08.g Sister City Meeting Minutes 9.28.22Scandia Sister City Meeting Minutes
September 28, 2022
7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Members present: Patti Ray, Lynne Moratzka, Cindy Higgins, Darlene Holtgreve, Sue Dickens and Julie Morse.
I. Patti Ray, call to order at 7:05 p.m.
II. Patti Ray offered 2 additional topics for the agenda; agenda approved as amended. Minutes from August
24, 2022 meeting were approved.
III. Patti Ray, collection boxes for Ukrainian refugees in Melleru d.
a. Patti reported that $4176.96 has been collected to date. Funds will be forwarded to Mellerud’s Lions
Club for distribution.
b. Thank you to Darlene Holtgreve for managing the collection boxes.
IV. Patti Ray, Sister City booth at the Farmers’ Market on August 24, 2022.
a. Cindy Higgins reported that people responded well to the tomte magnet giveaways.
b. In preparation for selecting a date for the Sister City Farmers’ Market booth next year, Lynne
Moratzka and Sue Dickens talked about the days with historically heaviest attendance – late June
through the 4th of July, and the first week in September. Also, the day Midco gives away totes has
heavy attendance.
V. Patti Ray, Mellerud Connections
a. Bone Lake Association president Mark Lofstrom was given an email for a Mellerud fishing
connection.
b. Dave Bakke sent photos and info about the Taco Daze Antique Car, Truck and Tractor Show to a
connection in Mellerud.
VI. Patti Ray, Taco Daze Parade
a. Cindy Higgins and Darlene Holtgreve reported that the Swedish Fish candies were very popular.
b. Possible ideas for next year include increasing the amount of candy distributed, honoring a local
“celebrity” (i.e., Good Neighbor award winner) by having them ride in the car , and have
participants wear tomte hats.
c. Thank you to those who were in the parade.
VII. Patti Ray, Sister City highway signs
a. Patti reported that the green and white signs will be in place soon.
b. A photo of the sign with committee members and others will take place.
VIII. Patti Ray, Sister City Garden to commemorate the Sister City agreement signing.
a. Patti suggested using the existing Butterfly Garden in Lillyskogen.
b. Lynne suggested we invite the Forest Lake Rotary Club to connect with the garden project. Also,
North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix has a pollinator program from which our garden may be
able to obtain plants if need be.
IX. Lynne Moratzka, Midsommer Dag Festival
a. Lynne suggested Lakes Area TV could be approached to produce a video of greetings from
Scandia residents to be sent to Mellerud.
X. Patti Ray, Visitor Exchange Program
a. 4 committee members have offered to host Mellerud visitors in their home.
XI. The next Sister City meeting with Mellerud will be on October 26, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at the Scandia
Community Center.
XII. The next Scandia Sister City meeting will be via Zoom on November 30, 2022.
a. Julie Morse will invite representatives from area towns that have Swedish Sister Cities to join us
during the meeting to share ideas and discuss possible program collaborations.
XIII. Meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Morse