Preserving the Past by Pat Mulso

April is National Volunteer month and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the 180-plus volunteers in our community and afar who volunteer each year at the museum. We appreciate all that you do for the museum and our programs and the example that you set for future generations. Whether you work on special projects, do data entry, work at events, serve on the Freeborn County Historical Museum Board of Directors or other committees, bake, help decorate or work at the annual village clean-up day, sew, are a tour guide, mentor or cut obituaries, you are all very important and we couldn’t survive without you.

The museum averages over 100 volunteer hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Thank you, thank you and thank you for all you do for our community! When volunteers come together it makes any task seem attainable, and the bonds those individuals form bring new friends together for a common cause and we are so grateful. Happy Volunteer Month to each and every one of you from myself and the staff of the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

The museum will host a four-hour AARP defensive driving refresher class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. The cost is $20 for AARP members or $25 for non-members, which includes the class materials and administrative fee.  You must register for the class and will need your driver’s license to do so. The refresher course is needed every three years after the initial eight-hour class is taken to continue receiving a discount on your auto insurance. Call or stop by the museum to register during our regular business hours. You will receive your certificate at the end of the class.

Next Saturday will be a busy day for the museum. In the morning from 9 a.m. to noon will be our annual Village clean-up. If you have a few hours to help us open, clean and prepare our village buildings for the tour and discover history season we would appreciate your help. We will supply the cleaning products. If you have extra rags bring them along, and if you prefer to work in gloves, bring them as well. The more help we have, the faster the job gets done. Thank you for your continued support.

Then, in the afternoon on April 16, is the Hats Off to You Tea at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7.50 and may be purchased at the museum. This is a great opportunity to take a step back in time, enjoy an afternoon with friends and family, get out your favorite hat and dress up for tea, conversation and refreshments. We will have a special display with some of our favorite hats, gloves and shoes from the past. Tickets must be purchased in advance. I hope to see you April 16.

We are already booking lots of school tours for May and have set the date for our tour guide training at 1 p.m. April 21 in the museum meeting rooms. We will try a new format this year for our training. Please plan to join us whether you are a seasoned guide or just considering becoming one. Please RSVP to 373-8003 if you plan on attending.

We have a special fundraiser planned for 7 p.m. April 30. The Gordy and Debbie Show. This Branson Variety Show will be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. The show will include country, gospel, ’50s and ’60s, patriotic songs and a little comedy along the way. The show will be at the Albert Lea High School auditorium.

Tickets are $15 each or two for $25. Proceeds will go to the Freeborn County Historical Society. Refreshments will be available at intermission. Tickets are available at the museum and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Office.

 

Pat Mulso is the former executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village, 1031 Bridge Ave.