08.d 01.28.2025 Minutes TC DRAFT
Scandia Tourism Committee, Community Center Hall January 28, 2025
Members in Attendance: Sue Dickens, Chrissi Larsen, Renee Lee, Lynne Moratzka, and Sarah
Porubcansky. Absent: Jim Gribble. Additional Attendees: Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant).
Call to Order –Chair Dickens called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m., a quorum is present. Dickens
requested introductions for the benefit Renee Lee, newly appointed committee meeting and
announced Jim Gribble as the new Council Liaison.
Approve the Agenda – Dickens moved, Porubcansky seconded, to approve the agenda with
Flexibility. There were no objections.
Approve the Minutes – Moratzka moved, Dickens seconded, to approve November 26+, 2024
minutes. There were no objections.
VinterLights! Recap (December 1, 2024) –Dickens reported many shoppers provided zip codes,
indicated participants came from Scandia, Marine, Dresser, Hudson, Forest Lake, Hugo, Forest Lake,
Taylor’s Falls, St Paul (but not Minneapolis), and far away visitors from Colorado and Washington.
The drawings recorded 163 sales, vendors willingly provided the gifts. Vendor feedback included 5
hours is long. Discussion concluded the time is set to catch shoppers from church services and end
in connection with the Tree Lighting. Other discussion included ideas to build up attendance (door
prize giveaways to the first 200 or a scavenger hunt,) providing a table for local authors, a
demonstration table (Marine Folk School,) recruiting vendors with more variety of artisan skills and
more cottage food products, and inviting Boy Scouts to have an outside table for selling wreaths or
greenery. Dickens noted the need to strengthen or improve applications for vendors as some brought
product to sell which were not listed on their application. No gift wrapping table next year due to low
participation.
Larsen reported the music was well received to be in the hall, but illnesses and struggles to fill all the
time slots with volunteers left quiet gaps that turned out fine. Moratzka suggested inviting other
musicians to play other instruments and reach out to cultural organizations for other ethnic varieties
of music to be played.
Dickens reported the outdoor activities, organized by Gribble, was extremely successful. Future
organization will adjust the volume of refreshments provided, but the high school choir contributed
greatly to the success, the dala shaped cookies were not missed, and the outdoor photo opportunity
needed a host to encourage participation.
Scandia Evening Adventures Recap- Dickens reported the Tomte scavenger hunt was very
successful. Dickens is collecting feedback to consider adding a September daytime event with a hired
trolly or wagon to transport and encourage participation. Discussion suggested coordinating with an
established event or with Marnie Folk School and consider cycling or motorcycle groups also.
Business Breakfast Planning (April 9, 2025) – Dickens suggested bringing to the next Business
Breakfast Meeting an agenda that would include how business owners want to participate in
developing community events like Scandia Evening Adventures. Other discussion included how to
encourage more small home based businesses to participate. Dickens will follow up with Mayor
Kronmiller for direction and clarification as there are potential changes in the near future with the
EDA.
Scandia Tourism Committee Minutes
January 28, 2025
2 | P a g e
Moratzka informed the committee of events in June in connection of the Scandia Heritage Alliance
and the Fast Pitch Softball tournament. Moratzka suggested the Tourism Committee consider how
to participate, add another event, or support these other organizations bringing other visitors to
Scandia.
Adjournment –Motion by Dickens, seconded by Moratzka, to adjourn the meeting. There
were no objections.
Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant