Progress Arts & Education
ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023
Jill Petersen of Kinda Kookie holds up a tray of Harry Potter-themed cookies in her kitchen in December. Petersen has found success with her cookie business in the last year after retirement from Albert Lea Area Schools and makes cookies for parties, events and individuals. SARAH STULTZ/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE
Albert Lea woman is known as the
COOKIE LADY A
Jill Petersen makes a wreath cookie in December.
Petersen uses artistic skills to create eye-catching cookies in growing business By SARAH STULTZ
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
Tribune Albert Lea
lbert Lean Jill Peters- so much that she has had to turn en was set to retire as a away orders as word of mouth conlongtime educator when tinues to spread about her cookies she decided to explore — which many describe as works of art. things to do in the next phase “I’ve always of her life. been an artist, but I’ve never found a After watching medium I felt comsome YouTube videos of people making fortable sharing my cookies with royal art,” Petersen said. icing and getting Petersen said some supplies the she dedicates three previous Christmas, eight- to 10-hour she and her daughter days for her cookies decided to give it a each week, including try. baking the cookies — which are typiPetersen joked the — Jill Petersen result was bad at cally vanilla almond first, but she had so flavored — on Monmuch fun doing it that she decided days and then decorating them on to keep it up. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She Now, months later, she has per- limits herself to six dozen cookies a fected her craft, started a business, Kinda Kookie, which has grown See COOKIES, Page 2
“I’ve always been an artist, but I’ve never found a medium I felt comfortable sharing my art.”
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Meet the management team: Crystal Miller: Publisher 379-3420 | crystal.miller@albertleatribune.com Sarah Stultz: Editor 379-3433 | sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com Lisa Foley: Business Manager 379-4324 | lisa.foley@albertleatribune.com Terry Thissen: Pressroom Manager 379-9854 | terry.thissen@albertleatribune.com Offices: 808 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 Phone: 507-373-1411 Fax: 507-373-0333 Website: albertleatribune.com Want to subscribe or moving? Call 507-379-3421 or send email to circulation@ albertleatribune.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to Albert Lea Tribune, 808 W. Front St., Albert Lea, MN 56007.
A day for a paraeducator
Albert Lea artist retires
Hanging up the hat
Alden-Conger para wears many hats in her role at the school. Page 3
Longtime professional artist moving on from selling his work after decades. Page 4
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center manager retires. Page 4