What’s inside?
Arts & Education
Page 1
Albert Lea woman known as the Cookie Lady: Petersen uses artistic skills to create eye-catching cookies in growing business
Page 3
A day in the life of a paraeducator: Woman wears many hats at Alden-Conger School
Page 4
Albert Lea professional artist retires after decades
Page 4
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center manager hangs up the hat
Page 5
Kids Say: What do you like about Albert Lea?
Economic Opportunity
Page 1
Bricelyn couple puts twist on Meat and Greet
Page 3
It’s full-service coffee-onthe-go: New mobile coffee company is making its rounds in first 6 months
Page 4
‘There is still opportunity there’: City conducting soil testing at Blazing Star Landing to determine possibilities
Page 5 ‘A place people want to come’: Senior Center director sets goals for programming, reaching more people
Page 6 WCTA bringing ‘latest and best features’ with fiber optics
Page 7
Bringing floors and heirlooms ‘back to life’
Health & Spirituality
Page 1
Ascension, Salem Lutheran opt to share pastor: This isn’t the 1st time for the 2 churches to collaborate throughout the years
Page 2
‘A beacon of hope’: Work nearing completion on Hope Church building in downtown Albert Lea
Page 3
Bringing nutrition, hydration therapy to Albert Lea
Page 4
‘Almost an unexplainable experience’: Floatation tank aids in stress
reduction, muscle recovery, improved sleep
People & Demographics
Page 1
Man breaking down barriers for A.L.’s Karen youth: Taw works in numerous roles, including with the Albert Lea school district, the Police Reserves and at his church
Page 3
Woman’s community involvement started with love of sports
Page 4
Communicating in and out of the classroom: With 2 dozen languages spoken by families in Albert Lea Area Schools, district employs efforts to keep lines of communication open
Neighbors
Page 1
Bank committed to be a partner ‘for the long run’: Arcadian Bank’s new Hartland location expected to be built in the spring after former location damaged by 2021 tornado
Page 2
Easton’s bridal shop changes owners
Page 3
‘I do all I can for them’: Impacted by his father, brother who were veterans, man loves helping those who’ve served
Page 3
‘I love my little town’: New Freeborn city clerk and treasurer has long connections to the community
Page 4
Connecting students with
the community
Page 4
‘Part of a larger family’: After woman spends more than 20 years in other capacities, God put details into place for Kozelsky to become principal
Page 5
Honoring the community through restoration: Northwood native turning historic building into wine bar and art gallery
Page 6
‘Building a stronger community for years to come’: Alden Area Community Foundation, created in 2017, has contributed to several projects to improve quality of life
Page 6
Manchester named after another town in Illinois
Page 7 A new name and a new location
Page 7 Church offers clothes, care items and a connection to those in need
Page 8
Lucky’s Pub to open soon in Hayward
Community
Page 1
Retired DHS director named Citizen of the Year: Man hasn’t let retirement slow him down; aims to help the less fortunate in and outside of Albert Lea in several ways
Page 3
Albert Lea family-owned business enters 3rd generation ownership
Page 5 Senior Resources director loves helping people
Page 6 New principals leading the way at United South Central
Page 7 Retired pastor aims to fill a need as a substitute teacher
Page 8 Teaching more than just education
Page 11
The sky’s not the limit — it’s just the beginning
Page 14 ‘It’s rare to find someone as upbeat and driven’: Alden woman remains positive in spite of physical losses
Page 15
Building momentum behind renewable energy: Albert Lea looking to tap into expanding electric vehicle market
PAGE 2 | ALBERTLEATRIBUNE.COM | PROGRESS 2023 | INDEX | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023 | INDEX | PROGRESS 2023 | ALBERTLEATRIBUNE.COM | PAGE 3 Index of Advertisers 112 on Broadway Community 4 Accentra Credit Union Community 18 ADA Enterprises, Inc Neighbors 5 Addie’s Floral & Gifts Community 15 Alamco Wood Products Inc Community 17 Albert Lea Area Schools Education & Arts 5 Albert Lea Art Center Community 15 Albert Lea Bus Company Education & Arts 5 Albert Lea Bus Company Down Through the Years 8 Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau Insert Albert Lea Economic Development Insert Albert Lea Family YMCA Community 17 Albert Lea Law Community 17 Albert Lea Monument Community 7 Albert Lea Public Warehouse Education & Arts 3 Albert Lea Seed House - Garden Center Economic Opportunity 2 Albert Lea Select Foods Community Albert Lea Steel Inc People 6 Albert Lea Veterinary Clinic LLC Economic Opportunity 5 Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Insert Alden-Conger Public School District Education & Arts 5 Americana Insurance Group Community 2 Arcadian Bank Health and Spirituality 6 Arcadian Bank Neighbors 2 ARO Accounting Economic Opportunity 2 Arrow Building Center Economic Opportunity 5 Attig Construction, LLC People 6 Bakkedahl Trucking, LLC Economic Opportunity 7 Bayview Funeral Home Community 3 Becker Auto Neighbors 8 Between Friends Boutique Community 15 Blake’s Body Shop Inc. Community 7 Blue Zone Community 17 Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services Community 12 Broadway Bike Co. Community 15 Calico Hutch Quilt Shop Neighbors 8 Cargill Foods (PO 5501097803) People 7 Century 21 Atwood-Rick Mummert Community 4 Cheers Liquor People 6 Church Offset Printing Inc. People 8 City of Albert Lea Down Through the Years 8 City of Albert Lea Insert Clarks Grove Veterinary Clinic........................................Neighbors 7 Clothing Care Center........................................................Community 15 Collins Auto Repair Community 17 Conger Inn Victory Catering, LLC Neighbors 6 Conger Meat Market Community 15 Country Care Boarding Kennel Neighbors 7 Craig’s Taxidermy Studio Neighbors 3 Crescendo Exquisite Food & Fine Wines People 6 Crossroads Trailer Sales & Service Inc Economic Opportunity 8 Crystal Valley Neighbors 8 Crystal Valley Cooperative Community 4 Czech Inn Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Neighbors 8 Darling Ingredients Down Through the Years 8 Dolan’s Landscape Center Inc. Community 17 Edward Jones Community 13 Endres Window Cleaning Education & Arts 2 Etcetera Tanning & Clothing...........................................Community 4 Expression’s Salon & Spa Community 4 Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. Neighbors 6 Federal Foam Technologies Inc. Neighbors 5 Fisher’s Fine Jewelers Community 15 Flo Construction, LLC Community 7 Freeborn Construction, Inc Neighbors 8 Freeborn County Community 10 Freeborn County Insert Freeborn County Enviromental Services Economic Opportunity1-Dec Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative People 7 Geno’s Plumbing & Heating Community 17 Glenville-Emmons School District Education & Arts 6 Good Steward Consulting Community 9 Hamilton Auction Company Community 13 Hanson Tire Service People 3 Hearing Associates P.C. Health and Spirituality 2 Hillcrest Cemetery Association Community 4 Home Solution Midwest People 2 Hubbard Agency Community 4 Injection Technology Diesel Service Neighbors 5 Innovance Inc. Health and Spirituality 5 Intellicents Economic Opportunity 3 ISC Financial Advisors Community 17 ITC Midwest Community 13 Jake’s Pizza Community 15 JBS Down Through the Years 8 Jensales Inc. Neighbors 6 Lake Mills Chamber Development Corporation Neighbors 3 Lake Mills School Education & Arts 5 Larson Contracting Index 4 Law Office of Jamie Kyllo Community 7 Leland Drainage and Excavating Community 13 LeVerne Carlson Fitness Center Neighbors 6 Lewis Charles Cycles Community 4 Main Street Program Insert Manchester Hartland Telephone Company Neighbors 6 Manpower Health and Spirituality 3 Mary-Go-Round Shoppe Community 15 Morreim Drainage Inc Neighbors 6 Mrs Gerry’s Kitchen People 6 Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen Down Through the Years 8 Nick’s Meats & Grocery Neighbors 8 Nick’s Trading Post Neighbors 4 Nutrien Down Through the Years 8 Plaza Landscaping & Garden Center Community 4 POET Bioprocessing Neighbors 4 Produce State Bank Economic Opportunity 7 Produce State Bank Neighbors 4 Produce State Bank - Hollandale Neighbors 4 Purple Cross Neighbors 4 R80, LLC Neighbors 5 Rightway Roofing Community 4 Riverland Community College Education & Arts 2 Securitas People 8 Security Bank Community 12 Security Bank - Alden Neighbors 6 Security Bank - Emmons Neighbors 3 Southern Lock & Glass Community 11 St. John’s Lutheran Community Health and Spirituality 2 St. John’s Lutheran Community Down Through the Years 8 Strong Agency Inc. Community 15 T&W Towing People 7 Thompson Electric People 6 Tom Wentzler Community 4 Tom’s Taxidermy Studio Neighbors 7 Torey’s Restaurant & Bar People 3 Total Security of Southern Minnesota Neighbors 7 Trades & Labor Credit Union People 2 TruStile Doors Neighbors 5 United Employees Credit Union Community 2 Ventura Foods Community 18 Waldorf University Education & Arts 6 Wangen Excavating & Septic Tank Pumping Community 4 Waste Management Economic Opportunity 6 Wedgewood Cove Community 3 Wells Concrete Neighbors 2 Wells Marketplace Neighbors 2 Worth Lumber Company Neighbors 5
PAGE 4 | ALBERTLEATRIBUNE.COM | PROGRESS 2023 | INDEX | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023
