During most events at the Hormel Historic Home you will find food or music or both.

We find that these two elements draw a crowd and we love having crowds in our historic environment.

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, so we’ve decided to partner with Hy-Vee and open ours up to the community to learn. Starting on Sunday, Jan. 29, Hy-Vee chefs will begin a series of monthly cooking classes designed to appeal to the beginner cook as well as to a true foodie. The first event will feature The Secrets of Steak and you will learn the various cuts of beef, the grading process as well as techniques for cooking. Participants will make steak tacos. Register early as space is limited to 12 people ages 16 and up.

As for upcoming music, I hope you will join us to welcome MarySue Hormel Harris back to town. During her annual visit to Austin for the Hormel Company stockholders meeting, she typically visits the Hormel Historic Home. Since helping to restore the 1914 Mason and Hamlin piano in the historic living room, she enjoys playing the beautiful instrument. You know that the Hormel family’s musical talent runs deep, and for the past two years, MarySue’s great nephew, Sam Stacy, has shared his talents at the HHH as well during his January visit. The pair has agreed to take the stage once again this year for an informal recital. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy this free event-with food. You may come at any time to enjoy a little or all of the entertainment.

On Feb. 3, we will combine music and food with dancing and will benefit Paint the Town Pink at the same time. The Austin Big Band will play classic tunes that will get your feet moving. The local dance duo of Peter Jacobs and Ann Hokanson will offer optional dance instruction throughout the event so you can swing the night away. Light hors d’oeuvres are included and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $12.

On Feb. 11 we will host the fifth annual Harris Music Contest which will now include an musicians playing piano, strings, woodwinds, brass and mallet percussion. MarySue Hormel Harris will also be in town for this event. The public is invited to attend the free final contest which begins at 4 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre.

Finally, the sixth annual Foodie Throwdown Fundraiser will be on Saturday, Feb. 18. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the 125th wedding anniversary of George and Lillian Hormel who were married in 1892. Area chef teams will create delicious main dish and dessert samples for you to enjoy and choose as your favorite. A silent and live auction will take place, and, of course, there will be music!

Our scrapbooks and historical documents are full of accounts of food and music coming together at the Hormel Historic Home. The events we have today will one day be part of our history and the traditions of old will have continued.

The Creative Cook presented by Hy-Vee

Sunday, Jan. 29

Cost is $40 per person and participation is limited to 12 people. Register online at www.hormelhistorichome.org/events.

Midwinter Musicale

4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31

Free musical performance by MarySue Hormel Harris and Sam Stacy. Ms. Harris will entertain with a variety of Gershwin melodies while Sam performs original and cover songs on guitar. Please help us welcome these two Hormel family descendants and enjoy their musical talents.

Big Band Pink Swing

5:45 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3

Join us for music, dancing, food and fun. Tickets are $12 and available online at www.hormelhistorichome.org/events. Also available at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Paint the Town Pink