As a newspaper journalist, I am often inspired by the people I interview.

In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to interview three people who are striving to better this community.

The first, Holly Karsjens, I interviewed a few weeks ago for our annual Impact edition, which focuses on changes in the business community in the last year.

Karsjens and her husband in July purchased a building downtown on North Newton Avenue and are renovating it to become a new center for dance, music and art called The Meraki Studios.

Karsjens, who grew up in Alden, moved back to the area a few years ago and has witnessed a resurgence downtown like the rest of our community since the streetscape was completed in 2013. Though no buildings were available on Broadway that fit her needs, she found a building just north of the former Veterans of Foreign Wars location on Newton Avenue. In about a month, she plans to have the building renovated and opened for classes.

Karsjens is collaborating with others to open the studio and will have two other dance instructors, two music instructors and two artists who will teach classes.

It sounds like it will be an exciting thing for Albert Lea.

I asked Karsjens how she became so passionate about Albert Lea that she wanted to open up this community studio.

She said so often she hears people make negative comments, people complaining that something isn’t how they would like to see it in Albert Lea. The negativity at one point even caused her to consider moving from the city, but in the end, she decided with her husband, Brian, that instead of moving, she was going to be a part of the movement to bring change to Albert Lea. She wants to be one of the people who can help bring a sense of community back here.

Wow, that’s an inspiration.

The other two people I was inspired by were Doug and Patty Christopherson, who have been growing a garden all summer at United Methodist Church. The produce has gone to older members of their congregation and people who visit the Ecumenical Food Pantry at First Presbyterian Church.

The Christophersons were an example to me that everyone in their own little way can do something to help benefit our community.

I appreciate being able to talk to these wonderful people in Albert Lea, and it makes me pause for a moment and think of what I can do to bring about change or impact another person for good, even if it is in a small way.

Thank you, you three, for your willingness to give back to the community. It inspires me, and I am sure it inspires others.

 

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi

 

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. She can be reached by phone at 379-3433 or by email at sarah.stultz@