Organizations in Cokato
Cokato American Legion Post 209
Since its founding in 1919, the American Legion has been an advocate for America’s veterans, a friend of the US military, a sponsor of community-based programs for young people, and a spokesman for patriotic values. Nearly 2.8 million members make it the nation’s largest veterans group, with about 15,000 local posts in most communities and six foreign countries. Membership is restricted to men and women who served in the US military during an official period of conflict.
Cokato Post 209 was also founded in 1919, and meets in the back room of city hall the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. except in March and December, when there are potluck dinners at the city hall at 6:30 p.m. In July, there is a potluck picnic at Veterans Park. There is no meeting in August. Currently, there are 73 members. Contact John Bergmann at (320) 286-2711 for membership information.
Cokato Chamber of Commerce
The Cokato Chamber of Commerce meets the first Tuesday of every month at noon at Cokato City Hall. The Cokato Chamber is a voluntary association of business people working to improve the economic and civic vitality of the community.
The officers are: Mike Seaberg, president; Ramona Strolberg, vice president; Jarod Sebring, treasurer; Abby Barberg, secretary; and Dori Kimball, past president. Questions may be directed to LouAnn at Cokato City Hall at (320) 286-5505.
Cokato Community Chest
The Cokato Community Chest was founded in 1954, to be a team of representatives of city organizations that conduct one city-wide fundraiser per year. The board of directors then divides the funds among the social agencies, local, state and national, who have requested funds. Because there is an organization such as the community chest, there is only one door-to-door campaign per year, in October.
The organizers meet at the Cokato City Hall in the spring and fall. Officers include Butch Paulson, president; John Bergmann, vice president; Margaret Salo, secretary; and Susie Keskey, treasurer. Anyone interested in joining, may contact any of the officers listed.
Cokato Cub Scouts
The purpose of the Cub Scouts is to provide educational and recreational activities for first- through fifth-grade boys. There are about 40 members in the Cokato organization. The Cub Scouts usually meet twice a month. A pack meeting, for all the boys, is the third Tuesday of the month. The second meeting is a den meeting, which is only for the individual grades. Each den has age-appropriate activities for the Scouts. The Scouts also do Community Education service activities. There is fall recruitment, and information is handed out at the elementary school. Contact Lori Derosier, committee chair, at (320) 286-2226, or Dave Camp, cubmaster, at (320) 274-3558.
Cokato Economic Development Authority
The Cokato Economic Development Authority is charged with the responsibility to encourage, retain, attract, and promote business expansion and employment opportunities via redevelopment through state/federal programs benefiting the city.
Appointed by the city council, this advisory board consists of seven members that includes two council representatives. All EDA commissioners except council members shall serve terms of six years unless otherwise noted. Meetings take place on the first Monday of each month. Current commissioners include Dean Perry, Peter Bortnem, Chuck Miller, Chris Schultz, and council members Butch Amundsen and Jesse Bunker.
Cokato Lions Club
The Cokato Lions Club is a service-driven organization serving both Dassel and Cokato communities. About half of its members are from the Dassel area. There are currently 43 members.
Some of the annual events include a pork chop stand at the Cokato Corn Carnival, spring pork chop feed, pancake breakfasts, etc. Fundraisers support the Dassel-Cokato scholarship fund for seniors, Silent Santa, and other projects.
Officers are Joe Luhman, president; Brad Morris, vice president, Mike Lhotka, treasurer; and Abe Abrahamson, secretary. For more information, contact Joe Luhman at (320) 543-6866.
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.
Cokato Finnish-American Historical Society
The Cokato Finnish-American Historical Society was founded in 1896. The purpose of the organization is to preserve historical buildings and artifacts located at Temperance Corner (north of Cokato on Co. Rd. 3), to educate the public, and to provide historical information.
There are about 100 members in the organization, which meets quarterly at the Temperance Hall, except for the January annual meeting, held in the Centennial Room at the Cokato Library. The annual meeting is followed by lunch and the Finnish tradition of melting tins.
The society has two festivals annually; the first is the Saturday before Memorial Day, and the second festival is the first or second Saturday in October. During the festivals, all buildings are open, with historical displays, and lunch is served. There is also a bake sale and raffle, plus a historical program at noon. Midsummer is also celebrated at the site in June with a historical program, an evening dessert potluck, followed by a bonfire.
Pikkujoulu (Little Christmas) is celebrated the second Saturday in December. A candle lighting at the cemetery takes place in late afternoon, followed by a potluck supper.
The public is welcome to attend all events. Memberships are $10 for individuals, and $15 for couples, and donations help the society with their preservation and educational efforts. The society offers free Finnish language classes for young and old. It also offers scholarships to a Finnish language camp in the summer.
If anyone is interested in joining, or has more questions, they can call Harvey Barberg, president, at (320) 286-5823, or e-mail him at harveyheidib@yahoo.com.
Cokato Fire Department
The Cokato Fire Department meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month.
Officers are Mike Holmquist, chief; Ken Bakke, assistant chief; Jeff Carlson, captain; Jeff Amundsen, first lieutenant; Hutch Erickson, second lieutenant; and Kelvin Nelson, secretary/treasurer and safety officer. Questions about the department may be directed to any Cokato firefighter.
Cokato Historical Society
The Cokato Historical Society board of trustees meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. (except December and April) in the Centennial Room of the library/museum building.
The historical society raises funds to support the operation of the award-winning Cokato Museum and Gust Akerlund Photography Studio, a National Register Historic site. They host quarterly programs and events, publish a quarterly newsletter, “In the Midst of,” and provide research services for genealogists or persons interested in local history.
Questions about the historical society, museum, or Akerlund Studio may be directed to the Cokato Museum at (320) 286-2427, e-mail cokatomuseum@embarqmail.com, or visit the web site: www.cokato.mn.us.
Cokato Senior Citizens Club
The senior citizens club is a social group and has been in existence since May 14, 1973. The members play cards and other games, and at 3 p.m., coffee and a snack is served. Each has a turn at bringing a snack. Occasionally, the group has a meal with others at Senior Dining at 11:30 a.m.
The Cokato Senior Citizens Club meets Mondays at 1 p.m. at 440 2nd Street NW, Apt. 1. Mildred Wolff is the president.
FOCAL
Friends of the Cokato Area Library meets the third Monday of the month, 7 p.m., in the library, 175 4th St. SW, Cokato.
FOCAL is made up of community members who wish to support their local library with a membership donation, by volunteering to work on various projects, and by speaking out in favor of the library.
A membership form may be obtained by visiting or calling the library at (320) 286-5760, or online at www.cokato.mn.us/library.
Minnesota Disaster Relief
Minnesota Disaster Relief is a faith-based, non-profit organization developed for the purpose of sending volunteers to areas affected by natural disasters. The organization began in December 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers assist in many forms of cleanup and rebuilding projects.
There is a donation drop-off site located at 395 Broadway Ave. S., Cokato. The board of directors includes Al Nagel, director; Ned Wilson, president; Jim Kirkpatrick, vice president; Gary Plowman, treasurer; Jill Plowman, secretary; and Scott Barney, board member. To sign up to be on a notification list for upcoming trips, visit www.mndisasterrelief.org. For more information, contact Nagel at (320) 296-1521.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
MOPS International exists to encourage, equip, and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.
The only criteria to become involved in MOPS is to be a mother of a child from birth to kindergarten.
The group, which averages around 24 mothers, meets bimonthly at the First Baptist Church of Cokato, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the first and third Monday of the month. Child care is provided.
To inquire about joining the local MOPS group, contact Anita Sanborn at (320) 286-5025, or Lis Forsman at (612) 437-1801, or come to one of the upcoming meetings.
Red Cross Bloodmobile, Cokato
The Red Cross Bloodmobile was founded in 1948, for the purpose of organizing blood drives for Cokato and the surrounding area. The organization meets at the First Baptist Church of Cokato and has three blood drives each year, on the fourth Monday of February, May, and October. Officers include Shirley Peterson, Margaret Salo, and Ruth Schmieg. If anyone is interested in joining or has more questions, they can call Margaret Salo at (320) 286-5827, Ruth Schmieg at (320) 286-2489, or Shirley Peterson at (320) 286-2601.
West Central Christian Seniors
The West Central Christian Seniors was founded in 2003, to provide a forum for senior citizens to fellowship, eat a meal, and hear an interesting program and devotional speaker. There are approximately 200-250 registered participants, who meet for the monthly catered luncheon at First Baptist Church of Cokato’s fellowship hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month.
Planning committee members are Lucy Haglin, Rod Twitchell, Joan Benson, Viola Larson, Eleanor Partridge, Estelle Rokala, and Orville and Laverne Peterson. Call Lucy at (320) 963-5452 for more information, or Estelle Rokala at (320) 286-6771.
Sew Friendly Quilt Guild
The Sew Friendly Quilt Guild was founded in 1997, for the purpose of teaching and encouraging people to sew and quilt. There are roughly 50 members in the organization, which meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Cokato.
One of the guild’s special projects is making a quilt each year as a group for the annual quilt show. The quilt show is once a year, alternating between Dassel’s Red Rooster Days in September and the Cokato Corn Carnival in August. The quilt guild also donates quilts to local residents in need.
Officers in the organization are Bonnie Eng and Wylene Danielson, co-chairs; Sandy Tracy, secretary; and Linda Poirier, treasurer.
If anyone is interested in joining, or has more questions, call Bonnie Eng at (320) 286-2734.
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.
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.
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.
Brooks Lake Area Association
Brooks Lake is located in the heart of Cokato and is 96 acres, with a maximum depth of 21 feet. The lake features a public fishing pier and boat landing on its eastern shore in Veterans Memorial Park.
The association has an annual meeting and publishes a yearly newsletter. Brooks Lake Area Association is actively seeking members, volunteers, and donations.
Officers are Manda Goldsberry, president; Ronald Olson, vice president; Corynn Flood, treasurer; and Jonathan Goldsberry, secretary. To get involved, contact the association at PO Box 462, Cokato, MN 55321, brookslakeaa@yahoo.com, or go to www.brookslake.info for more details.
Cokato Lake Improvement Association
Cokato Lake is located north of Cokato on Wright County Road 4. The lake has a surface area of 545 acres, with a maximum depth of 52 feet.
The Cokato Lake Improvement Association meets quarterly, with its annual meeting scheduled for Sept. 10, 2011, in the Red Barn at Cokato Lake Campground.
The association is made up of homeowners on and around the lake, and people who are concerned about the care and quality of fishing and recreation on the lake.
Officers are Jim Brodd, president; Bernie Evans, vice president; Bette Norton, treasurer; and Ronnie Fashant, secretary. Board members include Mike Carlson, Jerry Doboszenski, Joel Hillmann, Louis King, and Toby Kotila. To get involved, or for more information, contact any of the association members, or e-mail CokatoLakeAssociation@gmail.com.
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.
Free non-profit web sites offered to Dassel-Cokato organizations
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.
