You may or may not have noticed the little yellow house on a pole in the Southeast corner of the Hormel Historic Home property. We were recently approached by the local Zonta chapter with the idea of placing a book lending box on our grounds. As it is part of the HHH mission to support educational opportunities for all ages, we thought providing easy access to books would be a great way to serve young people.

Formed in 1919, Zonta International is a service club with the mission of serving the needs of women and children within the community and across the world. The local President, Cheryl Retterath, explained that two-thirds of the proceeds from their fundraising efforts support local organizations such as the ARC, the Seibel Center, and Rachel’s Hope. They also provide three scholarships for area women in high school and college. A third of their funds support international causes such as HIV education and prevention

Embracing the growing trend in freestanding lending book sites, Zonta wanted to place a library in an easily accessible public place.  There is a great deal of foot and car traffic along 4th Ave. NW in front of the Hormel Historic Home, so the HHH has agreed to host the library, and Zonta maintains its upkeep and inventory.  I have noticed a regular rotation of books in the box and feel the community is enjoying being able to read and recycle books primarily targeted at youth. For more information on Zonta and to support their mission visit www.zontaclubofaustinmn.org.

Through research, I have found that George Hormel developed a love of reading at an early age.  He wrote about his love for Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the works of Shakespeare. Lillian Hormel was also described as a book lover.

For many years the YWCA hosted a popular speaker, Mrs. W.W. Remington, who shared her book recommendations with the organization in 1928. Included on her list were With Malice Toward None by Honore Willsie Morrow and The Children by Edith Wharton. For children, she recommended The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne. Her nonfiction recommendations included The New Russia by Dorothy Thompson and Flying the Arctic by Captain George H. Wilkins.  She also endorsed poetry by Carl Sandburg (Good Morning America) and Edna St. Vincent Millay (The Buck in the Snow). Feel free to contact me if you would like a complete list of Mrs. Remington’s recommended reading from 1928.

Books were, and still are, popular around the Hormel Historic Home.

History Happy Hour

5:30 p.m. social, 6 p.m. presentation, Monday

Stories of Prohibition in Southern Minnesota, presented by Dean Ulland. Special guest will be Peter Ausenhus of the Worth Brewing Company.

Free for members of the HHH, Mower County Historical Society, and Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members.

 Best Bartender Contest

5 p.m. Doors Open, 6 p.m. Competition,

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Enjoy samples and vote for your favorite bartender at this annual event. Live music by J.T. Thompson and food available for purchase. Cost is $5 per person