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ST. JOSEPH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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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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Contact Information

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.

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

Postal address
PO Box 696
St. Joseph, MN  56374
 

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St. Joseph, Minnesota



If you have questions or comments about this web site please email our webmaster at  janel@fsbstjoseph.com .
Copyright © 2005 St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce
Last modified: Thursday March 20, 2008