Another January has come and another 12 months are ahead. Is it a clean slate or a long road? However I look at it, I know 2016 is going to be another great year at the Hormel Historic Home.

With a kitchen restoration on the horizon, the anticipation of increased tourism once the Spam Museum re-opens and many fun parties, the HHH staff is ready for a new year!

Highlights of 2015

January: A special musical event featuring MarySue Hormel Harris and her great-nephew Sam Stacy on guitar.

February: Presented Hot Blues and Sweet Dessert for our Valentine’s Day Celebration featuring Austin native Sena Erhardt and her now husband Cole Allen in a smooth and soulful concert. Over $400 from the event was donated to the Paint The Town Pink fundraising efforts.

March: Held Art for Autism, a canvas painting event, to raise awareness for the needs of those with ASD in our community. Our sold-out Foodie Throwdown was another culinary treat. Save Feb. 27, 2016 for the fifth anniversary event.

April: Over 200 people participated in the Stepping Out for Autism Walk which raised funds to support the summer camps offered by the HHH for those on the Autism spectrum. We also conducted the third Harris Piano Contest for area pianists ages 6-18. Katie Shin and Isaac Kubas were named overall winners in the 2015 contest.

May: Both our daytime and evening education programs were received favorably. Larry Dolphin presented details about the exciting future ahead for the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The history of the Austin Medical Center was presented at History Happy Hour.

June: With showers, anniversaries, graduation parties and weddings, the HHH was filled with many people celebrating in June. A concert by The Teddy Bear Band was also a big hit during the month.

July: Added a third summer camp, Camp Just for Me, to our lineup of camps for young people on the Autism Spectrum. Hosted the Austin Community Jazz Band and the Bissen Family band in our Peace Garden concert series.

August: Five weddings, a rehearsal dinner and a 90th birthday party kept the staff busy during August. We also welcomed the ArtWorks Festival artists and hosted the Minneapolis based Matra Percussion group for the final garden concert.

September: Launched Hearth & Home Series with a presentation by local author Peggy Keener.

October: Crowned Sarah Srsen of Sweet’s Hotel in Leroy as the winner of the fourth annual Best Bartender Contest.

November: Visited with Tom and Jim Hormel in person and heard many stories of their upbringing in Austin. We also welcomed over 500 guests during our holiday open house events and lit the Peace Garden with over 16,000 Christmas lights.

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

Happy New Year to you all. I hope that at least one square on your 2016 calendar includes the HHH in some way.

Hearth & Home Series

10 a.m., Tuesday. Free

“Chauncey’s Place: A Pictorial History of Austin MN 1854-2014.” Presented by Dawn Taylor who will discuss the history of Austin with a focus on Chauncey Leverich, the city’s founder.

 History Happy Hour

5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 11

Tips for researching your family’s history using online and local sources. Presented by John Haymond of the Mower County Historical Society. 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

12-3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 24

$4 per person