Morning Edition in Winona A blueprint for the Mississippi's future Changing Currents A Mighty Good Road Changing Course: The future of the Mississippi Audio Mark Peterson, executive director of the Winona County Historical Society, talks about the early days of Winona. Dan Krumholz, who is in charge of channel maintenance for the St. Paul District of the Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul's Cleveland Quality Middle School even came up with a song about the Upper Mississippi St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly talked about his city's connection with the river. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with the man in charge of putting together the Grand excursion, Patrick Seeb. He is also the President of the St. Paul Riverfront Corporation. Also joining Cathy Wurzer was Mark Vander Schaaf, who is credited with coming up for the idea for the Grand Excursion. (Also includes the Winona Calliope) Photos Sunrise in Winona Winona Steam Calliope Mark Peterson View full slideshow (6 images) More from MPR The Rock Island Line: A Mighty Good Road (10/15/2002) Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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Morning Edition in Winona marks the Grand Excursion
by Cathy Wurzer, Minnesota Public Radio
by Eugene Cha, Minnesota Public Radio
by Jim Bickal, Minnesota Public Radio
by Julie Siple, Minnesota Public Radio
June 7, 2004

Sunrise over the Mississippi River in Winona (MPR Photo/Julie Siple)

Winona, Minn. — On Monday June 7, 2004, MPR's Morning Edition originated from Levee Park in Winona, Minnesota as part of the coverage of this year's Grand Excursion. The celebration commemorates the flotilla of steamboats that chugged up the river 150 years ago

The five boats carried the passengers of the Grand Excursion of 1854. As far as we can tell the Grand Excursion did not stop in Winona, a community that had been founded only three years before.

	Winona Steam Calliope

The excursionists began their trip two days earlier on a train in Chicago. On the Morning Edition broadczast, Steve Keillor, the author of a newly published history of the Grand Excursion, said the river portion of the journey was not the main event of the excursion which was sponsored by the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad.

During the broadcast, Morning Edition shared the flavor of Winona, with the help of several local guests, including Winona County Historical Society Director Mark Peterson. Saint Mary's University music lecturer Eric Heukeshoven played the Winona Steam Calliope for listeners. Many of the segments of the broadcast are listed on the audio links, and you can view images of the Winona waterfront.

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