The Mower County Historical Society and Hormel Historic Home will kick off year two of their Lunchbox History Series at noon this Thursday.

The first 2012 program, held at the Mower County Fairgrounds, will feature the history of East Side Lake. Hormel Historic Home Executive Director Laura Helle will present about Austin’s bodies of water and the founding of the community. Helle will share the history of East Side Lake’s creation and its impact on the city.

The Lunchbox History Series will take place the fourth Thursday of each month through August. The public is invited to bring their own lunch and enjoy the presentation. The programs are free.

The next Lunchbox History Series talk will be about Mower County in the Prohibition era. Featuring Riverland Community College professor Dean Ulland, the talk will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 26, In August, Mary Smith will present a talk on John Mower, the man for whom the county is named after. That will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23.

For more information on the Lunchbox History Series, contact the MCHS at 507-437-6082, or visit www.mowercountyhistory. org.