The Emporia Gazette

Acclaimed author Don Coldsmith dies

I was shocked and saddened to find out about Don's death. He and I enjoyed each other's writing and friendship many times during my stay in Emporia. When Heather and I finally got ready to return to Colorado, he and Edna gave us a "goodbye dinner" and some lovely conversation. It's hard to believe that this really is goodbye.

Don was blessed with a writer's ear, a neighbor's heart and a truly wicked sense of humor. That's a rare combination and a rare man. He will be missed.

God bless you, Don. See you down the road.

--Scott Rochat
Longmont, Colo.

June 27, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Harry Hart was Emporia Treasure

I was lucky enough to count Harry Hart as a good friend during my time at The Emporia.He was both gifted and patient (especially with nosy reporters!), and rarely without a wisecrack to suit the occasion.

Even though Harry was never formally inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, his presence could be felt in every single class. It was his touch that always showed the Hall off to its best effect every year, and his talent that saw a way to fit it in a newer, smaller home ... and make it beautiful.

As all the honors and accolades continue to come in, I hope the Hall does something special in his name as a memorial. His hand was there for so long; it's only right that his presence should continue. If I know Harry, such a tribute would have made him outwardly embarassed ... and inwardly, very, very pleased.

--Scott Rochat
Longmont, Colo.

May 22, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Underdressed for killer cold

Lynn Johnston put it well, Gwen. "It's hard to look cool and stay warm at the same time." And that was about 25 years ago!

Good luck on the battle of the bundling. Having been the kid who had to wear a coat over his Halloween costume, I can tell you it's never appreciated at the time -- but you're right, sooner or later, he'll understand what you were trying to do. Granted, it may take until he has kids of his own, at which point you can just laugh and laugh ....

Scott Rochat
Longmont, CO

December 19, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

79 Years Later

This has been a long time coming ... indeed, for a while, it seemed like it would NEVER come. Congratulations to everyone who kept at it and finished the job! The next time I'm in Emporia, I will make sure to see this "jewel" in its finished form.

--Scott Rochat
Longmont, Colo.

October 15, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

It doesn’t have to be a fizzle

An interesting note to add: When I used to work in Garden City, it was legal to set off fireworks inside the city but NOT in the county. The rationale was that fireworks in the city could be easily monitored and limited to safe areas (such as driveways and parking lots) while fireworks in the county were harder to keep an eye on and had a good chance of causing major grass fires.

Scott Rochat
Longmont, CO

July 3, 2008 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

From an inductee

Glad you enjoyed your stay in Emporia. This is the first time in six or seven years that I have missed the National Teachers Hall of Fame ceremony. Much as I would have liked to have gone, it makes a difference to live nine hours away with $3.83 gas! I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to talk with your incoming "class" of inductees, but please take my best wishes home with you.

Scott Rochat
Longmont, CO

June 26, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Mowing and Snowing

When I first saw the headline of this piece, I couldn't help thinking of things out here. In Colorado, shoveling snow is taken about as seriously as cutting grass ... failing to shovel the walk in front of your house, if it gets noticed, can draw a warning from the city with the implication of worse to come.

That said, most Colorado towns (including this one) complain about how the roads aren't cleared properly or swiftly after a snowstorm. I'm sure Emporia's snow removal could be improved ... but I also suspect that snow removal is one of those things that every city complains about, regardless of how much or how little is actually done.

Scott Rochat
Longmont, CO

June 25, 2008 at 4:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kelley Hunt debuts new CD next week

Keep up the good work, Kelley -- you've hit the high notes in more ways than one.

June 6, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thursday's weather pattern dangerous

Best wishes to everyone in dodging the bullet. It hasn't been so long since the Colorado county next to mine had seven tornadoes in one day; I'd just as soon see nobody else get plastered this season. God bless, folks.

Scott Rochat
Longmont, Colo.

June 4, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Clinton will concede

It may not be over yet. The Clinton camp is now saying the AP report is incorrect and that she won't be conceding tonight. I guess we'll see what happens.

Scott Rochat
Longmont, Colo.

June 3, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )