Where does time go? It seems like just yesterday it was Easter and now we are only a week away from Memorial Day. Remember to honor those who have passed before us by attending the Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. and the special service at Graceland Cemetery at 11 a.m. Visiting the graves of loved ones and friends was always a part of our Memorial Day when I was growing up. It was not only a time to remember and honor those who had gone before us, but also a time to visit with other family members and friends who visited the cemetery near our home. We always had a picnic and played games and made plans for a summer get-together.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Eddie Cochran. We will be celebrating his memory with a special guest from Belgium, Roland Verbruggen. Roland will be singing Eddie Cochran songs at the museum on Saturday, June 12, from 1 to 2 p.m. Around 3 p.m. that same afternoon, Roger Wessels will give a presentation about Eddie’s life. Both events will take place in the lower level of the museum near Eddie’s exhibits. We will also be serving root beer floats from noon to 4 p.m. in the village.

Last year, we had a visitor from England who enjoyed visiting our museum to see our Eddie Cochran exhibits, and I recently received copies of a magazine named “Now Dig This” where he (Mike Fenton) described his visit to the U.S.A. and talked about the museum and our exhibits and collection and even included a few photos of our exhibits. Each year we have visitors from numerous locations that come to the museum to see our Eddie Cochran displays. He may have died 50 years ago, but he has not been forgotten! Please join us on Saturday, June 12, as we celebrate his memory!

The next four-hour AARP defensive driving class is scheduled for Tuesday, June 8, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $19 and you must pre-register for the class. You may do so by stopping by the museum during our regular hours — Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call the museum at 373-8003 for more details.

We have scheduled a day camp at the museum on June 15 and 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non members. The child must be entering the first to fourth grade. Cost includes all supplies. Please register by June 4 by calling 373-8003 or by stopping by the museum at 1031 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea. The mornings will be busy with games, activities and experiences from the past. Don’t delay; space is limited.

May has been busy at the museum with school tours and programs, a library lock-in and other events. We have also started the process of interviewing individuals for the “See It Now, Freeborn County Memories.” This joint effort with the Albert Lea Public Library is funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008, which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage. The first phase of this project is to record and preserve the memories surrounding special events during World War II. Be sure to watch for details in the next month on this project. We appreciate all the local residents who are participating in this very important project and helping us to preserve these memories for generations to come.

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