The Defeat of Jesse James Days Ambassador Committee is seeking new ambassadors to reign over the 2013 DJJD Celebration. The Ambassador Coronation will be held on August 17, 2013 at the Northfield Middle School Auditorium. The Junior Coronation will be held August 10, 2013 at the Weitz Center for Creativity.

Ambassador scholarship candidates must be 17 years of age by July 15, 2013, be unmarried with no children and live or work within the Northfield School District. If chosen, they will receive a Scholarship of $2,000.

Junior ambassador candidates must be age 6-8 by August 10, 2013, and live or have parents who live or work within the Northfield School District.  The candidates will spend time volunteering, getting to know the DJJD committee, become more proficient at public speaking and participating in many fun events while gaining new friends. If chosen, the DJJD Ambassadors will spend the next year visiting other communities throughout the state and meet hundreds of people through parades, coronations and other special events gaining valuable friendships, experience and making lifelong memories.

According to Ambassador Scholarship Program Chair Julie Eddy, “This is NOT a beauty pageant or a popularity contest. Our program revolves around volunteerism and developing leaders that will serve as positive role models and be ambassadors for the Defeat of Jesse James Days Celebration and Northfield.”

The DJJD Ambassador Scholarship Committee will host an informational meeting for all candidates at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at the Northfield Library. Information is also available on our website www.djjd.org . For those unable to attend this meeting, you may contact Shelley Brady (952) 237-9281 or Julie Eddy (612) 986-9418.

For Junior Candidates questions you may contact Tina Lemke (612) 227-8845.

The late Dan Freeman, commonly known around town as “Mr. Northfield,” will have a tree dedicated in his memory Friday, May 24, at 5 p.m. on Bridge Square. Freeman died earlier this month after a long illness. The public is invited to attend.

The tree, a New Harmony elm, was donated by Knecht’s Nursery and Landscaping in Northfield. Owners Leif and Deb Knecht picked the tree because, says Leif, “When I think of Dan Freeman, I think of Dan as a goodwill ambassador for Northfield. Goodwill is like harmony, and that’s why we picked that tree.” He adds that the tree will be resistant to Dutch Elm disease and will grow quickly. “It will be a long-term reminder of the goodwill Dan always tried to bring to our community.”

A plaque, donated by the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee and the Northfield Historical Society, will read “Dan Freeman, ‘Mr. Northfield,’ 2013.”

“After Danny’s passing I was contacted by many people asking how we are going to remember Dan,” says Hayes Scriven, general chair of this year’s Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration and executive director of the Northfield Historical Society. “It was a little overwhelming. How do you honor a community icon like Dan?”

Freeman’s tree will share the square with a tree planted by the DJJD committee in 1996 in honor of the late Don McRae, the public announcer of the bank raids for 30 plus years who was succeeded in that role by Freeman.

“It seemed logical to plant a tree in Danny’s honor,” explains Scriven. “We wanted something that would be a lasting reminder of all the good work he accomplished in his lifetime.”

Back Row: Hayes Scriven, Danny Ayotte, Wayne Eddy, T.J. Heinricy, Mel Miller
Front Row: Deb Anthony and Margaret Haugen

The Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee is pleased to announce the 2013 board members. Newly elected are Hayes Scriven, General Chairman, Deb Anthony, Treasurer, Margaret Haugen, Secretary, Danny Ayotte, Director, Mel Miller, Director and TJ Heinricy, Director. Wayne Eddy will serve as the Chairman of the Board.

Planning is already underway for the 2013 celebration which will be held September 5^th – 8^th. It is the 3^rd largest volunteer celebration in the state of Minnesota. Minneapolis Aquatennial and St. Paul Winter Carnival are 1^st and 2^nd. DJJD is the largest ALL VOLUNTEER organization in Minnesota and are always looking for new volunteers. If interested please contact us through our website.