St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

Music, poetry, birdsong and green leaves at O’Brien

Spring has finally sprung and a party at William O'Brien State Park, with music and poetry, was a good excuse to get to the river.

By Greg Seitz | May 8, 2011 | 3 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram
Spring green on the St. Croix

Spring green on the St. Croix

It was a sunny day yesterday, with puffy clouds above and the faint green haze on the trees growing stronger. Another spring had arrived at William O’Brien State Park, but this year there was a little more park than in the past.

The O’Bigger, O’Better, O’Brien event, sponsored by the Parks & Trails Council, celebrated 97 acres of new land which were recently added to the park, thanks to a collaboration between Parks & Trails, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Grant family, who had owned the land since 1940, the Pioneer Press reported:

The property includes springs, streams, ponds, prairie, woods, wetlands and fens. Hendrie Grant, a St. Paul ophthalmologist and fly fisherman, bought the land in 1940 because of its trout ponds and its proximity to the St. Croix River, said his daughter-in-law Joan Grant.

The land was passed down through the generations until last year, when members of the Grant family decided to sell 97 acres of it for $1.26 million to the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota.

The council is in the process of selling the land to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for inclusion in William O’Brien State Park.

The day’s events included a wildflower hike, a canoe trip down to the park from Osceola, and activities for kids, including fishing. Toward the end of the day, The Roe Family Singers, a bluegrass and old-time music six-piece, played in front of the picnic shelter, near the park’s boat launch, to a small audience scattered at picnic tables in the grass, soaking up the spring sun.

Roe Family Singers at William O'Brien State Park

Roe Family Singers at William O'Brien State Park

The band is made of up of husband and wife Quillan and Kim Roe and has played a weekly Monday night gig at the 331 Club in Minneapolis since 2005. They were recently awarded a $25,000 McKnight Fellowship, given to only four artists a year, and for which 110 artists applied this year.

The band left the stage at 3 p.m., reluctantly it seemed. The crowd dwindled some before Carol Cauoutte and Laurie Allman started. The pair have collaborated on an artistic celebration of the St. Croix River, titled “River Croix.” Allman has written a poem — with an appreciation for names of the 28 species of mussels that inhabit the river — and Cauoette has written a piece for piano and voice that paints a picture of how the river unifies everyone who lives near it.

Carol Caouette and Laurie Allman performing "River Croix"

Carol Caouette (l) and Laurie Allman performing "River Croix"

The pair have recently set up a special fund at the St. Croix Valley Foundation, to which all proceeds from the sale of their CD go:

Contributions made to this fund benefit St. Croix River protection causes and organizations based in Minnesota and Wisconsin, in particular those that result in tangible, measurable, and meaningful positive impacts, as guided by the question “Will the river know the difference?”

It was very quiet as they performed, with just the sound of the breeze in the tree tops and sporadic, joyous, bird song punctuating the song and poem. The river water a hundred yards behind the stage was receding from its flood. The valley will be green again soon and many people will move from watching its current from the banks to getting on, or in, the water.

The St. Croix at William O'Brien State Park

Related articles:

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Features

Replacing damaged dam will restore fish habitat and a popular lake

Starstruck: Communities seek to keep night skies dark above the St. Croix River

From parks to pigs: The 10 most popular St. Croix 360 posts of 2020

St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest News

County asks for feedback on plans for new park on river north of Hudson

Cities can help migrating birds on their way by planting more trees and turning lights off at night

Minnesota DNR seeks input on potential waterfowl hunting changes

Speakers will discuss racial justice topics in St. Croix Valley

New St. Croix River boat ramp to open next year

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.