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New To Chokio? Here's some helpful information to get you started in the community! Things to Do HUNTING: Chokio is known for its prime hunting spots for pheasant and waterfowl. Within a ten mile radius of Chokio, there are numerous waterfowl production areas, both federal and stated projects. These areas have abundant nesting cover for both upland game of pheasant, Hungarian partridge, and various species of waterfowl. During the late fall, migration flights of waterfowl--Canadian geese and Northern mallards--stop in our area for rest and feed, and they provide excellent target for area hunters. Along with the increase in the pheasant population over the past couple of years, the chokio area has bee reinstated as one of the "hot spots" for pheasant hunting in Minnesota. FISHING: There are many lakes within a 50 mile radius of Chokio. But Artichoke Lake, located south of Chokio, has been rated as one of the top ten walleye lakes in Minnesota, according to an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. RECREATION: Within the city limits of Chokio, there are two designated parks areas that provide picnic, playground, and camping facilities. Chokio boasts excellent outdoor lighted tennis and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and an ice skating rink. The softball and baseball diamonds are host to many local leagues. A number of bowling leagues are always looking for new team mates as well! There are two camper hook-ups at West Side park. These hook-ups are $7.50 per night which includes electricity and water. There is also a place for sewer dumping. COMMUNITY EDUCATION: The Chokio-Alberta school provides an excellent summer recreation program for area youth. Other recreational opportunities for adults are organized through the Community Education program. Sports fans may enjoy a variety of high school sports activities though out the year. SWIMMING: Chokio is also very fortunate to have one of the best swimming facilities in this area with its indoor pool. Red Cross swimming lessons, as well as numerous Community Education classes are offered at the pool, with many area towns using the facility for children and adult swimming instruction. COMMUNITY: Festivals, fairs and celebrations are highlighted in Stevens County. The Chokio Community Picnic held in June and the Stevens County Fair in August draw large gatherings of friends and neighbors. Residents also "Celebrate Minnesota" with a wide variety of winter activities. Rules and Regulations Utility Bills from the City of Chokio include water, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and garbage. They are sent bi-monthly and the homeowner is responsible to read their own meter. Our Public Works read the meter one time per year. Rates are as follows: Garbage pickup is on Monday of each week. They may be in town as early as 7:00am. Up to two 30 gallon receptacles are allowed for garbage pick-up. you may also rent a 68-gallon cart from Englebretson Sanitary Disposal at a cost of .80 cents per month. Please call the city office if you would like to rent a cart. Recycling--curbside pickup is available on the second Thursday of each month. There is also a recycling trailer located at the Highway Department building on the second weekend of each month. Compost--the homeowner is responsible for disposing of their own compost. Dogs and Cats are not required to be licensed at this time. However, dogs running at large will be impounded at Morris, MN. An attempt at notification will be made by letter to notify the owner. The dog will be held for five (5) days and if not claimed will be euthanized. The owner will be responsible for all costs of impoundment. Each spring, the city hosts a vaccination clinic held at the city office. There is a small charge for each shot. Building Permits are necessary for all outside structure changes. Please contact city hall before you begin any project to see if a permit is required, there is a charge of $5.00 for each permit and approval of the city council is needed prior to building. For new home builders, there is a separate form to fill out as well as an additional fee to hook-up to sewer and water. Sump Pumps--all sump pumps shall have a discharge pipe. From April 1 to November 1, it is unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be dicharged, or permit a connection that would cause such discharge of any unpolluted waters such as stormwater, surfacewater, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, or cooling water to and building drain or sewer, which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to the sanitary sewer, unless such connection is approved in writing by the Chokio City Council. Winter Parking--no person, corporation, or association shall park or be allowed to remain parked any vehicle on any street of alleyway during a declared "snow removal alert". Notice to the public for a "snow removal alert" has been reduced to 6 hours. Vehicles shall be permitted once again to park on a street or alleyway during a "snow removal alert" once the removal of snow and/or ice has been completed. Snowmobile and ATV--speed limit in the city limits is 10 mph, at all times. Take the most direct or closest possible route to enter and exit the town, and please use the designated Snowmobile Route whenever possible. It is illegal to drive or trespass over private property. Snow Removal--snow must be removed from public sidewalks within 24 hours. Weeds--no parcel of land shall have noxious weeds greater than a height of 10 inches. Organizations Chokio Fire Department - The Chokio Fire Department meet on the first Thursday of each month. Chokio First Responders - The Chokio First Responders meet on the second Thursday of each month. Chokio Senior Center Chokio Sportsman's Club Chokio American Legion Post Chokio Baseball Team Chokio Women's Softball 4-H Clubs Chokio Economic Development American Legion Auxilary Chokio Study Club Till 'n Tell Garden Club Businesses Polaris New Horizons Agricultural Service United Farmers Merchant's Bank Chokio Insurance Agency Arndt's Tire Shop Ehrp Construction SJJK Plumbing and Heating Jo-Ko Manufacturing Lee Well Drilling, Inc. Hill Electric The Shop Steve's Body Shop Gustafson Welding Churches A strong faith, nutured by active congregations, knits a community together during good times and bad. The following churches are located within Chokio or serve the Chokio area. CHOKIO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH West First Street and Third Avenue Mark Winther, Pastor 2nd and 4th Saturdays Worship at 10 AM OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH East Highway 28 (Box 35) Mike Likens, Pastor Sunday Worship 9:15 AM; Sunday School 10:30 AM; Tuesday 8:30 AM Morning Prayer Group Wednesday 4:30 PM 6th-8th Grade Confirmation Luther League, Adult Bible Study, Women of the ELCA, circle Bible studies, Vatican Bible School; Church: 320 324-2656; Parsonage 320-324-2421. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH West Highway 20 (Box 87) Father John Caskey is the Pastor and Father David Petrov is the Associate Pastor Sunday Mass at 8:30 AM; Daily Mass (Tues/Thurs) at St. Mary's (Wed/Fri) St. Charles 8 AM; Saturday Mass at 5 PM; catechism 4 year olds--confirmed; Christian Mothers, guilds, craft group, Knights of Columbus; Rectory: 320-324-2680; Parish Hall 320-324-7502. ARTICHOKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH 13 miles south on County 13 Philip Butler, Pastor Worship 10:00 AM; Route 1, Box 68, Correll, MN, 320-596-2300. TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH [WELS] 2 1/2 miles north of Johnson, MN Eugene Andrus, Pastor Worship 9 AM; Sunday School 10:30 AM; Young People's League, Ladies' Aid; Church: 320-748-7625; Parsonage: 320-748-7601; School: 320-748-7774. |
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