Unfortunately we did not have our visit from MarySue and her family last week due to the weather.  I am sure we are all feeling the same way about how as Minnesotans we have to be hardy and flexible when it comes to events in the winter.  However we are disappointed these great Hormel family musicians weren’t able to make it to Austin.  We will do our best to have them here in the future.

Thankfully, one of our events was virtually untouched by this crazy weather. We had more than 40 brides attend the 2014 Austin Wedding Showcase, and nearly 125 people watched the fashion show presented by Belles and Beaus and emceed by John Deyo of ViDeyo Arts.

In addition to more than 60 gowns being modeled, four very smart tuxedos were featured by members of the Austin Bruins Hockey team. They always add a nice touch to the event.

We are very grateful to all the vendors, some who came from out of town in unpredictable weather, and all the guests who attended. The 2015 show will be held on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Speaking of special events that celebrate love, the Hormel Historic Home will be having a Sweetheart Dinner on Valentine’s Day complete with gourmet dinner and dueling pianos. Many Valentine’s Days have been celebrated at the HHH but this year we are fortunate to be the kickoff event for the Paint the Town Pink fundraising efforts for The Hormel Institute. I am grateful to be a part of this community-wide endeavor to support another Austin entity in which a Hormel family member was instrumental.

Jay C. Hormel called the HHH his home from the time he was about 9 years old, in 1901, until he and his wife Germaine moved into their lavish estate east of Austin in 1925. His funeral was also held here in 1954. According to a representative from the Hormel Institute, Jay conceived the idea of a research center after working with University of Minnesota research professors on food preservation issues in the late 1930s. The first institute was housed on Jay’s estate, now the Gerard School, in a horse barn that was turned into a — at that time — state-of-the-art research laboratory.

The Hormel Institute conducted research at that location from 1942 until 1960 when the institute moved to its current location.

We are honored and pleased to be supporting cancer research and the Hormel Institute, Jay’s creation, through an event at the HHH.  Tickets to the event are $55 per person and are available by calling the HHH at 507-433-4243 or on the website at www.hormelhistorichome.org.

 Valentines Day Dinner

5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14

Hormel Historic Home and Hy-Vee present a night of great food and entertainment to help you celebrate with your Valentine.

As the kick-off event for the Paint the Town Pink activities, this will be a great event and will support the Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research efforts.

$10 of each ticket sold will be donated to the Institute. Dueling Pianos by the River Rats, will be the entertainment.

Tickets are $50 if purchased before Feb. 1 and $55 after.  Get your tickets online at www.hormelhistorichome.org or call 507-433-4243.