Hugh and I won the Tribune Valentine story contest, and what has happened since then has added so much joy to a long winter. With modern-day machines like emailing and Skype and computer things, our kids who live in Savannah, Ga.; Chicago; Lake Crystal, Ill., and Dubuque, Iowa, read the article the same day as it was in our Tribune. Then we heard from our winter friends in Arizona, Florida and California. We have extended family in Germany and Korea, having had exchange students from there and they read our story.

Hugh heard from former School District No. 241 teacher friends back as far as 1956 when he was teaching, and he heard from his KATE listeners who followed his part-time job there for 43 years.

It has been fun going to our mailbox — we have a stack of the clippings with notes that brought back so many good memories.

Our “prize” dinner at Crescendos was superb, and it was nice getting to know Kelli Lageson, who did the interview at our home. Geri McShane would be pleased with the way Kelli is carrying on her position at the Tribune. We were blessed 52 years ago when we were led to Albert Lea, a town with loving, caring people who take the time to jot notes and remember special times.

One lady even laminated the article she mailed to us. So thanks to the Tribune, Crescendo and all who added a ray of sunshine for us during a long, cold winter.

Pauline Hall

Albert Lea