How can a seven-day week go by so slowly sometimes, but a 365-day year can fly by?

I am in awe reflecting on all that can transpire in a year’s time, and I am putting on my roller skates now to try to keep up with what 2015 may bring.

 Looking back on 2014:

January: What a cold and long month that was. Several HHH events were affected by the unpredictable and unwelcome weather. However, we did have a successful wedding showcase with 30 vendors, and many curious brides and guests.

February: Nearly 100 people spent Valentine’s Day at the HHH enjoying a delicious meal prepared by Hy-Vee and fantastic dueling pianos. We donated over $1,000 to the Paint the Town Pink fundraising efforts for the Hormel Institute through this event.

March: Our sold-out Foodie Throwdown was a huge success featuring six area food enthusiasts. Save March 21, 2015, for the fourth annual event.

April: Autism awareness is an important part of our educational mission. We spent a portion of April raising funds to support the summer camps the HHH offers to area youth affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Bagging groceries at Hy-Vee in order to garner attention for our programs was a great experience for participating adults and autistic youth.

May: In partnership with KSMQ, the Mower County Historical Society, the Austin Public Library, and Tolerance in Motion we presented a free showing of “The Typist,” a documentary which was produced by KSMQ. The crowd enjoyed watching the account of an incredible man who shared his personal story of being a clerk-typist during the Nuremberg Trials of 1945-1946.

June: Ahhhh, summer! We had our first garden concert of the season with Charlie Maguire. Charlie also led a songwriting workshop and taught a group to play the ancient instrument the jaw harp.

July: Two garden concerts, three wedding receptions, 12 days of Autism programming, five tour groups and Business After Hours. That month went really fast.

August: Our final garden concert had Austin connections. Marc Anderson’s group Speaking In Tongues performed on an eerily cloudy evening but with amazingly great music.

September: Five-class reunion events held at the HHH.

October: Author Walt Bachman spoke about his research into the existence of slavery in Minnesota during the 1800s.

November: We celebrated the five-year anniversary of the Carriage Hall Event Center (formerly known as “the Expansion”), and began a new history program called History Happy Hour. We also welcomed Christmas early as decorating began for the 27th annual Holiday Open House.

December: Many holiday parties completed the year on a cheery note.

Three hunder sixty-five days of history, music, education and hospitality. That makes for a great year.

What’s happening at the HHH

Office Closed

Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2015

History Happy Hour

5:30-7:30, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015

John Haymond, Mower County Historical Society, will present on the various architectural structures in Austin. Free for members of the MCHS, Friends of the Library, or the HHH. $5 for non-members. Light snacks and cash bar offered.

Austin Wedding Showcase

Noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015

$4 per person