I don&8217;t often comment on an article. The March 18 story on Paul and Karen Hansen was beautifully written. I want to congratulate the Hansen family on their award. Having lived in Glenville quite a few years ago, my husband and I had the Elmer and Aileen Hansen children as baby-sitters for us and can attest to the beautiful family they are. We enjoyed reading this article very much and wish continued success to Paul and Karen and family.

Bernice King

Shakopee

Susanne Crane charmed the Art Center board

Compliments to Tim Engstrom, managing editor of the Tribune, for an excellent story in Monday&8217;s edition regarding the Albert Lea Art Center. The article covered every facet of the problem being faced currently by that organization.

For those of us who have been members or board members of the Art Center, it makes us sick at heart to think we could possibly lose an institution which volunteers have worked so hard to build. As a past board member and president and now as of January on the board again, I am very worried about its future. I can&8217;t believe what seems to be happening!

Somehow a newcomer to town in 2005, Susanne Crane joined the Art Center and eventually became a board member. She began to have a &8220;dream&8221; that included restoring &8220;this fabulous historic building for future generations.&8221; When funds became a little low for the Art Center, Crane offered to buy the building. Crane offered to buy the building, giving the Art Center a 99-year lease for $1 a year and buying the building for half of its original cost.

The board members were somehow so charmed by Crane and her idea of restoring the building with the help of her many friends (unknowns) that they voted to sell her the building. At last, they must have felt that someone would be financially able to do what their own funds would not allow. Obviously they made a serious mistake in trusting Crane. She evidently does not have the money it will take for a restoration of the top floors. Note that absolutely nothing has been done toward restoration.

From 1985 when I became Lifestyles editor at the Tribune, I wrote many stories about artists from the area. The building on Broadway Avenue was the answer to a prayer for artists in Albert Lea. There are new shows every month featuring children of all ages and hundreds of adults. Volunteers have worked hard for years to maintain the building, to plan and set up art shows, and to provide lessons for budding artists. I have seen some local artists improve the quality of their work throughout all of these years until they are now selling much of their art.

The Art Center board has kept up the building very well. Money has been raised from fund-raising events, the gift shop, grants, endowments and memberships. It takes money for operation expenses such as utilities at $1,000 a month and much more. The Art Center pays for most upkeep of the interior. Crane says she will not fix the roof which needs repairs or problems with the eaves in back of the building. She also had the idea that the Art Center would help her with the restoration funds. A nonprofit organization cannot give funds to an individual. Also note in the Tribune article that she has even gone on the Internet to ask people for money. She got no answers.

I just pray that Crane will not rope more people and organizations into her schemes. Hundreds of volunteers have worked hard for many years. It would be a slap in the face if the Art Center has to move.

Marlene Behle

Albert Lea

Ice-out dates would be interesting as a graph

I always enjoy Ed Shannon&8217;s columns. With Albert Lea having one of the longest records of ice out in the state and all of the interest in climate change, it would be interesting to print the record as a graph to see if there was either a discernible trend, or a period of cold or warmth.

Computer-facile people could even calculate the median date and display it as a line on the graph. It would answer the question, &8220;When does the ice usually go out on the lakes?&8221;

Jim Hanson

Clarks Grove