There is always a sadness in the passing of a friend. I know that I speak not only for myself, but for countless others, who knew and loved her, when I express regret over the death last week of Nancy Campbell.

There may be newcomers in Albert Lea who do not know that the Albert Lea Community Theater (ACT) exists largely through the inspiration and dedicated effort of Dr. John and Nancy Campbell. Before they moved to Albert Lea, there had been attempts to establish a community theater here. They had failed.

With the opening of &uot;The Man Who Came to Dinner&uot; in December 1965, there began a series of successful presentations that still continues.

There was a magic, though, about those early days that can only be imagined. The Campbells were both warm, generous and enthusiastic people who spared no effort to help their associates in every way possible. They brought to the newly organized group their expertise, their experience and an unwavering confidence that everything would turn out all right.

In some strange way, those few years that they spent here provided us with our own local Camelot. They should never be forgotten.

Back in my young years, when one attended a movie he saw not only the movie, but there was also a comedy, sometimes a little short production of some kind and always a slice of the news. At this late date I’ve forgotten the name of the news presentations, but there was usually a press camera on its stand with

a legend above it, &uot;The Eyes of the World.&uot;

As I remember, the news section usually ended with the words, &uot;Time Marches On.&uot;

My family moved to Albert Lea in the fall of 1937. In the years between then and now, I have learned to love the town and certainly the people in it. In the interest of truth, though, let me confess that when I came, had I had my &uot;druthers,&uot; I’d have preferred to stay where I was.

There was then no community theater; no art center; no Family Y swimming pool; if there was a Civic Music Association, I heard nothing about it; and the library was more than inadequate.

The librarian was a dear and wonderful woman. By time she retired I was working at the Tribune and was directed to write her retirement interview. Surprised to learn that she was librarian back when I first came to town, I ventured the suggestion that she probably didn’t remember me.

&uot;Oh, I remember you,&uot; she said somewhat grimly. &uot;You were always walking in and asking for books we didn’t have in the library.&uot;

Well, usually when I ask for a book in the library now, it’s there. Though I’ll not be saying we don’t need a bigger library. I still remember back when we got our new library some local politician remarked that he couldn’t see why we needed a new library. We already had a library.

We’ve come a long way since then. We’ve come a long way because at some point of time, there was always a gifted and willing person to help us on the way. As those of us, who knew and remember them, vanish over the horizon, there should be someone in the wings waiting to pick up the remembrances and keep them intact.

These are not just people, these are part of the history of our community. When I first came to Albert Lea, I remember with what interest I read some of the accounts in the Freeborn County History Book.

When the historical museum was built, my father and I used to visit it almost every Sunday. Both he and my mother were keenly interested in it.

Although up in years, they both took an interest in and supported both ACT and the Albert Lea Art Center as well as the Family Y. They both lived into their 90s, and I don’t think either of them ever lost interest in what was happening in the community.

The most important part of the community is that collection of people &045; whether they play large or small parts in the outcome &045; who make things happen. They must be and will be remembered.

Love Cruikshank is an Albert Lea resident. Her column appears Thursdays.