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To all of the hardworking mothers out there.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, and today we thank all of the dedicated mothers in the community who go above and beyond to take care of their own children and who offer a mothering spirit to those around them.

Mothers do much that is often taken for granted, and we hope to recognize them for the impact they make on their own children and the others around them.

Being a mother is not easy, and we hope they know the difference they make.

To all of the Albert Lea High School seniors awarded scholarships at this week’s banquet.

Congratulations to the Albert Lea High School students who received scholarships last Monday at the annual scholarship night.

Whether it was service clubs, organizations, individuals, businesses or others who offered scholarships, many in the community have again stepped up to show their support to this year’s senior class.

We hope the students make good use of the funds they received, and we look forward to hearing about their success in the future from their college endeavors.

To this weekend’s fishing opener.

This weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer in Minnesota with the start of the season for walleye and northern pike.

As of May 2, the state had sold more than 256,000 fishing licenses, a 9 percent increase over last year, according to Minnesota Public Radio News.

Fishing can be a good stress reliever, offers a time for families and friends to strengthen relationships and gives people the opportunity to get out and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

We remind you to submit photos of your big catches this summer as we have a section for Catch of the Week in the newspaper. Be sure to include your name, type of bait used and body of water that you fished on with your submission.

And don’t forget to leave the area where you fished cleaner than you found it.

To Americana Insurance’s Tom Sorenson.

Congratulations to Tom Sorenson, co-owner of Americana Insurance, who recently was named the Big I Minnesota Agent of the Year.

This is no small recognition, as this is selected out of all independent insurance agents in the state.

Sorenson said he got into the insurance business at the encouragement of Gene DenHerder in 1994, and in 1999 he was approached about becoming the agency director for Americana Insurance.

Five years later, he and Jim Senske became owners of the agency, and they now have locations in Albert Lea, Wells and Ellendale.

We congratulate Sorenson on his success and on the recognition at the independent insurance agent association’s annual expo. The association represents over 6,000 insurance professionals throughout the state.