Featured Artist!

Charles is this month's "Featured Artist" at the Albert Lea Art Center! This is Charles' first exhibition in quite a while and is a wonderful way to get the year underway.

The Year in Review: July - December

Glenville UMC

July: We begin our time with Glenville UMC; Charles volunteers with the Art & Garden Tour; Belinda's time at Thorne Crest comes to a conclusion; Charles goes with Thorne Crest residents to the county fair.

Big job at Itasca Rock Garden

August: Charles volunteers at Itasca Rock Garden cleanup; Belinda gets hired by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce; We take part in the Glenville Days parade with GUMC; Jackie's memorial service via Zoom; Charles bangs up his truck in the Thorne Crest garage; A trip to the Minnesota State Fair.

Belinda is on fire as Spiritual Growth Coordinator

September: Labor Day road trip to Harmony and Lanesboro; Charles' truck is listed as totaled; Church burger meal with Glenville firemen; We attended the United Women in Faith District Fall Gathering in Blue Earth; Belinda is elected to be the Spiritual Growth Coordinator of the Prairie Winds District of the United Women in Faith; We get a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee as our replacement for the recently lost pickup; a drive to four fall festivals near Emmons; We make a presentation to Glenville City Council on behalf of GUMC.

Belinda (second from left) is on the job
with the Chamber of Commerce!

October: Pastor Appreciation Month at Glenville UMC; Belinda attends the Minnesota Conference's UWF annual meeting in Alexandria, MN; Art Walk in Albert Lea; 150th anniversary for Alden UMC; Belinda oversees the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting event; Belinda's birthday!

Dale, Sandy, Mom, Charles, & Joe
at Bay Pines National Cemetery

November: Charles has procedure done at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Austin; Two craft fairs and a wonderful lunch for veterans at Ellendale UMC; We observe Veterans Day in Albert Lea; Jackie's service at Bay Pines National Cemetery in Florida; Charles' button collection crosses the 10,000 mark; Our 28th anniversary; Church bazaars; the first snow of the season begins on the 28th (we get 9"); Worship service at Glenville UMC is cancelled due to weather on the 30th; Charles attends Glenville UMC's Charge Conference in Mankato. 

Christmas in Albert Lea

December: More church bazaars; UWFaith lunch and melodrama; We mark one year in our cottage; We get a snowblower; Christmas Pageant in-a-bag at Glenville UMC and Thorne Crest; Christmas Eve services at Thorne Crest and GUMC; Charles' birthday; 6" of snow.

The year in review: January - June

January: We get our Minnesota vehicle tags; A visit to the Freeborn County history museum; We see trucks driving on Fountain Lake; We got a space in the Thorne Crest garage; Charles is featured in the local paper; It was -17 (Jan. 20); Visiting Christ Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, & Salem Lutheran Church. 

February: We got 5" of snow; Charles attends "the Big Freeze" event; An appointment in Mason City, Iowa; We buy a couch; Visits to Alden UMC & Grace Lutheran Church.

March: 8" of snow; A painting is started; outdoor painting projects; Wesley gets some treats and toys; Late winter snow; New windows in the living room; Charles' first golf outing in Albert Lea; We get together with Judy Clark in Blue Earth; Visits to Austin UMC, Community Lutheran Church, Ellendale UMC, & Glenville UMC.

April: We see ducks in the backyard; Charles volunteers @ St. Theodore RC's dinner ministry; Holy Week at Thorne Crest; Water in the basement and trips to the dump; Charles is appointed to the City of Albert Lea Human Rights Commission; Visit to Moscow Lutheran Church.

May: Volunteering with the Art Center; Charles goes to Nebraska for a 5-day Academy; Belinda oversees the sump pump installation; Visit to Osmond, Nebraska; worship at Winside UMC; Work done in front yard; Our AC is installed; Visit to First Lutheran Church (Glenville); Painting started on side of the house; We meet with Glenville UMC leadership; painting the back deck.

June: Back deck is finished being painted; Charles' sister, Jackie, dies in her home in Missouri; Belinda attends the Minnesota Annual Conference in St. Cloud; Charles is selected as chair of the City of Albert Lea Human Rights Commission; delivery of Jackie's things to Charles' nephew, Joshua in Wisconsin.

Wesley's Year

Wesley has had a good first year in Albert Lea, finding lots of places to nap and explore. He is also enjoying watching the wildlife that passes through our backyard.

2025 Button Report

This was a milestone year with the collection reaching a significant milestone and ending the year with 10,133 buttons!!! 

A nice variety of new buttons were added this year, 460 in all, each one a special reminder of the subject and/or the button's donor. There were no new donors this year and so the tally remains at 234 donors since the collection began in the early 1970s. 

The collection is broken down into ten major categories (with a multitude of sub-categories): Businesses, Causes, Entertainment, Holidays, Miscellaneous, Music, Pets, Politics, Sports, and Tourism.

Donors with a "+" are deceased.

1	Alkula, Charles	2,305	Family
2	Alkula, Belinda	1,565	Family
3	Alkula, Dale	1,428	Family
4	Condell, Joan	736	Largo BOG
5	Davis, Kristen	399	Army
6	+Alkula, Jackie	391	Family
7	Wilkowski-Galle, Laurie	349	Largo BOG
8	Alexander, Linda	303	Gallaudet U. (DC)
9	Alkula, Joe	274	Family
10	Boda, Sandy	154	Family
11	Clark, Judy	143	UMC - NE/MN
12	Pillsbury, Peg	139	Largo, FL
13	+Storkson, Anna	117	Stevi UMC (MT)
14	Swaar, Warren	113	Navy - JMF
15	Jungk, Heather	100	Navy - JMF
16	Alkula, Jody	99	Family
17	Pillsbury, Norman	89	Largo, FL
18	Hall, Jeannie Patt.	81	UMC - Mtn. Sky
19	Fritschel, Don	66	St. Paul's UM (CO)
20	+Hammitt, Mo	62	Family
21	Alkula, Mom	58	Family
22	Weston, Sue	56	Largo, FL
23	Cook, Tim	55	St. Paul's UM (CO)
23	Alkula, Jason	48	Family
23	Buxton, Becky	48	UMC - Mtn. Sky
24	Goffe, Carol	44	Stevi UMC (MT)
25	Kipke, Jeannie	37	Boulder Art Asso.
26	Chase, Gary	26	Chevy Chase, FSB
26	Johnson, Torrey	26	VA - San Antonio
27	Winston, Toba	25	Missoula, Montana
28	Chang, Helen	24	Gallaudet U. (DC)
28	Dulaney, Denise	24	Largo BOG
29	Kelch, Vicki	22	Chevy Chase, FSB
29	+Trapani, Tony	22	Navy - MAG 12
30	Grice, Dee	20	Navy - JMF
30	Harrell, Nancy	20	Family Friend
31	+Baumbach, Don	19	FUM - Sidney (NE)
31	Lynch, Julie How.	19	Largo BOG
32	Alkula, Joshua	18	Family
32	Bailey, Diane	18	Stevi UM (MT)
32	Hatch, Stacy	18	Chevy Chase, FSB
33	Swaar, Kathy	17	Navy - JMF
34	+Stickley, Russ	15	FUM - Sidney (NE)
36	Herritt, Donna	14	Wesley Theo. Sem.
36	Prather, Marcia	14	Stevi UMC (MT)
36	Stickley, Lucy	14	FUM - Sidney (NE)
37	+Barlow, Bob	12	Family
37	Berlin, Don	12	St. Paul's UM (CO)
37	+Broadhurst, Lorraine	12	Stevi UMC (MT)
37	Fish, Paulette	12	Navy - NHCL
37	Ronge, Mollie	12	UCC - NE/SD
38	Alkula, Staci	11	Family
38	Diers, joey	11	Stevi UMC (MT)
38	+Rodd, Jacque	11	Family
39	+Harpster, Jean	10	Christ UMC (MD)
39	Kilmer, Mary Ellen	10	Plainview UM (NE)
39	Roylance, Bertha	10	UMC - Mtn. Sky
40	+Condell, Shirley	9	Largo BOG
40	Gable, Brian	9	Chevy Chase, FSB
40	Speak, Kathy	9	Chevy Chase, FSB
40	Tucker, Terri	9	Odessa, Texas
40	Witte, Kathryn	9	UMC - Mtn. Sky
41	Dye, Judy	8	UMC - Nebraska
41	Hanford, Sue	8	Navy - JMF
41	King, Stacey	8	UMC - Mtn. Sky
41	Muckle, Pat	8	St. Paul's UM (CO)
41	Sparks, Craig	8	Wesley Theo. Sem.
41	Weindel, Julie	8	Stevi UMC (MT)
42	+Alkula, Dad	7	Family
42	Edgar, Cammie	7	Stevi UMC (MT)
42	Kintzel, Emily	7	UMC - Mtn. Sky
42	Krans, Glen	7	Navy - NHCL
42	+Rowan, Dan	7	FUM - Sidney (NE)
43	Freeman, Clay	6	Stevi UMC (MT)
43	Hult, Dennis	6	St. Paul's UM (C0)
43	Quick, Austin	6	Navy - NHCL
43	Wilhite, Neil	6	B-SC (AL)
43	Wilkie, Clark	6	Osmond UMC (NE)
44	Akinwale, Judy	5	Chevy Chase, FSB
44	Chang, Terry	5	Gallaudet U. (DC)
44	Davis, Kristen	5	Navy - JMF
44	Drapper, Rilla	5	FUM - Sidney (NE)
44	Hansberry, Bill	5	Navy - JMF
44	Moshier, Gail	5	Stevi UMC (MT)
44	Sheldon, Keri	5	FUM - Sidney (NE)
44	Thies, Vickie	5	Osmond UMC (NE)
45	Boyd, Sean	4	Wesley Theo. Sem.
45	Dupree, Tim	4	Chevy Chase, FSB
45	Gordon, Pam	4	Chevy Chase, FSB
45	Kelley, Jennifer	4	Rankin UMC (TX)
45	+Kephart, Roy	4	FUM McCamey (MT)
45	Lindstrom, Jamie	4	Boulder Art Assoc.
45	Pua, Ria	4	Chevy Chase, FSB
45	Schaffer, Kathy	4	Navy - JMF
45	Schuttler, Kevin	4	Osmond, NE
45	Townsend, Charles	4	Wesley Theo. Sem.
45	Walton, Ruby	4	Winside UMC (NE)
46	+Anderson, Wanda	3	Christ UMC (MD)
46	Balfour, Carrie	3	FUMC - Sidney (NE)
46	Baumbach, Edie	3	FUMC - Sidney (NE)
46	Brown, William	3	Navy - MAG 12
46	Ferrell, Ed	3	Christ UMC (MD)
46	Flading, Verla	3	FUM McCamey(TX)
46	Gatewood, Tim	3	B-SC (AL)
46	Green, Stephanie	3	Navy - JMF
46	+Harn, Anne	3	Stevi UMC (MT)
46	Kenyon, Betty	3	Chevy Chase, FSB
46	Koelling, Marvin	3	UMC - Nebraska
46	Krans, Faye	3	Navy - NHCL
46	Matthews, Steve	3	St. Paul's UMC
46	+McElmurray, Jean	3	Christ UMC (MD)
46	Rogers, Maggie	3	UMC - YAC
46	Smith, Hazel	3	Stevi UMC (MT)
46	+Troop, Dot	3	Army - DARCOM
46	Witcher, Mary	3	FUM McCamey (TX)
47	Browne, Mary	2	VA - San Antonio
47	+Byrd, Helen	2	Christ UMC (MD)
47	Cat, Nick the	2	Family
47	+Craft, Dolores	2	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Daulby, Peter	2	Navy - JMF
47	Faciolli, Jim	2	Chevy Chase, FSB
47	Fish, Cameron	2	Navy - JMF
47	Forbis, Josie	2	Forbis City, MO
47	Hansen, Lori	2	Winside UMC (NE)
47	Hodson, Luella	2	Osmond UMC (NE)
47	Hunter, Bob	2	Wesley Theo. Sem.
47	Johnson, Carol	2	B-SC (AL)
47	+Mellgren, Ginny	2	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	+Petty, Norma	2	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	Ross, Allison	2	Navy - JMF
47	Saussey, Carol	2	Wesley Theo. Sem.
47	Schrock, Ava	2	Stevi UMC (MT)
47	+Shaver, Mike	2	Largo BOG
47	Thaxton, Becky	2	2-Year Academy
47	White, Barbara	2	Navy - JMF
47	+Wiegert, Betty	2	Osmond UMC (NE)
47	Witcher, Jim	2	FUM McCamey (TX)
47	Young, Brigham	2	B-SC (AL)
48	Ace, Lily	1	Lafayette, CO
48	Adams-Trembath, Susan	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky
48	Alkula, Alex	1	Family
48	Anderson, Howard	1	Navy - JMF
48	Armbruster, Julie	1	FUMC - Sidney (NE)
48	Austin, Kendrick	1	Navy - JMF
48	Baldauf, Julie	1	Family
48	Barlow, Sean	1	Family
48	Barrett, Rhonda	1	B-SC (AL)
48	Beaber, Jerry	1	St. Paul's UMC
48	Beck, Sarah	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky
48	Betancourt, Thelma	1	MARCHA
48	Bickford, Lisa	1	FUM - Sidney (NE)
48	Bird, Lois	1	Christ UMC (MD)
48	Black, Berry	1	B-SC (AL)
48	Boykin, Becky	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	Bronson, Karen	1	VA - San Antonio
48	Cavanaugh, Shelly	1	Dixon, NC
48	Chicott, Emma	1	Navy - JMF
48	Clausen, Amanda	1	Newquay, Cornwall
48	Collins, Piper	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
48	Cook, Sandi	1	St. Paul's UMC
48	Counts, Dave	1	TCU
48	Curtis, Tim	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
48	Damwitz, Britta	1	San Antonio, TX
48	Daulby, Marie	1	Cornwall - RAF
48	Dinkel, Bea	1	FUM - Sidney (NE)
48	Eichberger, Eileen	1	Stark Valley UM (NE)
48	Escobedo, Theo	1	Eagle Pass, TX
48	Farrar, Lydia	1	Jacksonville, NC
48	Fisher, Gail	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	Garner, Peggy	1	FUM McCamey (TX)
48	Garner, Shirley	1	Osmond UMC (NE)
48	Gebhardt, Debbie	1	ELCA - Dallas, TX
48	Hackett, Molly	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	Hancock, Helen	1	Winside UMC (NE)
48	Hansen, Marsha	1	Wesley Theo. Sem.
48	Harcus, Missy	1	Navy - JMF
48	Hayes, Robert	1	Marshall U. Pres.
48	Howells, Layouna	1	Jacksonville, NC
48	Janke, Rose Ann	1	Winside UMC (NE)
48	Jenkins, Ada	1	Christ UMC (MD)
48	Jessen, Brenda	1	FUM - Sidney (NE)
48	Johnson, Lea	1	Osmond UMC (NE)
48	Kelly, Claire	1	Stevi UMC (MT))
48	Kennedy, Shareese	1	Wesley Theo. Sem.
48	King, Anastasia	1	Largo, FL
48	Kirkley, Ed	1	B-SC (AL)
48	Lang, James	1	DC
48	Lawton, Dennis	1	Wesley Theo. Sem.
48	Lee, Jeannette	1	Boston, MA
48	Leifer, Jane	1	Drew Theo. School
48	Levin, Ashley	1	Anaheim, CA
48	Lunn, Jennifer	1	Padstow, Cornwall
48	Marshall, Cheryl	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
48	Mather, Mike	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky
48	Matos, Anthony	1	Holiday, FL
48	Matthews, Sheri	1	San Angelo, TX
48	McDonald, Lisa	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
48	McKelvey, Shirley	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	McLarnon, Sharon	1	Family Friend
48	Meschko, Melinda	1	Raleigh, NC
48	Michaels, Jami	1	Superior, CO
48	Milord, Fabian	1	Ocean Grove, NJ
48	Minnini, Silas	1	Boston, MA
48	Moise, Dorice	1	Boston, MA
48	Myers, Myrle	1	St. Paul's UMC
48	Nansen, Tyler	1	University of Montana
48	Nelson, Karen	1	San Antonio, TX
48	Nelson, Mike	1	Wesley Theo.  Sem.
48	Odom, Gloria	1	FUM McCamey (TX)
48	Paddie, Shay Lynn	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	Paulson, Connie	1	Eldbrooke UMC
48	Petty, Chuck	1	Stevensville UMC
48	Phelps, Dorothy	1	Christ UMC (MD)
48	Potter, Stu	1	Thorne Crest (MN)
48	Prince, Paula	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
48	Quarles, Duke	1	Navy - NHCL
48	Reed, Kelly	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
48	Riegler, Mark	1	Ocean Grove, NJ
48	Robertson, Tana	1	McCamey, TX
48	Rowan, Marilee	1	FUM - Sidney (NE)
48	Schneider, Bev	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	Schrock, Dusty	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	Schultz, Kevin	1	Sidney, NE
48	Stone, Sam	1	McCamey, TX
48	Thayer, Shirley	1	Osmond UMC (NE)
48	Thompson, Pat	1	Navy - JMF
48	Underwood, Betty	1	Chevy Chase, FSB
48	Vecchio, Bob	1	Navy - JMF
48	Vernon, Verla	1	Stevi UMC (MT)
48	Walton, Mary	1	Jacksonville, NC
48	Wiley, Rob	1	Winside UMC (NE)
48	Williams, Nancy	1	Mission Valley UMC
48	Wright, Tim	1	Cornwall - RAF
48	Wylie, Bonnie	1	Winside UMC (NE)
48	Young, Cory	1	UMC - Mtn. Sky