The final pieces of our next issue of Albert Lea magazine are coming together and by the end of today, the magazine will be sent to the press.

Since I moved to Albert Lea almost nine years ago, I’ve found that one of my favorite parts about living in this city is the outdoor recreational opportunities — particularly our lakes.

When I have family or friends visiting from out of town, I always make it a point to drive them around Fountain Lake and then to drive on the Front Street extension to show them Albert Lea Lake.

Whether you like to waterski on the lakes, boat on the lakes, fish on the lakes, walk around the lakes or simply look at them, they are a major part of our identity as a city.

When I grew up on the East Coast, people only went to a lake for a summer vacation getaway. We’re lucky enough to live in a community where we have these resources all-year round.

Because of the importance of the lakes in our community, we decided to focus on life on the lakes for the upcoming issue of Albert Lea magazine.

With school out for summer and warmer weather on the horizon, it also seemed like a nice fit to get people outdoors and enjoying some of the natural amenities we have here.

I, personally, have been trying to take advantage of the natural beauty of Fountain Lake and have been walking on the Blue Zones Walkway three times a week with some friends.

While I’ve always had a view of the lake from the sidewalk or the road, for this issue of the magazine I was excited to see the view of the lake from someone who lives directly next to it.

For this issue, I featured three lakefront properties and saw some gorgeous improvements that local residents have made to their yards overlooking the lakes.

I don’t own a house on the lake, but it gave me a lot of ideas for my yard all the same.

Magazine Editor Hannah Dillon interviewed interior designer Hal Davis of DIY Network’s “West End Salvage,” who purchased a home on Albert Lea Lake and is fixing it up. Have I ever mentioned I love interior decorating?

I don’t want to give it all away, but it’s going to be a great issue.

Hope you can pick up a copy later this month!

 

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. She can be reached at 379-3433 or at sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com.