To Adult Learning Center graduates.

Hats off to the graduates of Adult Learning Center programs on Thursday who showed that it is never too late to continue learning.

The Adult Learning Center served 210 students this year from 19 different countries and saw six students receive their U.S. citizenship and 18 students graduate with their GEDs.

Almost half of these students have jobs and families in addition to their studies at the center, which makes these efforts especially commendable.

We wish all of the graduates luck in the next chapter of their lives, whether it’s additional education or the workforce.

To others thinking of going back to earn your GED, look to the examples of this year’s graduates as you remind yourself it can be done.

You won’t regret it.

To the reopening of the Albert Lea Farmers Market.

You know summer has unofficially arrived when the Albert Lea Farmers Market opens for the season.

Though it’s expected to be off to a slow start this year because of the weather, the market at its height features a variety of fresh produce, along with jams, jellies, salsa, pickles, honey, baked goods and farm fresh eggs.

The market also offers programs to encourage children to eat fruits and vegetables and this year will be in the North Broadway parking lot on both Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Support our local farmers in your efforts for a healthy lifestyle.

To efforts of the Albert Lea Police Department to address and clean up junk and trash in the community.

We check out the police logs every day, and we’ve seen how busy officers have been in recent weeks addressing complaints of junked vehicles and refuse in the city.

We hope people take responsibility for cleaning up their properties and make all of Albert Lea a clean, attractive place to live — not only for themselves but for their neighbors, as well.

People can make anonymous complaints about junk vehicles, refuse and unmowed grass to the Police Department. Grass must be at least nine inches tall to be considered noncompliant.

To the last day of Shopko.

After many ups and downs since Shopko first announced bankruptcy, Albert Lea’s Shopko will be closing its doors on Sunday.

Shopko has been in Albert Lea since October 1985, and it is sad to see this chapter come to an end. Our thoughts are with the employees, some who have worked there for several years, who will now be looking for new employment.

Though the Shopko optical services were initially thought to be spared and moved to a standalone location, those, too, have already left the community. Optical records from Albert Lea have been sent to the Shopko Optical location in Austin, which will be getting its own standalone store.

We ask companies looking to expand their operations to consider Albert Lea. Neither the Shopko nor the Herberger’s closings were because of a lack of sales at the local level, and Albert Leans would welcome another retailer with open arms.