It's party time at Belinda's work

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Staff: Val Lockhart, Executive Director and Belinda Alkula, Administrative Assistant

Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau Staff: Konrad Hawkinson, Executive Director and Holly Babcock

 

Albert Lea Economic Development Agency: Phillip Johnson, Executive Director and Noelle Viktora, Assistant Executive Director

Front Desk Receptionist: Reily Osness

Happy anniversary to us!

 

Osmond/Winside, Nebraska, 1998

Albert Lea/Glenville, Minnesota, 2025

Twenty-eight years of footsteps shared,

Of whispered hopes and love declared.

Two hearts that learned to beat as one,

Through storm-lit nights and rising sun.

We’ve walked through seasons, slow and fast,

Built gentle futures from our past.

Held on when life felt steep or long,

Found courage in each other’s strong.

In quiet rooms or laughter’s glow,

In dreams only the two of us know,

You’ve been my constant, steady, true—

My every day begins with you.

So here we stand, year twenty-eight,

Still choosing us, and calling it fate.

With love that deepens, soft and clear—

Here’s to us, another year.

Today at church

 

We had a wonderful morning at the Glenville UMC including the congregation celebrating our anniversary (tomorrow)!! 

4-H at the Fairgrounds

Belinda represented the Chamber of Commerce staff at the 4-H banquet held this afternoon at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

More bazaars!

Happy music for the bazaar crowd

A good crowd!

The place to be in Oakland, Minnesota

13 samples to vote upon, Charles voted on #2!

We were able to get in two more church bazaars today! The first was at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea which had some wonderful items (Belinda got a nice, knitted hat). The second was in a rural setting at Oakland Lutheran Church which had a fun atmosphere with an accordion player, silent action, bake sale, and a chili cook off with thirteen samples to vote upon! 

Christmas Tree Festival in Albert Lea

We've been framed!

The Thorne Crest tree is on the right

Creative people!

Convention & Visitors Bureau tree

Albert Lea Community Theatre

The Albert Lea Art Center is hosting its annual Festival of Trees, and this afternoon we had the opportunity to stop by and see for ourselves the twenty-seven creative displays!

Charles in Florida - pt. 6

The reunion with Charles' brother Dale was made yesterday extra special with the surprising addition of 75 buttons for Charles' collection!

Today at the inurnment, Charles' nephew, Jason, continued the button bonanza with an additional 43 buttons!