GIVING THEIR TIME - Heritage Society members (from left) Dan Nelson, Becky Lassahn, Barb Mrotz, Jo Lerberg, Johnny White, Nathan Vanek, Andy Lerberg and Brenda Dokken volunteered their time at the organization’s Oct. 10 fundraiser held at the Ellendale Community Center. Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently
Ellendale Heritage Society holds Bingo fundraiser
Thu, 10/15/2026 - 7:45am
About 40 people enjoyed snacks and beverages while listening intently to proclamations from bingo caller Scott Groth: a cash prize and a pound of Hope butter were on the line for 21 rounds of bingo the evening of Saturday, Oct. 10.
Ellendale Heritage Society president Dan Nelson shared that the 4-times-a-year bingo event is the group’s largest fundraiser, joined by a root beer stand during Ellendale Days and the sale of personalized paving bricks for use at the community gathering space that is the organization’s current project.
Nelson shares that only a limited number of bricks remain available, and that interested parties should contact him or another Society member as soon as possible.
The Society is seeking to raise another $6,000 or so toward completing plans for the gathering space; they hope to install a seating wall and complete landscaping, probably in spring.
A completed project the group takes pride in, Nelson described, was placing signs at the sites of the 15 one-room school districts which consolidated to form the Ellendale School District and the five rural schools which became the Geneva District. The Society has printed pamphlets with images from the many locations and a map showing where each one was located.
Nelson expressed gratitude to Heritage Society members who volunteered at the evening’s event, and to the Hope creamery for its donation of butter. Door prizes included butter and a sprawling yellow mum plant.