With the Austin Wedding Showcase this weekend (details below), I have stories of the Hormel family weddings. These three ceremonies have little in common with the celebrations of today.

George A. Hormel and Lillian “Belle” Gleason were united in marriage in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. C.E. Wright on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1892, at 8:30 a.m. The wedding took place in the home of the bride’s parents in Austin.

On Friday, May 19, 1922, Jay C. Hormel married Germaine Dubois at the Presbyterian Church in West Kirby, Cheshire, England. Although we have few details of the day, we know that Jay’s family did not attend. The couple met when Jay was serving with U. S. Military in France in 1918. Four years later, he traveled to France to marry his long-distance sweetheart. When French marriage laws required more time than could be spared, Jay and Germaine traveled to England and were married there.

The next generation of Hormels celebrated nuptials for the first-born grandson in 1951. George A. Hormel, known as Geordie, married Leslie Caron on Sunday, Sept. 23, in Nevada. Caron was a ballet dancer and movie actress remembered for “An American in Paris” and “Gigi.”

This week at the HHH

Sunday: Austin Wedding Showcase sponsored by The Knot, noon.

The place for Austin brides to plan, sample and save with fashions by Belles & Beaus and stage show produced by ViDeyo Arts. Kicks off with Prom Fashions at noon, followed by Vendor Fair at 12:30 p.m. and Bridal Fashions at 3 p.m. $3 per person admission. All brides receive a copy of the new The Knot magazine and an information bag. First 100 brides receive a free gift.

Coming soon to the HHH

Saturday: Sweetheart Dinner, Seatings every 15 minutes from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. $20 per person by reservation only. Included in ticket: Antipasto Buffet, Fresh Green Salad, Breadsticks, Sausage Lasagna, Five Cheese Ravioli with Shrimp Sauce, Cherry Cheesecake, Grandma’s Chocolate Cake, Punch, Coffee, Water. Cash bar will be available. Call 507-433-4243 or email to hormelhh@smig.net to reserve your tickets today.

Tuesday, Feb. 15: Social Concerns: Yes, that Really Happened: Humorous Stories from Mower County History by Dustin Heckman at 11 a.m.

RSVP to 433-4243 or hormelhh@smig.net by Friday, February 11 to attend.