Organizations in Lester Prairie
Lester Prairie Business Association
Established in 1995, the Lester Prairie Business Association’s primary goal is to promote a strong business community in Lester Prairie. The association works with community leaders to promote and recruit new business, and provides a forum for business owners to voice concerns and ideas.
The organization sponsors the Lester Prairie Holiday Celebration the first Sunday in December, and runs a food stand during the city-wide garage sale day. It also sponsors a business welcome packet for new residents. The packet contains information and offers from Lester Prairie businesses. The business association also donates money to other organizations in the community. This year, the association is raising money to buy an electronic message center for the new downtown park.
The association meets the third Tuesday of each month at different businesses.
For more information or for the location of the next meeting, contact one of the association board members Troy Feltmann at (320) 485-2535, or Denise Johnson at (320) 395-0142, or visit the group’s web site, www.hjorgs.com/lpba.
Lester Prairie Lions Club
The Lester Prairie Lions Club has been active in the community since 1986 and is open to anyone, male or female, interested in improving the quality of life in Lester Prairie.
There are currently 25 members in the club, which meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month at city hall as a business dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m.
The Lions conduct pancake breakfast fundraisers each year, and participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program between Winsted and Lester Prairie to pick up roadside litter, youth baseball, and fundraising through the sale of pull tabs.
Money raised by the club is used within the community of Lester Prairie for various projects in the city, schools, and parks.
To date, more than $10,000 has been donated by the Lions to various community organizations.
Yearly dues are $50 per member. For more information, contact any Lions member or Shellie Guenther, PO Box 606, Lester Prairie (320) 395-3850.
Ray Kirkpatrick American Legion Post 463
Chartered May 20, 1920, with 15 veterans signing, Lester Prairie’s Ray Kirkpatrick Post 463 sponsors a youth baseball team, Boys’ State representative, and school patrol training in the elementary school. The post also provides brochures to the school dealing with safety and family issues, and donates to the After Prom party at the high school.
There are currently 70 members in the Post, which is open to any member of the service, currently active or honorably discharged.
Membership dues are $30 per year. The Post meets monthly from September to May on the first Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at city hall. New members are always welcome. Post adjutant is Hillard Klaustermeier.
For more information, contact Commander Chester Hoernemann, P.O. Box 378, Lester Prairie, MN 55354, (320) 395-2495. Membership chairman is Darvin Heldt, (320) 395-4190.
American Legion Auxiliary
The purpose of the American Legion Auxiliary is to serve our veterans, to safeguard and nurture our nation’s children, and to educate all citizens, young and old, about the benefits, privileges, and responsibilities ofAmerican citizenship. It was established in Lester Prairie in 1925.
Currently about 20 members strong, the group meets the first Thursday of the month at the city hall at 7:30 p.m. Normal meeting months are March, April, May, September, October, November, and sometimes in August and December, if needed.
Some of the events the auxiliary is involved in include:
• assisting with the bloodmobile when it is in town.
• sponsoring a flag coloring contest with the Lester Prairie Elementary students.
• each spring, sponsoring a fluff and puff pillow cleaning service
• sending a representative to the American Legion Girls State, which happens during June each year.
• honoring teachers and staff during the American Education Week in November.
• together with the American Legion, participating in the McLeod County Government Day by sending an 11th grade student boy/girl to the county courthouse for a day.
• Poppy Day in May, which supports local veterans.
• during the Lester Prairie annual garage sale days, offering tacos in a bag at a food stand downtown.
They also donate to various veterans, and school programs in McLeod County.
Membership dues are $14 per year and to be a member, you must be a wife, mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, or grandmother of a member of the American Legion.
For more information, contact any auxiliary member or Auxiliary President Audrey Litzau, PO Box 404, Lester Prairie, MN 55354, (320) 395-8488.
AA and Al-Anon
Meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
Lester Prairie Booster Club
The Lester Prairie Bulldog Booster Club has donated nearly $90,000 to Lester Prairie athletics and fine arts through various fundraising activities, including an annual golf tournament each year.
Established in 1994, there are currently more than 90 family and business memberships. The group, whose purpose is to promote participation in athletics and fine arts in Lester Prairie Schools, meets monthly during the school year, and membership is open to anyone interested in joining. Dues are $20 per family and $35 per business each year.
Items donated by the Bulldog Booster Club in the last few years include padded gym chairs, padding for the front of the stage, conference and state banners on the gym walls, school song banner, sponsoring of the geography bee and spelling bee, pep band t-shirts, NHS team building trip and shirts, Knowledge Bowl team shirts, equipment for high school and elementary sports programs, phy-ed equipment, sponsoring various high school classes for field trips, spirit item giveaways and the sponsoring of the homecoming parade each year.
For more information, contact Rollie Radtke at (320) 395-2913, or the Lester Prairie High School Office at (320) 395-2521.
Lester Prairie Fire Dept. and First Responders
The Lester Prairie Volunteer Fire Department/First Responders is a group of trained firefighters and first aid personnel with approximately 30 current members serving the Lester Prairie area.
Prospective new members need to be physically fit and able to pass a physician’s exam. Applicants need to pass a background check conducted by the local law enforcement agency and then an interview process with a fire department selection committee. After acceptance into the department, the new member is required to successfully complete a Fire Fighter 101 course supplied by the fire department.
The fire department conducts regular monthly business and training meetings and also any special training meetings deemed necessary by the department.
Throughout the year, the fire department facilitates community fire prevention activities and provides fire prevention training at the school.
This year, the Lester Prairie fire department will be joining with the Winsted Fire Department in hosting an annual fire department dance in April. As in past years, much of the funds raised will be used to buy equipment for the fire departments.
For more information, or to request an application for membership, contact any fire department member, write to PO Box 911, Lester Prairie, MN 55354, or e-mail lpfire@hutchtel.net.
Prairie Days Committee
A three-day city-wide festival called Prairie Days is conducted in Lester Prairie each July.
The festival includes a carnival, demolition derby, dancing, softball tournament, outdoor community church service, food stands, parades, fireworks, and much more.
To be involved in planning and producing the annual event, you can join the Prairie Days Committee, which meets monthly at the fire hall. Watch the newspaper for times and dates.
For more information, contact Scott Christenson at (320) 395-2172.
Lester Prairie Garage Sale Day
Bargain hunters head to Lester Prairie one day each September, looking for the best buy for their money at Lester Prairie’s Garage Sale Day.
Garage Sale Day began in 1980. The sale day is the third Saturday in September from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The purpose behind a one-day sale is to allow those who work during the week to garage sale.
Fliers of all the registered sales are available at local businesses.
There is no cost to those having a garage sale, as advertising costs are paid for by flyer advertisers.
Organizers of Garage Sale Day strongly discourage early sales. Also, garage sales must have the items that are being advertised.
To help with the sale or to get your sale on the flyer, contact Charlotte Ehrke at (320) 395-2097, Les Baumann at (320) 395-2821, or Troy Feltmann at (320) 395-4162.
Lester Prairie Senior Citizens
The Lester Prairie Senior Citizens club meets March 15, April 5, April 26 – potluck, May 17, June 7, June 28 – potluck, July 19, Aug. 9, Aug. 30 – potluck, Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 8 – Thanksgiving, and Dec. 6 – Christmas. There is a coronation of a king and queen during the July meeting/picnic. All seniors are welcome to these meetings.
Organized in 1969, the group offers senior citizens of the community or the neighboring area, an opportunity for fellowship; everyone is welcome. Lunch is served by members of the group, and “500” and “Sheephead” are played. A catered meal is provided at Thanksgiving, and a potluck lunch at Christmas.
The group participates in the McLeod County Fair.
The club currently has about 20 members. There is a fee of 50 cents collected at each meeting. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 55.
For more information, call (320) 395-4233 or write to: 203 Babcock Ave., Lester Prairie, MN 55354, president, Elsie Gilster.
Lester Prairie Area Cub Scouts
First through fifth grade boys in the Lester Prairie area can join Cub Scouts, an organization that encourages boys to grow into responsible adults with the ability to succeed in life, as well as teaching boys how to work together as a team.
The Scouts meet monthly at den meetings, which are small group meetings with planned activities including working on achievement badges. There are also once-a-month pack meetings for Scouts of all ages and their parents or guardians.
During the summer, the Scouts attend day camps and are active during the Prairie Days celebration in town. Other annual activities include Christmas wreath sales, the Blue and Gold banquet, and the Pinewood Derby. The Cub Scouts also recycle aluminum cans. Their can trailer is located at The Depot on McLeod County Road 1.
For more information, contact Sheldon and Lori Ehrke at (320) 395-2344.
Lester Prairie Area Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts have been preparing girls to seek and meet challenges in our ever-changing society since 1912.
The Lester Prairie Area Girl Scouts meet approximately twice a month during the school year, take part in Girl Scout camp during the summer months, as well as trips close to home and throughout the country.
Membership is open to girls in kindergarten through 12th grade. There is an annual fee. During the year, the Girl Scouts participate in the fall nut sale, cookie sales, and a local day camp at Baylor Park. They also participate in annual service projects and assist with other city-wide activities and events.
Girl Scouting is a program designed to teach girls leadership skills, and grow confidence and courage in an atmosphere that is welcoming and comfortable for all girls. With the council’s support, there is a huge variety of programs available.
For more information or to join the Girl Scouts, call or write to Jennifer Starke, PO Box 421, Lester Prairie, MN 55354, or call (320) 296-0544.
Early Childhood Family Education
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth and kindergarten.
It is the mission of ECFE to strengthen families and support the ability of all parents to provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of children.
Established in 1992, the Lester Prairie ECFE conducts several events and classes for children and families throughout the school year.
For more information, contact Pam Lukens at Lester Prairie Community Education, (320) 395-3011, fax (320) 395-4204, or write to 131 Hickory St. N., Lester Prairie, MN 55354.
Lester Prairie Advisory Committee (LPAC)
The Lester Prairie Advisory Committee (LPAC) at Lester Prairie Schools is made up of parents, administrators, teachers, and students. The committee meets approximately six times a year in the school’s media center.
The purpose of the committee is to provide an advisory position on the district’s System Accountability Report (SAR), promote the school district in a positive way, maintain and develop community outreach programs, and provide other advisory functions as needed.
Meetings are open to any community member that would like to attend. The committee is an avenue for parents to get involved in school.
For more information on meeting dates, or any other information regarding LPAC, contact Superintendent Mike McNulty, or Principal Pam Lukens at (320) 395-3011, or Tracy Jackson at (320) 395-3303.
McLeod County East Dollars for Scholars/Lester Prairie Education Foundation
The McLeod County East Dollars for Scholars chapter was organized in 1984, to promote academic activities and provide scholarships to deserving students for post-high school education.
The organization has distributed more than $125,000 in scholarships to students, to date.
McLeod County East Dollars for Scholars and the Lester Prairie Education Foundation entered into a merger agreement in spring 2007.
Annual fundraising projects include a scholarship dinner in February, and the Bulldog Bash in March.
The organization meets about six times per year and anyone interested is welcome to join.
For more information, contact or Joe Miller at (320) 395-2750 or the Lester Prairie High School, (320) 395-2521.
Legion baseball
Sponsored by Ray Kirkpatrick American Legion Post 463 and established in 1982, the Lester Prairie Legion baseball team is made up of boys ages 15-19 and competes against other area Legion teams.
There are no fees to participate and expenses are met through fundraising events conducted throughout the year. The members are provided full uniforms and catcher’s equipment.
Coaches are Ben Machemehl (320) 395-2844 and Mark Wroge, (320) 395-2436. Mark Detlefsen is the manager.
For more information, call Mark Detlefsen at (320) 395-2813.
LP Youth Wrestling Association
The Lester Prairie Youth Wrestling Association is coordinated by Greg Hartwig and volunteer parents. The wrestling team practices twice a week and participates in weekend tournaments. They also host a Lester Prairie tournament. Registration is in November, and wrestling runs from January to March. The fee is $20, and includes a t-shirt. For more information, contact Greg Hartwig (320) 485-2872.
Bulldog Shoot-Out 3-on-3 basketball tournament
The annual Bulldog Shoot-Out 3-on-3 is conducted during June at the Lester Prairie High School. More than 80 teams come from all over to participate in this two-day tournament. Divisions are conducted in elementary, junior high, B-squad, varsity and post high school for both men and women.
For more information about this event, contact Kelly Elling at (320) 395-2521 or at 131 Hickory St. N., Lester Prairie, MN 55354.
Lester Prairie Little League
The Lester Prairie Little League, sponsored by the Lester Prairie Lions, Lester Prairie Fire Department Relief Association, New Germany Commercial Club, Hollywood Booster Club, and Lester Prairie Business Association, is staffed by volunteer coaches and umpires.
The group, part of the Waconia Community Ed. League, Crow River Youth Baseball League, and Crow River Fast Pitch League, consists of preschool-ball, T-ball, softball, and baseball teams for children ages 4-18.
Registration is in March, with games beginning at the end of May, and lasting through the beginning of August. Fees range from $18 to $38, and include a t-shirt.
For more information, contact Lisa Feltmann at (320) 395-4162.
For updates, go to www.lpbaseball-softball.org.
Golf leagues
ShadowBrooke Golf Course, an 18-hole public course in a relaxed, country setting located at Highway 7 and McLeod County Road 1, opened for business in 1993.
The course offers Tuesday and Wednesday night league play.
ShadowBrooke boasts a clubhouse, pro shop, motorized golf carts, three-tiered putting green, and a driving range.
The golf season at ShadowBrooke opens around April 1 and continues late into the fall.
Golf outings or tournaments get free use of the tent and picnic tables. Contact Ed at (320) 395-2258.
For more information on membership or joining a league, call the golf course at (320) 395-4250.
Junior Olympic Volleyball - Ace Hit Juniors
This organization is open to girls under the age of 18 who like to play volleyball.
Practice begins in late February, with four or five tournaments planned for the spring season, which comes to an end in May.
Competition is on four levels: age 12 and under, age 14 and under, age 16 and under, and age 18 and under. The club membership fee varies per age group and includes uniforms and tournament fees.
For more information, contact Sarah Heuer at (320) 395-2827.
LPHS After Prom Committee
Established in 1988, the After Prom Party Committee was formed to provide a safe and fun-filled evening after prom for Lester Prairie High School students.
The evening is filled with entertainment, food, games, and prizes and is always well-attended. There are approximately 20 members on the committee, which meets regularly to plan and conduct fundraisers throughout the year to raise the funds necessary for the gala evening.
Membership is open to anyone interested in being a part of this worthwhile and important undertaking.
For more information, contact the Lester Prairie High School office, (320) 395-2521, or this year’s chairman Patti Dietel at (320) 395-2907.
Little Learners Preschool
Little Learners Preschool, formed in 1993, is part of School District 424, Lester Prairie Public Schools.
The purpose of the organization is to work with parents of young children to provide a wide variety of positive experiences that address the intellectual, physical, and social and emotional growth and development of their children.
Enrollment in the preschool is limited to 32 students. A spring open house and registration is conducted for new students.
For more information, contact Pam Lukens at Lester Prairie Community Education, 131 Hickory St. N., Lester Prairie, MN 55354, (320) 395-3011.
Lester Prairie Ambassador Program
The Lester Prairie Ambassador Program was established in 2001, to give young women in the community an opportunity to represent their community. The crowning of the LP Ambassadors coincides with the Prairie Days celebration the third weekend in July. The Ambassadors then represent Lester Prairie in area events. Candidates for the LP Ambassadors Program must be under the age of 22, but at least a junior in high school.
For more information on the LP Ambassador Program, contact Lisa Leaf at (320) 395-8338 or via e-mail at lpambassadors@hotmail.com.
Prairie Arts Council (PAC)
The Prairie Arts Council, formerly Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP), was organized in the fall of 1997 to increase arts opportunities available to students in the Lester Prairie schools, as well as to increase support and appreciation for arts programs in the community of Lester Prairie.
Its mission statement is “Raising kids in a community of arts opportunity.”
The group sponsors a variety of artist residencies and art programs in the schools, a spring Art Fair at the school, a Fun Run/Walk during Prairie Days, a summer Art or Music in the Park event, a Fall Harvest Festival co-sponsored with Holasek Greenhouse, and an art activity at the Community Holiday Event.
Membership in PAC is open to anyone interested in arts, and arts awareness in the community. There are approximately eight active members in the organization, which meets about once a month. For more information, contact Sonja Johnson at (320) 395-2922.
Bergen Busy Bees 4-H
The Lester Prairie Bergen Busy Bees 4-H club invites you to become involved in 4-H.
This family-oriented club seeks to help members develop good citizenship, character, confidence, and leadership skills through a variety of activities as well as the individual exploration of project areas. These project areas are as diverse as the members themselves and may include anything from aerospace, livestock, crafts and fine arts, wildlife, biology, photography, shooting sports, performing arts, gardening, dog, computer, food and nutrition, horse, bicycle, clothing and textiles, shop, and much more.
The monthly meetings are conducted by members, and are take place the first Sunday of each month at the city hall. The whole family is encouraged to attend. Regular 4-H members range in age from third graders to those a year out of high school. There is also a Discovery phase of 4-H for children in kindergarten through grade two.
For more information, or to join the Bergen Busy Bees, call the McLeod County Extension Office at 800-587-0770 or call local leader Mike Lukes at (320) 395-2743.
Sportsmen’s Club, club rentals, trapshooting leagues
The Lester Prairie Sportsmen’s Club Inc. is located one mile southwest of Lester Prairie on McLeod Co. Rd. 1, and open from mid-April until mid-October, weather permitting. It was established in 1967.
Clubhouse rentals. The clubhouse is an ideal location for your family or company event on a rental basis; whether it is a family reunion, picnic, anniversary, birthday, graduation, or a customer appreciation event.
There is adequate parking space, outdoor area for games, sand volleyball court, many outdoor picnic tables on concrete slabs with electrical outlets, and many shade trees. The clubhouse is equipped with many chairs and tables, a separate beverage counter, and separate food counter with coolers. Air conditioning is also available, and it is carpeted and has many windows to the north.
Trapshooting is the principal source of income. The sport starts in mid-April and continues to the end of August, and takes place Wednesday nights from 6 to 9:30 p.m. A major improvement was made last year with the trap machines being replaced with new Pat-Traps. Scores improved greatly for all shooters.
League shooting. Eighteen weeks of competition is offered with each team consisting of five shooters (may have up to three subs) shooting in five separate classes. Each of the five shooters is required to shoot at 25 targets per week. Total scores of the five shooters are used. Better teams move back to the 27-yard line, with the lower scores moving closer to the 16-yard line.
After the first nine weeks, the best teams move up to the next higher class. At the end of the season, the winners of the first half shoot against the winners of the second half. There is room for additional teams.
Individual 16-yard Lewis Class. Individual shooters are required to shoot 300 targets, with not more than 50 on a given night. Their scores are posted weekly.
After shooting the 300 targets, (can be done in six weeks, shooting 50 a night) the high scores are put at the top with the lower ones below. A trophy is awarded to every fifth shooter. The winners are determined at the end of the season.
Practice shooting. A shooter may take part in practice shooting as much as he or she wants. There is a minimum of 25 targets from any yardage, doubles with 13 pair or 25 pair.
Gun and snowmobile training. Watch the Herald Journal newspaper for dates of instruction.
Voting location for Bergen Township. For more information contact Ed Mlynar, (320) 395-2258.
Free non-profit web sites offered to Lester Prairie organizations
The Lester Prairie Business Association 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://hjorgs.com.
Other Lester Prairie groups that feature free HJ web sites are the Lester Prairie Sportsmen’s Club (http://www.lpscmn.com), and the Lester Prairie Youth Baseball/Softball Association (http://www.lpbaseball-softball.org).
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.
