Here we are starting the last week of October and before we know it 2008 will be coming to an end. We have had a very busy and successful year at the Freeborn County Museum, Library and Historical Village.

There are many ways to measure success. We could mention that we have completed many planned projects, that we encountered some “not planned” projects, such as the leak in the roof of the main museum building last week and the fact that our fence was damaged extensively, but both of those projects will also be remedied soon. The number of children that have visited the museum either by tour or event has increased more than 50 percent from last year and the overall number of visitors to our facility has also increased, by approximately 35 percent over last year.

We have tried many new events and programs this year and some have been very successful and some have not worked as well. That is how you make history, and sometimes what is successful is a matter of perspective. Such as the trip to Salt Lake City that was co-organized by the Freeborn County Genealogical Society and the Freeborn County Historical Society. The knowledge that was gained by the participants will be an asset to both organizations. Each participant paid their own expenses and worked on their own projects, but the sharing of knowledge will be a resource treasure for our organizations. We want to extend a sincere “Thank You” to Kathy Freese, Kathy Mandt and Sherry Utpadel, who kept the museum running smoothly so Linda and I could both be on vacation at the same time.

Last Sunday, Arnie and I volunteered for several organizations within the community. We started the day by helping with the “Eliminate the Debt” dinner at American Legion Post 56, we helped set up and serve from 9 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.

We then changed clothes and moved across the street to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center to hand out programs and collect tickets for the “Tale of Two Counties,” a musical play written in celebration of Minnesota’s sesquicentennial that told stories about the people of Freeborn and Mower counties. What a wonderful way to present local history that has touched the lives of our communities.

From here we headed to the Fairlane Community Building at the fairgrounds to attend the 4-H Annual Recognition Night. I serve on the Freeborn County Extension Committee and Arnie is a past committee member. We were delighted to see that the Freeborn County 4-H program is growing and preparing the youth of our county to be leaders of tomorrow. We were very proud to be present at the recognition banquet for the youth that have worked diligently on their projects and become better community members by their involvement in our local, county and state 4-H competitions and programs.

Whether you volunteer for your church, school, club or organizations, you are helping to make our community a better place to live. As we do this we are setting an example for those around us, for our children, grandchildren and the community as a whole. We have a beautiful community to live in and have numerous opportunities available to us, but you, the individual, have the deciding vote as to whether you are willing to make it better or to be happy with things just the way they are. I encourage you to get involved, with whatever is of interest to you and help our community be vibrant and appealing not only to the individuals that live here, but to those that visit here also. To make Freeborn County a place where our children and young adults of today, want to live and raise their families in the future.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the museum will host a four-hour AARP (Refresher) Defensive Driving Class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. This is the class that is required every three years to continue receiving a discount on your auto insurance. The cost is $15 and you do not need to be a member of AARP or the museum to attend the class, however you do need to pre-register. Please call or stop by the museum to register or with any questions you may have concerning this class.

Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum in Albert Lea.