The second annual spring luncheon at the Hormel Historic Home is a sell-out.

Make that the second annual sell-out at the Hormel Historic Home is an annual spring luncheon.

The luncheon will be held Monday and Tuesday, April 28 and 29, beginning with fellowship around the punch bowl at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon and fashion show at noon.

Kris Nuytten and Julie Snyder are co-chairpersons of this year's event. They are being assisted by more than 40 volunteers and the new Hormel Historic Home director, Tracy Plunkett.

The $50 tickets were snatched up as soon as they were offered. That means, 160 ticket-holders will enjoy lunch, a fashion show and the opportunity to win prizes all for the purpose of continuing the renovation of the Hormel Historic Home.

And, Nuytten and Snyder say they could have sold more tickets, but 80 people per-seating is the maximum allowed by law.

"We really appreciate the efforts of everyone to make this a success," said Snyder. "Everyone has been so enthusiastic about wanting to help."

The luncheon menu satisfies this year's Chinese theme to the 'nth degree. There will be soup, salad and veggie sushi.

The models will showcase genuine Chinese jewelry and fashions.

"The program committee has worked hard to make this annual spring luncheon fresh and a success for our ticket-holders," said Snyder.

The program committee includes Gretchen Ramlo, the staff of Stadheim's Jewelry, the Austin Art Association which will supply Chinese pottery and Sue Kekkonen's World Goods Limited.

Ticket-holders will have the opportunity to win a pearl necklace from Stadheim's Jewelry to make the annual spring luncheon even more memorable.

The goal is to help fund the major renovation efforts continuing at the Hormel Historic Home, including the purchase of additional chairs to accommodate guests, a storage shed and the continuing restoration of the mansion's rooms.

The Hormel Historic Home was constructed in 1871 by John Cook, a prominent businessmen and former Austin mayor.

In 1901, the founder of Hormel Foods Corporation, Geo. A. Hormel and his wife, Lillian, purchased the home. Their only child, Jay Catherwood, was only eight years old when the family moved into the home.

The parents moved to California in 1926 and Jay became president of the company.

The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 after being placed on the Minnesota Historical Society's own list of historic places a year earlier.

The interior of the home was restored to its original 1920s elegance beginning in 1993 and that restoration is continuing today.

An open house is held each November and group tours are welcomed throughout the year.

The home has become the focal point of many family events, too.

So successful are the annual spring luncheon fund-raisers that Nuytten and Snyder are welcoming any interested volunteers to register their interest for the 2004 event. Next year, Mexico will be the focus of the two-day fund-raiser.

According to Snyder, the volunteers have been working four months to make next week's activities memorable for all who attend.

For information about group tours and other aspects of the Hormel Historic Home, call Plunkett at 433-4243.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com