News-Press Online - Arbor Day Celebration

By Grace Johnson

Colin and Teresa Albers have been named this year’s Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce Arbor Day Honorees. The Honoree award honors contributions toward making Nebraska City and Otoe County a better place to live.
“Teresa and I were very honored to be considered,” Colin said.
Teresa said Arbor Day has special significance for the couple. She said they co-chaired the committee shortly after moving to town in the early 1990s. “Serving on the Arbor Day Committee as a chairman was a nice way to learn about and get involved in the community,” she said. “We planted a lot of trees that year.”
Colin said the couple has been active in the community ever since.
“Being a citizen means that you should be actively involved,” he said.
Colin said serving on the building committee for Nebraska City Middle School, as well as assisting with remodeling projects at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Morton James Public Library are some of the most memorable activities he has participated in.
Since 1990, Colin has also served the community as a board member of the Nebraska City Community Foundation, president of the Rotary Club and as a member of various Nebraska City Chamber of Commerce (now Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce) committees. He is currently a senior financial advisor with Waddell and Reed, Inc.
Teresa is a fifth grade teacher at Hayward Elementary. She is a member of PEO and St. Mary’s Christian Mothers, where she served as president for two years. She has also taught CCD at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served on the Lourdes Education committee.
“It’s important to get involved,” Teresa said, “whether it’s through TeamMates, PUFF, or church. It’s important to take an active role.”
Teresa said that living in Nebraska City provides individuals with many opportunities to serve.
“Nebraska City has a lot of opportunities. There are a lot of people who do a lot in the community,” she said.
The couple agree that giving back to the community comes naturally when you love it so much.
“Nebraska City is a great town with great people,” Colin said. “This really has turned out to be home for us.”