Colorado Model Railroad Museum Unveils Bronze Statues

Colorado Model Railroad Museum Officially Unveils New Plaza with Ribbon-Cutting

Randolph Rose Bronze Statues Unveiled for Colorado Model Railroad Museum

The Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce with museum staff and volunteers celebrate the grand opening of the museum’s new plaza.

A new plaza at the Colorado Model Railroad Museum honors one of the museum’s longtime supporters.

The museum on Tuesday hosted a ribbon-cutting for the new Al Frank Memorial Plaza.

Frank became a supporter of the Colorado Model Railroad Museum in 2012 when he sent the museum information on its 1919 red caboose.

Over the years, Frank and Executive Director Michelle Kempema had many discussions about how he could create future exhibits and other projects at the museum. In September 2021, Frank donated nearly 500 books, pamphlets and magazines to create the Al Frank Library.

Wanting to leave a lasting gift to the museum, Frank commissioned three bronze statues from artist Randolph Rose in Yonkers, New York. The three statues arrived in Greeley in April 2022. The museum installed the statues in the plaza to welcome visitors as they enter the building.

“All Aboard” depicts a train conductor calling out to signal the train is about to leave. “Goin’ to Grandma’s House” shows a father carrying his daughter as he walks alongside his son.

In addition to the bronze statues, Frank created the designs for the planters in the plaza as well as provided funding for the landscaping and hardscape.

While work on the plaza project began in early 2022, sadly, Frank died on Dec. 3, 2022, before he could see his dream come to fruition.

“Al loved everything to do with railroads — their construction, history, and preservation — and enjoyed educating the public about them as a long-time volunteer at both the Colorado Railroad Museum and the Forney Museum of Transportation,” the museum said in a news release. “He was one of a kind, and he will be dearly missed.”

Frank was self-employed for most of his life and after moving to Colorado, he began working at Electro-Media, an electronics company that specialized in sound system installations.

In 1996, Frank retired from Electro-Media as the company’s sole owner.

Museum Employee with Bronze Train Conductor Statue — *Museum volunteer Jim Leonard strikes a pose next to his bronze doppelganger during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday.*

Along with his fancy for trains, Frank was a skilled oil painter, jewelry maker and musician. He collected art and antiques and restored classic cars as well as fished and enjoyed ham radios.

The Colorado Model Railroad Museum was founded by David Trussell in 2002. Construction of the facility took seven years. It was unveiled to the community on Memorial Day weekend in 2009.

Since its opening, more than 150,000 visitors have passed through the museum’s door to enjoy railroad artifacts including the 1919 C&S 10583 Caboose, Lionel Trains collection, OC&E Railway HO scale layout and more. The museum hosts special events and activities throughout the year.

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Indian Rocks Beach Adds More Public Art

This bronze manatee sculpture is just one of the wildlife-themed installations in Indian Rocks Beach.

St. Petersburg is known for its towering public sculptures and colorful murals, and Indian Rocks Beach is ready to be put on the map as an arts destination as well.

Over the last several years, Indian Rocks Beach has added bronze public sculptures to the area’s parks, including a manatee rendering at the 5th Avenue Pocket Park and a sea turtle at the Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve. Sometime this fall, the city will install another art piece near the Pinellas County Beach Access Park.

What will the bronze be?

“That’s a surprise,” said Indian Rocks Beach office administrator Lorin Kornijtschuk, “We want to be a city full of art.”

The sculpture, like the others, is funded by the Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association. This particular piece is being custom made by New York-based sculptor Randolph Rose Collection.

Indian Rocks Beach is also asking community members and business owners to contribute their own art to the city-wide art project.

“The city would like to encourage owners of commercial properties in Indian Rocks Beach to invest in public art on their own property. This will bring additional attention to the business and become a part of the public art effort,” City Manager Brently Gregg Mims wrote in a press release. “The City of Indian Rocks Beach looks forward to seeing and recognizing the creative art efforts of our businesses. Working together, we can continue this city initiated public art effort.”

This bronze manatee sculpture is just one of the wildlife-themed installations in Indian Rocks...

Mayor Honored with Bronze Sculpture

Mayor Honored with Bronze Sculpture

Grand Blanc Mayor Susan Soderstrom realized another one of her dreams for the city in August when the DPW installed a large bronze sculpture in Physicians Park. “I had seen this sculpture a while ago and I just loved it,” Soderstrom said of the piece entitled Arbor Children. “I just loved the floral jump rope and the kids playing. I thought it was perfect for the park. I’m thrilled about it.” The sculpture depicts a boy and a girl playing with a floral garland. The Randolph Rose Collection of Yonkers, New York, produced the sculpture. The Soderstrom family purchased it and gifted it to the city.

A plaque that accompanies the sculpture indicates the family’s intention was to honor Soderstrom’s years of service as a member of the City Council from 1999 to 2011, and as mayor since 2011. Soderstrom said the installation is part of the overall beautification of the city, and she hopes it inspires others to do the same. “I hope it brings a lot of smiles to the families who utilize the park,” she said. The sculpture is located near the playground and splash pad.

Grand Blanc Mayor Susan Soderstrom realized another one of her dreams for the city...

Clarkstown to Unveil D-Day Statue at New City Community Center

Battlefield Cross Bronze Memorial Statue

Clarkstown to Unveil D-Day Statue at New City Community Center

The memorial titled Fallen Soldier Memorial -Battle Field Cross will be dedicate on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at Clarkstown's Street Community Center in New City.

The Fallen Soldier Memorial - Battlefield Cross - at Clarkstown's Street Community Center

NEW CITY — A sculpture honoring those who served during the D-Day invasion will be unveiled Thursday at Clarkstown's Street Community Center.

The statue made from a bronze cast by the Randolph Rose Collection of Yonkers is called "The Fallen Soldier Memorial-Battlefield Cross."

The sculpture is of a combat helmet that rests on a rifle stuck in the ground next to a pair of combat boots. A set of dog tags hang from the rifle. It is a depiction of grave markers left for soldiers buried in the field.

The statue, which cost the town $3,950, stands about 4 feet high and weighs 150 pounds.

George Hoehmann, the Clarkstown supervisor, has invited several veterans of D-Day — the day 75 years ago when the Allied forces landed on Normandy Beach in France during World War II — to be part of Thursday's unveiling ceremonies.

Hoehmann called the new memorial "a lasting tribute to all who have fallen in battle from Clarkstown and a reminder of all that the Greatest Generation sacrificed to ensure liberty and freedom for the world."

"The Fallen Soldier Memorial-Battlefield Cross" that stands outside the Street Community Center in New City, June 5, 2019

The tribute, which stands beside a plaque that honors all of the town's veterans, is part of the final phase of the community center's $4 million renovation.

Street Community Center, where three Clarkstown senior citizens clubs meet, also houses the town's Hall of Heroes. The hallway recently added murals depicting soldiers in armed conflicts stretching from the American Revolution through the War on Terror, and a large image of the American flag.

The Fallen Soldier Memorial - Battlefield Cross - at Clarkstown's Street Community Center NEW...