Dee, Hazuka honored by Kasson Chamber

Two members of the Kasson business community were honored by the Kasson Chamber of Commerce last Friday night at the annual Chamber dinner at The Studio.

Tammy Dee of Tammy’s Place restaurant in downtown Kasson was named the Business Person of the Year for 2024 and Denise Hazuka of Country Pleasures Café was named the Legacy Award recipient for 2025. Both awards were announced by Chamber President Tom Monson.

“(Dee) is the epitome of a hardworking and dedicated businesswoman,” Monson said. “Known for her friendly demeanor and ever-present smile, Tammy Dee radiates positivity and passion in everything she does.”

Monson went on to say “Tammy has incredible energy. Her joyful spirit and pervasive determination can be felt right when you walk to her place of business, Tammy’s Place. She is also a wonderful proponent of the entire Kasson community and is always committed to supporting and promoting other local businesses. Tammy is a true example of lifting others up and collaborating as a community.”

Hazuka opened Country Pleasures Café in October 1996. She operated the business as a café and caterer since the beginning including catering for small companies, weddings, corporations as well as providing a “homey atmosphere, heartwarming meals, and decision desserts for over a quarter century,” Monson said. She also prioritized funding for students in FCCLA, trips to Washington DC and Relay for Life. During COVID, he said, she was a lifeline for Relay for Life being one of the only local partners able to continue true fundraising during the pandemic.

Country Pleasures closed at the end of December 2024 with Hazuka’s retirement.

Monson also updated Chamber members on activities for 2024.

It was another great year, he said, with highlights including Stevie Gransee’s success in orchestrating 5k races in Kasson, including the St. Paddy’s Day 5k which “probably saved the Ambasssador Scholarship Fund.”

He also highlighted Jen Galloway’s addition of the hotdog parachute drop during Oktoberfest, Matt Bradford’s hard which that grew the Chamber Scholarship Golf Tournament and Dan Ziebell’s leadership with the bingo and Christmas Lights Contest.

In 2025, he said, the Chamber looks forward to continuing to expand existing events and rollout a new Shop Local program.

The annual Board elections saw Tammy Dee of Tammy’s Place, Blaire Schewe of Prairie Meadows Senior Living and Brittany Wilcox of The Green Shack elected to full terms, and in Special Elections, Dan Ziebell of Ziebell Law to a two-year term and Roberta Jo Pogalz of the Blaine Halvorson Memorial to a one year term. Outgoing board members included Matt Bradford, Angela Bowman-Malloy and Stevie Gransie.