Year-round Events Keep Dumont Lively

DON MONTONYE, MAYOR
DUMONT (POPULATION 75)

Dumont, established in 1885, has always been an active, fun, and family-oriented little city. Although the number of homes and businesses have decreased over the years, we are still very proud of our well-maintained homes and yards, ballfields, and park.

A levy was constructed in 2000 along the south and east sides of town to mitigate the flood damage from an adjacent creek that had been damaging homes and properties for many years, and major updates and improvements to our city’s sewer and water infrastructure have been ongoing to better ensure the health and safety of our residents.

What truly keeps Dumont lively, however, is our year-round calendar of events.

Baseball has long put Dumont “on the map.” The Dumont Saints are celebrating their 80th anniversary in the Land of Ducks League this summer, and the team has participated in the state amateur tournament numerous times. Dumont also is the boyhood home of Dick Bremer, longtime TV voice of the Minnesota Twins.

We were honored to host “Dick Bremer Day” in 2023, featuring a parade, picnic, and book signing that brought a large crowd together. I had the privilege of presenting him with a key to the city.

Other memorable events include a 2019 community picnic marking the 100th anniversary of the devastating 1919 tornado, and “Rocky Lupino Day” in 2022, which featured a parade and a kids’ reenactment honoring local residents and first responders who stopped a 1947 burglary attempt.

The fire department’s summer street dance, now in its 50th year, continues to draw strong attendance. Seasonal traditions also include a fall deck walk, the December “Dumont Dazzle” parade of lights, a winter fish house smear tournament on Main Street, and a spring craft fair.

As you can see, Dumont is certainly a little town that continues to shine brightly in our rural area.

Pequot Lakes Post App Connects Community During a Season of Change

EMILY JOHNSON, ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK-TREASURER
PEQUOT LAKES (2,395)

When the City of Pequot Lakes launched the Pequot Lakes Post app in May 2026, it wasn’t just about adding another communication tool. It was about bringing people together.

As planning continued for the city’s major Front Street and Main Street reconstruction project, city staff heard recurring concerns from residents and business owners. People wanted to stay informed but weren’t always sure where to find the information they needed. With a busy construction season ahead, new leadership in place, and exciting community initiatives gaining momentum, the city saw an opportunity to create a single place where residents, businesses, visitors, and families could easily stay connected.

What happened next perfectly reflected the spirit of Pequot Lakes.

After hearing about the city’s plans for the app, Community Action of Pequot Lakes stepped forward and generously funded the first year of service, helping transform an idea into reality. At the same time, Mayor Tyler Gardner’s BE NICE movement was encouraging acts of kindness, inclusion, and community support. Community members were also rallying around the Bobber Bus, a volunteer-run, free golf cart transportation service funded through donations to help residents and visitors access local businesses during construction.

The newly launched Pequot Lakes Post app became a natural home for sharing information about these efforts and many others. Today, users can access city news, project updates, notifications, agendas and minutes, forms, code information, and other important city resources — all from one convenient source.

More importantly, the app helps tell the story of a community that works together. Our experience demonstrates that successful communication tools do not have to be built by city government alone. Community partnerships, volunteerism, and shared investment can turn good ideas into lasting resources that strengthen connections and help communities thrive.