Arnie and I recently returned from a trip to California to visit Marion Ross. Her sparkling eyes and genuine smile were a pleasure to see as we caught up on what’s going on in each other’s lives. The photo above was taken after we enjoyed lunch (and a few margaritas) at a restaurant located by the ocean near Marion’s home in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.

Marion told us that she will be performing in a play next spring in Kansas City at the New Theatre Restaurant. The museum will arrange a bus tour to attend the play in March 2016. More details will be released toward the end of the year. Marion sends her love and says she may visit Albert Lea later this year.

The sixth annual “A Taste of Heritage” is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. May 2 at the Northbridge Mall to celebrate Albert Lea’s diverse heritage — today, yesterday and tomorrow. Free entertainment, displays of heritage, food samples and children’s activities will round out an afternoon of fun, education and fun for the entire family.

The museum will host a four-hour refresher defensive driving class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on May 12. The cost is $20.00 for AARP members and $25.00 for nonmembers. This fee includes the AARP class materials and an administrative host fee.

Those who plan on attending will need their driver’s license number when they register and their AARP number if they are a member at the time of registration. Pre-registration is required.

The museum is having a swiss steak fundraiser, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 14 at American Legion Post 56, 142 N. Broadway, Albert Lea. Tickets are $9 and may be purchased at the museum or CVB office.  Proceeds will be used for museum programs and projects.

A special thank you to all the volunteers that helped with the historical village clean-

up last weekend. Many hands make a big job so much easier. We had volunteers from Day Breakers Kiwanis, Golden K I and Golden K II Kiwanis as well as other museum volunteers. The village will open for the season on May 1. Many school tours are scheduled already, as well as Discover History Days.

The museum recently received a legacy grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to purchase a microfilm scanner/reader for our library. This scanner works through a computer and will print through our library copy machine. The grant paid for the entire scanner and a gift from the Ruben Schmidt estate paid for the new computer. We also received a grant from the Worth County Development Authority to purchase a new color copier/scanner/fax/printer for the museum. These two grants and the estate bequeath are greatly appreciated.

We also recently received donations of two display cases and a double-sided book shelf from Riverland Community College; cleaning supplies, copy paper, garbage bags, paper goods and coffee from Royal Neighbors; and other supplies from individuals.  We are thankful to be in a community that is so supportive of the Historical Society.

 

Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village, 1031 Bridge Ave.