The Freeborn County Museum, Library and Historical Village staff is busy planning another extremely busy year. January started out with the completion of the new roof on our village church and hosting a Christmas luncheon for a local group that was postponed during December because of weather conditions.

I am busy working on two grants that must be completed this month and then plan to make some changes in exhibits in our lower level of the museum after we put away the Christmas decorations.

Our next library lock-in is scheduled from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. We currently have two spots available in this class. If you have any interest in researching your family history, this is an opportunity to do so and get individualized help. Whether you are a beginner or have been at it for years, we are sure that you will enjoy the evening and find the time spent rewarding. So don’t delay, call or stop by this week to register for the class. The cost is $25 for FCHM members or $35 for non-members. You must pre-register to attend the class.

The Freeborn County Genealogical Society holds its meetings at the museum and during the months of January, February and March those meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in the lower level of the museum. The public is welcome to attend the meetings. Watch the Albert Lea Tribune for a notice giving information on the speaker or program each month.

We will host an AARP four-hour defensive driving refresher class on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You must pre-register for this class and will need your driver’s license number at the time of registration. The cost of the class is $19. You will receive your certificate the day of class. You do not have to be a member of the museum to attend the class. You must complete a four-hour refresher class every three years after completing the initial eight-hour class. You must then provide a copy of your certificate to your insurance company to qualify for a discount on your auto insurance.

Later in the month we will be hosting a tour for a group that is coming to Clear Lake for the Buddy Holly celebration. In the past we have not had tours during winter months, but we already have this one for January and another for early February. We hope this is a new trend and that we can continue to increase the number of visitors not only in the summer, but the winter as well.

My husband and I made a trip to Rapid City, S.D., during the holidays to visit our youngest son and his family. We took our grandchildren to the Geology museum there. The kids enjoyed checking out the dinosaurs and rocks and Morgan read to grandpa as they checked out the many exhibits. Dylan chose a little bottle of gold for his souvenir, while Morgan chose a rock from Peru. They entertained us with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese and showed their skills on all the games and then we spent plenty of time in the pool at the hotel where we were staying during our visit.

By the time we left Morgan was able to swim under water almost the width of the pool and couldn’t have been any prouder. Dylan is a smooth underwater swimmer like his uncle Matt, and enjoyed spending time in the water and even played keep away ball with his sister and I in the water. Morgan taught me to play a game on her DS while Grandpa and Dylan caught a show on trains on the history channel. The kids are looking forward to our next family reunion which will be in Sioux Falls this year and they will have the opportunity to see their cousins from Wyoming and Ohio again. A new generation is forming a family bond. What a great feeling to see that happen in a world where families are so spread out and going in so many different directions.

Remember to jot down the memories from your holiday gatherings for generation in the future to enjoy. You’ll be surprised once you start, how easy it is to keep going, but you have to start first!

Also remember to renew your FCHM membership if you have not already done so, or become a new member and enjoy the museum in your community. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are located at 1031 Bridge Ave. right next to the fairgrounds. Hope to see you soon.

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