With the Holiday season now in full swing I have my gift bags ready, the rolls of wrapping paper glistening, the ribbon pre-cut, the bows all pretty and the wine and spirits in plenty! 

The decorations are almost finished, and now all we need up north is a little snow!

It is the extra touches at this time of year that we do for our customers that never go unnoticed or unappreciated! 

Gift giving can be cumbersome and when we take the extra time to wrap, bundle and present a beautiful gift for them to give to that special someone, the gratefulness shines and we are the talk of the community!

It's amazing how a special touch can show you really care about going the extra mile for them! 

And that is what keeps their patronage to our establishments in the limelight! 

We want them to keep coming back, and spreading the great experiences they have in our store with others!

Another special touch we do during the holiday season in our Bar is what we call "The 25 days of Tom and Jerry's". 

We serve them every year starting the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve and they truly have become our signature cocktail for the season! 

We draw in folks just for these warm and tasty treats daily and each one is prepared with our special seasonings!

Often it is the small things that can set us aside from others to make us stand out in big ways. 

What do you do in your facility? 

The Gift to Go bags Lakeville has put together is a great idea posted in last weeks edition. 

Share your special touches you do during the holidays or a special recipe you offer and we will gladly share! 

Happy Holiday Season to all!

May it be Merry and full of Joy!

Lisa Kamrowski
Nevis Liquor

By Dodge County Independent 

 

On December 9, 1949 a municipal liquor dispensary was established by adoption of Ordinance #402.  

 

Sixty five years later the Kasson Municipal Liquor Store remains a success story that has benefitted members of the community even if they don't patronize the store.

 

Ordinance #402 provided for on and off sale of intoxicating liquor and today continues as an off sale establishment, meaning liquor is sold only in a store setting and not served on site.

 

The first location of the business was 2nd Avenue N.W., which is the former Ron's Barber Shop (now Craig's Cuts).  

 

The business then moved to 31 West Main Street in the early 50's, which is now the location of Jimmy's Pizza.  

 

In 1979 the current building was constructed when a special election referendum was approved by voters.

 

Private businesses in Kasson give back to the community, but government entities can do the same.  

 

The Kasson Municipal Liquor Store is a perfect example of a city business that gives back profits in many different ways.  

 

"We do a lot of good things for the community with the profits," said liquor store manager Cathy Pletta.

 

Going back to 1983 a sampling of liquor store profit donations include:

 

1983-$50,000 for sewer collection system construction;

 

1989 440,000 for a new grader;  

 

1991-$35,000 for a new Pierce fire truck;  

 

1992-$20,000 for public bathrooms in a park, $15,000 dedicated for economic development and $15,000 for a softball field;  

 

1994-$50,000 toward purchase of a dump truck;  

 

1989-$10,000 toward purchase of a police vehicle;  

 

2000-$75,000 for liquor store remodeling;

 

2003- $30,781 toward Main Street improvement project; and

 

2010-$10,000 for LED Christmas lights and and $40,000 for playground equipment.  

 

Last year a large chunk of money from liquor store projects funded the two large "Welcome to Kasson" signs off Highway 14 entering Kasson from the east and west.  

 

Recently a couple of gift baskets from the liquor store were among the live auction items at K-M Care & Share.

 

All the donations would not be possible without local support. The "Shop Local" theme the Kasson Chamber of Commerce has adopted certainly supports that message.

 

For 65 years the Kasson Municipal Liquor store has been an asset to the community.

 

Liquor store manager Cathy Pletta said they appreciate the community's support and continue to listen to customer requests for stocking new items.

MMBA members collected the equivalent of 85 tons of food in October during the MMBA / Coors Light Food Drive!!!

Some facilities generated a significant quantity, others not so much. 

However, your humble executive director has learned by touring various food shelves is that every contribution is important!!
 
Winners of the $1,000 added donation to their food shelf:

Hawley: Under $1 million in 2012 total sales

Lakeville: Over $1 million in 2012 total sales

Winners of $100 added donation to their food shelf, based on a random.org drawing of all participants, excluding the above:

Ogilvie
Stacy
Pine City
Spring Lake Park
Alexandria
Morris
Brooklyn Center
Eden Prairie
Delano
Monticello

Thanks to all who participated!!!!

Southern Wine & Spirits mixologist Jeff Rogers will be conducting a FREE bartender training in Barnum, MN on Monday, December 15, 2014,
1 PM - 3 PM.

Participants will walk through the steps of mixology, from ingredients to technique.

Find out how important the choice of ingredients is on the final cocktail and why fresh juice is always best.

From a technique standpoint, why do we shake some cocktails and stir others.

Why does it make a difference?

Spirits and liqueurs, are there differences between vodka and rum?

Are all gins the same?

Once participants get through the knowledge, they will be able to show off new found skills and make a cocktail.

Space is limited.

If you would like to participate, contact Barnum city clerk Bernadine Reed:

breed@scicable.com

 Contact Bob Leslie at:

 

320-766-3871

 

763-428-0164

E-Mail Gary