By Holly Johnson

Hormel Historic Home

Our office has been very busy lately with both phone calls and people coming in regarding the Autism Fundraising Walk on Saturday, April 20.

With more than 230 people registered already, including teams from all the schools and new faces, we are confident that the walk will raise much needed funds to support the two Autism Summer Camps the HHH currently offers. There is still time to register or donate to the walk so please call us at 507-433-4243 or visit our website for more information.

The Autism programming has grown and succeeded for the past few years because of passionate and specially educated professionals who have spent many hours planning curriculum, designing schedules, and organizing outings.

Erin Dilley, Ellis Middle School Autism Resource Specialist and All Access Communtiy Explorations Co-Director writes of her experience.

“I really have enjoyed my 13 years working with students on the autism spectrum in the school system,”she said. “I have seen over the past few years working with ASD programming at the HHH that students are being taught valuable skills at school, and our ASD programming gives them a no pressure, dynamic, fun environment in which to begin to generalize those skills.  There is no other way I would rather be spending my summers.”

Another key staff person in our programming is Karianne Bachmeier, a special education teacher at Southgate Elementary.

She writes, “I am committed to working with individuals with autism because they are not only brave and honest people, but they can be such an asset to Austin. Their unique talents and perspectives always make me see life in another way, and they deserve to have the chance to be themselves, stretch their boundaries, and find a place in our community in a caring and supportive environment.”

In the late 1890’s, Toledo, Ohio, had a dedicated and caring teacher much like Erin and Karianne.  Miss Helen “Nellie” Ann Hormel, George A.’s youngest sister taught there for five years.

Although she died at age 25 of Tuberculosis, she was described in her Nov. 8, 1899 Austin Daily Herald obituary as having an ”indefatigable ambition to please and to extol [her students] making her greatly esteemed in her chosen profession.”  Teaching is a true gift and we are fortunate to have so many dedicated people working with us.  Nellie sounds like she would have been a fine addition to our staff as well.

Board of Directors meeting

•April 15, 8:30 a.m.

 Social Concerns

•April 16, 10 a.m., Free

Don and Louise Barnes will share their passion and talent for gardening with us on the 16th.  Gardening “Mini” Style is the topic and you will learn about getting big yield from small spaces with the right type of plants and equipment.  Call the HHH to register.

Stepping Out for Autism Walk

Mark Saturday, April 20 on your calendars.  The second annual fundraising walk, Stepping Out for Autism Walk, will be held at Mill Pond. All donations will help support the Autism Programming sponsored by the HHH. Walk starts at 10 a.m. and Hy-Vee will provide lunch at noon. More information available online at www.hormelhistorichome.org or by calling the HHH at 507-433-4243

Minnesota on the Map: A Historical Atlas A talk with author David Lanegran is being presented as a cooperative Lunchbox History Series and Dewey Lecture Series on Thursday, April 25 at 12p.m. The event is free and will be held at the Hormel Historic Home. Sponsored by the MCHS and the Austin Public Library.  Please call the HHH at 507-433-4243 to sign up.