As I mentioned last week, the Hormel Historic Home will soon be hosting an anniversary party in honor of George and Lillian Hormel’s 125th celebration.

Seventy-five years ago the couple hosted their own soiree at their Beverly Hills home. The party was described in the Feb. 25, 1942 Los Angeles Times.

“Hormels Fete 50th Jubilee in Bel-Air”

“Yellow roses in profusion accented the golden decorative theme yesterday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Hormel of 630 Nimes Road, Bel-Air, when the host and hostess celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Between the hours of 4 and 7 o’clock cars arrived at the Hormel home where 200 old friends and new friends honored the celebrants.

“Mrs. Hormel received in a gown of gold lame on which she wore a corsage of orchids.

“Assisting at the tea urns were Mmes. John Hormel, Benjamin F. Hormel, Claude A. Wayne, Margaret Bogle, A. G. Rosenquist and Miss Henrietta Glissman.

“Receiving with Mr. and Mrs. Hormel were their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jay C. Hormel, who came from their home in Austin, Minn, to be present at the reception.”

We have several photos of the home where the Hormel’s lived from 1927 to 1946. The Spanish style mansion featured rich woodwork, a two story reception area with double curved, tile stairway and a collection of fine artwork. A courtyard filled with tropical flowers and palm trees and lush gardens made the outdoors lovely and inviting. Unfortunately, the Bel-Air home in which the Hormel’s hosted their special event, is no longer standing, but the prime real estate now boasts a mansion currently on the market for $85 million.

At the upcoming Foodie Throwdown Anniversary Party, guests will be greeted by Mr. and Mrs. George Hormel. In honor of their many anniversaries, we will be auctioning off some traditional anniversary gifts based on Hallmark standards. From paper gifts to gold ones, guests will enjoy shopping the creative auction items.

The 1892 wedding announcement for George and Lillian’s wedding said: “After the ceremony and a delicious supper the happy couple were driven to their new home on St. Paul Street, which was all in readiness.” Though their first 10 anniversaries were celebrated on St. Paul Street, they had 26 more on Water Street. If you join us for their 125th celebration, you will indeed receive a delicious supper prepared by six teams of area chef.

Tickets are $35 and are available at the HHH or online at www.hormelhistorichomeorg/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.

History Happy Hour — For the Love of Old Books

5:30 p.m. Social; 6 p.m.

Presentation, Monday, Feb. 13

Presented by Jay Nelson, Antique Bookseller and John Haymond, Director of the Mower County Historical Society. Learn the history of bookmaking, how to find and care for rare books and how valuable they may be. Feel free to bring one from your own collection for the presenters to evaluate. Free for members of the HHH, Friends of the Library, and the Mower County Historical Society. $5 for non-members.