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.

Daisy Fest!

We had a delightful time today at Central Park in Albert Lea for the seventh annual Daisy Fest (sponsored by Daisy Blue Naturals). Charles had a booth, promoting his candidacy for Albert Lea City Council, getting to know potential voters, and offering "swag."

Charles asked attendees to write down what they wanted to see (or not see) in Albert Lea.

Here are the results to "I want Albert Lea to..."

+Businesses that can afford to stay

+Be happy

+More kid-friendly activities

+Community events

+Animals (pets) need to stay in their own yard

+Home-free healthcare

+More bike paths

+Upgrade parks

+Be kinder to landlords

+More mental health services (2 times)

+No data centers

+Help for the homeless (3 times)

+Be kind

+Bring in more retail businesses

+Get more clothing stores (3 times)

+Be amazing

+Help animals

+Service/companion dogs are treated equally!

+Mountains

One year and counting!

Belinda one-year work anniversary was celebrated at work today by the staff of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, and the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Thursdays on Fountain

Charles took some time this afternoon to check out the community event, Thursdays on Fountain. It was fun seeing everyone coming together to enjoy music and a terrific venue!

Latest batch of paintings

Where the magic happens

"Dale's Salute"

"Puuruska" 
(the change of tree leaves to colorful hues)

"Höstkväll" (Autumn Evening)

Charles received four requests for paintings from Thorne Crest staff and another he offered to paint for a member of the Glenville UMC who moved into a long-term care facility. There are still two more painting on the docket - stay tuned for updates!

Happy Black Cat Day

In honor of Black Cat Day, here is a picture of B.K. (Black Kitty), a daily visitor to our back deck.

Art on the go

Charles shared the news of his blue ribbons from the fair at the Monday morning staff meeting. By Thursday, he had given away seven of his paintings to staff and one resident. By Friday, Charles had requests for three new paintings! 

Wind Down Wednesday

The action heats up

Building name recognition

Having fun on Broadway

Working at the HRC booth

 

The final Wind Down Wednesday of the summer took part today and Charles was on the scene. He was there first as a candidate, wearing his campaign gear up and down Broadway. Then he went back, helping out at the Human Rights Commission booth.

First time voting in Minnesota

We did our civic duty today, voting for the first time in the Minnesota primary. Charles isn't on the ballot today but will be on the general election ballot in November.

Hunting around Fountain Lake

Charles has two medallions are featured in today's edition of the Albert Lea Art Center medallion hunt by Fountain Lake. Each day, members of Art Center board have these discs that were decorated by the board members placed around the lake. People who find a disc, bring the disc to the Art Center and can choose a piece of art from the collection.

Day five of fair week

Enjoying the antique tractors

Amazing walk through history

Bob & Gloria at the veteran's barn

A variety of entertainment at the fair

Getting around the fairgrounds in style

Charles made his last foray into the Freeborn County Fairgrounds this afternoon, an enjoyable day made better by the slightly cooler weather!