To the Big Island Rendezvous education days.

Children from Minnesota and Iowa have had a great opportunity this week to attend the Big Island Rendezvous at Albert Lea’s Bancroft Bay Park as part of the event’s education days.

The Big Island Rendezvous, in its 32nd year, celebrates frontier history with live re-enactors, period-appropriate food and vendors selling related merchandise.

Children get to see demonstrations from re-enactors such as candlemakers, trappers, blacksmiths and others, while they learn more about history from the period of 1650 to 1880. 

Thanks to organizer Perry Vining and all others who help make this event a reality and longstanding Albert lea fall tradition.

 

To Albert Lea Police Department Deputy Chief Darren Hanson.

Congratulations to Darren Hanson, newly appointed deputy chief of the Albert Lea Police Department.

Hanson has worked for the department since 1995, starting as a patrol officer and was promoted to lieutenant in 2007.

Hanson has goals for team-building within the department and continuing the community policing efforts already underway in the community. He also hopes to become more engaged with crime-free rental housing. 

His main focus is making sure officers have the equipment, training and resources they need to do their job.

Best of luck!

 

To the opening of Albert Lea’s pumpkin patch.

Fall is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with a visit to a pumpkin patch.

Albert Lea’s own pumpkin patch, Stables Sweetcorn & Pumpkin Patch, which is at the intersection of West Richway Drive and Itasca Road, opened Saturday for the season.

In addition to selling pumpkins, the patch also offers a rope maze and children’s activities. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Get on out there and have some fun.

 

To the sun going down earlier.

As the weather gets cooler and the leaves begin to change colors, inevitably the days get shorter. With that, comes then need for runners, walkers and bicyclists to wear lighter-colored clothing or reflective gear when on the road to make themselves more visible to motorists.

Motorists on the same token have a responsibility to be even more alert in the evening hours and be on the lookout for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Help avoid a tragedy by slowing down, particularly in neighborhoods.