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The St. Joseph Area
Chamber of Commerce is a group of local businesses and individuals that are interested in the general welfare and prosperity of the St. Joseph
area. The main interests of the organization is to promote and support
commercial, industrial, civic, economical and educational interests of the area.
We thank you for visiting our site and hope you find the information you are
searching for. We look forward to you visiting our city that is
"Tomorrow with Tradition"
The St. Joseph Wobegon Trail Center
Our History
The earliest Minutes of The St. Joseph Area Chamber of
Commerce, by Lee Kapsner reported that the Chamber developed out of what was the
St. Joseph Boosters' Club. Meetings were once each month, during the noon hour
and most often at the El Paso. The first president was Jim Landwehr in 1977. The
second president was Mike Husen in 1978, followed by Jim Wensel.
During the first years, the Chamber of Commerce did a
monthly newsletter titled 'The Hitching Post' with Lee Kapsner as editor;
Farmer/Town Night at the Mill Stream Park; a Candidates' Forum; and an annual
Christmas banquet which was a fund raiser and a time for the presentation of
honors. Members on the program committee, according to Kapsner, who worked
diligently on these annual get-togethers were Linda Viehauser, Hub Klein and
Jerry Wetterling.
In 1979, the Chamber decided to honer Dr. Robert and his
wife, Margaret Kelly for their civic leadership and selfless commitment to the
people and projects in the St. Joseph Community. The honor was to be given at
the annual banquet for as long as there was a Chamber of Commerce in St. Joseph.
The award was to follow the criteria lived by the Kelly's and named for them.
The Chamber was interested in down town renewal; present
and past officers toured Annandale and liked what they saw in this city's
renewal. There was much discussion on roads and industrial expansion. The
chamber now had 61 members. Members present at the monthly meeting numbered from
17 to 26. A few of them kept up the discussion on Street Flags and Christmas
Street Decorations.
In 1987 Kapsner reported that Dennis Stueve and Dick
Taufen met with the Sisters of Saint Benedict to set up a sanctuary in their
underground tunnels for people living in trailer homes and others who needed
shelter from tornado or other destructive storms. The Boy Scouts began selling
flags. Al Pfannenstein offered to order Street Lights for Christmas. In
September of 1987 the Chamber had a checking account of $34.83, and a savings
account of $100.
By the end of the 1980's, the Chamber was involved in the
Mill Stream Arts Festival selling its flavorful turkey drumsticks and
cantaloupe. The Chamber welcomed students, in September, by serving them
cantaloupe during their annual fall picnic. In November, the traditional turkey
give-aways began to be recorded. Everyone in the Chamber was involved in a
committee; Program, Membership, Publicity and Promotion, Town Projects, Fund
Projects, Internal Social Gatherings, Chamber liaison with the City Council, and
Governmental Action Committee. The Chamber was publishing events, welcoming
students, parades and welcoming new businesses with banners on Minnesota Street
and in relevant buildings. At Christmas time the first Santa Train came to the
city.
On November 17, 1992, the Chamber began discussing Star
City Status for St. Joseph. Mr. Greg Reinhart made it clear that if the Chamber
and City Council worked together it would be a sure thing. It was decided that
we should work at becoming a Star City. The Star City Committee met weekly for
months. The Minnesota Design team came for a town meeting. This was publicized
by the Chamber and was well attended by the city people of St. Joseph.
Eventually, St. Joseph was named a Star City with all its benefits.
In the early 1990's, because of little enthusiasm and
interest, the Farmer-Town event was dropped. City Beautification continued to be
a major issue. New committees were established; Santa Train, Mill Stream Winter
Warm-Up, Monthly Programs, Young Citizens Award and a German Dinner fundraiser.
In the mid 1990's the City Beautification became a
reality. The Chamber and the City announced flowers would be planted on
Minnesota Street by senior citizens and the Chamber would install benches. The
Chamber began giving apples for teachers and staff at Kennedy and the Lab
Schools. Under the leadership of Duane Sorensen, the Chamber planned two
editions of a colorful St. Joseph Map.
Among its services from the late 1990's to the present,
the Chamber has purchased a permanent "Welcome Students and Staff" sign to hang
on Minnesota Street in late August; supported by chairing and giving sizable
contributions to construction and beautification of College Avenue, the Lake
Wobegon Trail and Welcome Inn. Monetary contributions were given to several park
renovations, to the Sisters of St. Benedict for the renovation of the Monastic
Main Building, the St. Joseph Food Shelf and to the Dollars for Scholars
scholarship fund.
Today, the chamber has 115 members, meets every third
Tuesday of the month, still is directed by a President, a Vice President and a
Secretary/Treasurer and a Constitution, and serves
projects and programs which benefit the business community.
Sister André Marthaler, OSB
Former
Executive Secretary for the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce
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If you are interested in becoming part of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of
Commerce or have questions about upcoming meetings and activities
please feel free to contact our Chamber Representatives listed below.
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Janelle VonPinnon, President
- 320-363-7741
janellev@thenewsleaders.com
Jean Dotzler, Vice President
320-267-8609
Jane Litchy, Treasurer
janel@fsbstjoseph.com
320-363-7721
Alison Bell, Secretary
320-363-7741
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- Postal address
- PO Box 696
St. Joseph, MN 56374
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