Royal Lady thankful to be part of 'remarkable community'

Sandra Berg may be the one you’ll see wearing the red velvet cape as the Taylors Falls Royal Lady-- but there’s a bunch of other people who helped drape that distinctive garment on her deserving shoulders. With the announcement that Berg is 2013 Royal Lady-- Taylors Falls has achieved 25 years of celebrating women who have gone well beyond the norm promoting the city and making it a better place to live and visit. As Royal Lady Berg leads the Lighting Festival parade tomorrow (Friday, Nov 29) at 6 p.m. Berg says her husband Brian is a very important part of why she is able to do what she does for the city.

“He doesn’t just support it he encourages it,” she says of her interests. And, other Taylors Falls groups and civic clubs have partnered with the Historical Society, which Berg is president of, to help make things happen. There’s also an innovative caretaker-host at the state historic site, the Folsom House, who Berg can rely on, is up for any challenge and provides a lot of skills. Plus, when it comes to Taylors Falls in general, it’s a remarkable community in the way people just pitch in when they see a need, Berg explained. “So many people are behind what happens...I feel completely and totally honored.”

Berg and her husband built a house on family-held property nearly eight years ago. She grew up in St Croix Falls and Brian in Taylors Falls. ‘The Rocks,’ as the homesite was nicknamed, is a scenic spot on Mulberry Street. The house has been part of the annual Lighting Festival decoration tours. Next to it are seven acres that the Berg Family donated to Good Samaritan Society, for an assisted living facility project. Berg said if all goes to plan, the facility groundbreaking will take place next spring. As an officer with the local historical society one recent accomplishment she’s proud of is the new space under the Memorial Community Center. Berg was at the helm as the Taylors Falls Historical Society worked with the city on the new walkout basement, used for artifact collections and for record-keeping and research. The lower level under the old depot has become a community space. Berg said. “Bless their hearts, the city council saw the value in that.”

The new basement is used by all sorts of local groups and it’s turned into “a little showplace.” The historical society likes to feature different displays and have volunteers on hand for visitors. Volunteers are most welcome, she stressed. The tour of the Folsom House also begins in the lower level of the center and moves across the street and up the hill. Folsom House, too, is a happening place. The state historical society has modified its stance on state historic sites and now likes to see more outreach, bringing the public in rather than just being a place to exhibit things.

Berg says there’s a book club that meets there, there’s Folsom After Dark and additional educational programming will be offered at the site. Berg found her experience in small business and public relations very helpful as she organized goals and structured programs for both her church (Taylors Falls Methodist) and the historical society groups. She owned a bridal shop for nine years and also enjoyed working start-ups with small businesspersons. She has a grown son and daughter, both reside in Hudson.