Next Saturday, Feb. 24, would have been George and Lillian Hormel’s 126th wedding anniversary.  However, I am recognizing them this week as I will be reporting the results of the seventh annual Foodie Throwdown Fundraiser in my next column.

I found a letter written by George A. Hormel to his parents dated Feb. 21, 1892 that I think you will enjoy as he talks about setting up home with his new wife.

“Dear Parents,

Your presents reached me very nicely by express and we are very much pleased with them.  Am sorry I could not let you know sooner the exact date of the wedding.  We had such a time getting a house.  People who wish to locate here are kept away because a house to rent can’t be found.  New friends doing business are compelled to board at hotels until spring when there will be lots of building done here.  The people we got our house from intend going to California in the Spring- and by leasing the house for one year induced them to box up their goods and vacate.

We were to be married the 17th but we had to put it off a week as it was impossible to get the house ready to move into.  We are not fitting up things very elaborately.  We got a thick ingrain carpet for 58 cents a yard, bedroom set, good charter oak cook stove. A parlor heater I had.  Belle has a piano, and that with your pictures and a chair or two, will complete our home for at least our year.  Will not invest in any upholstered chairs or furniture. Everything is going to be on the substantial order-commence at the bottom with plain and serviceable ware.

Then should it be our fortune someday to get a well filled wallet-and we can afford better things- they will be appreciated.  Who wears the spurs should first win them.  Wish Lizzie would immediately on receipt of this write the names of relatives in Buffalo.  I also want Uncle Christ’s so I can forward each a notice card.  There will be no one at the wedding but members of the family, no relatives that I know of, but my friend Mr. Catherwood will be there.  I wish some of you could be here, but it is out of the question no doubt.

Now I will be ready to receive any of you when you care to come and cordially invite you over and all alike.  Will place you in a good airy room (that is one thing we have here- plenty of atmosphere) and feed you 3 square meals a day.  Hoping you are all well.

I am as ever your son,

Geo A. Hormel”

Conservative.  Appreciative.  Wise.

Hearth & Home Series: Safety for Seniors

10 a.m., Tuesday, February 20

Presented by Tori Miller of the Crime Victims Resource Center. Crime and the fear of crime create special problems for seniors within our community. This presentation will offer seniors suggestions for ways they can protect themselves against crime. Free