Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series.

One location some people still recall as the place where they saw the popular slide shows presented by the late Bidney Bergie was in the Freeborn County Historical Museum building next to the fairgrounds entry on North Bridge Avenue.

For his part in one of the museum’s special events like Autumn in the Village, Bergie brought his slide projector and portable screen from home. The carrousel-like part of the projector would be loaded with slides from his extensive personal collection based on area scenes.

Then, instead of presenting just one program, like at a service club luncheon or other event, Bergie had several scheduled showings at the museum. Sometimes these slide shows were similar, and at other times the programs varied, depending on audience participation.

If one word might suffice to describe Bergie’s programs, then it has to be informal.

As each slide was shown, he would explain the scene, then either ask a question to revive memories, and/or let one or two and maybe even more members of the audience comment about what was on the screen.