The Howard Lake Fire Department consists of about 30 members who donate time out of their busy schedules to serve the community on a 24-hour emergency basis.

There is a retirement package granted to members after 20 years of completed service to the community. There is a nominal amount granted to members per call.

Officers for 2007 are Fire Chief Joe Drusch, Assistant Chief Steve Halverson, Assistant Chief Denny Bobrowske, Secretary Joe Sherod, Ambulance Director Eric Stoll, Assistant Ambulance Director Dave Peterson, and Captains Tom Diers, Taddy Drusch, and Paul Utne. The fire department also coordinates the ambulance service. Both are part of the City of Howard Lake.

To join, contact any member listed above.

Meetings are 7 p.m. the second and last Tuesday of the month at the fire hall.

Howard Lake Orphans

The Howard Lake Orphans are an amateur baseball team that has been in existence for most of the last 50+ years. The Orphans currently compete in the North Star League and have consistently been one of the top teams in the league. Home games are played at Memorial Park. The game schedule begins the first weekend in May and could last as long as the Amateur State Championship, which concludes on Labor Day.

The Orphans’ organization shares maintenance responsibilities with the City of Howard Lake for the Memorial Park Baseball Field.

The president of the Orphans is Mike Mitchell from Howard Lake, team manager is Mike Gagnon from Waverly, and the coach is Bob Heber from Howard Lake.

Visit the Orphans' web site at www.orphansbaseball.com.

American Legion Post 145

The American Legion was established in 1922 as a national organization of veterans of all wars to serve God, country, and their communities to ensure the freedoms that were fought for do not get taken away.

The American Legion conducts Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances each year. It sponsors the Boys and Girls State, Boys and Girls County, Legion baseball, high school programs and scholarships.

The Legion also provides military funerals for deceased veterans. The local post meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.

Officers are Commander Gary Schmidt, Vice Commander Darrin Blanchette, Finance Officer Gene Birkholz, Adjutant Dennis Frey, and Membership Chairman Tom Main.

There are approximately 100 members. Membership dues are $20 a year. You must be an honorably discharged member of the Armed Forces who served more than 90 days during a specific period. For more information, contact any post officer.

Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary was organized in 1922 to promote patriotism. There are about 81 members who meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion.

The auxiliary’s annual events include Poppy Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, ice cream social at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center, volunteering at the VA Hospital in St. Cloud by doing monthly tray favors and collecting paperback books, and sending care packages to local armed forces enlisted personnel.

Officers are Jean Schmidt, president; Sharon Dalbec, vice president; Gene Gilbert, secretary; and Carol Burau, treasurer.

Membership dues are $18. To join, call Marilyn Engel at (320) 543-3285. Members may be a wife, mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, or great granddaughter of a member of the American Legion.

Good Samaritan Auxiliary

The Good Samaritan Society Auxiliary was first organized in 1972. The auxiliary meets quarterly at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Society. The auxiliary supports the center’s mission to share God’s love in word and deed by providing shelter and supportive services to older persons and others in need, believing that “in Christ’s love, everyone is someone.”

Each year, the group has several fundraisers to meet the needs of the residents. With community support, they have purchased for the care center a van with a lift, a large screen television, a beautiful gazebo, plants and trees for the backyard, and other things.

Last year, the auxiliary helped raise the funds for a new lift to be used with the whirlpool tub. Also, this group assists the care center’s staff with the summer carnival and fall bake sale.

New members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining, call the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Society at (320) 543-3800, or write to Box CC, 413 13th Ave., Howard Lake, MN 55349.

Howard Lake Lions

The Howard Lake Lions Club was chartered in 1978. The club currently has 53 members. They meet at the old Methodist Church the first and third Thursdays of each month.

The club is devoted to drug awareness, diabetes awareness, conservation of hearing and sight, citizenship, educational, environmental, public, recreational, health, international and social services, youth exchange, international youth camps, and Lioness/Leo Clubs.

Major accomplishments include: restrooms at Lions Park, providing lights for the city ball park, providing playground equipment at the public school and Lions Park, a veterans memorial, defibrillators for the fire department, scholarships, a handicap ramp and weight room at the local high school, a dock at Lions Park, donations to various local youth sports organizations, youth groups at the local high school, and needy families in the community, as well as several contributions to other causes.

Current officers are Tom Fiecke, president; LaNette Thorson, secretary; and Terry Thorson, treasurer. Membership dues are $50 per year. To be a member, you must be involved in at least four Lions’ functions per year. Attending meetings and/or participating in various Lions’ functions can do this. To join, contact a Lions Club member.

Senior Citizens Club

The Howard Lake Senior Citizens Club has been dedicated to providing seniors with a sociable and friendly place to meet since 1969. The group, which includes about 14 members, meets every Friday in the Howard Lake Community Center.

The group takes trips during the year, including visiting the county and state fairs. They also promote the Outstanding Senior of the Year program.

Officers are Millie Molnau, president; Harlan Adickes, secretary; and Holdrein Oelke, treasurer.

To join, you must be age 55 or older. There is a monthly due of $1.25. New members are always welcome. The group’s mailing address is Howard Lake Sr. Citizen Club c/o Millie Molnau, P.O. Box 784, Howard Lake, MN 55349.

Historical Committee

This committee was organized in 1997 as the Centennial City Hall Committee and has been renamed the Howard Lake Historical Committee.

This group of people is dedicated to bringing the “100 Years of the Good Life” book up to date.

If you have a special talent, such as woodworking, plumbing, electrical, etc. you probably could be a great help to them. You can donate as little as one hour, if you desire.

They meet on an as-needed basis. Membership is open to any interested individual. Dues are $25. Anyone interested is encouraged to join.

For more information, contact Don Danford at (320) 543-2615. The mailing address is P.O. Box 142, Howard Lake, MN55349.

Howard Lake Industries West, Inc.

Howard Lake Industries West, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and presently has 12 shareholders.

Its purpose is to encourage and promote the development of industrial and commercial businesses in Howard Lake. Howard Lake Industries West, Inc. is now offering industrial and commercial lots for sale in its newly constructed 54-acre industrial park located in western Howard Lake on Commerce Blvd., adjacent to Trunk Highway 12.

The directors of Howard Lake Industries West, Inc. are Charles Paschke, Thomas Peterson, Rodney Werner, Patrick Van Oss, and Gary Vangen.

To get more information, you can contact any of the directors or Howard Lake City Administrator Kelly Hinnenkamp, P.O. Box 736 Howard Lake, MN 55349 (320) 543-3670.

Education Minnesota Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted

Education Minnesota Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted promotes and ensures that students in Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted school district get the best possible education resources allow. The association meets the last Monday every other month.

Officers are Duane Lichy, president; Mary Waalen, vice president; Addie Mucha, treasurer; and Dawn Kalvig, secretary. Membership fee is $120 and you must be a teacher in the HLWW schools to join.

Girl Scouts

The Howard Lake/Waverly/Montrose Girl Scouts are part of the Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis, which has more than 20,000 girls and 8,000 adult members in the eight county metro area.

Girl scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. In Girl Scouts, girls find courage to explore new adventures, confidence to discover new abilities and character to shape values. Girls learn to become tomorrow’s leaders while helping their community today. Girl Scouts have been active in Howard Lake since 1929. Presently, there are about 60 girls and 20 adult members in the Howard Lake-Waverly-Montrose area.

The Girl Scouts participate in the Good Neighbor Days parade and do scheduled service projects for the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Center, as well as providing other community service. Their major accomplishments include helping to start a city-wide recycling project in 1984, which was a Gold Award (highest achievement in Girl Scouts) project of two Girl Scouts.

Membership is open to all girls in grades k-12. Adult volunteers can choose from many ongoing and one-time opportunities. Annual membership dues for girls and adults is $10 and includes member activity insurance. Financial assistance is available to cover this cost. To join or get current meeting information, contact Lori Wilhelm at (763) 675-3388 or Louise Arlien at (320) 543-1072, or call the Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis at 800-548-5250, (763) 535-4602, or visit www.girlscoutsmpls.org.

Lake Mary Homeowners Association

The Lake Mary Homeowners Association was originally organized in 1987 in an effort to improve the water quality of Lake Mary and to protect the lake as a natural resource. Lake Mary is located a few miles southeast of Howard Lake and is a spring-fed lake. It is approximately 180 acres in size and is 47 feet at its deepest point.

The board meets quarterly at one of the officer’s homes. The board can be contacted through its 2005 chairman Mike Ollig at 10932 Grunwald Ave. SW, Howard Lake, MN 55349 or by calling (320) 485-4242.

The board organizes an annual meeting and potluck picnic each year. It also has an annual (ice out, date guessing) contest. Raffle tickets are sold to finance a walleye stocking program. Stocking of walleye has been done bi-annually since 1999.

The Lake Mary Homeowners Association has also worked with the Wright County Soil and Conservation District on the installation of five agricultural French drains in 1998, which replaced five open field inlets. These French drains allow for filtering of run-off water before entering Lake Mary.

In addition, our association, in 2004, has gone into a five-year (joint venture) program with the Wright County Soil and Water Department and a local area land owner. One acre of farmland has been set aside as a buffer zone and planted with native grasses to help remove sediment, phosphates, and chemicals before they enter the lake.

The Department of Natural Resources monitors wildlife health of Lake Mary through yearly visits. Our volunteers submit water samples to the Wright County Soil and Water agency monthly during the spring, summer, and fall for testing. We also take water clarity tests for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

A newsletter, stressing communication, community interaction, and articles of interest, is sent out quarterly as one of the benefits of membership.

Past accomplishments include annual surveys of its members, setting up a neighborhood watch program sponsored by the Wright County Sheriff's Department, septic tank maintenance information distribution, as well as encouragement of the use of zero phosphate content fertilizers.

Membership dues are $15 per year for homeowners. Associate members are also welcome to join. Our association's goal is to improve water quality and the quality of life in the Lake Mary community area.

HLWW High School After Prom Party

The HLWW After Prom Party organization was formed in the fall of 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 a pancake breakfast during Good Neighbor Days, bake sales at the Howard Lake annual craft and art expo in November, and the Business Expo in the spring, a concession stand at home football games, and an annual fall garage sale.

We welcome anyone who is interested in helping. Watch the Herald Journal newspaper meetings column for upcoming meetings and times. Meetings take place in the commons area at the HLWW High School.

Lake Ann Improvement Association

The Lake Ann Improvement Association was originally incorporated in 1984 and has newly incorporated and reorganized with new by-laws and board members in 2003. The objectives of the association are to protect, restore, and preserve the water quality of the lake and its watershed, thereby enhancing the community in which residents live. Lake Ann is located between Howard Lake and Winsted, off of Wright County Road 6. There are 47 property owners who own land surrounding the lakeshore.

For many years, concerned residents have put forth efforts to protect the quality of the waters and the fishery. The original association made much progress in organizing efforts to establish a public landing, stock the lake with walleye, and bring the lake community together. In 1996, the association participated in the MPCA sponsored Lake Assessment Program (LAP). This reset the tone for the association’s focus concerning lake management activities.

As part of the LAP study, the association has worked to get its septic systems around the lake in compliance and have been successful. Since 1996, the association has continued to monitor precipitation records and DNR lake levels and report them to the state. Since 1999, it has done water clarity measurements on water from the ditch that enters the lake. The board has been very active in the Shoreland Volunteer Program.

Annually, the association hosts spring meetings and a fall picnic along with other special events to keep the community together and educated on the activities and goals of the association. The association has established a buffer program with the assistance of the Wright County Soil & Water Conservation District, and to-date, the association has established just more than 32 acres of buffer in the watershed and our lake association has committed just more than $4,000 over five years.

Additionally, the association has cooperated with the farmers and with the SWCD to install various French drains and other diversions to minimize runoff into the streams and lakes. These activities helped earn the association the award as Outstanding Wright County Conservation Cooperator of the Year from the Minnesota Association of SWCD in 2000. The Lake Ann Improvement Association has also been an initiator in developing the Wright County Lakes Monitoring Program, now in action for its second year.

Association membership is available to anyone interested by paying annual dues of $35. For more information, contact Debbie Stenberg (320) 543-2440.

HL Business Association

The Howard Lake Business Association was formed in the early 1950s to promote the City of Howard Lake and support the local economy. The association plays a vital part in leading the growth of the community through its personal improvements and in working closely with the city, citizens and the school district in the Howard Lake area.

The association sponsors a business expo each spring which attracts over 1,000 visitors. Revenue from the expo, along with membership dues, allows the Business Association to promote our businesses and provide financial support to community events such as Good Neighbor Days and royalty scholarships.

There are currently about 60 members. 2007 Officers are Duane Burkstrand, president; Louise Arlien, secretary; and Bonnie Seegmiller, treasurer.

If you are a business owner or operator in Howard Lake, we encourage you to join us; your first lunch is free. The association provides a great outlet for networking, staying abreast of community issues, and opportunities to give back to the community. For more information, contact any of the officers or write to PO Box 521, Howard Lake.

HLWW Laker Pride

Laker Pride is a Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Schools organization made up of school board members, teachers, school staff, parents and students to support students and school activities, to promote a positive school image, and to provide effective communication. Our mission statement is “To provide timely and informative communication to district residents, promoting HLWW activities that build positive Laker pride.” Laker Pride is involved in many varying efforts around school, including events such as Open House, monthly publications, "Meet the Lakers" newspaper articles, school spruce-up, and more.

Volunteers are always needed and appreciated on the Laker Pride committee. If you are interested in participating in Laker Pride, either on a regular or event-related basis, please contact HLWW at (320) 543-3471, ext. 247, or email: lakerpride@hlww.k12mn.us.

Local 4-H organizations

4-H is an organization that focuses on educating children with a twist of fun.

The club is for all kids, whether they live in town or rural areas. City kids mix with country kids, since the common belief that 4-H is all about agriculture isn’t true any longer.

The club is part of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, so it is based on university research about kids and learning, according to the club’s web site, www.fourh.umn.edu.

Local clubs include the Marysville Merrymakers, Sunrise, and the Lucky Loons.

The Merrymakers meet the third Monday of the month at St.John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake at 7:30 p.m.

The 2001 school year was the first year for the Lucky Loons. Members are mostly home schooled children.

Currently, the group meets every Friday at the Buffalo Library at 1 p.m. for project meetings.

A total of 18 members compose the Lucky Loons, mostly families from the Buffalo area.

To join the Marysville Merrymakers, call Kris Uter (320) 543-1167.

For the Lucky Loons, call Becky Foreman (320) 963-5508 or Tracy Yanta (320) 963-6657.

To join Sunrise, call Cindy Heuer (320) 543-2954 or Linda Sobkowiak (320) 286-3359.

For more information about 4-H, call the Wright County Extension Office 1-800-362-3667 or go online at www.fourh.umn.edu.

HLWW FFA Alumni

The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Alumni was started in 1980 to help support the local FFA chapter and the agriculture department at the high school in Howard Lake.

The group, currently numbering about 40 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 the annual auction, July pork chiop picnic, monthy meetings, and banquet in December. The group has helped provide equipment for the ag shop as well as curricular materials, and has acted as an advisory board for the agriculture department.

Membership dues are $15 per year, $100 for MN lifetime membership, or $150 for a national lifetime membership. Potential members must have a willingness to support high school agriculture. To join, contact, advisor Jim Weninger or the high school ag department at (320) 543-3471 or visit one of our meetings

Ducks Unlimited

The Crow River Chapter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited has been raising funds for wetlands conservation and waterfowl habitat since 1984.

The chapter currently has nearly 250 members and hosts a spring banquet and a fall sponsor banquet.

Since 1984 this chapter has raised more than $250,000 for conservation. More than 80 percent of that money goes directly to the resources.

Officers are Marc Linder, chairman, and April Debner, secretary/treasurer.

If you would like to participate with the world’s largest wetlands conservation group, please contact Ken Durdahl at (320) 543-3372 or Marc Linder (320) 543-2339.

Cub Scouts Pack 494

Through various scouting activities in Howard Lake, boys are able to be involved in their community and with other Cub Scout Packs while also having fun.

Pack activities include: Good Neighbor Days parade, Waverly Daze parade, Memorial Day parade and services at the Howard Lake Cemetery, the Waverly Memorial Day event, singing Christmas carols at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Center, Pinewood Derby, and field trips to various museums and parks.

The pack’s community service project each year is to clean up the lakeshore of Howard Lake before fishing season opens.

Boys in grades one through five are eligible to join. Council registration is $7 per year. There is an annual sign-up in September at the school. Sign-up information is published in the Herald Journal prior to the event.

The pack is sponsored by the WaverlyKnights of Columbus.

Jesse Tintes, (320) 543-2851, is Cubmaster. Please contact Jesse if you are interested in joining Cub Scouts.

Howard Lake Sportsmen’s Club

The Howard Lake Sportsmen’s Club was formed over 50 years ago to protect and maintain the natural resources in the area. Meetings are held at the Howard Lake Legion. Dates and times are announced in the Herald Journal.

Some of the major accomplishments of the group include land development in the Fish and Wildlife “Victor” project and providing materials and equipment for the Howard Lake rearing pond. Events put on by the club include the winter fishing contest, helping to run the summer GND fishing contest, a winter kids' fishing contest, and firearm safety training.

The Sportsmen's Club is a sponsor for Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever, as well as donating to the NRA and the Deer Hunters Association. In addition, the club donates to the Cub Scouts to clean the lakeshore, take care of the carp trap on the south side of Howard Lake, and the boat landing on the north end.

There are about 80 members in the organization. Officers are Dennis Decker, president; Ken Durdahl, secretary; and Keith ‘Erv’ Luhman, treasurer.

Membership dues are $10. Contact Ken Durdahl at (320) 543-3372 or Joe’s Sport Shop for membership information. Write to the club at PO Box 805, Howard Lake.

Winsted Karate Club

The Winsted Karate Club offers instruction in Shotokan karate for self-defense, competition, and personal development.

The club regularly competes in tournaments and performs various demonstrations throughout the year. Several members have made the US Karate Team and competed in Japan, England, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, and throughout the United States. Club members have also appeared on KTCA TV, Channel 2’s “Newton’s Apple.”

Organized in 1981, the club presently has 20 members and meets Mondays and Thursdays at the Winsted Public School at 7 p.m. The club is a non-profit corporation and dues are $30 per month, per individual or $60 per month, per family. It is a member of the American Shotokan Karate Federation (ages 7 and up).

For more information, contact Brenda Diers at (320) 543-2900.

Youth Sports

Howard Lake offers various team sport participation beyond the public school teams.

The traveling basketball team is for girls and boys, grades five through eight. Practices and game schedules vary, but the season generally runs November through March. For more information, contact Belinda Kaye (320) 286-6665.

The Junior Olympic Volleyball team is for girls grades seven through 11. It runs approximately 10 weeks between January and May. For more information, or to sign up, contact Marianne Bobrowski (320) 543-3259.

The traveling baseball team for boys ages 11-16 meets in the evenings, May through July. For more information, contact John Zander (320) 543-3964.

The Laker Summer Softball team for girls ages 10-18 meets evenings, May through July. For more information, contact Chad Burau (320) 543-3366 or Mary Pettit (320) 543-3987.

Howard Lake Watershed Alliance

The Lake Association of Howard Lake was quite active through the early 1900s. In 2000, it was re-organized and in 2003, new board members were elected.

New by-laws and incorporation under a new name of the Howard Lake Watershed Alliance took place in 2004. The name was changed to reflect a community approach to the water quality management of Howard Lake.

The objective of the alliance is to provide educational resources for activities and tasks and to organize and implement activities and tasks that will help protect, maintain and enhance environmental, recreational, fishing and wildlife interests pertaining to Howard Lake and the Howard Lake watershed.

The original association was concerned with water quality in Howard Lake. However, with the acceptance into a joint study venture with Wright County and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the watershed alliance has focused on total lake management activities since 2002. Our efforts were rewarded in 2003, with a grant from the Initiative Foundation. As part of this grant, a community-wide vision session was conducted. This session led to three main concerns of water quality, aquatic vegetation management, and shoreline use and development. Board and volunteer efforts have focused on these main initiatives.

The above goals are being met by a strong body of volunteers and developing relationships with civic groups and the local newspaper and sportsmen’s club. These relationships have allowed us to provide educational material to the community through public access cable TV and news articles.

The lake has been monitored since 2000 for trends in clarity and nutrient loading. In 2003, a program to control nuisance aquatic vegetation was initiated. In 2005, we were able to elicit help from a local youth group “stuffing” barley straw into bags that were then used in several area lakes and ponds in an effort to improve water quality.

The board meets quarterly and sponsors the annual meeting and picnic in conjunction with the City of Howard Lake’s Good Neighbor Days. A newsletter is published two times a year. The board can be contacted with general concerns and membership information by contacting Curt Forst at (320) 543-3736.