Crunch time

That time of the project is nearing in, crunch time. I knew it was inevitable, i knew it would be coming sooner than later, but when it finally rang the door bell I ran to the living room and hid under the couch.  In similar fashion you would when you see a stranger approach your front door with the obvious intent of trying to sell you something. I took a deep breathe and realized that if this project was going to get completed I'd have to get up from under the couch. After all, we have had some interesting interviews, and tours taken recently. We sat down with Arnold Stadheim, who is the owner of the Stadheim Jeweler franchise in the area. Mr. Stadheim was an interesting interview with his insight after being a longtime business man in the community. He actually started in the Freeborn National Bank building, I have a pic to show in this blog of him with the original jewelry stand that laid in the lobby of that building. The screw holes still lay in the tile of the vacant building. Another interesting portion of this project was done last monday. I took a tour and interview of the old opera house downtown, with the current building owner Suzanne Crane. That building is the red brick building that currently houses the Albert Lea Art Center. When it was built, it was built for a world renown opera singer named Beatrice, and her husband built this grand opera house and conservatory for her in little known Albert Lea, MN around the turn of the 19th century. The opera house is pretty far removed from what it once looked like, but the upstairs housing rooms for the traveling singers and performers still stands and emanates it's history. This opera house has an incredible romantic story to it, and in due time (aka "Buildings of Broadway") it's story will be shared. This piece in my opinion has incredible enduring value that many residents older as younger may not truly know about, with that being said I am glad that a project like ours is being made.
We are closing in on finishing the filming process, but as the editing becomes more of the concern I am confident the record button the camera will be turned on once again. As all projects go, you can plan for how you want the project to go, but the unforeseeable is what you have to manage. Patience is a virtue and perseverance is a necessity. Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween and be safe. Enjoy a few of the photos we received lately. Take care, and cheers.

This is Beatrice, the opera singer that the Rivioli/Art Center building was built for.

Although the auditorium is in a disarray, the projectionist room still houses the projector, and old film reels when the opera house turned into a movie theatre.

Here is Arnold Stadheim when his jewelry shop was in the lobby of the "Vault" building or also called the Freeborn National Bank Building.

Keep on keeping on....

Waking up this morning, just felt like it was going to be a great day. It's one of those days where you set the alarm the night before a half hour before you REALLY have to get out of bed. When you have the windows open and it's 57 degrees out and it's nice, cool breeze in your bedroom and you tighten the position with the warm body next to you to stay warm under the blanket as the cool air trickles in. Where you hit the snooze button because you can, and you don't want to leave the spot you've carved in your bed as the sun is coming through the windows. As that sun awakens you with the random interruptions from the alarm clock, something comes across your half asleep train of thought, that this just might be one of those days you are going to enjoy. Today is like that. In actuality, this whole paragraph is a metaphor for how this project is panning out. This week has been a busy one, and the next will be the same, but it is for the better to be busy. This community has been incredible. Only on a rare day lately do I go out in public and NOT have somebody talk to me about downtown Albert Lea. Almost every shift I work during my full time job, somebody new shares a story, an idea, or "you should talk to this person," etc. And it's unprovoked. Which makes me smile on the inside and out.  For almost eight months I have only had less then a handful of detractors about this project, (there may be more out there, and they are entitled to their opinions.) But those detractors are like that cool morning breeze coming through the window in the morning, and the only response is to hold that warm body even closer, and hit the snooze button.

Ryan and I have been shooting interviews as much as we possibly can. The people that we have met on camera and off, have been amazing. I always believe that everyone has a story, and they not only have a story but also have been giving us materials to use for our project. Outstanding. During one interview with Russ and Phiz Olson especially, not only a great interview, but we were given a legal pad 15 pages deep with names of everything that was downtown over the years. Above and beyond what we ever were asking for, just incredible. I had an interview with Bob Sullivan, who used to own Sullivan Paint downtown, and the business had been in the family for years. Bob and his wife are two of the nicest people I have met, as is Russ and Phiz. Both of these couples were gracious enough to let us into their homes, and not only conduct an interview, but yet again the Sullivan's had pictures and literature waiting for me. All I wanted was an interview and again we get pleasantly surprised by how above and beyond our interviewees go. We also interviewed Butch Donovan, and all you Albert Lean's out there would appreciate this as he was once the owner of Jake's Pizza. Butch's Special, is named after him. The infamous taco pizza was his creation, and if anyone that knows me would agree that I have spent a small fortune on the taco pizza. Thanks Butch, haha!! He was a great interview and a very nice man. It seems as this project continues to progress, the old saying of "Minnesota Nice," plays. Everybody needs to find that project with a cool breeze and a warm body to hold. I've found mine. Check out these photos, I hope all is doing well and until next time, keep living the dream.

Mr. Bob Sullivan getting filmed for "Buildings of Broadway."

Sullivan Paint circa the 1930's.

The originator of Sullivan Paint Store. This is his flyer for running for sheriff in 1914, he ultimately lost.

Sullivan Paint used to sell "The Minneapolis Journal," which was a newspaper. One of the only places to get it back in the early 1900's.

This is Butch. One of my favorites, and not because he was the originator of one of my addictions, Jake's taco pizza. Thanks Butch.