There are so many reasons I love Albert Lea.

I have great memories of growing up here. After high school I moved away and lived a few other places, including Indiana and St. Paul/Minneapolis. I have also been blessed with opportunities to travel to many different places. Still, no matter where I go, I feel a great love for the town I grew up in and the town I live in now: Albert Lea.

Growing up here, I was involved in many activities. I remember being involved in Odyssey of the Mind, 4-H, Albert Lea Figure Skating Club, FFA, show choir, theater, orchestra, art clubs, shooting leagues and of course, music lessons. Growing up here I was able to get involved in pretty much anything I had interest in. How awesome is that? In a town that isn’t all that big, there is something for everyone. As I got older, I complained that there is nothing to do in this town, but as I look back, I can see that I had many opportunities to be as involved as I wanted to be. I love the opportunities, clubs, organizations and activities that are available to residents. Sports, music, art, nature, theater, reading, sewing, dance, history, pool, darts — whatever — Albert Lea probably has a club for it.

When I lived away, coming back to Albert Lea was a treat. I loved being able to see the stars at night, even in the middle of town. When you live in larger cities you actually miss that. I loved the quiet, too, and being able to wake up in the morning and hear the birds instead of muffled traffic and horns. Coming home to Albert Lea became a great little vacation for me.

It was then I started to really notice the great assets this town has. There are natural gems that we so often take for granted such as our lakes, trails and parks. Walking and biking around Fountain Lake and on the Blazing Star Trail are two of my favorite things to do. And there are parks everywhere! No matter where you are in Albert Lea, you can find a great park nearby — always groomed and ready for picnics and playtime. And then of course, there are our lakes. I love our lakes! I think it’s wonderful to be able to have access to so many different lakes for boating, skiing, canoeing, fishing and hunting. The natural beauty of Albert Lea offers so much! Really, what’s not to love about all of that?

 

Albert Lea loves to celebrate! 

Yep, we even have a Celebrate Albert Lea festival!  Throughout the year the city hosts all kinds of celebrations, festivals and events. In the summer, we get to enjoy Wind Down Wednesdays, Third and Fourth of July celebrations, color runs, street dances and one of the best county fairs around! In the fall and winter, we get to enjoy the Big Island Rendezvous and The Big Freeze. Last time I checked, there were only two months out of the year that Albert Lea didn’t have a celebration or event scheduled. We really know how to party in Albert Lea!

 

What I love most about Albert Lea are the people who live here. 

The passion we have to make our town great is amazing! Yes, there is always a debate about what the city should do and how they should do it, but no matter what, we all want the same thing. That is to make Albert Lea as great as it can be. We are always striving to grow as a community and support those in need, no matter what the situation. Albert Leans give from the heart. And we have passion — passion for who we are and what we do. With the entrepreneurship seen throughout the city, Albert Leans aren’t afraid to have a dream, start from scratch, build a solid business and sustain it. All over town you can find successful businesses and companies that have been around for decades and hold high reputations. They all started as entrepreneurs with a passion for what they do and to share it with others. Today, there is still that passion. Our city is growing and improving daily, all because of the passion that Albert Leans have to make this city a great place enjoy and live.

By Jennifer Ordalen

There are so many reasons I love Albert Lea.

I have great memories of growing up here. After high school I moved away and lived a few other places, including Indiana and St. Paul/Minneapolis. I have also been blessed with opportunities to travel to many different places. Still, no matter where I go, I feel a great love for the town I grew up in and the town I live in now: Albert Lea.

Growing up here, I was involved in many activities. I remember being involved in Odyssey of the Mind, 4-H, Albert Lea Figure Skating Club, FFA, show choir, theater, orchestra, art clubs, shooting leagues and of course, music lessons. Growing up here I was able to get involved in pretty much anything I had interest in. How awesome is that? In a town that isn’t all that big, there is something for everyone. As I got older, I complained that there is nothing to do in this town, but as I look back, I can see that I had many opportunities to be as involved as I wanted to be. I love the opportunities, clubs, organizations and activities that are available to residents. Sports, music, art, nature, theater, reading, sewing, dance, history, pool, darts — whatever — Albert Lea probably has a club for it.

When I lived away, coming back to Albert Lea was a treat. I loved being able to see the stars at night, even in the middle of town. When you live in larger cities you actually miss that. I loved the quiet, too, and being able to wake up in the morning and hear the birds instead of muffled traffic and horns. Coming home to Albert Lea became a great little vacation for me.

It was then I started to really notice the great assets this town has. There are natural gems that we so often take for granted such as our lakes, trails and parks. Walking and biking around Fountain Lake and on the Blazing Star Trail are two of my favorite things to do. And there are parks everywhere! No matter where you are in Albert Lea, you can find a great park nearby — always groomed and ready for picnics and playtime. And then of course, there are our lakes. I love our lakes! I think it’s wonderful to be able to have access to so many different lakes for boating, skiing, canoeing, fishing and hunting. The natural beauty of Albert Lea offers so much! Really, what’s not to love about all of that?

 

Albert Lea loves to celebrate! 

Yep, we even have a Celebrate Albert Lea festival!  Throughout the year the city hosts all kinds of celebrations, festivals and events. In the summer, we get to enjoy Wind Down Wednesdays, Third and Fourth of July celebrations, color runs, street dances and one of the best county fairs around! In the fall and winter, we get to enjoy the Big Island Rendezvous and The Big Freeze. Last time I checked, there were only two months out of the year that Albert Lea didn’t have a celebration or event scheduled. We really know how to party in Albert Lea!

 

What I love most about Albert Lea are the people who live here. 

The passion we have to make our town great is amazing! Yes, there is always a debate about what the city should do and how they should do it, but no matter what, we all want the same thing. That is to make Albert Lea as great as it can be. We are always striving to grow as a community and support those in need, no matter what the situation. Albert Leans give from the heart. And we have passion — passion for who we are and what we do. With the entrepreneurship seen throughout the city, Albert Leans aren’t afraid to have a dream, start from scratch, build a solid business and sustain it. All over town you can find successful businesses and companies that have been around for decades and hold high reputations. They all started as entrepreneurs with a passion for what they do and to share it with others. Today, there is still that passion. Our city is growing and improving daily, all because of the passion that Albert Leans have to make this city a great place enjoy and live.