Hormel Historic Home: Celebrating the season
Published 4:58 am Saturday, December 7, 2019
‘Tis the season for holiday entertaining and often for excess. Mrs. George A. Hormel, as she was known in the newspapers of her day, or Belle, as she was known by her friends and family, was a hospitable woman who was a generous hostess with a gracious nature.
Following are excerpts describing Belle written by family and friends.
Inez Taylor Butler, a 30-year contributor to the kitchen notes section of the company chronicles known as the Squeal and the Hormel News Magazine wrote:
“Few in this day and generation know what it was like to keep house as Mrs. George A. did in the early days of her marriage. There were no conveniences, no water in the house. She cooked, and heated the house, with wood. All her life long she was efficient and methodical, and this was as evident in later years when she managed on a grander scale as it was in the early days of her marriage…”
Butler continued her assessment of Belle with:
“In the later years in Austin Mrs. Hormel was able to have household help but she continued to do her own cooking because she enjoyed it.”
Lillian Belle’s sister-in-law Lizzie Hormel described her as:
“the one who planned our family gatherings, birthdays, and anniversaries…” She gave special mention of the perfect event Belle planned for another sister-in-law’s 60th wedding anniversary. Lizzie wrote of the event that it “was heavenly.”
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Jen Haugen, another Austin woman known for sharing her passion for the kitchen, will offer a free presentation entitled “Healthier Holiday Treats.”
She will describe ways that one’s favorite recipes can be modified to increase healthy nutrients during this busy season without sacrificing flavor. She will share her favorite holiday swaps and recipes and will prepare you to make some simple changes that you might even adopt the whole year through.
Notice we didn’t title the event “Healthy Treats!” The holidays often lead to over-indulging, but ‘tis the season. Join us to learn how you can indulge with a little less guilt.
Recipe by Lillian Hormel.
History Happy Hour: A Dickens of A Christmas presented by Randy Forster
- 5:30 p.m., social, 6 p.m. Presentation, Monday, Dec. 9
- Free for members of the HHH, Mower County Historical Society, and the Friends of the Library.
- $5 for non-members
Healthy Living Series: Healthier Holiday Treats presented by Jen Haugen, Registered Dietician
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12
- Free. Samples will be served