2013 OAKtoberfest Neighbor Awards

As part of the RNeighbors Oaktoberfest fundraiser, RNeighbors will be recognizing the listed Rochester neighbors whose efforts in our community strive to meet the mission of RNeighbors, “to create sustainable neighborhood networks that promote a vibrant, healthy, and livable community.” Congratulations to the 2013 OAKtoberfest Neighbor Award winners!

Green Initiative Award

Neighbor or group who spearheaded and developed green initiatives within your neighborhood, as a means to make Rochester a more environmentally sustainable place to live.

Steve Huesman

Steve Huesman is a social studies teacher at Mayo HS. Steve has been an amazing volunteer in the RNeighborWoods program since before spring 2010. He’s a Citizen Forester and at tree plantings he can always be seen patiently helping the high school students.

Steve is one of those rare individuals that shows up early, pitches in whatever is asked of him, and toughs it out through wind, mud, and rain.

On a very windy May Day 2010, Steve rallied his neighbors in the Ridgeview Manor NW neighborhood to apply for the Neighborhood Tree Grant. His work helped organize the planting of 20 new Ginkgo trees on their boulevards. In the fall 2012 Steve thought outside of the box a bit, and wrote in for a mini Neighborhood Tree Grant. He determined 3 locations for boulevard trees including a single mom and a group home in the neighborhood. He called in the locates and helped get the trees properly in the ground working with the residents. Steve’s neighborhood is lucky to have him looking out for their urban forest.

“Thanks to all of you! After the planting, neighbors were shaking hands, introducing themselves, and really enjoying the act of working together. Thanks so much to Jacob and the RNeighborWoods crew and program!”- Steve Huesman, Ridgeview Manor, May 1, 2010

Green Thumb Award

Neighbor or group who has improved their neighborhood, yard, or local community park the most.

April Sutor, Homestead Trails Neighborhood Association

April was on the forefront of pushing for community gardens in Rochester and presented to Park and Rec requesting that rules be changed allowing neighborhoods to adopt empty and unusable park land. Because of her work, the Park and Rec board created a policy allowing official neighborhood associations to adopt available vacant parkland for gardens. In September 2010, April registered her neighborhood association Homestead Trails with RNeighbors. Their neighborhood is uniquely tucked away near King Court SE and Neville Court SE, bordering Homestead NA.

Just the work it took them to get the land ready for planting the garden is a novel. The lot was filled with buried concrete. The concrete had to be removed, land tilled, and rich soil brought in. The neighbors worked together through this tough process and ever since then their garden has grown by leaps and bounds. Each fall they have a Harvest Celebration for the entire neighborhood to share in what their garden grew for them that growing season.

“Once a few community gardens were established others ‘caught the bug’ seeing that it was working in one neighborhood built enthusiasm in others and neighborhood gardening caught on. Success built success. In our neighborhood 14 families actually participated in our garden itself however more than 47 households in the neighborhood actually shared in the produce.”– April Sutor, Feb. 2013

Vibrant Neighbor Award

Neighbor or group who has spearheaded and developed artistic venues, activities, and events within the neighborhood.

Jane Townsend, Historic SW

Jane has been active in her neighborhood association for over seven years. In 2009 Jane served on the initial planning committee that started the RColorful Corners street mural program. After retiring from Mayo Clinic several years ago Jane has kept busy helping with projects such as new meeting signs for HSW, arranging for their street mural repainting, and assisting in organizing for their neighborhood tree grant planting this fall. The latter was a job that got thrown in her lap as Ed, who submitted the initial grant was out of town.  Jane and one of her young neighbors West were both first on the scene of the HSW street mural painting this summer and last to leave at 8 pm. This is just an small example of Jane’s love of fun and multi-generational neighborhood building.

“Jane spreads her excitement about events, be it a street mural repaint or a tree planting, through her neighborhood like wildfire. She completely immerses herself in the street mural painting to make sure that it looks amazing and vibrant year after year. She really strives to make her neighborhood a great, colorful, fun place to live and it’s been a treat to work with her,” said Cassie Runke, RNeighbors Board Member.

Unique and Spectacular Award

Neighbor or group who has organized innovative and unique ways for their neighborhood or local community to socialize and be neighborly with one another.

Sunnyside Neighborhood – Richard Denny & Mick King

Sunnyside is one of Rochester’s newest neighborhood associations and was established this spring, when they decided to split from the Slatterly neighborhood and establish their own boundaries and goals.

Led by Richard and Mick, this neighborhood has wasted no time in organizing constructively to combat crime and blight issues within their boundaries. They’ve determined board members and bylaws, divided up tasks, and gotten down to business. They have sent representatives to the CAPS meetings, worked with the Building and Safety Department on problem properties, put together several fundraisers for neighborhood projects, gathered neighbors for a spring Litter Bit Better pick-up, held a successful National Night Out party, created an active facebook presence, and are already working on planning spring projects such as a mural painting on the side of a large building in their neighborhood.

“Sunnyside is an excellent example of how a neighborhood can work together to strengthen their neighborhood. Mick and Richard have put the time and dedication to lead their neighbors in assorted improvement efforts such as partnering with the private business in the neighborhood to assist in neighborhood clean up and upkeep of both occupied and vacant properties. This group has a promising future.” – Mark Bilderback, City Council Member 4th Ward

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