Community Corner
🌱 How an 86-year-old Austin native keeps the Hormel Home buzzing
Spotted on the Austin calendar: Friday Night Game Night
Coffee in hand, Austin? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How an 86-year-old Austin native keeps the Hormel Home buzzing
- How an Austin farmer turned conservation into an award-winning community mission
- Why Austin-area farmers call Trump’s $12 billion aid only a band-aid
Also on today's calendar: Austin Bruins vs. Watertown Shamrocks and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Cloudy, p.m. snow, up to 1", with a high of 20 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Morning flurries, then colder, temps: high: 20, low: -7.
- Saturday: A little snow in the morning, with a high of 0 and low of -16 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Where retirement is just the beginning (austindailyherald.com) — An 86-year-old lifelong Austin resident, Duane Dahlback, is helping keep the Hormel Historic Home thriving in retirement, showing how older adults can stay active and connected. Working events at the downtown landmark has given him a new appreciation for the historic house and its role as a community gathering place, while inspiring others with his energy and commitment. 
• Minnesota's Leopold Conservation award winner Tom Cotter dedicates the honor to his community (agweek.com) — Austin-area farmer Tom Cotter, a fourth-generation grower on the western edge of Mower County, has won Minnesota’s 2025 Leopold Conservation Award for his soil-health and conservation work. He credits his Austin community, hosts frequent educational field days, and also runs Superior Cannabis Company, where his children operate a local Austin storefront alongside a Duluth location.
• 'It's a band-aid on a problem': Minnesota farmers react to Trump's $12 billion aid package (kttc.com) — Farmers speaking from Austin and across Minnesota say President Trump’s $12 billion farm aid package will help in the short term but won’t fix low crop prices and high input costs. Local producer Tom Cotter and others argue they’d rather see strong markets and better trade deals than one-time checks, while both Republican and DFL leaders echo calls for longer-term solutions.
📸 Around Austin
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Austin
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Friday Night Game Night
Hot Off the Press Comics and Coffee, 508 1st Dr NW, Austin
6:30 pm
Friday December 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Austin Bruins vs. Watertown Shamrocks
Riverside Arena , 501 2nd Ave NE , Austin
7:05 pm - Summer Pickleball at Packer Arena
Packer Arena , 601 7th St NE , Austin
9:00 am - Kids Studio: Faux Stained Glass
Austin ArtWorks Center , 300 Main St N , Austin
10:30 am - Watercolor Holiday Cards
Austin ArtWorks Center , 300 Main St N , Austin
1:00 pm - Christmas in the Land of Oz
Matchbox Children's Theatre , 204 1st Ave NW , Austin
7:00 pm - League Sunday — Mower County Curling Club
Packer Arena , 601 7th St NE , Austin
3:00 pm - AHS Holiday Concert
Austin High School , 401 3rd Ave NW , Austin
7:00 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
📣 Austin Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hormel Foods Corporation posted a job opening for Shipping Team Leader - Austin Plant (Austin, MN) in Austin. Apply here.
- Pentex Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Taco John's, PT Team Member - Nights in Austin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Austin here.
🗞 Nearby News
Albert Lea
- 'Song Bird Trail' to be constructed in Minnesota between Albert Lea and Hartland (northiowatoday.com)
- Albert Lea lowers proposed tax levy (kaaltv.com)
- 7 things to do this week: Christmas with Elvis, brunch bingo and more (albertleatribune.com)
Kasson
- Wednesday, December 10 snowfall summary (kaaltv.com)
- Burcum: Years after losing Main Street landmarks, small towns like Northfield see no easy fix (startribune.com)
Ok Austin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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