With the rain and the cool temps at night, it certainly felt like autumn on Labor Day Weekend. My weekend was full of labor, since we cleaned the garage, had a garage sale and then I cleaned out some closets, did laundry, cleaned house, etc. as I prepare for some of my family to return to Minnesota to work at our annual Autumn in the Village event at the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library & Village Sept. 18, 2011.

The afternoon’s events will start at noon and will conclude at 4 p.m. This is a family event. Bring the children, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma and your friends and neighbors and spend the afternoon with us. There will be activities in the historical village such as rope making, corn shelling and grinding, crafts and games. There will be music to entertain you and good food and fellowship to round out the afternoon. Remember to have a bottle of our favorite sarsaparilla as you enjoy visiting with friends and demonstrators. With spinner, weavers and soap makers on one side of the village and hardanger, embroidery and the barbershop and photography shop on the other there is bound to be something to interest everyone in your group. There will be activities in the one room school, candy and trinkets for sale in the general store and wooden nickels in the bank. All of the buildings in the village will be open as well as the museum. Plan to have lunch. We will be serving sandwiches, chips, hot dogs, apple pie and ice cream and assorted beverages. Thank you to our local Hy-Vee Store for donating food and beverages for this fundraiser. Autumn in the Village is our largest fundraiser for the year. This year we have supplemental funds by the Freeborn County Chapter of Thrivent Financial, 31190. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for students 12 to 18 years. Members and children 11 and under are admitted free.

September is also when our annual membership drive begins. If you are a current member you can renew your membership for 2012 while attending Autumn in the Village. If you are not currently a member, this is a great opportunity to become a member. By joining now you will receive the benefits of membership for the remainder of 2011 and all of 2012.

During Autumn in the Village be sure to check out the area where the museum expansion will take place. We have it staked out and have signs to indicate what will be located in the expansion area. If you have not made your donation and/or pledge for the FCHM Building Expansion, you may do that also on Sept. 18!

Speaking of the FCHM Building Expansion, please purchase your tickets now for the “Fashions through the Years” style show and luncheon. All proceeds from this event will go to the building expansion fund. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22, and the event will be held in Bethany Hall at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Cost is $20. Tickets may be purchased at Addie’s Floral & Gifts, Doyle’s Hallmark and at the museum. Vintage attire is optional. Invite a friend and enjoy the memories these outfits will bring to mind. Tickets must be purchased in advance, so purchase yours by Sept. 15.

FCHM will be hosting a four-hour refresher defensive driving class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 13. (You must have already taken the eight-hour course). The cost is $19 per person, and you must pre-register. We do still have openings, please call the museum and leave your name and phone number and I will return your call on Monday.

Have a great week, and we’ll hope to see you next Sunday as we bring the historical village to life from noon to 4 p.m. and also don’t forget to purchase your tickets for vintage style show luncheon by Sept. 15. (The luncheon will take place Sept. 22, but the number attending needs to be to the caterer before that date.)

Remember, what happens today is history tomorrow! Sept. 11 is a day that most Americans will never forget. Have you written an account of where you were and how you learned of the attack to the twin towers or the plane going down in Pennsylvania? How did it immediately affect your life or that of someone you know personally? You should write in your own words your memories for future generations. We all react differently and we all have different memories of how we learned of the devastation to our country and to those that lost their lives. This is one time that we hope history never repeats itself.

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