Dassel Organizations
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 the Dassel Library at (320) 275-3756.
Dassel Area Chamber of Commerce
The Dassel Area Chamber of Commerce meets the second Tuesday of the month at Jimmy’s Pizza on Atlantic Avenue at noon. It promotes and serves a growing community of service, manufacturing, and professional businesses in the Dassel area. Officers are Bob Wilde, president; Wayne Medcraft, vice president; and Charity Sanden, secretary/treasurer. Questions may be directed to (320) 275-2454, or check out the website 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.
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 website at www.dasselhistorycenter.org.
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; Kurt Mortenson, captain; Brian Massingham, assistant captain; Jon Trotter, 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 a holiday activity.
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 29 members ranging from age 6-18. New members are welcome to join at any time. Officers are: Lucas Salfer, president; Brooke Woetzel, vice president; Louis Olson, secretary; Nathan Weckwerth, treasurer; and Hannah Salfer, reporter. For more information, contact Marcia Dischinger at (320) 275-2017 or the Meeker County Extension Office at (320) 693-5275.
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 History Center 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 at 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-chairs Duane Benoit and 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.
Red Cross Bloodmobile, Dassel
The Red Cross Bloodmobile for Dassel is three times a year – May, August, and December. Willing donors can either schedule an appointment or walk in during the blood drive, which takes place at Dassel Covenant Church. Date and times are announced.
Meribeth Reynolds and Mary Ellen Nelson coordinate the effort, along with several callers who help to schedule appointments for repeat donors prior to the date of the event. For more information, contact Mary Ellen Nelson at (320) 275-2518, or Meribeth Reynolds at (320) 275-3512.
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 11-18. There are currently about 26 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 Dahlseng at (320) 275-9912.
Cokato-Dassel Rotary
The Cokato Dassel Rotary Club meets Thursdays at noon at Cokato City Hall for a program and fellowship. There are approximately 26 members, who participate in special projects including an annual fall rose sale, golf scramble, Cokato Corn Carnival root beer stand, and rummage sale.
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 Dean Perry, president, at (320) 286-4402.
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 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 a 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-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 other month, with the first meeting of the year being in October. Meetings take place in the DC High School media center from 6:30-8 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)
At press time, the PTA officers were, Sandy Stertz, chair; Kelly Jo Hillmann, secretary; Mike Seaberg, treasurer; Tonia Olsen, membership; and Krista Cates, communications.
If anyone is interested in joining or has more questions, e-mail chargerpta@yahoo.com or visit www.chargerpta.com.
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 2011 summer musical is “The Sound of Music” and will be performed Thursday, July 21; Friday, July 22; and Saturday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, July 31. For more information, call Community Education at (320) 286-4120 or visit www.dc.k12.mn.us/pac.
Knapp Busy Bees
The Knapp Busy Bees 4-H group meets once a month. The club welcomes new members, and participates in fun activities through the University of MN Extension Service. There are currently around 20 members and the club is always looking for more to join in the fun. Those interested may call Monica Tenhoff at (320) 286-2516.
Kingston Legion
The Johnson Kelly American Legion Post 483 in Kingston was founded in 1961, with George Saukkola as commander.
The current Kingston Legion officers are Gary Mansicka as commander, Darrell Hedlund as treasurer, Harry Marsh as adjutant and secretary, and Luke Lekander as chaplain.
Both the Legion and Auxiliary meet the last Tuesday of every month at the Kingston Community Center, near the ball field in Kingston. The Kingston Legion is always accepting new members. Those interested or inquiring about the Legion may contact Gary Mansicka at (320) 398-8811.
Kingston Lions Club
The Kingston Lions meet the third Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at the Kingston Community Center. It is a service group of men and women who love to volunteer and help people in the community, as well as nationally and internationally.
Officers are Lois Dahl, president; Deb Harms, vice president; Kris Haffley, secretary; and Sandra Smith, treasurer. Questions may be directed to Kris Haffley at (320) 275-2747.
Viewfinders Camera Club
The Viewfinders Camera Club was founded in 1983, to promote improvement of photography skills by learning from others. The club is open to any method of photography, point-and-shoot, 35-millimeter, or digital.
There are about 25 members in the organization, which meets the first Thursday of the month from August through May, with January off.
During the months of December and May, the club has a photo contest. In October, the club hosts a community photo contest to non members. Other projects include the fall shoot-out, monthly traveling trophy subjects, guest speakers, and field trips.
Officers are Faye Kroeger, president; Bob Wilde, vice president; and Heidi Barberg, secretary/treasurer. Yearly elections take place in May. If anyone is interested in joining or has any questions, contact Bob Wilde at (320) 275-2953 or Heidi Barberg at (320) 286-5823.
Darwin Community Club
The Darwin Community Club is always looking for new members, interested in the welfare of the Darwin community, to join its team. The organization donates to different local projects and is the major organizer of Darwin’s Twine Ball Day, which is the second Saturday in August.
The 2011-12 officers are Chris Hansen, chair; Pat Hansen, vice chair; Jenny Smith, treasurer; and Janet Werner, secretary. If anyone is interested in joining, contact any of the officers.
Darwin Lions Club
The Darwin Lions Club has approximately 40 members. The club meets the first Monday of every month at the Darwin Rod and Gun Club. Throughout the year, the club supports international Lions Club projects, as well as local projects. Darwin Twine Ball Day is the club’s major fundraiser. The club awards scholarships for Dassel-Cokato seniors and Litchfield seniors each year. The club’s officers are Gene Putzier, president; Ben Beckman, vice president; Kim Kiethahn, secretary; John Fink, treasurer. Anyone interested in joining or learning more about the organization, can contact Josh Johnson at (320) 275-3004.
Darwin Rod and Gun Club
The club, one mile east of Darwin on Highway 12, meets the second Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m.
The Rod and Gun Club is community-minded, with emphasis on hunting, fishing, and conservation. It hosts trap-shooting leagues in the summer and provides a shooting range for members year-round. Several events are held for members and the public each year.
The officers are David John Smith, president; Merle Cropp, treasurer; and Pete Riehle, secretary. Annual dues are $20, or $200 for a lifetime membership. Questions may be directed to Vern Porth at (320) 693-3989.
Lake Washington Improvement Association
Lake Washington is nestled between the cities of Darwin and Dassel and is 2,639, acres with a maximum depth of 17 feet.
The Lake Washington Improvement Association meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month from February through October, at the Dassel Rod and Gun Club.
Officers are Ken Klehr, president; Rich Fernstrom, vice president; Steve Ullom, secretary; Lyle Walker, treasurer; and Jen Kjell, membership chair. A Lake Washington directory is published every four to five years. Membership fees are $50 a year and may be sent to PO Box 68, Dassel, MN 55325. Its website is www.lakewashingtonassn.com.
Lake Stella Association
Lake Stella is located south of Darwin and has a surface area of 553 acres, with a maximum depth of 75 feet.
The association hosts an annual picnic, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 9 a.m. at the Darwin Rod and Gun Club.
Officers are Rod Portele and Kevin Compton, co-presidents; Dave Franzen, treasurer; Rick Steinbach, secretary; and Gene Putzier, county lake association representative; all of Darwin.
Dassel Area Environmental Association
The Dassel Area Environmental Association represents both Long Lake and Spring Lake, both located north of Dassel along Meeker County Road 4.
Long Lake has a surface area of 163 acres and a maximum depth of 28 feet. Spring Lake has a surface area of 218 acres and a maximum depth of 30 feet.
Officers are Rick Craswell, president; Bill Strandquist, treasurer; Tom Berggren, secretary; all of Dassel.
Collinwood Lake Community Association
Collinwood Lake is located off of Wright County Road 31/Meeker County Road 6 and has a surface area of 584 acres, with a maximum depth of 28 feet. The association represents 109 properties.
Officers are Jeff Peller of Dassel, president; George Kraemer of Dassel, vice president; Cathy Bergemann of Cokato, secretary; and Dorothy Halvorson of Dassel, treasurer.
Big Swan Area Lake Association
Big Swan Lake is located north of Dassel off of Meeker County Road 4 and has a surface area of 628 acres, with a maximum depth of 32 feet.
The association’s officers are Linda Thompson, president; Jim Grossman, vice president; Nancy Iverson, secretary; Jan Grossman, treasurer; and Dave Thompson as Meeker County Area Lakes representative; all of Dassel.
Lake Jennie Improvement Corporation
Lake Jennie, located south of Dassel off of Meeker County Road 18, has a surface area of 1,056 acres, with a maximum depth of 15 feet. The corporation represents 100 properties and is working to form a lake improvement district for water quality and lake improvement projects, as well as monitoring lake level and rainfall.
Its officers are Randy Nass, president; Scott Lahr, vice president; Mike Kotila, secretary; and Tom Gallet, treasurer. Other board members are Betty Kerber, Clint Kraginbring, Brad Lahr, and Bob Lindee.
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.
