October is both National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Stamp Out Bullying Month. Locally it is also Choose Civility Freeborn County Month.

There will be four events throughout the month that focus on Choose Civility – Freeborn County’s vision statement, “Freeborn County chooses to become a kinder community . . .  one act of kindness at a time.” The community is invited to participate in the events throughout the month that highlight on all these initiatives, according to a press release.

The first event is the Domestic Violence Awareness Community Candlelight Vigil from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at New Denmark Park.

The annual Blessing of the Animals will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Frank Hall Park.

One of Choose Civility’s most popular events, Tea with Family and Friends, will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Freeborn County Historical Museum. The staff of the Alexander Ramsey House will be here again this year dressed in their Victorian costumes to instruct the attendees on table manners of Victorian times. There will also be a formal tea with lots of tea and treats. Like all of the events this one is free to the public but space is limited, reservations can be made through Senior Resources at 377-7433.

The final event, in honor of being kind to animals, will feature a perennial favorite the R.A.D. Zoo. The event will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Albert Lea Public Library.

The partners of Choose Civility – Freeborn County hopes the community will join us at any or all of the events. The mission of the Choose Civility Initiative is to encourage the citizens of the community to choose respect, consideration, empathy and tolerance as our fundamental values and enhancing the community’s way of life.

To learn more about the Choose Civility Initiative, contact Peggy Havener at the Albert Lea Public Library at 377-4355.