to ensure a quality, well-rounded education for children in the DC area.
There are about 50 members in the organization. It meets the first Thursday of every month in the DC High School media center from 6:30-8 p.m.
At press time, the PTA officers were, Melissa Weckwerth, chair; Sandy Stertz, secretary; Mike Seaberg, treasurer; Tonia Olsen, membership; Krista Cates, communications; Jenny Lee, fund development.
If anyone is interested in joining or has more questions, e-mail chargerpta@yahoo.com or write to Dassel-Cokato PTA, PO Box 632, Dassel, MN 55325.
Dassel-Cokato Community Theatre
Community theatre is alive and well again in the Dassel and Cokato areas. Productions are co-sponsored by Dassel-Cokato Community Education and the Dassel-Cokato Arts Association. Auditions are open to the public and are announced in the newspaper, Community Education catalogs, and the arts association season brochure.
Typically, a smaller, non-musical play is produced in the winter and performed in the more intimate setting of the Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum in Dassel.
In the summer, a large-scale musical production is rehearsed and performed in the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center. The 2010 summer musical is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and will be performed July 22 through July 25. For more information, call Community Education at (320) 286-4120 or visit www.dc.k12.mn.us/pac.
Dassel Community Chest
The Dassel Community Chest was founded in 1959, to collect funds and distribute them to many charities. The annual community chest drive is in October. There are about 15 board members in the organization, which meets in October and January at the Dassel Area Historical Society building. Officers include Carol Tritabaugh, president; Willa Mae Alberts, secretary and treasurer. If anyone is interested in joining or has any questions, they can call Willa Mae Alberts at (320) 275-2274.
Dassel Rod and Gun Club
The club house is located at Sportsmen’s Park on the north side of Lake Washington, 1.5 miles west of Dassel. Monthly meetings take place the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
Main fundraisers include the walleye opener breakfast, spring and fall fish fries, club house rentals, and the 357 Club. Sportsmen’s Park and many conservation groups are supported with the proceeds raised. In 2009, the club added a new archery range.
The officers are Jay Evjen, president; Chris Hansen, vice president; Daryl Moritko, treasurer; and Dennis Isaacson, secretary. Board members include Dennis Johnson, Tom Gayner, Chad Mackendanz and Mike Colberg.
Membership is $20 a year and includes discounts on rental of the facility and use of the boat landing. Those interested in becoming a member can contact Evjen at (320) 275-3992.
Dassel Senior Citizens
The Dassel Senior Citizens meets every Wednesday at the center on 215 Atlantic Ave. West in Dassel. Coffee and treats are served from 2 to 4 p.m. The seniors enjoy visiting and playing games such as Rummikub, SkipBo, and dominos.
Dassel Senior Citizens welcomes new members and visitors. Officers include co-chair Steve Nolan, secretary is Marva Nolan, treasurer is Joan Benson.
Meeker County Horticultural Society
The Meeker County Horticultural Society began in 1989, with 20 members from Dassel, Cokato, Eden Valley, Litchfield, Paynesville, and Watkins.
The club’s objective is to help members learn more about gardening and the outdoors.
There are currently 40 members, who meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Litchfield Public Library meeting room.
The meeting includes informational speakers who share their expertise on trees, shrubs, landscaping, garden designs, and attracting birds and butterflies.
The Meeker County Horticultural Society is always looking for new members. The membership fee includes a monthly newsletter with gardening information and the monthly meetings. Those interested in joining may contact Gwen Hallquist at (320) 275-2375.
Free non-profit web sites offered to Dassel-Cokato organizations
The Friends of the Dassel Library is one of a number of organizations that has a free web site, courtesy of Herald Journal Publishing.
To check out the site, go to http://www.hjorgs.com/dasselfriends/
What is HJorgs.com?
Herald Journal Organizations gives community and non-profit organizations a free website platform from which they can better communicate with their members and their communities. This service is provided to organizations within the communities served by the Herald Journal, Enterprise Dispatch, and Delano Herald Journal newspapers.
For more information about having Herald Journal Organizations provide a free website for your organization, please email: hj@heraldjournal.com.
