A content kitty

With rainy weather having returned to southern Minnesota this weekend, Wesley seems to be determined to savor the benefits of being an indoor cat!

United Women in Faith @ Redwood Falls

Communion is a part of every gathering

Belinda shares about Fresh Expression

Devotions are fun with Belinda!

2027 Officers

We participated in the annual gathering of the United Women in Faith of the Prairie Winds District of the Minnesota Conference today at First UMC in Redwood Falls. Belinda is the Spiritual Growth Coordinator for the District and provided the opening devotions. Together, we presented the program on the Fresh Expressions concept.

An evening at Wedgewood Cove

Ready for action

Good input!

Chatting with potential voters

Angie Hanson & Joe Staloch

Business After Hours is back!

Business After Hours is back! Got to have a campaign table, along with Angie Hanson and Joe Staloch, for attendees to “meet and greet” before and after the “Future of Freeborn” Community Forum.

Once again, Charles asked people to respond to the statement: "I want Albert Lea to..."

+Procure a full-service hospital

+Healthcare & affordable options

+Roller skating

+Affordable housing including Tiny Homes

+Finish the bike trail to Austin

+Growth!

+Kids things

+Bowling

+Affordable housing for single occupants

+Raise private tax base from businesses and get property taxes down

+Young adult transition services

+Provide more crosswalks near schools

+We need a tiny home community with amenities

+Industry appropriate apprenticeships

+Rentals for jet skis, boats, paddle boats

+Lower taxes & more businesses

+Develop freeway corridor

Tractors, horses, and corn, oh my!

43 years and counting

Loving the late summer weather!

Broom making!

Plowing by horse

Getting the next generation into tractors

Charles drove to Kiester, Minnesota (1/2 hour southwest of Albert Lea) this morning to take in the 43rd Annual Farming of Yesteryear event. There was so much to see! Watching ice cream, apple cider, sorghum syrup, and more getting made. Horse-drawn plows working the field and single-row corn harvesting made for interesting viewing. Seeing brooms getting made and a working sawmill creating boards and shingles was fun to see.

Doodle art in Albert Lea

Charles was among the community members who gathered in the alley behind the Albert Lea Art Center this morning to create a "doodle wall." This is part of the process that will eventually become a beautiful mural!

In the news

Charles was interviewed by our local newspaper for an article about the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Charles shared his experiences as a Navy chaplain assigned to the Naval Hospital - Camp Lejeune (NC). Read the article at this link.

More paintings!

Gift to Ryan Kettleson

Gift to Kailee Phillips

Gift to Kailee Phillips

Gift to Linda Hughes-Foyte

Gift to Linda Hughes-Foyte

Charles presented five new paintings to three Thorne Crest staff members this week. Ryan, Kailee, and Linda were pleased with Charles' creations which is always a joy to hear when painting go to their new home.