Mankind has always looked to ‘experts’ for advice on how to live, how to conduct business, how to treat others, and how to do just about anything. The ‘experts’ that are often giving the advice come from a perspective of experience or research, and as long as they share their counsel with passion, people will listen. They may not agree, but they will listen and either embrace the guidance or counter with their own opinion.

Parents are most often the first ‘experts’ that young people look to when growing up. Because that position of responsibility and authority can be overwhelming, parents will look to their own experiences or to others to teach them how to teach.

George Hormel wrote a letter to his son Jay in October of 1930 that was filled with advice. Jay was 38 years old when the letter was penned, but he still looked to his father for wisdom. Based on the quotes that George lobbed at his son, he drew his counsel from a variety of sources. He referenced the works of Biblical writers when he quoted 1 Cor 10:12 and Matthew 25:23, and the moral and ethical teachings of Aesop’s Fables.

In the late 20s and 30s, throngs of people anxiously awaited lectures offered at the YWCA. Presentations with titles such as “Recreation and Leisure-time Activities for the Adolescent” and “Disciplining the Small Child” were presented by Dr. Esther McGinnis, from the University Of Minnesota Institute Of Child Welfare.

In February of 1931, an expert in women’s clothing presented “Looking Up-To-Date on a Small Income.” Mrs. Q.W. Wallace, formerly the state clothing specialist from Iowa, began her program stating, “Clothes are an individual problem and every woman must make choices for herself which she thinks will be becoming to her form, suitable for her needs, appropriate for her age and within her income.” This expert had the ladies hooked!

Continuing the tradition of learning from experts, the HHH, Peer Power Partners, and Community Against Bullying will host an expert in inspiring students to look at people and things in a different way.

Nationally recognized motivational speaker, David Flood, will be in town to empower students with social and emotional skills while teaching them the crucial life skills of dignity and respect. His message to adults is how we can best model behavior that young people will emulate in their lives. Flood’s oldest child has autism.

His experiences and conviction make him an expert.

His community presentation is free and open to the public at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, in the HHH event center.

What’s happening at the HHH

Musician Master Class

12:30-:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13

Public is invited to hear Peggy Reich, professional pianist, discuss the Romantic age of music with the help of student performers. Free.

David Flood, motivational speaker

6:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15

Community Presentation sponsored by Peer Power Partners, Community Against Bullying and the Hormel Historic Home. David Flood, Motivational Speaker, will present “How to Model Behavior with Young People to Keep Them Connected, Safe, Engaged and Included”

Cemetery Tour-Northern Mower County

1-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21

Bus leaves from the Mower County Historical Society. $10 for members of HHH or MCHS or $15 for non-members Space is limited so please register at www.hormelhistorichome.org