This Saturday, Oct.7, the Hormel Historic Home will be the site of an event intended to raise funds to aid in relief efforts following the recent hurricane disasters in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

With our Oktoberfest event already planned for that day, local musicians Jesse Smith, Scott Anderson and Scott Jasmin asked if we would like to expand it into Concerts for a Cause. We now have a lineup that includes seven regional musical acts.

The event will be held in the HHH Peace Garden unless the weather demands that we move it into the event center. Rain or shine we will appreciate the art of music while supporting our neighbors effected by recent disasters. The event is free for members of the Hormel Historic Home and $5 for non-members. Food is included and being sponsored by Hormel Foods, Hy-Vee, and the B&J.

Based on the reflection of George Hormel, I think we are doing the right thing. While a young man working in Chicago, George saw first-hand how rebuilding after a catastrophic occurrence affects a community. Referring to the fire that nearly destroyed Chicago in 1871, George wrote, “When morning came at last, the thousands of burned, hungry homeless, and ruined Chicagoans, who had helplessly watched their city burn throughout the night, crawled out of the Lake to begin rebuilding before the ashes of their former homes were cold.”

He wrote of how the world responded to Chicago’s losses. “The kindness of people to whom Chicago was only a name made a deep impression, not only on Chicagoans, but the country. British business men might feud with their American competitors, but Londoners sent over three hundred thousand dollars to relieve the city’s suffering.

“Even the Chinese of far-off Canton sent a money gift of $550 and this at a time when their countrymen in America were being subject to outrageous abuse. For a little while, people everywhere had acted as though they were in truth their brothers’ helpers. Chicagoans never ceased talking about how kind they had been, and rushed to pay their debt when similar disasters overtook other communities. Hearing about it used to make me wonder what the world would be like when men didn’t wait upon a fire, a flood, or an earthquake to rally to each other’s needs.”

The losses are great and people will be cleaning up and recovering for months to come. Let’s do our part and bring some relief to others as was done in the 1870’s. Donations and proceeds from the event will be directed to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief projects.

Concerts for a Cause

Live music schedule on 2 Stages

1-1:45 p.m.: The Ripdoozers

1:45-2:30 p.m.: Ron Tabor

2:30-3:15 p.m.: Kate and the Kavemen

3:15-4 p.m. Joshua Whalen

4-5 p.m. Cosmic

5-6:30 p.m.: JT Thompson of JT & The Gunslingers

6:30-8 p.m.: Ventura Highway

History Happy Hour: History of Oakwood Cemetery

5:30 p.m. social; 6 p.m. presentation, Monday, Oct. 9

Presented by Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society curator. The History of Oakwood Cemetery will discuss how the cemetery got its start, explore its location as one of Austin’s oldest claims, and look at a few of the people buried on its grounds. Free for members of the HHH, Mower County Historical Society, and Friends of the Library. $5 non member. Snack and cash bar available.

Hearth & Home: History of Austin High School 

10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17

Presented by Wendy Larson, retired school Employee. Hear stories and actions of the earliest school board starting in the 19th century. Reminisce as Wendy shares the highlights of student life into the early 20th century. Free.

Tour of Oakwood Cemetery

1:30 or 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 22

$8 members of Mower County Historical Society or HHH, $10 nonmembers. Space is limited. Register at http://www.hormelhistorichome.org/calendarevent-tickets.html