DigElogROCORI

ROCORI Trail Land Purchased & Construction Begins

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On Tuesday, April 10, 2012, the ROCORI Trail Construction Board – covering Rockville, Cold Spring, and Richmond – purchased a large corridor of land from the Burlington Northern-Sante Fe (BNSF) Railroad.  

The purchase price was $1,298,000 for approximately 1,428,000 square feet, or about 33 acres, of land from BNSF.  The land covers a corridor from 178 Avenue North between Richmond and Cold Spring and runs just to the east of the Sauk River in Cold Spring. This represents phase 1 of a three-phase trail project that will eventually run all the way through Rockville to Suburban Raquet Club.

The funding of this purchase and the upcoming construction project was made possible through more than $2 million in federal and state grants, monies from the three cities and Stearns County, and many generous donations. 

Without delay, the railroad ties on the west end of the project are coming out today, which signals the start of construction of the largest section of the Rocori Trail to date (Rockville’s downtown portion was built in 2009).  Paving the trail and preparing safety features to the Sauk River Bridge are the next steps, and this phase is expected to be completed by the end of this summer. 

 “We have worked hard since 2003 to make this trail a reality in our time.” said Duane Willenbring, Chair of the ROCORI Trail Construction Board.  “There is still much to be done and more trail to build, but we look forward to fulfilling the promises of this wonderful addition to our area.  This is a good time to pause and celebrate hard work and our greater community. ” 

The Trail Board publicly thanks Burlington Northern-Sante Fe Railroad; Roger Schwinghammer at Jones, Lang, and LaSalle for representing the Railroad; the officials at Stearns County involved in this joint process; Adam Ripple of the Rinke Noonan Law Firm; Heidi Peper and Scott Hedlund of Short Elliot Hendrickson; and all of the donors and volunteers to date that have made this trail process come to life. The Rocori Trail Committee is made up of representatives from all three cities, the County, the DNR and consultants – many of whom have been on board since 2003 – nine years of monthly or so meetings! Your service is greatly appreciated!

To see other DigElogROCORI ROCORI Trail Stories click on the graphic below.

Old Glory Run Early Registration Deadline: April 1, 2012

Third Street Brew House : Fermentation Tank Installation

March 16, 2012

Cold Spring Brewery
Cold Spring, Minnesota  USA

Check Out Brenny's Facebook Page

This story features Brenny Transportation Inc. of St. Cloud, Minnesota delivering new fermentation tanks to Cold Spring Brewery's new Third Street Brew House. It's amazing to see how these giant stainless steel tanks are transported to the site, unloaded, uprighted and literally rolled into place vertically. This is definitely something you don't see every day.

This story was sponsored in part by Brenny Transporation Inc.



BrennyTransportation.com/

Rep Larry Hosch not seeking 2012 re-election

Dear Neighbors and Friends-
 
Mondays can be a double edged sword.  For many, Monday's are a dreaded day where we leave the weekend behind and start another long week of work.  For me, I have been lucky enough to be given the immense honor and opportunity to represent approximately 40,000 people in Central Minnesota as well as the whole state. I have always loved Monday's when I had to pack up and head to our state Capitol and work in a beautiful building with some of the best and most inspiring individuals I have ever met.  Mondays were the start to great possibilities and working towards making our state better. Mondays were full of potential, opportunity and genuine excitement.  I have been so lucky to be able to serve the last seven years where Mondays were great.
 
At the start of this year's legislative session I dropped off my 16 mos. old son Gavin at daycare and brought my 4 1/2 year old son Garrett to school.  When I said goodbye to Garrett and told him that I will miss him when I'm gone for the week something different happened to me than in the years past.  Like normal, I choked up (I'm a sap like that), but this time Garrett also shed a tear.  Unfortunately lately my Mondays are a repeat of this event and no longer do they consist of the excitement I once experienced.  I truly do love my job and the responsibility that has been granted to me by you and the citizens of Central Minnesota. However I love my family more and feel that it is the right time to step aside and declare my intention that I will not seek re-election in 2012.
 
Twelve years ago, I took a journey that I never dreamed of taking.  I first ran for Mayor of St. Joseph at the young age of 22 and to many people's surprise, including my own, I won.  I was elected under a (deserved) cloud of concern for some, and guarded optimism for others. I quickly learned that my unexpected path into electoral politics was one that I enjoyed, and hopefully was good at.
 
Along my side from day one was my then girlfriend, Holly.  Holly and I made St. Joseph our home.  Holly and I became engaged in the St. Joe 4th. of July parade, I was re-elected Mayor, I completed my Masters Degree, and in 2004 with Holly's support I ran for state Representative and together we were successful.  We married in 2005 at St. John's on a beautiful fall day, and have since had two wonderful children.
 
Holly has supported me through six elections, close to 100 parades, hundreds of days of being away from home, and hundreds of days and weekends spent campaigning.  My children have yet to watch a parade from the curbside where they can run after candy being thrown their way.  It is time to take a break from electoral politics and focus on catching candy.my family, summer weekends, volunteering in the community, going to local school events, and other things that I desperately want to do that I simply do not have the time to do now. 
 
During my time in elected politics, my hardest day has always been the day following the election.  How in the world can I adequately express my thanks and appreciation to those who gave me the phenomenal responsibility to represent our area? How could I express in words the appreciation towards my family, constituents, and supporters?  Today, I find the inadequacy of my words to express my sincere thanks is even more amplified.  I can't thank you enough for the absolute honor that has been given to me.  Being at the winning end of 6 elections was not made possible by me, but made possible by all those around me and who believed in me.  It is this realization that I feel that I am disappointing many of you by not running for re-election, and if that is the case, I truly am sorry.
 
With all my ramblings aside, I can tell you one thing for certain.I am not done fighting!!! I just need to find a different way to fight the fight.  I will still be working to be a voice for the poor, marginalized, disenfranchised, intimidated, elderly, disabled, young, and all those who need a voice.  Thank you for allowing me the honor to represent you, for the trust you have given me, and for the support you have shown me and my family.  It will never be forgotten and will be cherished for my entire life.
 
Most sincerely and humbly,
 
Larry
 
Representative Larry Hosch
District 14B - Serving Avon, Cold Spring, Eden Valley, Fairhaven, Kimball, Paynesville, Richmond, Roscoe, and St. Joseph
Minority Whip
(800) 947-8264
(651) 296-4373
rep.larry.hosch@house.mn

ROCORI Ensembles: Dan Ingman plays Jungle Walk

This is a solo performance by ROCORI Wind Ensemble percussion specialist Dan Ingman during the 2012 March music concert held on Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at the Glanville Smith Auditorium, ROCORI High School, Cold Spring, Minnesota USA

 

***** THIS STORY SPONSORED IN PART BY...

Sponsored by Tom Graham and State Farm Insurance in Cold Spring, Minnesota
http://bit.ly/dSlm3M

 

March Music featuring the ROCORI Wind Ensemble: National Emblem March

Thursday, March 1st, 2012
7:30 PM
Glanville W. Smith Auditorium
ROCORI High School
Cold Spring, Minnesota  USA

*****  Under the direction of Mr. Tony Hutar

The ROCORI Wind Ensemble plays National Emblem March by E.E. Bagley, edited Frederick Fennell

ROCORI Spartan Wrestler Sam Kuss Takes 2nd in Section 6AAA

Friday & Saturday, February 24-25, 2012
Section 6AAA Wrestling Tournament
Hopkins High School
Minnetonka, Minnesota  USA

 

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Sam Kuss will represent the ROCORI Spartans at the 2012 State Wrestling Tournament this coming Friday, March 2nd. He'll be wrestling in the 182# class. He was one of two 182# representatives to go to the state tournament after successfully competing at the Section 6AAA wrestling tournament that took place at Hopkins High School this past Friday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th. This video includes Sam's four wrestling matches during the sectional meet.

PS.  Yes, Sam Kuss is son of Duane and Bette Kuss - DigElogROCORI Publishers  "We're ROCORI Proud!"

ROCORI Wrestlers Compete @ 6AAA Section Tournament: #152 Jordan Hemmesch

Friday, February 24th, 2012
Section 6AAA Wrestling Tournament
Hopkins High School
Hopkins, Minnesota USA

 

Jordan Hemmesch, ROCORI senior wrestler goes up against Hunter Durand of Buffalo in the first round of the 2012 Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament. This was the first match in the #152 weight bracket. Last year, Jordan took 2nd at the Section competition and went on to compete at the State Tournament level. He is the #1 seed at the section 6AAA tournament #152 bracket.

DigElog ROCORI's New Facebook LOOK! Check it out...

Today, DigElog ROCORI launched a new look on Facebook.  One that depicts our 7 year history on the internet and in the world of social media.  Click on the graphic above to experience it for yourself.

Faces #1: Take A One Minute Break... on hermit lake.

 

This one minute video features the photography of Switzerland native Thomas Leuthard - 85mm set to music and motion by videographer/editor Duane Kuss.