By Bev Jackson Cotter

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center where the Sandy Dinse exhibition “Country Images” will be on display June 25 through July 22.

“Minnesota nice.” Is that true? You betcha!

A few days ago, as part of the Eddie Cochran Weekend citywide garage sales, the Albert Lea Art Center once again shared its Unique Junque with all who cared to stop and shop. Once again, we experienced the friendliness and goodness of people.

There is so much in the news media today about anger and lying and protests and hatred and attacks of all kinds, that one wonders if we should stay at home behind locked doors with the drapes drawn, thinking that is the only safe place.

Well, I can tell you different. Eddie Cochran Weekend, with people strolling up and down the street, smiling faces, fresh air, laughter, sunshine, citywide events and friendly conversations, all proved over and over just what a good world we live in. It’s almost like we were separated from the bad things bombarding us in the news, both national and local.

I would like to share with you a few incidents that explain my people-are-good attitude.

First of all, my personal connection with the weekend was the Unique Junque sale sponsored by the Art Center. As soon as our doors opened before 8 a.m. Friday, shoppers headed up the driveway with an attitude of expectation and a smile that let you know they had a purpose — and that purpose was fun. A list of garage sales, a few hours to spend, a few dollars in their pockets and anticipation of unknown treasures were all they needed.

We had 15 Art Center members who were willing to clear out their garages and closets and store rooms to donate lots of their junk. There were, of course, serious bargain hunters who don’t care just how your 501(c)3 organization raises its annual funding; their aim is quantity shopping. We also had people who purchased $8.50 worth of items and gave us a $10 bill saying, “Keep the change for the Art Center.”

There was a lady who only had $4 and picked up $4.20 worth of treasures. The woman in line behind her paid the 20-cent balance. I was reminded of the day recently when I drove through McDonald’s ordering a cheeseburger. When I stopped at the first window, I was told that it had been paid ahead by the person in the car in front of me. I’ve no idea who that gal was, but every time I think of it, I smile. If she’s reading this column, “Thank you — for my lunch and for making my day!”

At the Art Center sale, we were visited by a wedding party. The bride wore a brightly colored veil with a cap announcing her position, and the five bridesmaids all wore caps saying “Bride Squad.” The giggling and laughter brightened up our morning as they debated what shopping they should do on their limited budgets. We took pictures and then asked about the wedding date. It’s in August. They were having a ball, and we did, too.

We had grandmas buying crayons and art supplies for grandchildren, sisters thanking us for the free Merna Sunde horse prints they would send to siblings, a distinguished looking gentleman purchasing goofy slippers (for what?), gardeners thrilled with the items they would use to enhance their already beautiful yards, quilters adding to their fabric stashes, a lady new to the community excited to tell us about her recent graduation with a nursing degree and a former Minnesotan and now Georgia resident buying a coffee mug with the word “lutefisk” in the design. He knew he’d have to explain the phenomenon to his neighbors.

Just as important as the buyers were the Art Center volunteers who helped with the setup, donated junk, labeled and priced items, worked at the sale, brought goodies to nibble on and helped with clean up all provided more of that friendly, special atmosphere that made the garage a welcoming place for the variety of people who stopped.

It is very clear to me that, no matter who we are or where we come from, we are all looking for the same things — respect, sharing, understanding and a little fun in our lives. In our global community, there may be many things that divide us, but, many, many more that bind us together.

It’s wonderful that something as simple as a Minnesota garage sale could provide this meeting grounds.