How We Got Started

The start of the Betterment Committee was when Patrick Haley was on the Town Board. The board was approached by several residents asked if the town was planning on having the 150th reunion, Patrick was all in favor sorry to say the other two board members did not want anything to do with it and made it clear the town would not support it.

150 years only comes along once, Patrick graciously took advantage of this and formed The Town of Dover Betterment Committee at the time Patrick thought once the picnic was done the Committee would also be done. What Patrick found was this new committee could do other things and make some real changes around Dover/Kansasville.

The 150-year reunion was so popular that we were asked to make it an annual event which we did, Patrick directed it for 10 years then passed the torch on – that passing of the torch ended the picnic. The Dover/Kansasville Committee can take credit for the two welcoming signs to Dover/Kansasville they are still there to this day. Happy to report after 10 years of running the Christmas tree lighting with the Kansasville Grade School kids the school took it over and the special day happens each Christmas.

Fireworks on Eagle started the evening of the 150-year reunion, the Betterment Committee ran the event for 10 years and passed it onto the Lake Association, still running to this date. Starting that year we also encouraged lake owners to decorate their boats and have a parade prior to the fireworks.

Town Logo – The Betterment Committee ran a contest for proposals for a town logo that logo is still the official towns logo and placed on the two welcoming signs to Dover/Kansasville by the Dover/Kansasville Committee. Town Banners this Patrick ran for 14 years once the town sold the truck, we had no one to put up the banners. The historical cabinet at the town hall was an offset from our annual town picnic where we highlighted historical happening from around Dover. I believe Helen Lena and others now decorated the cabinet at the town.

Winter Ice Golf – In its beginning it was a fishing contest, ten thousand Dollars to the person who caught the tagged fish (the fish was never caught). The Betterment Committee ran this event for 5 years then we switched it to winter ice golf held at Michaels on the Lake the date for the event is the by week before Superbowl. The date also shares the Lions Union Grove Pancake Breakfast held at St Roberts Union Grove.
Patrick Haley passed the torch to Brian Nielsen and Heidi Mueller Chairpersons and Bobbi Thomas Treasurer have taken Dover/Kansasville Committee over. We will graciously carry on the Heartfelt Respect that Patrick Haley’s accomplishments and committee and all the people along the way that help and make it happen.

Moving forward to People having Fun Helping People.