Column: Pat Mulso, Preserving the Past

I received a pleasant surprise from my son, Matt, a few weeks ago; he’s getting married in October. I couldn’t be any happier for him; the last two years have been pretty tough for him since his accident in October of 2009. His girlfriend, Kris, has completed school and found a job, and he is working after a long recovery from his injuries! He isn’t doing what he was, but he is able to work and is making the best of his limitations. We feel really blessed that his injuries did not affect his memory or brain functions; God was certainly watching over him. I think the accident definitely put his life into perspective as to what is important and what is not. We are looking forward to sharing this very special time with Matt and Kris.

August has been a busy month with the Freeborn County Fair, a four-hour refresher Defensive Driving Class, Echoes From the Past … A Journey into History, our historical bus tour to Marble Rock and Mason City, Iowa, farmers market and other meetings and programs. We had great re-enactors again this year for our Echoes from the Past — each person brings a personal touch to their individual story and all did an excellent job.

With September right around the corner we are busy getting ready for the events of the month which include a four-hour refresher Defensive Driving Class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 in the lower level of the museum. The cost is $19 per participant, and you must pre-register for the class. You will need your driver’s license number when you register.

Autumn in the Village is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 18. The village will be full of activities, food, demonstrations, music and fun for the entire family. Please plan on joining us and bring a friend. The cost is $5 for adults. Students age 12 to 18 are $1 and members and children 11 and under are free.

The Freeborn County Historical Society Program Committee is busy planning: “Fashions Through the Years” a style show and luncheon fundraiser to be held at First Lutheran Church in Bethany Hall on Sept. 22. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. with punch, a lunch is served at 11:45 a.m. and the style show begins at noon. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the museum, Addie’s Floral and Gifts and Doyle’s Hallmark. Vintage attire is optional. Proceeds are for the FCHM Building Expansion Project. Please support this very important project and enjoy a trip back in time as you view clothing styles from the past.

FCHM is planning a Mystery Bus Tour. The date will be Oct. 13. The bus will leave the museum at 8:30 a.m. and return at approximately 4:30 p.m. The cost is $50 for FCHM Members and $55 for nonmembers. You must pre-register to reserve your seat.

The museum website has changed, our new address is http://fchm.smig.net. Please visit our site. A special thank you to Larry Johnson for all his work to keep our website up to date.

It is also the time of year when we start planning for the next year. We are working on our budget for 2012 and our programs and activities. This also means that we start accepting memberships for 2012. If you are not currently a member of the museum, this is a great time to join, as you will get the remainder of 2011 as well as all of 2012. A household membership starts at just $25. Any donation above $25 is tax deductible. When you send in your renewal membership this year consider making a donation to the building fund also. This year you also have the opportunity to make a donation directly from your IRA investments with special tax savings for yourselves. Ask your financial advisers for more details.

Have a safe Labor Day Holiday and remember to start a memory journal for future generations. What do you want your great-great-grandchildren to know and remember about you?

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