I would like to start this week’s column with some good news going on in Freeborn County.

First, I would like to congratulate Kent Erlandson on the recent sale of his business. I met Kent when I first moved to town and have always found him to be a great, hard-working man. He is involved in our community and is a gentleman in every sense of the word. If this sale means that Kent can drop back to only working 40 hours a week, then good for him.

Second, I would again like to thank everyone who gave to United Way. In my column last week, I was praising our community as we were at 93 percent to the goal. Well I just have run out of words to sum up how great I feel now that we have not only met the goal but have gone over it.

The people and agencies that will benefit from this money are most appreciative, and please know that you have filled a great need.

Also, as you have read on our front page today the Blue Zones group led by Dan Buettner have chosen Albert Lea to study and work with. “Blue Zones” is a New York Times best seller by Dan Buettner on lessons for living longer from people who have lived the longest.

That means that Albert Lea has been chosen as a destination where people live longer. I met with Joel Spoonheim from Blue Zones and Amy McDonough from AARP, who are two key people from Blue Zones, and they are just wonderful people who are genuinely interested in studying our area because of what we do correct as well as making suggestions for our area to make it that much better.

Speaking for myself I know I could use a health makeover.

Please welcome Dan, Joel, and Amy to our area and let’s show them what Freeborn County is all about.

Life is better with Bonnie

Yesterday was my 16th wedding anniversary, and I need to say one thing:

Thank you, Bonnie Schmeltzer.

Bonnie has put up with me for a lot of years and I can be a pain in the rear. I will say that I am a much better man, er, person because of Bonnie. She showed me all the things that matter in life, like a family, love and how you are supposed to act in a relationship.

After 16 years sometimes you get into a rut of taking care of the kids, house, paying your bills, feeding the dogs, etc, but I want you to know, Bonnie, that I would not want to do this life thing with anyone else but you.

Thanks for putting up with me.

Thanks, Bon. I love you.

P.S.: For those of you who think I got out of a present or flowers or dinner because of this piece in the paper, you are dead wrong. I am not stupid and neither is my wife, so with that said I think we can start on our 17th year of marriage guilt free.

Salvation Army

Please let’s not forget The Salvation Army during this cold and snowy winter.

They are still in need of food, clothes, etc. to help people with this tough winter. Please contact Capt. Jim Brickson for what is needed the most at this time.

A special paperboy

A huge thanks also goes out to 12-year-old Connor Larson. This Albert Lea Tribune carrier went above and beyond his duties as a paper carrier to help a local lady and her family. Great job, Connor.

I want to be like you when I grow up!

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thursday.