Organizations

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

Locally, Winsted’s Martin Krueger American Legion Post #407 sponsors the Winsted BSA Scout Troops, and annually sponsors youth delegates to Minnesota Boys State.  Members visit and provide Christmas gifts for veterans in the area’s care centers and Veterans Administration hospitals, as well as donate to local charities and causes.  Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Legion has reintroduced the Blue Star Banner program for families with a loved one in uniform, and the Post has presented these banners locally.

Each year, the Legion conducts a public Memorial Day observance, a Veterans Day dinner, a pancake breakfast the first Sunday of each month, and dinners as announced.

An important duty and honor of our members is to render military honors at our veteran funerals.  Our post is proud to have served as the fiscal agent and sponsor of the recently completed Winsted Veterans Memorial of which the entire community is rightly proud.

To join the American Legion, you must have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving honorably.  Annual dues are $35.  Meetings are the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm (with the exception of January) at the Legion club at 161 1st Street North.

With present membership of 98, officers are: Commander Jeff Sterner, Finance Officer Chris Otto, and Adjutant/Membership Director Chip Guggemos

Post #407 welcomes the public to consider hosting their event or meeting at our renovated building with access to a full kitchen and beautiful views from our large deck overlooking Winsted Lake.

For club rental information, contact building owner Dr. Michael Thoennes at (952) 465-8293, or drmike@tds.net.

To contact our Post e-mail us at post407@live.com or write us at PO Box 360, Winsted, MN 55395.

Please follow Martin Krueger Post #407 of the American Legion on Facebook.

The members of Post #407 are grateful to the people of the greater Winsted community for their decades of support and love for our veterans.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 407 was established to help support veterans, soldiers, and their families. The unit also supports other organizations within our community by volunteering hours or providing monetary support.

Each year, the auxiliary sponsors a junior girl from the Winsted area to attend Girls State, a week-long event that teaches leadership skills and the importance of political values.

The auxiliary hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. These funds support veterans at the local VA hospitals and veterans homes, and our military men and women overseas. Our annual new clothing drive supports hospitalized and homeless veterans.  Additionally, we support our local educators and promote Americanism with our youth.  In May, members are busy handing out memorial poppy flowers for donations.  All donations are used to directly support veterans.

The president of the American Legion Auxiliary is Ginny Schuelke. If you would like more information about the organization, contact Ginny at 320-543-3877 or Karla Otterness  at 320-420-8159 (membership chair). New membership rules now allow spouses of female veterans to become members.

Meetings are at the Legion the first Wednesday of each month at 7:10 p.m., with the exception of January, when there is no meeting.

Please remember that without our service men and women protecting our country, we would not be enjoying the lifestyle that we have today.

The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Alumni was started in 1980, to help support the local FFA chapter and the agriculture department at HLWW High School.

The group, currently numbering about 65 members, meets the third Wednesday of each month at 8:30 p.m. in the high school ag room.

The group’s annual events include an annual auction in August, monthly meetings the third Wednesday of the month, and a picnic in July. The group has funded a variety of projects for the agricultural education department.  FFA members benefit from their mentorship and from scholarships sponsored by the FFA Alumni.

Membership dues are $20 per year, $100 for Minnesota lifetime membership, or $150 for a national lifetime membership. Potential members must have a willingness to support high school agriculture.

To join, contact the officers, advisors Jim Weninger or Seena Glessing, or the high school ag department at (320) 543-4614.

Laker Pride serves as the promotional arm of the HLWW School District. During the 2018-19 school year, Laker Pride served refreshments during August open houses, and after the Community Concert program. Laker Pride contributes pictures and articles for the Herald Journal newspaper and the district website. We have also had entries in the summer parades.

We welcome you to join us on Facebook at “HLWW Laker Pride,” where you can view news, photos, and videos from district activities. If you don’t have a Facebook account, don’t worry. The HLWW Laker Pride Facebook page is open to the public for viewing. If you do have a Facebook account, we welcome any photos you would like to share with us. We also welcome your pictures, videos, and comments. Please feel free to post to “Laker Pride” as much as you like!

We encourage you to contact us with any comments or suggestions you may have. We can be reached at adamlakerpride@hlww.k12.mn.us, or through the district office at (320) 543-3521.

The HLWW After Prom Party organization was formed in fall 1988, to provide a safe form of entertainment for Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School juniors and seniors and their dates on prom night. The first after-prom party was in 1989, and has seen a steady increase in attendance every year since then. The students enjoy an all-night party with food, fun, wonderful prizes, and entertainment.

This is a volunteer group that hosts many annual fundraisers, which include cookie sales during the home girls’ and boys’ basketball games and wrestling matches, half-court shot during some of the home basketball games, bake sales at the annual craft and art expo in Howard Lake in November, and the Business Expo in the spring.

We welcome anyone who is interested in helping. Please feel free to reach out to Noel Huggett at nohuggetts@gmail.com. Meetings take place in the commons area at the HLWW High School, typically the first Monday during the school year at 6 p.m.

The Winsted Jolly Juniors 4-H Club, established in 1946, promotes positive youth development experiences where youth design and participate in their own programs and activities. This unique, learn-by-doing model teaches kids essential, transferable skills that they’ll use throughout their lives, such as problem-solving, decision-making, coping, communicating, and responding to the needs of others.

There are opportunities for everyone. Youth who live in both the country and town are encouraged to participate.  Club members participate in a wide variety of project areas based on their interests and take pride in giving back to their community through service. Project areas include robotics, photography, woodworking, wildlife, gardening, computer animation, engines, animal care and showing, and self-determined, which is anything they can think of and present. Community activities include caroling, park cleanup, bowling, sledding, petting zoo, parades in winter and summer, and the county fair – having fun and getting to know other people in the community through work and play.

There are presently more than 40 youth members. Membership is open to children in grades kindergarten through one year past high school graduation.

Meetings take place the third Monday of each month at 6:45 p.m. at the Legion in Winsted. In October, they host a fall party. Call if you do not receive email and want to join us.

For more information, call 4-H club leaders, Rita Quast at 320-237-3894, or Melissa Dietel at 320-510-2887; Angela Christen at 715-255-3130, or McLeod County Program Leader Darcy Cole at 320-484-4305. Also See our Facebook page: Winsted Jolly Juniors.

The Knights of Columbus was established to help the needy and support religious vocations, while also promoting charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism within the order.

Its purpose is to speak out for the lives of the unborn, the aged, and the mentally-challenged.

Annually, the Knights conduct a pro-life breakfast and free-throw shooting contest in January, a fish fry the second Friday in March, and a rural life Mass in August.

The order was formed in 1882, and meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., with officers meeting the second Tuesday of each month. Membership dues are $25 per year, and membership is open to Catholic men 18 years or older and in good standing with the church.

Officers for the current year are: Grand Knight  –  Jason Blashack;

Deputy Grand Knight  –  open;

Chancellor – Jason malone;

recorder  –  Ken Pelzel;

financial secretary  –  Pat Schommer;

treasurer  –  Andrew Meuleners;

advocate  –  Roger Guennigsmann;

warden  –  Mike Lester;

inside guard  –  Rich Baumann;

outside guard  –  Brady Schesso;

trustee third-year  –  Roman Widmer;

trustee second-year  –  Jim Condon;

trustee first-year  –  Kevin Seipker Jr.;

general agent – Joe Cauoette 320-224-7553;

field agent  – Brian Lachermeier 612-685-0506.

The Knights’ mailing address is PO Box 250, Winsted, MN, 55395.

For more information on the organization email winstedkc@gmail.com, or call Jason Blashack at 612-875-1369.

Lake Mary Homeowners Association and all other lakeshore homeowners in the state of Minnesota have been challenged with addressing the threat of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).

Fortunately for Lake Mary, we have only been infested with one AIS weed, known as curly-leaf pondweed, and it is our goal to keep it that way. Past experience in Minnesota has
shown that elimination of curly-leaf pondweed from lakes is not realistic.

Therefore, Lake Mary Homeowners Association is faced with very expensive methods of control, and is teaming up with PLM Lake Management Corp. to determine the best and most cost-effective way to treat. With limited amount of funding available from the state and government levels, we have gotten creative with different fundraising events. One-hundred percent of all moneys raised goes to lake improvements.

Thirty-five members of the Lake Mary Homeowners Association participated in training with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be volunteers for the clean-in clean-out program. The training was put to good use this summer at the sportsmen’s landing on Lake Mary. The public and many cabin owners on the lake have been educated on how important “Clean, Drain, Dry” is to help prevent the spread of AIS. Our goal is to continue to educate the public on all recreational use of the lake. Experts have determined the best line of defense for AIS is inspecting watercraft at the landings. Please help do your part and remember to be “Clean In and Clean Out.”

We foster an increase in lake quality in an environmentally safe manner, and we monitor Lake Mary’s water quality.

For more information, contact Joe Hartung at joe.hartung@icloud.com.

The commander is Don Bickman, and the quartermaster for the Post is Dave Gailey. The Post conducts monthly meetings the second Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion in Winsted.

The organization is trying to get the Post more active. If there are veterans who would like to join, contact Dave Gailey at (320) 485-4306, or ljgailey@tds.net.

The Lake Mary VFW Auxiliary 9232, chartered in 1963, supports many veterans projects, including the annual Troops Coming Home recognition event in McLeod County, Cancer Aid & Research, McLeod Emergency Food Shelf, four veterans hospitals, and five veterans homes. Its primary fundraiser is the chili feed, which takes place in January.

Meetings take place the second Thursday of each month at 2:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Winsted.

For more information, call President Judy Pease at 619-261-4809, Secretary Mary Quast at 320-485-3831; or Rhonda Decker at 320-485-3831.

Girl Scouts encourage girls to experience new activities, develop team-building skills, explore and develop leadership skills, and be service-oriented in their community, county, and nation.

In Girl Scouts, there’s a whole world of opportunities waiting just for you!  You’ll always get to think big, try new things, and unleash your inner leader in an all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment.

The Lakes & Prairies Service unit encompasses the communities of Howard Lake, Lester Prairie, Waverly, and Winsted.  Troops will be formed potentially in all communities or based on school districts.

We are served by the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valley Council.

Girls meet every two to four weeks at the discretion of the troop leader, and are welcome to join any time during the year by paying the $25 registration fee, or grant money will be provided on a no-questions asked basis to cover all fees.

You can register at any point in the year, but typically it is in August/September timeframe.

Annually, the Girl Scouts participate in a Court of Awards ceremony, cookie sale campaign, and various service unit events, as well as other area and council events. Girl Scouts is open to all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Program information is available at www.girlscoutsrv.org.

For local information, contact service unit manager Lisa Baumann at 320-582-2623, or  rbaumann@tds.net.

The WHAT UP (Winsted Holding Activities That Unite People) Committee, a youth and family council, was made an official volunteer committee of the city in May 2009.

This committee has created a dynamic program that provides activities for youth and family in the community, such as movies in the park, sports clinics, and game nights, among other events.

Members of the committee are: Jeff Campbell, Mike Henrich, Rose Heimerl, Amanda Zeidler, Madison Campbell, Tyler Bruns, Hannah Seipker, and Nick Meuleners.

The regular meeting is the second Tuesday of each month at city hall. The group hosts monthly activities. Watch Herald Journal for event notices, or check your monthly utility bill. You can also find them on Facebook.

To learn more about WHAT UP, be part of the committee, or volunteer to help for various activities, call Jeff Campbell at (612) 554-7439. 

The Winsted Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission statement is, “To foster a stimulating atmosphere in which business can flourish, thereby adding to the economic and social well-being of our community.”

The Winsted Area Chamber of Commerce was established more than 50 years ago.

The Winsted Winter Festival, winter lighting contest, The Women’s Expo, Winsted Summer Festival, Easter egg hunt, Business Trick or Treat, and the annual chamber banquet are some of the annual events sponsored by the organization. To find out more information regarding these events, visit www.winstedchamber.com. It also promotes business appreciation events, and sponsors political forums.

Membership in the chamber is open to any interested individual or business. Members receive reminder e-mails prior to the meetings. For meeting times, visit the website listed below.

There are presently about 105 members. Officers for 2019 are: president, Sarah Fasching, Flagship Insurance; past president, Jeff Campbell, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate; vice president, Cody Cuhel, Millerbernd Manufacturing; treasurer, Dawn Rodin, Security Bank and Trust; administrative assistant, Julie Heinen, Herald Journal; director, Chip Guggemos, Ameriprise Financial; directors Emma Oglesby, Salon 210; Amy Johnson, Keaveny Drug; Monica Hertzog, Avon; and George Schulenberg, resident.

For more information or to join, contact any officer, attend any regular meeting, go to www.winstedchamber.com, call 320-485-2535, or e-mail info@winstedchamber.com. You can also find them on Facebook.

e. W. in downtown Winsted, the Winsted Arts Council is a non-profit organization with a mission of providing artistic experiences for all ages.

Classes, exhibits, and events have included an after-school art club, summer art and dance camps, photography, fine art, and fiber art exhibits. Musical guests have included Le Vent Du Nord, Dervish, The Okee Dokee Brothers, and the Benny Weinbeck Trio. Children’s authors Alan Page and Kamie Page, along with illustrator David Geister have also given presentations.

The Winsted Arts Council envisions an artistic community within Winsted that inspires a vibrant downtown with successful businesses and a culturally-engaged citizenry. It is a voice and an outlet for the artistic community; making the city an appealing location for families and businesses.

Volunteer-run and supported by corporate partnerships and individual memberships, the Winsted Arts Council welcomes all to participate in the future of this organization.

Membership is tax-deductible.

Visit our website at www.winstedartscouncil.org, or follow the council on Facebook or Instagram. For more information, email the council at winstedartscouncil@gmail.com.

proving and protecting the quality of Winsted Lake and its watershed for present and future generations.

The Winsted Lake Committee was started in 1979, and was in existence until Feb. 11, 1994, when the Winsted Lake Watershed Association was formed. A nonprofit organization, membership is open to anyone interested in contributing to the quality of Winsted Lake and its watershed. Annual membership dues are $25 per family, and $100 per business.

The Lake Association encourages members to help with projects and/or events. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact one of the officers and/or send your membership dues to WLWA, PO Box 577, Winsted, MN 55395.

WLWA meetings are the first Monday of the month at Winsted City Hall at 7 p.m. and are open to the public. Attend one of our meetings or contact one of the officers if you wish to share an idea or a concern.

The WLWA officers are; George Schulenberg, president; Bob Hamilton, vice president; Terri Johnson, secretary; Merrybeth Burkman, treasurer.

More information is available by going to our WEB page located in the Quick Links section on the City of Winsted’s Website www.winsted.mn.us or go directly to our site at www.winsted.mn.us/pages/watershed.html.

Since becoming its own club in May 2010, the newly-formed Winsted Lions Club has been busy focusing on improving the community and world. Internationally, there
are a total of 45,000 clubs, with 1.3 million members serving in 205 countries.

The motto of the Lions Clubs International is “to serve.” Lions Clubs do this by working collectively and individually to build stronger communities by addressing needs that are often not met in their communities. They also provide disaster relief and support programs for assisting the blind and visually-impaired, reaching out to youth through mentoring and educational programs, and raising awareness of health care issues; such as diabetes, hearing loss, and vision impairment.

A few of the Winsted Lions’ projects are: sponsoring the third grade dictionary project; collecting eyeglasses and hearing aids for distribution among the needy; taking breakfast once a month to residents at St. Mary’s Care Center from The Pantry, which they order the day before (we started with 12 residents and now we are up to 27); participating in project caring at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School; scholarships for Holy Trinity School in Winsted and HLWW Schools; summer cookouts at Glenn’s SuperValu with our food trailer, cooking hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs; work with the Winsted Arts Council and WHAT UP by serving free hot dogs; sponsoring two Little Free Library(s) by Casey’s and Legion Hall; selling mints at local businesses; organizing Bunny Bingo; and helping people with handicap walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, etc.

Meetings are the fourth Monday of each month at the Winsted City Hall beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to visit and learn more about the Lions organization and join in the fun. Please call: Lion President Diane Newman at 952-212-3944, or Vice President Paul Gatz 612-501-6574.

sociation promotes and organizes summer baseball and softball for area youth ages 4 to 18, focusing primarily on players age 4 to 10. However, the WYSBA is partnered with Laker Baseball and Laker Softball to also assist players ages 11 to 18 to play on teams in Winsted, as well. Approximately 150 children and more than 20 volunteer coaches participate in games, primarily in the months of June and July; baseball players ages 11 and up will start with games in May.

Membership is open to anyone interested in playing baseball/softball. Sign-up will be in early April. A registration fee applies to cover the cost of hats, jerseys/shirts, umpires, and other association expenses.

Business sponsorship of the association is encouraged, to help defray expenses and keep the player fees lower. The association meets in the winter months, and into spring to prepare for the next year. Parents and volunteers are encouraged to help coach or be part of the association. Watch the Herald Journal for sign-up notices.

More information can be found on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/winstedyouthbaseball/; or by contacting Rick Baumann at (320) 490-7006, or rbaumann@tds.net.

The Winsted Sportsmen’s Club has helped to ensure quality hunting and fishing for area sportsmen since 1952.

Some activities the group annually organizes are a firearms safety course, stocking lakes, a lake cleanup, and the raising and releasing of pheasants. The group builds wood duck houses and wildlife feeders.

The club also owns and maintains boat landings at Dog, Ida, Mary, and Round lakes. In April, the club conducts its annual hog roast fundraiser at the Blue Note in Winsted. There are presently 75 members. Membership dues are $10 per year. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. During summer months, it meets at the Lake Mary clubhouse, a few miles northeast of Winsted.

There are no membership requirements. To join, contact any member or attend a meeting or sponsored event. For more information, contact Tom Kieser at (320) 224-3079. The club’s mailing address is 10895 Fetch Ave. SW, Waverly, MN 55390.