Covered Bridge Dedication

Some times local news is better. The AP has sent out the news that the covered bridge dedication is Friday the 13th WRONG ! it is tomorrow SATURDAY the 14th. Everything else you read in the Star Tribune,WCtrib, KSTP wa incorrect.
The Newsleaders Waite Park » News had it correct

Lions to celebrate state's longest-covered bridge

Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:11 PM EDT

The Holdingford Lions, on behalf of the Holdingford Community, invite the public to celebrate the dedication of the newest covered bridge in Minnesota. The dedication will take place at the bridge that is one block west of Main and Cedar Streets in Holdingford on Saturday, June 14. The day will begin at 8 a.m., with the ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. After that, 300+ bikers will participate in the Carmel Roll Ride on the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail. Invitations have been sent to Gov. Pawlenty and Garrison Keillor and state and local representatives.

The Holdingford Lions built the covered bridge on the Lake Wobegon Trail over Two Rivers River in Holdingford with the help of the U.S. Army Reserves. The Lake Wobegon Trail is used by bicyclists and walkers during the summer and by snowmobilers in the winter.

“The trail is one of the most beautiful biking/hiking trails in America with many great views, wildlife, farmland, creeks, lakes and hills,” said Joe Christensen, secretary of the Holdingford Lions.

This bridge is now the longest covered bridge in Minnesota and one of the longest covered bridges on a trail anywhere.

“The Lions feel the covered bridge will increase tourism to the community and improve our economic development,” Christensen said. “This bridge cover will also improve the safety and aesthetic quality of the bridge.

Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities
Holdingford covered bridge covered bridge dedication

Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon

The St. Cloud River Runners
are sponsoring the "First Annual Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon" it will start 7:00 a.m. on May 10, 2008 at the Holdingford Trail Head on the Lake Wobegon Trail.

The race is run entirely on the Lake Wobegon Trail. Runners will head north from the Holdingford Trail Head for .86 miles and then back through the town of Holdingford and the towns of Albany, Avon, and St. Joseph. The race finishes at the trail head in St. Joseph.
The trail is primarily rural except as it passes through the four small towns along the route. Many people feel that the trail from Holdingford to St. Joseph is the prettiest portion of the Lake Wobegon Trail.
They were going to limit it to 50 runners but I see that has been raised to 100 and the race field is full.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities Marathon

June 14 - 2008 Caramel Roll Ride

Start planning those spring bike rides. Here is a big one for the area.
June 14 - 2008 Caramel Roll Ride
This year starting from Holdingford the Route: From the Holdingford covered bridge bikers can go south to Albany or north to the Mississippi River or both.
Some details
Distances: 14, 28, or 47 Miles
Number of Riders expected 300

Prices: $15 Adults - $10 under 16 before May 31, $5 more after May 31.

Description of Ride: The proceeds from this ride will go to cover the costs of building the Holdingford Covered bridge where we will have a 9 am ribbon cutting and party after the ride.
For registering and more information contact

Sponsor: Lake Wobegon Trail Assn
Phone: 1-320-293-9364
Website: www.lakewobegontrails.com

Cliff Borgerding Ride Organizer
Address: 33504 Shorewood Dr
City, State, Zip: Avon, Mn. 56310

Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities Caramel Roll Ride bicycle rides

Holdingford in New Books

This the year for books being published that the people in Holdingford area can relate to. First the "Minnesota 13" book by Elaine Davis, then there is the "Bowlus Centennial"pictural history by Louis Titel, et. al. and now Garrison Keillor has a new book out "Pontoon" about the folks of Lake Wobegon, and of course Holdingford is mentioned.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities

The New Water Fountain

I have been slow in posting this photo of the new fountain at the Lake Wobegon trail. It has been up and running for a while. A very nice addition. I wrote about it here . A big thanks goes out to Wedel's Electric of Albany for donating their labor to this project.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities city fountain

Lake Wobegon Water Fountain

The Petals To Pedals Garden Club keeps working hard to make the city garden on The Lake Wobegon Trail, more beautiful and unique. The latest additions. A cedar fence section, was put up by the county as a background to a row of arborvitae bushes. The center piece is this neat concrete water fountain. I have to give them credit they did a lot of research to find a cool fountain for a reasonable price. They found it at 'Pam's Butterfly' a concrete ornament Co. by Cushing. They were able to try it out and it works great. The electricity will be in next week. Of course this is a work in progress, more landscaping is to be done. Benches and more gardens are on the list.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities Lake Wobegon water fountain

Surreys on Lake Wobegon Trail

Holdingford Helping Hands has a neat new service for folks. They have purchased three, four wheel Surrey bicycles. Two standard SURREYS that are designed for three adults and two small children and one SURREY LIMOUSINE designed for six adults and two small children. The public can rent these out at $10 and hour for the standard surrey and $15 an hour for the Limo. They will be available Friday and Sunday, noon to 8:00p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Seniors (60) in the area who are registered with Helping Hands, will be able to use the surreys free of charge on Mondays and Wednesdays. Reservations must be made a week in advance, and if requested, Helping Hands will provide a volunteer to pedal the surrey. To reserve a surrey call Helping Hands 746-9960.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities Lake Wobegon Trail surrey bicycle

Caramel Roll Ride Announcement !

Hey folks it's geting close but if you have not registered yet for the Caramel Roll ride coming up Saturday the 9th, I just found out the Lake Wobegon Trail Association and Minnesota Trails.com have offered to give a donation of $15 for every registrant for the Caramel Roll ride that writes "covered bridge" on their registration form. The money going to the Holdingford Lions for the covered bridge project. You can can register on line at lakewobegontrails.com

Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County Caramel Roll Ride Lake Wobegon Trail Association Minnesota Trails

Lake Wobegon Trail and Soo Line Recreational Trail Connection

The Morrison County web site posted on 5/31/ that the Soo Line Recreational Trail ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday June 5 at 8:30 am at the Bowlus Pavillion. The St. Cloud Times 6/3 says the ceremony is at 10:00 a. m. on Tuesday. I'd come early and enjoy the open house of the Bowlus Community Center.
At any rate now one can ride from Holdingford on the Lake Wobegon Trail north endure the name change and continue on the Soo Recreational Trail to the Mississippi River. Cool. Happy riding
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities
Lake Wobegon Trail
Soo Line Recreational Trail

Lake Wobegon Trail

I have noticed the Lake Wobegon Trail is being well used. This morning I went down to get the mail there was a group of about 20 bikers getting ready for a ride.
Organized events coming up you might want to check out are the
Saturday, June 9 Carmel Roll
Sunday July 8 The 27th Annual Tour of Saints
Saturday July 14 The 5th Annual Lake Wobegon Trail Bike Ride
Also check out this article about the Albany to Holdingford Trail at Minnesota Trails

Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities

Caramel Roll Ride scheduled

submitted by Megan Huls
Please join us for a sweet roll along a sweet trail! The Lake Wobegon Trail Association and the Stearns County Park Department will be cosponsoring the Caramel Roll Bike Ride with caramel rolls, fruit, juice, and coffee available to boost your energy along the way. The ride will be held on Saturday, June 9, with registration at the St. Joseph trailhead center from 9 to 10 a.m. Preregistration can be done on the Lake Wobegon Trail Association
Order a tshirt as ride memorabilia. From St. Joseph, participants can peddle their way on to Avon's Cabin Cafe, Albany's shelter near city hall, and Holdingford's TK's Restaurant and Lounge with refreshments available at each stop. Shuttle buses will be available in each town. Bring your mom, son, best friend, and great aunt to this sweet event. And don't forget your helmet. Come bike where the women are strong, the men good looking, and the children above average! For more information call (320) 2556172 or e m a i I Megan.Huls@co.stearns.mn.us.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities Lake Wobegon Trail

The Bridge Now

With all the interest in the covered bridge. I thought a photo of how it looks now would be in order. And here is a link to a photo of the proposed bridge
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small citiesbridge

More on The Covered Bridge

A week ago I posted that our covered bridge project is moving ahead.
In the online edition of the St. Cloud Times today. They reported the Stearns County board gave its approval today for the project. County parks director Chuck Wocken was quoted as saying “I’ve always thought Holdingford does things just a little bit prettier than a lot of communities,” and that “They’re never satisfied with just the chassis and the wheel. They want a little more style.” He went on to say The county will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the bridge, although it’s expected to require little maintenance.
I'm sure the citizens of Holdingford appreciate support of the Stearns County board and the positive comments by Mr. Wocken.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities

Holdingford's Covered Bridge

Joe Christenson with Covered Bridge Model he built. The bridge when built will be 164 feet long making it the longest covered bridge in Minnesota and the longest cover bike bridge in the world.
The bridge as previously noted is a project of the Holdingford Lions Club. The plan is to build it in 2008.
Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities covered bridge

Covered Bridge Project

Mayor Schmit has recently announced in his
newsletter, "Great news, I have been informed by the Lion’s club,
their Wobegon trail covered bridge project has been put on the
National Guard’s 2008 bridge construction training schedule On
behalf of the community I would like to thank the Holdingford Lions
club for moving this project forward. When completed, this will
be the longest covered bridge in Minnesota, and a great asset to the
community." This will be a nice attraction to the Wobegon
trail. It was first proposed by previous Mayor Rosie Scepaniak
a number of years ago. It looks like her idea is going to become a
reality.

Tags: Holdingford Minnesota Stearns County small cities covered bridges

Minnesota Trails | Lake Wobegon Trail Expands

I thought you might like to see this information from the Minnesota Bike Trails site.

Lake Wobegon Trail Expands

Tags:Lake Wobegon TrailHoldingford, Minnesota

The lake Wobegon Trail section from Holdingford to Albany is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sections of the trail system. It follows a path of canopied trees and open farm land. The Lake Wobegon Trail was extended 3 miles to the Morrison County line this fall. As I understand it it's name changes to the 'Soo Trail' there and next year will be extended to the east side of the Misissippi River. A beautiful rest area is almost complete on the trail in Holdingford. I will post pictures soon.
Note the links articles about 'Lake Wobegon' one is from the New York Times and the other article by the national Geographic.