🍎 Honoring Excellence in Education: Celebrating Our Educators of the Year

Each year, the Isle Area Chamber of Commerce has the privilege of recognizing outstanding individuals who make a lasting difference in the lives of students and families through the Educator of the Year Award. This honor celebrates those who go above and beyond—educators who inspire, encourage, and lead with heart.

As we continue this meaningful tradition, we are proud to celebrate the incredible recipients from recent years:

Recent Honorees

• 2025 – Stacy Borchert
  Recognized for her dedication, passion, and the positive impact she brings to her students and school community each day.
• 2024 – Bri Novak (High School Science Teacher)
  Celebrated for making science engaging and inspiring, helping students explore, question, and grow in their learning.
• 2023 – Dominic Kruse
  Honored for his commitment to students and his ability to create a supportive and encouraging learning environment.
• 2022 – Dave Mueller
  Recognized for his leadership, dedication, and lasting contributions to education in the Isle area.

More Than a Title

Each of these educators represents the very best of our schools. Their influence goes far beyond the classroom—shaping confidence, character, and curiosity in the next generation.

They are mentors, role models, and everyday difference-makers.

A Community Effort

The Educator of the Year Award is especially meaningful because it comes from the community. Nominations are submitted by those who have been directly impacted—students, parents, colleagues, and community members—making each recognition deeply personal and well-earned.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate these outstanding individuals, we also look forward to continuing this tradition. Nominations for the 2026 Educator of the Year are open through May 26, 2026.

If an educator has made a difference in your life or your child’s life, we encourage you to take a moment to nominate them.

Thank You, Educators

To all of our past and present educators—thank you. Your dedication, patience, and passion help shape not only individual futures, but the future of our entire community.

We hope you join us for the 2025 Soup Slurp!

Stop by participating businesses with a Soup Slurp Scorecard

Taste incredible soups from our local Soup Makers

Vote for your favorite before 2:00 PM at the Downtown Museum

Be entered to win $50 in Chamber Bucks just for completing your scorecard!

Winners will be announced by the end of the day.

Bring your family, bring your appetite, and enjoy the fun of Isle’s Olde Tyme Fall Fest!

This year’s soups and soup makers:

• Isle Muni – Creamy Chicken Noodle
• Isle Muni – Irish Stew
• White Capp Inn (Isle Muni) – Pea soup
• Karels Hardware – Reuben soup
• MLHS Community Pharmacy – Soup er Burger (GF)
• Snacks On Mille Lacs – Chicken Marsala
• Beckham’s Bar and Bistro (SOML) – Basil Noche Soup
• Lapis Loon Crystals – Cheddar Broccoli
• Lake Life Energy – Herbalife Chicken Soup
• Century 21 Atwood – Creamy Chieken Enchilada (GF)
• Impel Authority (C2I) – Loaded Baked Potato & Steak (GF)
• Teals Market – Chedder & Broccoli w/Ham

Below is additional information to get you prepared for the event.

1. There is a $10 charge for contest beginning in 2025. The Soup Slurp is organized by the IACC.
2. Tasting Participants that get signatures from ALL Soup Makers and drop of Score Cards will be entered in drawing for $50 Chamber Bucks! Encourage tasters to get all signatures even if they do not taste the soups… This will encourage them to visit all businesses, walk the town, and ENJOY their time at the event!
3. Prizes for 1st thru 3rd Place Soup Makers will be awarded!
4. Soups need to be ready for tasting by 11am.
5. Make 2 Gallons of your Soup. (No more, No less, & NO Chili!)
6. 4 oz. cups will be provided for sampling consistency. Note: You should get 85 3 oz. servings out of 2 Gallons. Only one sample per Score Card.
7. Soup Slurp Location Businesses can pick up cups/spoons/napkins & Score Sheets at Century 21 Atwood, 350 W Main after 10am Saturday.
8. Sign Score Sheets when sample is given, or if they are just getting it to complete their card.
9. If you run out of soup, everyone should be out. Do not make extra.
10. If you are hosting other soup makers at your location, please pick up Score Cards and supplies for them at the C21 office as noted above. If you run out of score cards, please check with another location. It will be hard to determine where Slurpers will start their tasting and pick up their cards.
11. One score sheet per guest. Guest must drop score sheets at Museum by 2:15.
12. Post Official “Slurp Point” window sheet on business door or window.
13. Winners will be calculated at Museum @2:30 and announced via Social Media.
14. Be sure your guests have a Great Experience in your place of business!
15. Any questions, feel free to contact Daron’s cell at 612-382-4583.

The Annual Olde-Tyme Fall Fest is Saturday September 27th from 10am to 4pm presented by the Mille Lacs Lake Historical Society at the Mille Lacs Lake Museum in Isle, MN, in cooperation with the Isle Chamber of Commerce. The IACC Soup Slurp runs from 11am – 2pm.

A Special Thanks to Teals and Snacks on Mille Lacs

for Donating Gift Cards for 2nd and 3rd Place Soup Makers!

Soup Makers Prize List: 1st Place $100 Chamber Bucks!

2nd $50 Teals Gift Card! 3rd $30 Beckham’s/Snacks on Mille Lacs Gift Card!

Not an Isle Area Chamber member yet?

Contact any chamber member or find us online and join TODAY!

As President of the Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, I am incredibly excited about the momentum we are building in our community. There is something truly special about small towns—where neighbors lift each other up, businesses support one another, and we all work together to make Isle a great place to live, work, and visit.

Our Chamber is more than just a network of businesses; it’s a group of people dedicated to strengthening relationships, finding and meeting the needs of our community, and creating opportunities for growth. By working together, we can amplify our impact—whether that’s through supporting local businesses, celebrating our youth, or organizing events that bring us all together.

One of the things I love most is celebrating the achievements of our students. Each quarter, we recognize the Student of the Quarter at Isle Schools, highlighting the dedication and hard work of our young leaders. Investing in our students is investing in our future, and we are proud to support them in any way we can.

Community events play a huge role in bringing us together, and we have some exciting things in store! Christmas in the Park is a magical celebration in December that brings holiday cheer to Isle, and Family Fun Nights offer a chance for families to connect and create lasting memories. These events—and many more—wouldn’t be possible without the support of our businesses and volunteers.

As we look ahead, I encourage everyone to be part of this journey. Whether you’re a business owner, a resident, or a visitor, your support and involvement help shape the future of Isle. Let’s continue strengthening relationships, lifting each other up, and making our community the best it can be.

Here’s to an exciting year ahead!

Danie Powell
President, Isle Area Chamber of Commerce

Isle Area Chamber of Commerce in the community

The Walleye Statue has become an iconic feature of Isle, drawing attention from tourists and locals alike. It’s already undergone one restoration, and we are thrilled to see it return in Spring 2025 looking better than ever. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individuals, we’ve made this restoration possible, and we will recognize all donors through a special feature in the Messenger.

There will also be a plaque at the base of the newly restored Walleye, thanking those who made this restoration possible.

If we raise more than the needed funds for the Walleye restoration, the surplus will be donated to the Isle Food Shelf and other local charities.

JUNE 6TH, 2024 at 5:00pm

Isle Area Pickleball Association

Isle High School

Address: 730 5th Avenue

Isle, MN 56342

You are cordially invited to join us for our grand opening
ceremony. The days events include a pickleball
tournament at 2:30pm, an exhibition game at 4:30pm to
be followed by our grand opening ceremony at 5:00pm.
Cake and beverages will be provided by IAPA.

Thursday, July 20, 2023  –  6:00 pm

McQuoid’s Inn Cedar Room

Chamber President: Daron Stenvold

Vice President: Don Dahlen

Treasurer: Linda Dahlen

Secretary: Danie Powell

Call to order: 

 Introduction of guests:

Approve Agenda:

Approve minutes from last meeting 

Approve financial reports:   Any comments to Financials. 

Old business:

Membership Services/Member Spotlight:  

Status of new members and renewing members:  

Grand openings/Ribbon cuttings for new members:

Banners update and plan for winter banners design now –  and communication with banner participants

Grand openings/Ribbon cuttings for new members:

New Business:

Debrief Isle Days

Fall Fest and Soup Slurp

Membership update;  on-boarding process of new member ASAP

Member certificates and window clings

Board Member Opening

Other Topics for Discussion?

Next meeting: 

Adjourn Time:

Non-profit corporation working to promote the Isle Airport to the City of Isle, pilots and surrounding communities.

Tree trimming and removal service.

Restaurant and Bar, Coffee Shop

Dedicated to preserving and maintaining Mille Lacs as a world class trophy smallmouth fishery.

Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Appliance Repair
Commercial and Residential

651-247-2771 Cell
320-676-3887 Land
866-245-8518 Toll Free

LindaKD@frontier.com
www.lindaburch.com
Charter Member