As the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Society, this past week has kept me very busy with meetings of many kinds. On Monday I attended a meeting of directors, staff and some volunteers of historical societies from across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa as well as some visitors to talk with us about collaboration in the future with other organizations, such as libraries, visitors bureaus and public television.

The second meeting on Monday was a public listening session held in Rochester for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Planning Committee. As a member of this committee, I will be helping to develop a 10-year plan and 25-year framework for the use of the money available in the arts and cultural heritage fund. This plan shall include goals and measurable outcomes and a vision for Minnesotans of what arts, history and cultural heritage will look like in 25 years.

These special legacy grants will give many opportunities to many different organizations for years to come. The first grant deadline was Oct. 30, and yes, I have submitted a grant for Freeborn County Historical Society during this first round and we should know if we will receive a grant this time by the end of this year. There will be multiple times and sizes of grants to be applied for and for many different types of projects. There are very specific guidelines to follow, and there will be competition from all over the state to receive grants from this fund.

I consider it a privilege to be serving on this committee to represent local and county historical organizations throughout the state. It not only gives me insight to how the process works, it gives me new contacts across the state and I have the role of helping to deliver a report to the Legislature on this collaborative project.

Tuesday, I, my staff, FCHS board members, and the FCHS building expansion executive committee met with Engan Architects to discuss and make plans for the FCHS building expansion. This is a very exciting time and we will share more information with you about the project in the near future. On Tuesday, FCHS hosted a four-hour AARP defensive driving class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

On Wednesday the FCHS program committee and I decorated a Christmas tree at the Albert Lea Art Center; this year’s theme is an old- fashioned Christmas, right up our alley!

Thursday found me presenting a program for the Lions Club at noon and in the evening I attended the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting.

The next few weeks we will be busy decorating and preparing for our annual Christmas gathering at the museum, which will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. We hope you will join us for an afternoon of fellowship, Christmas treats, coffee, cider, a visit from Santa, music and the opportunity to see what has changed at the museum this year.

I want to say a special thank you to everyone that helped to make our “Evening Tribute to John Denver” at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center a huge success.

I would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for my son, Matt, as he recovers from the accident he had while working in Yellowstone National Park. As we approach Thanksgiving Day I encourage all of you to think about the many things you are grateful for and the many blessings you have received in your life. We too often take for granted the many blessings we are given, but when a tragedy occurs, it seems to put things in perspective and you suddenly know what’s important and what’s not.

The FCHS staff and I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. The museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and on Friday. We hope you will attend “A Taste of Heritage Festival” that will be held on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Northbridge Mall from 1 to 3 p.m.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you it is time to renew your Freeborn County Historical Society membership. You may stop by or send your membership check to FCHS, 1031 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN 56007. Household memberships range from $25 to $1,000 and anywhere in between. (Any donation above $25 is tax deductible.)

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