By Holly Smith

Hormel Historic Home

After a year of writing articles, I cannot believe I have anything more to write about but I will keep trying. Thank you to all who have contributed suggestions for the column. I like your ideas and will follow up on as many of them as I can.

Since my first article in November of 2012, I have told you much about the genealogy of the Hormel family. We started with Christian and Elizabeth Hormel in Germany, then crossed the ocean to John Hormel and Susanna Decker in Buffalo. They married, started their family and relocated to Toledo. Then George brought the family to Minnesota. We have covered a lot of geography.

I have told you about Elizabeth, the first born of John and Susanna, who died at 2 weeks of age and about Lizzie, the second-born, the artist who lived and taught in Austin. George is the third-born and I always talk about him.

I have written a little about George’s siblings William Henry, Emma, Helen and Ben, and there are five more to tell you about.  I have enjoyed researching George’s family because I have learned about their individual personalities and gifts, but I have also learned many historical tidbits about life in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  There are many more interesting stories to share about the Hormel family, so you will hear more about them.

Another thing I have learned in my year at the Hormel Historic Home is to plan ahead. Although it is starting to look a lot like Christmas around the Home, my mind has already jumped to 2014 and all that we have on the calendar in the next few months. Personally, I am anxious to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family, but professionally I am already thinking about events in early 2014. If you are ready to open that new calendar, you may want to mark the following dates:

Jan. 26: Austin Wedding Showcase. A one-stop shop wedding planning event.

Feb. 14: Sweetheart Dinner with Dueling Piano Entertainment. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Paint the Town Pink fundraising efforts for The Hormel Institute.

March 22: Foodie Throwdown. Samples from Austin’s most enthusiastic food lovers. You choose the winner.

April 26: Stepping Out For Autism Walk. All proceeds support Autism Seminars and Camps at the Hormel Historic Home.

Thank you for your support during my first year.  I look forward to sharing the next year with you.

Nov. 18

Board of Directors, 4 p.m.

Social Concerns: Natural Holidays

10 to 11 a.m., Nov. 19

Presented by Jim Stiles of Super Fresh and his talented team. Learn how to add natural ingredients to your holiday baking and decorating projects.  They will even bring treats to share. Please give us a call to let us know you are planning to attend. 507-433-4243.

 Holiday Open House and English Tea

Nov. 22 and 23

For the 26th year the HHH will be fully decorated for the holidays. You are invited to tour and enjoy various entertainment and a traditional tea menu from 1 to 3:30 p.m. each day.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the HHH or online at www.hormelhistorichome.org. Tickets will be available at the door, but for planning purposes we appreciate advance sales.