Preserving the Past by Pat Mulso

Do you remember as you were growing up, a time when you really wanted something, but your parents just didn’t have the extra money? You would save for months just to purchase a new record album or a new sweater or pair of pants. When I was in sixth grade I wanted to take baton twirling lessons. In 1966, baton lessons were $2 per week for a 30-minute semi-private lesson. That summer I mowed lawns, baby sat, sold greeting cards and cleaned houses to save enough money to buy a baton for $2.95 and pay for 10 weeks of lessons in advance, starting about the time school started. Then between my $1 a week allowance and my $2 a week lunch money I managed to pay for my weekly lessons and tried out to be a majorette in the high school band the following school year. My closest friend and I both were selected, along with two other good friends.

Being able to take the lessons was a dream come true and I remember how proud my dad was when he came to see me march with the high school band at halftime during one of our home football games. I also remember the day I won first place in a twirling contest and came home with my trophy. I was so excited and beaming from ear to ear, only to find an empty house, because my dad had a heart attack just a few hours earlier. I realized how precious my family was and how we should treasure the blessings we have. The trophy showed I had worked hard to perfect my routine, but when I thought I might not see my dad alive again, suddenly things were in a different perspective. That time, my dad survived the heart attack and the next year, I won another contest, but I was always anxious to get back home. My parents always encouraged us to work for what we wanted and though we didn’t have a lot of money, we always knew we were loved.

There was the saying, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” So I learned you need to be patient, but persistent and if it is to be, I would learn how to make it happen. I think not having everything I wanted helped to build my character and shape who I am today. Are we teaching our youth today to be patient, to persevere, to be respectful and resourceful? I think today it is probably more difficult to do so in the fast-paced world in which we reside, but we must remember our parents probably felt the same way when we were growing up. That’s why history is so important. This past week as I watched our 11th-grade students bring history to life for our area fifth-graders, it reinforced the fact that we have some excellent young people in our midst. We need to recognize the potential leaders of tomorrow and encourage them to achieve all that they can — to make our world a better place to be.

The museum will host a four-hour defensive driving refresher class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The cost is $20 for AARP members or $25 for nonmembers, which includes the class materials and administrative fee. You must register for the class and will need your driver’s license to do so. Call or stop by the museum to register during our regular business hours.

The museum is also having a swiss steak fundraiser this Thursday at American Legion, Post 56, in Albert Lea. We will be serving from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Tickets are $9 and may be purchased in advance at the museum or CVB office or at the door the night of the fundraiser. Proceeds will be used for museum programs.

We will be celebrating International Museum Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.  Admission will be reduced to just $2 per adult for this special day. Invite a friend and plan a visit to the museum, library and village.

Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in the sixth annual Taste of Heritage event. What a great way to celebrate our Heritage! I would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped make our Discover History Days 2015 possible. We have so many wonderful volunteers in our community!

 

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