Route 68 band to host dance at Legion Feb. 11

The Chocolate Affair used to be one of the most popular events held in Minneota each year around Valentine’s Day. But when the pandemic hit, the Friends of the Library’s annual fundraiser was cancelled.
When the Friends of the Minneota Library decided last fall not to hold the event for the third straight year, high school band director John Voit decided this was an opportunity to replace it with a dance featuring the Route 68 band he also directs.
“I checked with (Superintendent) Scott Monson to make sure it was okay and then I contacted the (Route 68) band members to see if they were interested.”
On Saturday, Feb. 11, Moonlight Serenade Dance will be held at the Legion, which was also where the former Chocolate Affair was held.
The event will be held from 7:30-9:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Although this is not a fundraiser for anything, the cost is $10 per person, with proceeds going for refreshments to be served at the event, such as appetizers, desserts and beverages.
There will not be a silent auction or a meal as was the case when the Chocolate Affair was held as a fundraiser for the library.
The current jazz band first began in 1985 and was known then as the Minneota Community Jazz Band. When Voit took over as director in 1991, the name was changed to Route 68. There is still one original member of the band, Neal Bot.
There are currently 20 members in the band. Those members include:

Alto Saxophone - Ryan Juutilainen, Marshall; and Brandon Ulstad, Madison
Tenor Saxophone - Ross Anderson, Marshall, Laney Myhre, Minneota
Baritone Saxophone - Lon Wright, Marshall
Trumpet - Vaughn Gehle, Marshall; Mike Helgeson, Slayton; Dawn Van Keulen, Minneota; Joe Cheadle, Minneota; Jeff McCall, Lucan
Trombone - Chris Schuckhart, Marshall; Neal Bot, Minneota; John Ginocchio, Marshall; Tery Louwagie, Marshall; Brad Louwagie, Marshall
Guitar - Zach Haltvick, Marshall
Bass Guitar - Wes Myers, Marshall
Piano - Mary Kaye Rabaey, Minneota
Drum Set - Dane Nordquist, Canby
Vocals - Paula Dovre, Minneota; Chris Schuckhart, Marshall
"We will play two sets with 12 numbers in each set," Voit said.
The table decorations will be made by Scott Hansen's high school art students.
Route 68 is also available for other events. Contact John Voit at 507-476-0131