The summer Dragon Boat Festival was first on the agenda at the Starbuck Chamber of Commerce board of directors regular monthly board meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.28.  The meeting was postponed one week due to inclement weather on Feb. 21.

 The company that supplies the boats for the festival offered to freeze its rates for the next three years if the chamber agrees to sponsor the event for three more years, it was stated.   There was approval of a motion to accept the offer.  

Next, the beautification committee updated the board on the progress of an 8’ by 16’ street scene mural painting to be hung on the east side of Samuelson’s Drug store.  The proposed scene is a 1940 photo of 5th Street looking to the east from Wollan St.  The committee is also ordering flowers for the street planters this summer.  The planters that were used last year will be planted again and new pots will be purchased to be placed at the base of 12 street lamps in the downtown area.  A fundraiser is tentatively planned for early May to purchase the flowers, pots, and hire someone to water.  

In old business, the Annual Banquet was reviewed.  There were 85 people in attendance.  Following a delicious meal provided by Lakes Catering, the board conducted a short business meeting followed by local speakers.  The main presentation for the evening was Starbuck Telephone Co.  Dalen Gosseling spoke and showed slides of local people who have worked for the company over the years along with a history of the company and present operations. A silent auction rounded out the evening.  Thanks to all who donated items and all who bid to make this event a successful fundraiser for the chamber.

First dollar presentations were made in February to the Water’s Edge, Sugar Glow by Heather and Lakes Area  Residential Cleaning.

Linda Hoffmann updated the board on the bike share program.  The bicycles and stanchions are here and will be ready for use as soon as the weather permits.  A location by the Depot is being discussed.

The Largest Lefse 40th anniversary committee will meet on March 14th at 6:00 pm in the chamber office.  Planning for a Klub Supper fundraiser on April 29th is underway.

New Business: The Hello Spring craft fair is scheduled to take place on April 29th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Community Center.  Vendor invitations are being sent. 

Heritage Days entertainment was discussed.  Contacts have been made and the date confirmed with those that provide entertainment.

The Pope County Tribune/Starbuck Times will vacate the rented office space in the chamber building.  The sign will remain on the building for a monthly fee.  The board discussed holding a workday to reorganize the office once the space is available.

The Tour Minnesota bike tour will be coming through Starbuck on June 21 via County Road 18 and the bike trail on its way to an overnight stay in Morris.  This was originally the Jim Klobuchar Bike Tour.  They were in Starbuck sometime in the 80’s and camped overnight in the park.    There will be approximately 200 bicyclists this time.  This will be a rest stop, using facilities in the park, the beach,  and the Depot.  On their way back the bicyclists will again be using Starbuck as a rest stop.  The purpose of the bike tour is to allow people time to explore towns that they normally wouldn’t stop to see.  “We need to have our town looking nice and have points of interest available for the riders to visit.”